Interesting day. A series of starter allowance races with relatively short fields and, as usual, lots of strong looking favorites.
Race 1. 2-1-4
This race is filled with horses that like to run to the front with one exception – Sweet on Smokey. Considering this is a low level starter, I’m going to go with the horse that seems to have gotten better after starting for $12,500. Yes, she’s very low odds, and I don’t think she is a lock by any means, but given hier consistency and some success in a graded event, she belongs on top. Midnight Champagne is likely the speed of the speed and she just wired a field in excellent time. Very dangerous if she runs back to that race. Two Step Flor is another speedy sort that has been running very well since meeting the starter condition. Horses from GG aren’t always as good on the AQU dirt, but given her figures and the presence of DJ she’s another worth a look.
Race 2. 5-4-2
This is the complementary race to the first except it is for the boys. Hector’s Prize is looking for three in a row and is dropping quite a way. Will be the one to catch. Tug of War has a decent record on the AQU main and has been running very consistently. Colin’s Smile won at the $12,500 claiming level two back and doesn’t look quite as classy as a few of these, but his figures suggest he should be competitive.
Race 3. 2-3-1
Sweetrayofsunshine shipped well from the West Coast for DJ. We’ll see if she takes to the AQU main, but her 10 for 23 winning record is very hard to ignore. Stormy Sky broke her maiden for $20K but since then has been racing with much better with good success. Owns a win on the AQU main. Distinctive Lady just won for $32K and should be the one to catch. Have to respect the speed.
Race 4. 2-5-6
Lucky Lotto smashed a field in a $25K starter last out and drops a couple of levels today. Best last race figure. Mr. Palmer’s last six races have been on six different tracks, but he seems a fairly pliable horse. Two seconds in five races on the main, so he’s got enough of a liking for the main to be given serious consideration. Perhaps a bit of a seconditis horse, but dangerous. Bears Personality ships over from Pennsylvania for good percentage trainer Ramon Preciado. Is riding a three race win streak at much better levels than this.
Race 5. 1-6-3
Dad’z Laugh has been popular at the claim box and was taken last out by Bruce Levine for twice today’s starter price. Figures have been really consistent and has enough speed to benefit from the rail post. Beach Hut makes his first start on the AQU main, but certainly fits from the class and speed perspective. Draxhall Woods was just taken by Jeremiah Englehart for slightly more than today’s starter price and Englehart is 24% first off the claim. Another trying the AQU main for the first time.
Race 6. 4-2-6
Don’tbetwithbruno finished second in the ungraded Stymie last out and was well regarded enough to get a spot in the Grade 1 Haskell. Looks to currently be at the top of his game, Royal Posse is another that has been racing with decent state bred stakes horses with good success. His knock – 0 for 7 on the AQU main. Indycott was no match for Bruno in the Stymie but he should be closing in the stretch.
Race 7. 3-7-4
Toledo Eddie has the best last out figure and is one of a number of horses DJ picked up on the West Coast. He’s 12 of 40 lifetime and that speaks well of the horse. Goodtolook was mostly a turfer last year but does have a win on the AQU main, and should be volleying up front with the favorite. Cannizo is not great first off the claim, but at 15-1 I’m looking to hook up a price with the favorite. African Fighter is the clear late speed in the field and if the top two duel each other into submission, he picks of the pieces.
Race 8. 3-4-7
Can Can Baby was another DJ claim from the west coast. She has the dominant last race figure and if she takes to the AQU main she is the main contender. Pushme Pullyou had been running well when she threw her jockey last race. Considering she’s got a win on the main and has been with better, she’s worth a look. Darnley Bay just smashed a slightly less pricey field and is more at home at the route distance. In this field I’m not discounting her.
Race 9. 9-4-5
Cerro has two top figures in his last two. He was taken last out by Danny Gargan who is 26% first time after the claim. Should be up close early and has plenty of finish. Eighty Three has been competitive with a better grade of animal lately. If the front speed folds he should be the beneficiary. Bond Vigilante has a win on the AQU main and has been successful of the short layoff.
Race 10. 5-1-7
La Inesperada has been running very well for Danny Gargan. Has the dominant last race figure. Stroke Play has been in over her head for a while, including a few graded stakes. She was very much a win type in 2015. She’s coming off a two month layoff and trainer Preciado is 30% off the short layoff. Dangerous and may be value. Nuffsaid Nuffsaid was claimed by Danny Gargan and he is good at playing the claiming game. She certainly fits well with this group.