2017 Nijinsky Stakes Preview, Entries & Odds

OffTrackBetting.com - The G2 Nijinsky Stakes takes place this Saturday, July 29 at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario. Horses three years old and upward will line up and race 1 1/4 miles on Woodbine's turf track for the winner's share of the $175,000 purse.

A short but quality field of five have been confirmed for the Nijinsky Stakes - race 6 on Woodbine's Saturday schedule. Post time is 3:39 PM. Let's take a look into the past performances of all five entries for this competitive G2 stakes.

2017 Nijinsky Stakes Entries at Woodbine Racetrack

Can'thelpbelieving 1-1

Irish bred Graham Motion trained gelding has four wins, six seconds and three third place finishes in 21 career starts. Last time out was a respectable second in the G1 United Nations Stakes at Monmouth Park July 1 which followed a fourth in the G3 Red Bank Stakes on that track May 27, a very disappointing eleventh in the G1 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic at Churchill Downs May 6, nine months away and a career-best win in the G3 Cliffhanger Stakes at Monmouth Park last July 30. He also finished a respectable third in the 2016 G1 Man `o War Stakes at Belmont Park. Can'thelpbelieving has been up and down so far in his career but looked good last time out. He tries to build on that reasonable effort when he leaves from the rail with James Graham in the saddle of the even-money favorite.

Dragon Bay 5-2

Has placed in nine of 17 career starts for trainer Stuart Simon - four wins, two seconds and three third place finishes. He enters off a disappointing sixth in the G2 King Edward Stakes here July 2 after a nice win in the G2 Eclipse Stakes on this track May 20 and a fifth in an Allowance at Keeneland April 19. Before that was a seventh in the G3 Canadian Turf Stakes at Gulfstream Park March 4, a win in the minor English Channel Stakes at Belmont Park in October and an OK second in the G3 Ontario Derby on this track in September. He failed to hit the board in his previous three starts. Dragon Bay looked great two starts back but will be in search of a strong bounce back from gate 2 Saturday. Gary Boulanger rides the morning line second choice.

Bet Woodbine Racetrack Horse Racing with OffTrackBetting.com

Bangkok 4-1

Has 27 career starts for trainer W. Philip Gracey with five wins, three seconds and five third place finishes - all on this track. He arrives off a fifth in the G3 Singspiel Stakes July 2 which followed two straight nice wins - an Allowance Optional Claiming June 9 and the G3 Valedictory Stakes December 4. Before that was a third in an Allowance November 11, a second in a similar race October 12, a seventh in a Claiming September 5 and a third in an Allowance Optional Claiming July 29. Bangkok has quietly placed in four of his last five starts and will be out to avenge a pedestrian outing last time out. Emma-Jayne Wilson has the mount.

Tour de Force 6-1

Mark Casse trained colt has placed in five of seven career starts - three wins and two second-place finishes. He makes his stakes debut Saturday off a front-running Allowance Optional Claiming score here July 9 and a fifth and a sixth respectively in a pair of similar races. He did win two straight to start 2017 as well. Tour de Force has been just OK in his short career so far and is expected to be in tough in his major jump up in competition. Patrick Husbands will be in the irons from the outside post 12.

Pumpkin Rumble 10-1

Kevin Attard trained gelding has 28 career starts with four wins, five seconds and six third-place finishes. Last time out was a decent third in the G3 Singspiel Stakes on this track July 2 which followed a third in an Allowance Optional Claiming here June 9 and a second in a similar race May 17 on this track. He failed to place in his previous four starts. Pumpkin Rumble has been OK in his last three starts and will be hoping for a first ever graded stakes score from post 3 Saturday with Jesse Campbell guiding him.

2017 Nijinsky Stakes Odds & Entries

Race 6 on Woodbine's Saturday card with a Post Time of 3:39 PM.