Race 1 11-9-5
River Knight came out running in 2015 and has a field-topping figure. Dusty Miles was beaten by River Knight last out but I like that he is improving after being off two years. The blinkers go on and Franco stays for the trip. O’Bear is another coming out of the River Knight race and putting on the shades. The trainer record at BEL is discouraging but he is making his third start of the year and may improve at big odds.
Race 2 2-4-1
Sacred Success ran poorly last out but in the penultimate race beat a similar field. I’m betting she reverts back to previous form. Henry’s Gal has two good tries at BEL and has a good turn of early speed. Verismilitude didn’t take to the turf last out but before that was competitive with better. Another with prospects.
Race 3 6-2-5
These NY state-bred maiden two year old races are always wide open affairs. Nolo Contendere is trained by Richard Violette and he is excellent with maiden two year olds. Wonderment sold for five times the stud fee and is trained by Ken McPeek who is ok with first timers. Like the workouts. Frosty Margarita is the RuRod entrant and he is another who is effective with babies.
Race 4 5-7-1
Old Harbor has been competitive in state-bred stakes and was a factor for the first half of the graded Eatontown. Fits well at this OC level. Carolina Shag just won her NW1X but faltered last out when in the Intercontinental. Better fit in this field. Vicki’s Dancer looked good when put back on the turf last out at this level. Strong potential.
Race 5 9-2-8
Sambrook faltered on the turf last out but looked good winning her maiden. Looks better suited for the sprint distance and the dirt. Letsgotovegas moves over to the Steve Klesaris stable. Easily beat a $20K field two back and should do better at this level. Lin Marie has been with better on the PA circuit. Has the figures to compete here.
Race 6 7-5-8
Mills is the fastest in the field off his best, but has been struggling to find the winners circle. This is as light a field as he’s faced in a while and perhaps that does the trick. Sharp Stick beat a NW1X field at Parx last out and definitely fits with these. Boss Man jumps up off a win but Servis seems to have the horse on the improve. Should be in top form.
Race 7 3-10-6
Compliance Officer needed his last race and should run an improved effort today. Analysis is also making his second start of 2015. Matched last year’s top first time out and with improvement is very dangerous in this field. Bullheaded Boy looks for two in a row for the deadly Pletcher/Velasquez combination. Looks to be in top shape and definitely competitive with this group.
Race 8 6-8-9
Warrior’s Crown has never run a bad race and has had very consistent figures. No reason not to expect a good effort. Havana was one of the stars as a two year old. Faltered badly in his three year old season but is back. Could be just looking for a conditioning race but given Pletcher is the conditioner, ignore him at your own risk. Classy Class was on the Triple Crown trail but did not have the right stuff. Likes the BEL surface and wasn’t embarrassed in the G2 Woody Stephens. Plenty of outs.
Race 9 3-9-1
Justenufflaughter will not go off near his 15-1 ML. Has the look of a Condition Sign horse, or a horse that shows dramatic improvement. His figures are not far off the best here. Hope’s Roar is coming off a short layoff for Bruce Brown. Making the big drop from MSW to MCL. Battle Axe is another dropping out of the MSW ranks. Making his first start of 2015 for Contessa and if he improves any from 2014 he’s a factor here.