Race 2 3-5-1
Star of the Forest has been racing well in 2015 and has the best last race figure. Bounty Pink has been a winner 6 of 15 starts. Was taken last out by Danny Gargan who is 21% first off the claim. Lotsa Noodles is 1 for 1 at SAR and 2 of 3 at the distance.
Race 3 11-9-4-1
Call Me Stoney was gelded since his last and drops from MSW to claimers. Should be all the speed here and the one to catch. Afleet’s Edge has run two competitive figures in a row. Sandy Strikes is the interesting horse. He broke awkwardly, took a bad step and never did much in his maiden race. He was given some backing in that race and was sired by the very productive Say Florida Sandy. Louie’s Luck has a figure that would compete in this group.
Race 4 5-1-7
Magsamelia raced well in a start over the SAR turf. Should be the one to catch. Sunrise Kitty is accomplished at the distance and has the best lifetime figure. Claiming Victory is a veteran at the distance. Not often I’ll say Bravo might be a rider upgrade.
Race 5 2-8-5
Igotthediscoinme is well bred for the distance even though he shows no races at 1 1/8. He has a race at the Spa and really isn’t up against much here. Unbridledcharacter takes a price drop and is another well bred for the distance. Dutrow has not been strong with new arrivals in his barn though. Pioneer of Wifi was claimed last out by a low profile outfit. He’s a bit of a stretch but I think at 20-1 he has some outs.
Race 6 4-7-2
Messi ran a new top last out despite a stumble at the start. Motion seems to have found the answer for this one. Reflecting is not a solid win type, but he hasn’t run a bad one in a while. Certainly has the figures to be a factor. Montclair just missed in a stake at DEL and was well enough thought of in Europe to be running in Group races. Another who improved with the trip to America.
Race 7 1-6-2-12
Honestly I marked six horses for consideration and I’m not sure I got all the contenders! Fine Instincts drops into the MCL ranks after coming close in three tries at three different tracks. Gets the nod for the Pletcher/Castellano connection. Miss Mizzen Silver looked good first time out and Maker is strong in all the relevant statistical categories. Thebeatofthestreet lost last year to Lady Eli (so did every other horse that tried her) and comes back for A+ filly turf trainer Chad Brown. Can’t ignore this one. Lana’s Fortune has been coming close and adds blinkers today. Perhaps that makes the difference.
Race 8 1-5-6
To Be Determined is by far the fastest and is making a big drop after her win. Head scratching move from Wesley Ward. Know It All Anna goes for Maker/Castellano, a 28% combo. Another one making a steep drop, but at least this is her first start of 2015. She has a win at SAR. Grandpa’s Princess actually makes the sensible drop in price and picks up Johnny V for the trip.
Race 9 5-7-4
This is another race where I had a hard time throwing runners out. I finally settled on Ready For Rye. He dominated a field when moved to the turf and dropped in price but has experience with graded runners. If he runs to his last he’ll be hard to beat. Cyclogenesis broke his maiden at SAR and won his next two stakes races. He was overmatched at Royal Ascot but fits this group well. Zandar ran a big one last out and at 12-1 he’s worth giving a second look.
Race 10 4-1-5
Gursky didn’t thrive on the turf last out. He fits the distance and is dropping from MSW into the claiming ranks. U.S.S. Boxer also drops from the MSW ranks. He’s well bred for the distance and is decently bred for the dirt. Maker/Castellano tops a lot of the statistical categories, including MSW to MCL, 2nd start, and layoff. Shadow Rider was gelded since his last out and adds blinkers. Is probably better meant on the dirt.