Race 1 2-4
Literata is the interesting horse. She has three starts on the main with two wins and a place, but her move to the inner dirt didn’t work out very well. Instead of flashing her normal pressing ability, in two of the three starts she fell well back and showed no close. Yes, she was a bit cheaper in the fall, but in her favor there isn’t a lot of speed here and she may be able to duplicate previous good performances. At 8-1 ML in a five horse field she’s worth a look.
Race 2 6-3-1
Samus lost all chance at the start last out but prior to that she showed good speed. She’s looked a little short in the stretch in the short sprints, but I often like these type of horses in a slightly longer sprint where they can relax. She’ll be favorite and 8-5 is a bit low, but I like her chances. Greg’s Beauty is another coming out of short sprints. Gary Sciacca is better than average with his new runners. Mama’s Red Hot finally put together her best effort last out and this is a fairly soft field. Gives her a real chance.
Race 3 5-2-3
Fiona’s Hero jumps up a bit in price but the move to state-breds offsets it. He’s the clear speed and gets a switch to Jose Ortiz. Five Freedoms didn’t take to the mud last out but last year he had 4 wins, 3 places in 10 starts. He rarely runs a bad one. Tequila Hero looks good on the drop and has the figures to compete here.
Race 4 1-3-4
Raiza Sultana tries older for the first time but has the numbers to bound by this group. Should be the one to catch. Bossy Boots looks for a win in her eighth start. She’s been knocking on the door and has possibilities. Summon the Spirit goes for the hot Jimmy Jerkens barn and fits with this group.
Race 5 2-4-6
Becker’s Galaxy was fair on the inner. Has the best figures lately and should get first jump on the leader. Tug of War is the best speed and has a win and a place in four starts on the main. Sacred Ground drops to his lowest level in a while and is close to 20% lifetime win percentage.
Race 6 6-10-1
Bet U Can’t Find Me is the bomb play today. In 2014 the horse was 16-5-7-1. In four starts on the inner this year she showed little until her last out when she finished a distant third to a 13 length winner. Off her best she has the best numbers in the field. Worth a shot at the odds. Inaflash is the ML second choice and is looking for three in a row. Gary Gullo is not strong first off the claim but the horse may have enough condition to help that percentage. My Tee Time also goes first off the claim, this one for Bruce Levine. Has the best figures and has looked good previously on the main.
Race 7 5-2-6
Violinist won first time on the dirt and was taken by Jason Servis who is 35% first off the claim. Prize Taker has the best figures but has had trouble getting that second win. Iffy for me at even money. Is She Hot won on the inner in January by 21 lengths and was claimed by Debra Breed placed her ambitiously last out but she is at a better level today. Should be the one in front and will have to be caught.
Race 8 1/1A-2-6
The entry of Diannestillworks and Checkupfromzneckup looks best and even if one scratches the other should go favorite. Irish Sweepstakes has been a reliable runner and will likely doing her best running in the lane. Mine for Life impressively won her maiden on the inner last out and should flourish at the one turn mile.
Race 9 2-4-11
Feverish Loot takes a big price drop off a distant second. The third place finisher in his last has already come back to win. Has the dominant figure. Unauthorized moves to open $16 from state-bred $25K, and goes with older for the first time. Should be more effective in the one turn mile. Interesting. Larry Boy is another trying older for the first time. Jacobson looks to break him into the winners circle after claiming two back. Should have plenty of room to get into the race from the outside spot.