Race 2      6-2-1

Dunn Listening has shown speed with higher level horses and in 2014 was a winner in a state-bred stakes. She’s been struggling in 2015, but you can throw out the turf race and her last was a definite improvment. The price drop from open $25K to $16K NW2L is significant and may be enough to propel her home. Enduring Touch raced well at today’s price and distance last time out. Contender in this one. Samus was third in the same race the previous horse was in and given the weak field has a good chance to take this event.

Race 3      2-6-9

My Tommy Boy was competitive at the $40K level and actually ran well in a state-bred MSW last out. Only his fourth lifetime start and lots of room for improvement. Call Me Stoney jumps up a level but previously showed speed at the MSW level. Seems to be on the improve, and last out showed good interest after bobbling a bit at the start. Thank You is going into his 10th start and finally dropped down to MCL last out. Has been in the money in half his races and finished second last out despite having all sorts of trouble. Fits well in this group.

Race 4      1/1A-4-2

Cruzin On In was overmatched in the Niagara last out and in her maiden race was off 3-4 lengths slow, losing all chance. She broke well in the Niagara and was in the race for a half., and that is enough to make her a contender here. Women Win has four seconds in five lifetime starts and that makes her a contender here. Royalton ships from IND for Asmussen. She was a $200K yearling purchase by the highly productive Malibu Moon. Showed some speed first time out and gets a boost with Castellano in the saddle. Stone Supplier jumps up to MSW after closing well in her first start. Ambitious move but with some improvement she’s in the mix.

Race 5      3-6-7

Ogermeister drops substantially for DJ. His last race was his best in a while. Has two seconds in three starts on the turf and one second in one start at SAR. Last turf figure is the field best. Bow Tie Affair makes his second start in this spot, first as a gelding. Moves to the Patrick Reynolds barn and the workouts suggest he should be ready to roll. Malibu Charlie was impressive breaking his maiden at GP, but didn’t respond well with NW1X horses. He drops to the claiming ranks today and looks like the one to catch.

Race 6      1-5-4

Unbridled Ocean comes off a short layoff for Mott. Has the best last race figure and Johnny V returns as the rider – he guided him to his first victory of 2014 and was aboard for a 4th place finish in the Grade 3 Canadian Turf in 2014. Looks like a positive move. Plainview is by far the speed of the field. He’s 4 of 5 wins at SAR and 11 of 14 in the money at the distance. Has to be respected. Will the real Slim Shadey please stand up? Notice the last race had an entrant with the same name, different spelling. This Slim Shadey was closing well last out and may have more pace to run at today.

Race 7      2-8-5

Cool Comfort has kept some fancy company in the past, including a really nice run in the G3 Jessamine. She’s back on the turf after running well in an off the turf affair last time out. Is the fastest off her best. Pink Freud Live comes off her maiden win and drops into the claiming ranks for her first with winners. Likes the SAR tuf course. Encouraging to see Castellano stay aboard. No Tunes has a win at five furlongs and gets a switch today to ace turf rider Jose Lezcano.

Race 8      1-3-6-9

The Riskaverse is a very competitive affair, and it was hard to narrow the field down. I went with All In Fun in the top spot. She comes out of the Lake George where she could not close enough on a pretty slow pace. Should do well at the mile distance and figurewise she is as good as any in the race. Partisan Politics was just ahead of All In Fun in the Lake George and is another that should thrive at the mile. Chad Brown and Castellano are a solid 28% combo. Bugle has two seconds in two starts at the mile, and just missed in her one start at SAR. Lola Beaux was a Group 3 horse in Ireland but since arriving here has been with lesser animals. The two races here show some talent and today will be a major test, but at 15-1, I think she may make the verticals.

Race 9      2-1-7

Asset Inflation is one of the horses that should be up near the front and has won at SAR with that trip previously. Englehart is usually first rate with his claims, and it is of concern he failed to improve this one, but at his best he’s as fast as anything in the field. Glowing Ember has no races at the distance but does have good figures at longer distances. There is enough speed in the race to help him along. Decent just won at this distance at SAR and Kenneally is 20% doubling up. The price jump could be his undoing but he’s shown a lot of heart.

Race 10      9-1/1A- 7-4

The Fixer drops back a half furlong in distance after closing well in his SAR debut. Terranova and Cancel are hitting at 20%. The entry of A Marked Man and Dusk to Dawn has outs in this field. The former has been knocking around at the $40K level and finally drops to $25K. May be enough to propel him to the winner’s circle. Dusk to Dawn has shown good early speed and is another dropping to his lowest price ever. Has been able to hold his speed at times, and may succeed at this level. Proletariat puts the blinkers on for Bruce Brown who is having a terrible time getting his horses to the winner’s circle, but with a little better luck he could be one of the top trainers here. Improved substantially when dropped to this level and he is competitive today. Rich Dalone comes out as a first time gelding and that may help him ration his speed better. Workouts look good for the comeback.