I was a little irritated to see the 9th race a lower priced maiden claimer. NYRA should do better than a $16K NW2L claimer, a state-bred NW1X ALW, a $30K MCL, and a $10K claimer for the late Pick-4.
Race 1 7-5-8
Grand Strand came close at this same level a month ago. A little bothersome he hasn’t seen the training track since then. Still, he has two races on the inner dirt that are faster than anything else in this race. He’s placed at the right level. Ausable River has been effective at the distance and is moderately competent on the inner. Rene Araya has not had a good winter meet and jockey Fernando Jara is limping along at around 8% but the horse does seem to be rounding decently into form. At 12-1 he’s worth a look. Born in Brooklyn finished behind Grand Strand and Can’t Catch Me Now after a long, sustained drive. Off his best he’s competitive here.
Race 2 4-3-2
Yes for Success ran well first time out in December on the inner against the next out winner Perchance. His sire, Yes It’s True, was a top grade sprinter and Yes for Success looks to be in the same mold. He may get outrun by one of the first timers, but of the starters he looks best. Speightsfire is very well bred for the sprint distance and has a good workout pattern. Jose Ortiz takes the mount and that is a positive. Repartee has a workout pattern I like – short, quick works early and stamina works later. McLaughlin is better than average with firsters and he gets the services of top rider Irad Ortiz.
Race 3 1-3-6
Ohgma was the interesting horse in this race. He’s normally a front running type and this race isn’t loaded with speed. He had been racing a bit over his head but the drop down to $12500 made him a lot more courageous in the stretch. He’s placed right here and should be competitive today. Van Fraassen has an interesting pattern lately – good race, dull race, good race. He’s strung them together before, and he does have the top number here, so it would be unwise not to consider him, but this is the off race in the pattern. Shot to Win has done well on the inner and is the other speed in this race. He another competitive off his best.
Race 4 5-4-2
Aireofdistinction puts the blinkers on today and is well-placed in this stakes. She has a nice tracking style and competitive figures. She already beat a couple in this field his last out in the Interborough. Isabelle is riding a three race win streak, the last two on the inner. She has the high figure in this race, and has some back figures that would dominate this field. Mamdooha is only making her sixth start, but all but the first have been winning ones. McLaughlin should have her ready to fire off the year vacation.
Race 5 4-8-10
Our Posse puts the blinkers on for Gustavo Rodriguez for his second start. In his first start he broke from the outside, stayed wide and held steady in the stretch. With a better trip he looks tops in this field. Afleet’s Edge drops slightly for this race. He was another one wide around the track and should do better today with the experience. Wild Ham is looking for a win in his fourth start. Blinkers seemed to help him last out and he figures competitively in this group.
Race 6 6-2-3
Global Positioning has shown good speed in his last three starts, but has had some trouble sticking in the stretch. He looks more apt at the sprint distance and won the last time he was on the inner. Jose Ortiz was aboard him for that win and is back aboard today. Lots of things to like. Drama King ran evenly in his first start on the inner against state-bred stakes runners. His numbers are the same as a few in here, but improvement may be more likely in his case. All Is Number broke his maiden impressively on the inner in December and faded a bit when he was stretched out. He’s back at the sprint distance today and should have something to say at the end.
Race 7 2-1-5
Mineral Water closed from well off the pace last out, a change since he has normally shown a pressing style. That was first off the claim for Barbara, a good sign. He’s had decent success on the inner. Eight Cents has finished second three times in a row, the last one only a nose behind Hampden Fiveone. He’s been running consistent figures and they are good enough to get him a win here. Ice Wagon was claimed last out by Jeff Englehart, who had a decent 2014. At 12-1 ML he’s the interesting horse.
Race 8 9-7-6
Huge Asset ran well first time on the inner turf. He started awkwardly, rushed to the front and gradually gave it up in the stretch. He hasn’t had a bad race since last July and looks to turn the tables on Sea Raven today. That horse came from off the pace, actually took the lead at one point but was outfinished for the win. Been in the money both of his inner dirt starts. Repent Twice has never run out of the money. This test is an upgrade over the FL races so we’ll see just how good he is.
Race 9 2-3-6
Moonlight Party has been knocking at the door a while and drops to his lowest level ever in search of a win. His last was also his first on the inner and a little bit of improvement gets him first to the wire. Hollywood Angel actually breaks from the rail. Blinkers on should help him avoid any distractions from the horses outside him. He’s got enough speed to get a good attacking spot and has a figure competitive with these. Onthecurve just missed his first on the inner at this level. He had trouble at the start in his last and never really got into the race. He switches to the Nick Esler barn for this one, and Esler is fair with first off the claim .
Race 10 10-4-6
Duke of the City is five for 15 lifetime and one of two on the inner. He’s got plenty of tactical speed and fits well at this level. His last would dominate this group. Solly’s Mischief hasn’t been out of the money since last May and has been running consistent figures. He’s run well no matter who has been the trainer, hasn’t been out of the money on the inner, and hasn’t been out of the money at the distance. Could be the value at 8-1 ML. Love to Run should be the horse to catch. He’s done well on the inner and likes the distance.