Race 1. 1-2-5
Zippity Zoom was moved to this condition after a win at the claiming level and ran a good one last out. A repeat puts her on top. Golden Gem seems to prefer finishing second and has spent too long in this condition to get really excited about her. But her figures say she has a chance. His Girl Friday finished behind the top choice last out but earned a good figure in doing so.
Race 2. 7-1-4
Snowfly as been close and makes another price drop today looking for the win. Best last race figure could put him over the top. Auburn Avenue goes second out for Pletcher and Jose Ortiz. Claiming price cut in half for this run, and while that usually indicates Pletcher wants to move the horse out of his stable, they win at a high enough percentage to get strong consideration. Sixbits should be better suited for the two turns and may surprise this group.
Race 3. 4-3-1
This renewal of the Cicada only came up with a field of four, and Constellation sticks out. She’s got the top figure in the race from her two year old season and has already won on the inner. She’s 1/9 on the ML and looks every bit a deserving favorite. Lost Raven is the other horse with graded experience. Takrees may be the horse on the improve and may make a race of it.
Race 4. 3-1-6-5
Petrocelli at his best can wire fields at the sprint or route distance. He doesn’t seem to like the inner as much, but Pino is good first off the claim and at his best he’s better than these bottom level claimers. Hurry Up Alan has four seconds in six tries on the inner. No reason to expect he won’t be part of the picture today. Divine Child came off a two month rest to just miss at this price last out. No better than this price, but does have a win on the inner. Special Agent goes first time for low profile trainer Carol Fisher. A win and a second on the inner in three tries and a big number off that $16K win in the mud in December.
Race 5. 5-1-2
With the scratch of Ideal Quality, Norm the Giant and Overcontrol seem to stick out. Spartan Emperor has some speed and may dictate the pace.
Race 6. 7-6-8
This race is pretty much “who knows.” At Guard has one start at Parx for Tony Dutrow and it was good enough to give him the nod here. City Traveler goes first time for Linda Rice and she’s been decent with firsters at the meet. Good work in prep for this run. Dark As Midnight is another firster, and he goes for James Ryerson who is 25% with debuting horses. I like the workout pattern.
Race 7. 3-5-1
Hunt’s Road ran a new top last out, took the lead in the stretch but couldn’t hold off the Winner. Doesn’t seem to string them, but his best efforts have come on the inner. Tepid choice. Persuasive Devil has never been out of the money on the inner and his last race was close to a winning effort after being off nine months. Hard trying colt should make a mark. Gold Hawk was another coming off a layoff to run a good return race. Second best last race figure.
Race 8. 4-2-6
RuRod has Geaux Mets running really well. Figures say he’s in top form and there is no reason to expect a tail off here. Uncharted Course won handily against state-bred NW1X and moves to the next condition. Has shown a liking for the inner and should be in the battle up front. Bass River Road makes a jump from open statebred $25K to this level but seems to be in good condition and may be the beneficiary if the speed breaks down.
Race 9. 2-9-6
We’ll go with a bomb in the final. She Is My Hero is a “Condition Sign” horse. She’s got really low profile connections and an even lower profile jockey, and that should ensure the long odds, but I’m taking the chance that her last race is indicative of a big turn around. In her first five she never got closer than 11 lengths and never took the lead at any point until the last race. At the odds, I have to give her a try. Lil Renegage has been knocking for quite a while and although she looks good from a figure standpoint she’s not likely to be value. Double Mane has been in the money three of six on the inner this meet and certainly looks as good as any in here.