It’s cold in the Northeast. Let’s hope we’re hot at the windows.
Race 1 4-1
She’s All Even was scratched which solidifies Good Shot and moves Kool Charli up a bit.
Good Shot ran three seconds in her first three races but then disappointed in her first try on the inner. Drops from MSW to this claiming event. She’s All Even failed as the favorite in a 6 furlong sprint on the inner, moves to a route where her breeding suggests no problem. Twin Lights is another one dropping from MSW and takes the blinkers off. Could pick up pieces late.
Race 2 1-2-4
Classic Salsa and M J Plus are the typically strong Jacobson entry. The latter is probably the better part of the entry, but both have competitive figures. Jeter gets a nod based on his figures, but not based on his proclivity to win. Struggled to find the winners circle in 2014. Apex is one of the speed horses signed up in here and will have to battle for the front. He’s been with better quality horses in the recent past.
Race 3 4-5-6
Brandini invades from FL for James Bond. She’s had some trouble duplicating her maiden victory but has been competitive in next level allowances. Has a second in her lone inner try, and has been working well for her return off a short layoff. Moves Your Soul never got into the last race but prior to that was competitive at FL. Should appreciate the drop. Academyperformance should be the pacesetter and nearly wired a similar field last out.
Race 4 5-4-8
Update: With top choice Wild Freud scratched I’ll move Nine Bears into the top three. He completely missed the start last out, but even so showed a little bit of interest. Puts the blinkers on today and perhaps that will refocus him. Winner of that race repeated.
Wild Freud is the best of the prior starters and puts the blinkers on today. Suckitupbuster goes first time for Morley. Like the speedy early workouts and the regular maintenance works after that. El Viejo Verde has shown a lot of speed and late fate. I like that Alvarado stays because I think he is effective at keeping speed horses together.
Race 5 1-2
The Abby Adsit coupling of Ridingwiththedevil and Star Magnolia look to have the advantage here. Ridingwiththedevil faltered last out on the inner but before that had won two in a row. Drops today to a more favorable level. Star Magnolia has been competitive at this level and should be up with the front runners. Brad’s Ruby had a never got into the last race while breaking from the far outside but had won at the allowance level as recently as October.
Race 6 9-10-6
Ziwiye completely surrendered in the slop last out but prior to that ran a decent race at this level. That figure tops the field and although the stretch out may be of concern he is the best speed in the field and his breeding suggests he can get the distance. H Man was also stymied in the slop last out but has been successful negotiating the distance. He is one of the Cannizzo runners that has switched over to Falcone while Cannizzo is serving his suspension, and so far Falcone has not been successful getting any runner to the winner’s circle. Touch of Paradise puts the blinkers on and drops from MSW to this claiming event. Hasn’t finished in the money but his racings are better than looked.
Race 7 2-10-8
With the scratch of Alpha J the chances of Untapped Secret went up. I’ll move Discreet Force into the top three. Last out she took the lead and never looked back, gearing down at the end but still winning by 10. She jumps up a bit in price, but still looks good enough to make an impact here.
Untapped Secret has scored a win in almost 50% of her races. She’s placed at the right level today and should be the one to catch turning for home. Bridgetta is another one with good early foot and competitive figures. 7 of 9 in the money in 2014. Alpha J has a second in two starts on the inner and is 4 of 6 in the money at the distance
Race 8 5-10-2
Tizquick and Bullhead Boy hook up again Bullhead Boy narrowly got the better of Tizquick in the Runyon. I think Tizquick had the worse of the two trips and I look for him to reverse the tables today. All is Number just broke his maiden on the inner in a time that should make him a competitor today.
Race 9 2-3
With the scratch of Frosty Pop Larry I’ll move Nine Pin into the top three. He had some trouble at the start last out but Jara gave him a patient ride and managed to close well to get the place. Trainer Feron is not having much success, but I’m willing to give the horse a chance in this field.
Zabaione jumped up on the slop on the inner. Cuts back to a mile today and should be up close to the lead. Frosty Pop Larry is a first timer for new trainer Raymond Handal. He’s been working lights out at Fair Hill and that certainly makes him a consideration in this group. Greg’s Fourwheeler drops from a MSW to the claiming ranks. He’s making his 7th start and to date only has one in the money finish but he does have the top last race figure.