Race 1      4-1-6

Two Seventeen has one good race on the main and a second place at the distance. He seems to be in good shape and has the best recent figures. Clifton Pleasure didn’t care for the Laurel mud and drops down quite a few steps looking for the win. Campion Lane has enjoyed running on the main and at the distance. Could snap back into form here.

Race 2      2-6-3

Whale Rock goes first time for McLaughlin. Sold for six times the stud fee, has some eye-catching workouts and should do well at the distance. True Bet is the most experienced horse in the field and has the best figures of the horses that have previously started. Dean Verdile goes first time for Levine. Lots of gate works recently, perhaps indicating an issue, but they are good works.

Race 3      4-1

Bossy Saratoga has plenty of speed and her last race was her best since fall. Given the other speed signed on she’ll have her work cut out but it doesn’t look like there is a good enough closer to make a difference. Court Dancer held her form afte jumping up to the ALW ranks and has the figures to win the race.

Race 4      1-4-5

David Rocks ran a good one last out and looks like all the speed. Fit to Keep was claimed last out by Sciacca who is 14% first time with a new charge. Has showed a little ability to pass horses and may be good enough in this group. Can’tcatchjack has the figures to pick up the pieces.

Race 5      1-7-4

Barrel of Love is trained by Chad Brown who is exceptional with turf and layoff horses. Horse has run well with state-bred stakes horses and has been consistently close since pairing up with Brown. Blacktype disappointed last year at AQU after running decently on a soft turf in the Hill Prince. Puts the blinkers on and the workout pattern says go. He could be the best horse in the race and we’ll see if he shows it today. Smooth Daddy has been Graded Stakes placed and has a second in his only start over the turf course. Looks legitimate here.

Race 6      2-7-3

Suspicious Mind goes first time for Asmussen and drops to the MCL ranks in search of a win. Scorpion’s Touch showed serious improvement last out, although it may have been the slow fractions that made the difference. Considering there isn’t a lot of classy speed here he might be able to find the top three. El Viejo Verde was gelded since his last start. Has plenty of speed and has three seconds in five starts at the distance.

Race 7      2-5-1

Day Six is one of the few in here with turf experience and has the best numbers by far. Artie Crasher has four decent starts and has been consistent in his figures. Another with turf experience. Social Affair has a win on the AQU turf and comes to this race newly gelded. Hasn’t shown well with winners but is another with plenty of turf experience.

Race 8      3-7-1A

Your Move is the longshot play of the day. She is 33% win, has plenty of early speed  and off her best is the fastest. My Donna Jean dropped to $16K last out and won comfortably. In condition she fits well at the class. Liberty Fuze was snagged by Steve Klesaris last out off a dominating win. The jump up will bring him back to earth but his best numbers make him competitive.

Race 9      2-7-3

The last is a very difficult affair. No horse sticks out and one could make a case for half the field. Assuming none of the AE’s get in, the choice is Crescent Street. He’s shown an ability to hit the front early, and with the drop out of the MSW may hold his speed all the way. Yourthekingjimmy takes the blinkers off and moves to the turf. He’s bred well enough for the distance, although not inspiringly for the turf. Still, he has one very nice six furlong race and the drop back to the sprint should help. Alexa’s spirit may or may not take to the turf, but he is another dropping out of the straight maiden ranks. He has had three consecutive bad starts, and with a clean break we’ll get to see what he can really do. He has some turf breeding in his background. Hushusmushmush is a 13 start maiden with 10 turf starts and is hard to use confidently here. Just saying.