Big card today, and there are a lot of competitive races, including the Wood Memorial.
Race 1 6-5-2
Domer is the dominant speed in this race and improved when finding a fast track. He’ll have another one today. Party On finally broke his maiden but his first against winners isn’t going to be as easy a task. Eight Cents is 9-5 on the ML and 1 for 20 lifetime. He’s more likely as a vertical play.
Race 2 3-1-6
Smokem’s Charm was strong in the summer of 2014 but didn’t find success on the inner. He gets CC Lopez and that should help him ration his speed. Brass Pear is the likely favorite and he fits well here, especially on the return to state-breds. They’ll have to catch him. Free Mugatu has not seen the winners circle in a while but definitely has the figures to be competitive.
Race 3 1-2-5
The entry of Ekhlaas and Malad looks strong for McLaughlin. Defined goes first time for Chad Brown who is solid with debut runners. So Clutch has a good workout pattern for his debut.
Race 4 3-8-4
Gold Shield broke his maiden last out despite a troubled start. Castellano takes the call. Winter Games has been in top form since his return to the races and should be one of the front end battlers. Pax in Terra gets Pletcher’s DH jock in Rosario but has been competitive with this sort.
Race 5 6-10-8
One Sided failed as the favorite last out but it was a good learning race for him and he does have the top figure. Rectify ran very well first time out, a pattern trainer Mott is not known for. Should improve today. Fallfire faltered badly in the mud last out but although it is his fifth start it is only his third against non winners. Another with a competitive number.
Race 6 4-2-5
Sassicaia has been close in most of his career starts and runs well fresh. Workouts suggest he is ready. Matterhorn was a well-thought of 3 year old. His 4 year-old debut was likely just for conditioning and he should up his game today. Juba should be close early and he is competitive off his maiden victory.
Race 7 3-6-4
Moneyinyourpocket is todays longshot pick. The 6 year-old has deceptively good figures and should be able to sit in the garden spot. Longfor the City puts the blinkers on for Brown and switches to Irad for this affair. He’s been strong on the training track and fits well with this group. Ostrolenka was set to be a good one after winning impressively at BEL, but failed in two graded stakes attempts. He’s back where he belongs.
Race 8 5-4-7
Condo Commando is the speed and class of the field. No reason not to expect another top performance. Wonder Gal comes off a long rest after finishing close in the BC Juvenile Fillies. She looms the main threat to CC. Noble and a Beauty looked superior winning the Cicada and a 3 year-old on the improve is always dangerous.
Race 9 3-1-8
The Bayshore (G3) is loaded with talent. The two top runners are Ready for Rye, who won the Swale in dominant fashion, and Lord Nelson, who finished behind Derby contender Dortmund last out. Both look like quality runners and this may help define where the three year old power really exists this year. Majestic Affair has been competitive in minor stakes and looks to take a big step forward here.
Race 10 5-6-1
The Wood Memorial (G1) came up a little weaker with the injury to Far From Over. All of the preps are tough to assess because trainers do not want to see their horses have a taxing effort before the Derby. This is exactly what it is billed as – a prep. El Kabeir comes off a very impressive Gotham win and we’ll see if he sticks with his new tactics today. Daredevil finished second in the Swale to the aforementioned Ready for Rye and looks to make a return to the winners circle in a Grade 1. Tiz Shea D made a race of it in the Gotham and with some improvement could be the upsetter.
Race 11 6-7-3
The Carter (G1) has some of the better sprinters on the east coast slated to go. Palace is back after a mid pack finish in the BC Sprint. He almost never runs a bad one and his works should have him ready for the seven furlong distance. Wild Dude is the West Coast invader. Bejarano comes in to ride him and that is a positive sign. His numbers say he belongs in this group. The Big Beast is exactly that and after picking up a purse earlier this year at OP, he’s looking to make his win streak five. He’s got the talent to do it.
Race 12 11-5-4
Writingonthewall has to overcome the outside post but has plenty of speed and plenty of backstretch to find position. Dominant off his best. Finding Candy is taking a good sized drop in price. He was much more competitive on the AQU main than on the inner and a return to last year’s form would give him outs. Candyman E gets a new trainer in Abby Adsit and she is good first time with a horse. He’s another dropping substantially. Has some nice works in prep for this comeback.