Given all the cancellations at AQU, it’s been hard to discern who is in form and who has mostly been watching TV and eating oats. Hopefully we’ve turned a corner and we’ll have some consistency.

Race 1      1-3-6

Pulpit’s Express is dropping to the bottom level after showing poorly at the $32K level in his last two. He has some potential excuses – he stumbled at the start two back and brushed at the start and raced wide in his last. But if he lost those last two because of troubled trips, why give the horse away today? Jacobson is not above dropping a horse to get a win, but this looks more like giving up. He was more of a turf horse in California, but he wasn’t much better than a mid-level claimer there. If he wins the race I’m not surprised, but he won’t get my money. Holy Invader is certainly no better than a $10K claimer these days. His last two have been a little better than looked, and he does have better recency than some of these. Lubango has a nice pressing style but seems to be having problems getting to the wire first. He would be no surprise at all. Solly’s Mischeif has been popular at the claiming box lately. Gullo took him last out for $16K and drops him to his lowest level. He’s been consistent and is another with the numbers to win this race.

Race 2      5-2-8

Miss Lucky Lauren goes second time for Bruce Brown. She had no chance last out from a wide position and she won’t get bet much today coming out of a MCL event. I think the last race was a good learning race and she’s a little better than looked. I’m willing to take a chance that Brown is moving her up for good reason. Papa’s Missile lost his chance at the start and should be better today. Naughty Grace is the horse with the most experience and that may be enough for her to get a piece.

Race 3      3-7-5

Prime Time City has plenty of early foot. He was off from June to February and expectedly faded. He should improve today and in condition his numbers top this group. Hidden Warrior is making the big drop for Linda Rice. She made this move yesterday and the the horse threw in a thoroughly disappointing performance. You’ll get odds on here – think it’s a good bet? No Nukes is 0 for 6 on the inner and 1 for 23 lifetime, but did make a big close last out. A minor piece is possible.

Race 4      4-1-8

Suckitupbuster was in the chasing position – got by all but the winner and stayed on with some courage. Finished with a good number and should be the main danger today. Both in the Bruce Levine entry are dropping out of MSW and that may be enough to propel one of them to victory. Rockjaz was gelded since his last out. In his first start he had all kinds of issues – he hit the gate and was five wide around the turn. He was snatched out of that race by Scott Schwartz who hasn’t had a great meet, but the combination of the the ultimate equipment change and the trouble first out make him interesting at 10-1 ML.

Race 5      2-6-4

As much as I dislike putting Brass Pear on top, he’s got the speed, the finish, Ortiz and a three race win streak. He’s flourishing under Nevin’s care. Round gets ths services of Junior Alvarado and Mott has been able to keep the horse working steadily. He doesn’t have an inner start but he definitely fits in this field. Chapman just missed last out. He loves the inner and Englehart is almost 50% in the money this meet.

Race 6      7-4-9

Bet U Can’t Find Me had a great 2014 at FL with 12 of 16 first or second.  Her first on the inner this year was an even effort and she was grabbed by Dennis Lalman  off that effort. Lalman has been good with limited runners. She’s competitive at 12-1 here. Coast of Sangria is a win sort. Her last race on a sloppy track was a good effort and the drop back to $16K should help. Tarty to the Party was claimed last out by Jason Servis who is 32% first off the claim. Given his last was his first start off a layoff, and he’s got a maintenance work inbetween, he’s worth a look.

Race 7      8-4-5

Flag on the Play just broke his maiden and returns at a reasonable $35K for is NW2L race. He had shown some seconditis, but now that he’s figured out the win formula I like the potential to repeat. Cornelio stays for the ride. Super Nicky just missed to the talented Awesome Lute last out and should be the front runner here. He’s shown he can stay to the end. Street Gent showed good speed last out and drops way down today. He’s not been at this distance in his life, but may have the class to win today.

Race 8      2-5-8

Son of a General is looking for two in a row and is jumping up substantially to do it.  He’s had some success on the inner but there is some concern about a bounce. Still, a repeat puts him right in the mix. Classic sense is looking for three in a row. He hasn’t finished worse than second in seven months and has been perfectly handled by Chad Brown. Doesn’t stick out on figures but does on heart. Wealth to Me ships from Laurel to the inner. In nine races he has only finished out of the money once. Cornelio is familiar with the horse. He’s got plenty of outs.

Race 9      1-2-4

Wild Freud is starting to look like a money burner but he is the fastest horse in the race. I’ll give him another chance. Wild Ham puts the blinkers on today. He took a bad step at the start of his last and although he wasn’t going to beat the top two he held off the rest of the field. Cash Buyer moves from an open $25K MCL to a state-bred. I like his chances a lot better with this group.