Race 1      5-9-1-6

A few high price purchases in this group. The most expensive entrant is the $2.2 million colt Mohaymen. This Tapit son has been working decently for Kiaran McLaughlin and should be ready to go. King Kranz ran a strange race in his first start. He broke with the leaders and then quickly moved to the back of the pack, getting the comment “greenly.”
Coming out of the turn he showed good interest, passing four horses in the stretch. The speculation is that if he runs without issues he will be very competitive here. At 10-1 it’s worth finding out. Formulate goes for Chad Brown who is now a more down to earth 21% with first timers. Malibu Moon has been a superior sire for young horses and the workout pattern is typical Chad Brown. Seymourdini is a $900K Bernardini colt for Linda Rice  who is not particularly sharp with first timers. Still, the talent is there and he has to be given some consideration.

Race 2      7-3-2

Mack Miller looked ok at SAR and he is probably better suited to the 6F distance. Cleburne is the X factor here. He was well thought of in his three year old season, starting in a couple of graded stakes, but was generally a disappointment. He switches trainers to Thomas Morely, and has a useful series of works for the 2015 debut. Could be dangerous if he lives up to his potential. Successful Brothers has 11 second place finishes in 27 starts and while he doesn’t inspire in the win slot, he certainly looks like he wants to be close.

Race 3      3-12-9-8

Brinkley was off slow and had some bumping in the stretch but she still showed plenty of interest. A clean trip should put her on top. Orzo was in the same race and had a little problem at the gate, plus she raced greenly. Another who can be a factor if she acts more professionally. Celestial Insight goes for Wesley Ward who is fair with first timers. Abbreviated work tab but a couple of nice ones. Relativism is one to watch here. She is very well bred for the turf but may be at her best over a distance of ground. The works don’t suggest prep for a sprint, but the horse may show well on inherent talent alone.

Race 4      4-8-6-2

Sheriffa hasn’t been out since May but has never been out of the money at BEL and is one for one at the distance. Won huge the last time she was coming back from a layoff for a trainer who is decent with returning runners. Tahoe Tigress is interesting at 8-1 ML. She’s 5 of 9 at BEL and 4 of 8 at the distance. She started the year finishing last in a G3, and ran two uninspired races after that in restricted stakes; however, she probably is better suited to the one turn race and her last win came on this track at this level. Kirov is a contender but she may be a bit overrated at 2-1 ML. She beat a pretty good NW1X field but with a figure that isn’t quite the match of the top choice, plus she’ll likely have Sheriffa to contend with at the front. Guyana is riding a four race winning streak and is one likely to benefit if the race breaks down up front.

Race 5      4-2-6-3

Two Down One to Go is the Kitten’s Joy colt trained by Chad Brown. Superior breeding for both the turf and the distance. Ro Bear ran a good one in his maiden first out and should improve with the experience. Clearly looks the best of the horses that have started. Ben’s Miracle is by young sire Uncle Mo who has had some early success with turf starters. Ryerson is a good 25% with first timers and he’s got some good looking works. Core Portfolio goes for top notch first start trainer Richard Violette. One to watch on the board.

Race 6      1-3-5

The coupling of Classic Salsa and Comandante looks tough here. Both are likely to be up front early, both have had some success at BEL, and Danny Gargan has had a pretty good 2015. Second City has been racing with better and has competitive figures despite not having a lot of win success in the last two years. Better than the 12-1 ML indicates. Mordi’s Miracle was taken last out by DJ and rested a month and a half. Jacobson is actually pretty good off that move and I like that he doesn’t drop him in price. Nice series of works in prep for this.

Race 7      4-3-5-10

The Big Deluxe looked good when being moved back to a turf sprint. Has shown a lot speed in his dirt races so should be in a good spot turning for home. Descent has a win and a second on the BEL turf and was only 3/4 of a length behind The Big Deluxe in his last. Run for Logistics lost all chance at the start last out but before that had a win and three seconds in his last four turf sprints before that. Speightstown Time ran well first time out and could be any kind as he goes first time with winners.

Race 8      1-5-2-8

Coffee Clique is a recent Grade 3 winner and was only two lengths out in the Ballston Spa. Is a Grade 1 winner at BEL and is well suited for the distance. Recepta just won the De La Rose and is a Grade 3 winner at BEL. Mabre Rose just won a Grade 3 at WO and has a win and two seconds in three races at BEL. Gets the good turf rider Lezcano. Lady Lara has been exclusively with Grade 1 and 2 horses this year and perhaps the less accomplished field makes her more competitive.

Race 9      2-5-8-11

Lot’s of question marks in this race. Jay Gatsby makes his first start in the U.S. for Jimmy Jerkens, a traner not really known for his prowess with Euro shippers. I’m going to give him a race. Despite his perfect in the money record, the wins came against short fields at some lesser French tracks. Umgiyo was ok in Dubai, shipped to CD and raced on Derby day, finishing last in the Grade 1 Turf Classic. He gets first Lasix today and Clement is 28% with that move. Possibly not value at 3-1, but could be a factor. Global Strike went to the lead at a mile and five eighths and wasn’t able to hold. Should be better suited to the mile and a quarter and will have to be caught. Planetaire ships over from France for Graham Motion, who is 25% with first time North America starters, has been working him for a month at Fair Hill. Sly Tom has a recent win at BEL and certainly fits the class level. Worth a look at 15-1 ML. Taghleeb hasn’t run a bad lifetime race and his last start was one of the better figures. Another with some interest at a decent price.

Race 10   8-1-10-11

The best talent in this race seems to be on the outside. Converge goes first time for Chad Brown. He was bought for 16 times the sire fee and although the sire hasn’t had great first time success, the sample is limited and the works look useful. Brooklyn Speights lost to Too Discreet, who came back to take the Schenectady, and Heated Verdict who broke his maiden next out. While his race wasn’t impressive, he was bet a little bit and Wesley Ward has powerful numbers with second time maidens, two year olds, and sprint to route. Yummy Bear had all sorts of trouble first time out but should have learned some lessons from that start. Sax Change has looked good in his two starts and has to be respected for his experience.