Race 1 4-3-1
Manipulated broke his maiden in a stakes race in strong fashion. Looks like big things in his future. Sudden Surprise looks for his second victory after wiring a field on a sloppy racetrack. Pletcher/Velasquez always worth a second look. No Entiendo looked strong breaking his maiden and is getting better with every start.
Race 2 3-8-2
Sax Change ran well in his maiden race and is well bred for the distance. Bluff Harbor goes first time for George Weaver who is a good 16% with debut horses. Should handle the distance well. Forever in Love was a $210K spring purchase. Sire does well with first timers and turf horses and Jose Ortiz gets the mount.
Race 3 1-5-3
Temper Mint Patty broke her maiden first time out at SAR and followed that up with a stakes win at BEL. Smoked a field in the NY Oaks and looks in top shape for this run. Freudie Anne won one of the NY Stallion Stakes last out and looks to double up. Over 50% win record. Conquest Superstep smashed a field last out in a NW1X and has a competitive figure.
Race 4 1-7-2
Mascarello had trouble at the break last time, rushed up with the leaders, but faded in the stretch. With a better break he’s competitive with this bunch. Dettifoss ran big first time at SAR and will have to be coming at the end. Lead by Example was a $250K yearling purchase who looked good when they finally got them him to the track.
Race 5 4-2-7
She’s All Ready blew a field away last out and has a nice workout in prep for this one. Super Surprise was trying hard in her first start and it is a positive that Pletcher puts her in this spot instead of another maiden. Backwood Bay showed a good closing kick the last out and should be coming again today.
Race 6 6-5-7-8
Miss Kew missed her break last out but showed a good closing kick. Should relish the longer distance. Taken by Surprise goes first out for Pletcher/Castellano and they are strong as a pairing. Corinthian’s Joy should be the speed here and will be the one to catch. Sheyn Vi Di Levone is well bred for the turf and the distance and the works should have her ready.
Race 7 3-1-6
King Kreesa goes back with state breds after trying graded horses last out. Has a win over the SAR turf. Notacatbutallama fits well with this group. Last on the dirt is a throw out – much better runner on the turf. Lubash renews his rivalry with King Kreesa. All systems look go for today’s run.
Race 8 5-7-6
Stubbs goes first time for Graham Motion. Works look good and Motion is 18% with firsters. Storm Prophet goes for Hushion. Tale of the Cat progeny are usually precocious and the works look excellent. Leaveematthegate has one start where he raced wide but should be better prepared for this run.
Race 9 2-9-10-5
The Tea Cups comes off the horses to watch list. Big ask to move to a stakes off a NW1X, but the 12-1 ML is attractive. Discreet Marq is the class of the field and will be hard to keep out. Invading Humor has been running well with statebred horses. Last with open company not a bad effort, but should be better with this sort. Old Harbor enjoys SAR and should be better today at this distance.
Race 10 1-2-7
Good Luck Gus has a win at SAR and has been running consistent figures. Fits well with this group and is spectacularly bred for the distance. One Sided has not run a bad race yet, but this is a big move up. Improving three year olds are always dangerous. Force ships over from FL after a good win there. Gets a good turf rider in Lezcano.
Race 11 5-8-7 (3)
Ten Twenty closed well and took the lead at one point in the stretch last time out. Definitely took to the SAR turf and looking for improvement here. Touch of Paradise has found his right level and improved sustantially when placed on the turf. Expecting a top effort today. Elusive Talmo ran decently against MSW and drops to the MCL ranks today. Hushhushmushmush makes start number 19. He’ll get bet as usual and has an excellent chance of finishing in the money – he’s already 5 of 6 in 2015. I just can’t bring myself to put horses like this in the win slot. Useful in the verticals.