Race 1 5-3-6
Mistaken Love has some good figures from her last two races on the turf. Her one dirt start was nothing special, but she did show a little bit of interest early in the race. Her breeding doesn’t really scream turf, and she should translate her recent form to the dirt. At 4-1 ML she’s worth a look. Eastern Rose just missed in her first start, and Shug is 27% second time out. However, at 3-5 she may not be the value we’re looking for. Calling Me Home improved on the AQU main and some improvement today makes her competitive.
Race 2 4-3-6-7
Luckysdream is the speed of the speed here, and will have to fend off Be Bullish at the front. Be Bullish is a win machine for Jacobson and takes a tumble in price in an effort to get number four in a row. Moonluck is the likely closer if the battle up front takes too much out of the leaders. At 20-1 I wouldn’t leave him out. With the 3 and 6 scratched I’ll put Love to Run in the back hole. He has a good BEL record and a top in his last race.
Race 3 1-3-2
Persuasive Devil was claimed last out by Abby Adsit. He’s in good shape and should have no issue with the distance. Groupthink is stuggling to get to the winner’s circle but he’s been competitive in most of his races. Repent Twice gets first Lasix despite looking pretty competitive without it. Fits the conditions and the distance.
Race 4 6-12-5- (13)
Mangold ran a good one on the turf last out and looks to be on the improve. Cody’s notes looked to be on the right track at SAR last summer before heading off to the farm for a break. Has the style of a turfer and should enjoy the distance. Jackson N Leonard is going first time on the turf and is dropping from MSW down to $40K MCL. I like the workout string for the return and at 20-1 he’s worth looking at for the backhole. Lotza Heat gets a nod if he scratches in.
Race 5 6-3-1
Dariel won going short at first asking and returned with a good race against winners. Gets a rider upgrade to bug boy Cruz. Partytime Chill tried the turf last out with no luck. Seems better suited to the dirt since that is where she gained her sole victory. Should be duking it out early, and may hang out given the price drop. Saluda took 11 starts to break her maiden, and returned competitively against winners. Good pressing style and competitive numbers.
Race 6 4-6-3-2
Easy Feeling ships from France and has numbers that would be competitive with this group. Hasn’t gone the distance but certainly the breeding suggests it shouldn’t be an issue. Like the potential. Josdesanimaux is riding a two race win streak for Chad Brown. Is well bred for the distance and Chad Brown is dynamite with turf fillies. Path is a strong turf runner for McGaughey and gets a top turf rider in Javier Castellano. Diannestillworks is the RuRod contribution to the field and while she doesn’t have any turf race she’s been with better in the past and the breeding suggests the grass shouldn’t be a problem. At 12-1 she could make the verticals.
Race 7 3-1
Matterhorn goes for the still powerful Pletcher/Castellano coupling. He’s a deep closer in a field with not an overwhelming amount of front speed so he’ll need the set-up. That set-up could come in the form of a speed battle between Ship Disturber and Between the Lines. I’m going with Ship Disturber coming off the long layoff for Violette. I think he may be a little classier than the 4 and his works say ready to roll. He should be very well suited for the 7F distance. Peter Island just missed in his first against winners a year ago and McGaughy is decent off the long layoff.
Race 8 6-2-11
Whoopie Pie drops into a $40K claimer after a turf allowance last time out at KEE. He looked like he adapted well to the change in surface and some improvement today puts him right there.D’tumbling Dice ships up from GP. While the trainer isn’t inspiring, Johnny V taking the mount is. He fits. Sunny Puzzle stays at the same level but is competitive off his numbers. 12-1 could make some exotics.
Race 9 3-1-8
Nagging Gigee drops down from MSW and gets first Lasix. He broke poorly last out but showed some interest before backing out. He’s 30-1 on the ML and while you have to have a big dose of faith to play him, I think he’s worth exploring. Not About the Nail goes for RuRod and Irad Ortiz. and fits well with this group. Lemmesinaruba ran well at the shorter sprint distance last out at this level despite the troubles at the start. Very much fits with this group.