I understood NYRA is calling off turf racing for the year, so all the races are picked for the inner dirt.
Race 1 5-7-3
Lil’ Zilla has been hanging around at the $40K level for a while and drops today to the inner dirt bottom level maiden price, $25K. Her first six starts were on the turf, then she ran into a sloppy track, then ran a pretty good race in an off the turf affair on the fast AQU dirt. If she takes to the inner she’s the fastest. Peach Lake is looking to find the winner’s circle in start 18. Lot of seconds and thirds lately so she should be competitive even though the win is questionable. Built in a day only has four starts and looks like she’s been waiting for a distance of ground on a fast track.
Race 2 6-5-2
Rosemarie is another one that might appreciate the cutback. Nice figures, but has trouble getting up first. Mononoke is a total money burner, but is good enough in this field to slip into the win slot. Lemon and Honey has 3 seconds and a third in 10 starts this year and may inherit one of the exotic spots.
Race 3 2-3-6
Blue Shark is dropping from MSW to this low claiming level. He’s shown a lot of ability to get interested early, but hasn’t finished so well. He’s definitiely bred more for the dirt and should be fine at the distance. American Hero is another with competitive numbers, but will need a good spot and a good pace to run at. Warrior’s Hero has lots of speed but has been having to spend it on sloppy and muddy tracks and the dirt. Last time on a fast track he almost won.
Race 4 6-12-11
M J Plus just missed at this price three weeks ago and has consistently good figures. Love to Run was claimed last out by Chris Englehart and he is fair first off the claim. May have to duel with Shankopotamous but he’s shown an ability to sit just off. Lot’s of in the money finishes. Global Asset seems to be a little faster on the turf, but ran very well in his last race over a good AQU dirt. Claimed last out by Bruce Levine and he is good with new barn arrivals.
Race 5 2-3-4
Apex has good tactical speed, a win at the distance and a win over the AQU inner. Bemata was left in his last start at Parx, but prior to that he was running well. Dighton is new to the Bruce Levine barn, but has two wins, two seconds on the AQU inner.
Race 6 11-1-13
In a competitive race the MTO Our Caravan is finally dropping out of graded stakes to try his hand with OC $62K runners. He should find this field much easier. One of the Klesaris entry will scratch, and if it is off the turf Frazil is the one likely to start. He’s got nice tactical speed and just lost last out to Golden Itiz after dueling all the way around the track. He’ll be looking to turn the tables on an inner dirt where he is 5 for 16 in the win slot and 11 for 16 in the money. Golden Itiz goes for three in a row. Hasn’t been on the AQU inner, but has been running strong figures. Has a nice tracking style.
Race 7 7-3-1
Herbal Prospecter runs wet or dry, and goes second off the claim for Tony Dutrow who is 28% with that move. Big Town is not well thought of by the linemaker at 12-1, but he figures as fast as any horse in here and is well suited to the distance. Pleidian has front running ability, although he’s like to battle for the lead. Still, he’s 5 of 9 at the distance.
Race 8 5-6-1
Spa City Fever has a decided figure advantage, although lately Jacobson hasn’t been finding the winner’s circle at his normal rate. Still, gotta go with the number here. Saratoga Snacks was good enough to race in the Cigar Mile last year and although he hasn’t hit the winner’s circle this year, he’s been running well all year. Bond Vigilante has only had one race this year and Chad Brown is 22% second off the layoff. He’s got plenty of tactical speed and was racing with better last year.
Race 9 6-2-3-4
6 Twist ‘n Bake has the fastest figures, although they are on the turf. Turf horses did well today, so we’ll see if that continues. Ozone puts the blinkers on after showing plenty of speed her first two outs. Not sure why and Contessa is only 5% with the move, so we’ll see what difference it makes. Kisses for Romeo was right behind Ozone last out and can improve for a warming Dominic Shettino. Perfect Freud was third last out after running wide out of the 10 post. Sydney Dutrow put in a claim and wheels her back a tick higher.