Since I’m posting this the night before picks are prior to scratches and assume races stay on the turf.

Race 1      2-1-4

Spearhead has not finished out of the money in 2015. He comes from Parx, but has raced with better there. Is particularly well bred for the distance. Captain Moss drops out of starter allowances into a NW2L event. He looks better at the sprint distance on the dirt. Hillbilly Style puts the blinkers on and gets a switch to Irad. Last couple of workouts look like he’s prepping for a sprint.

Race 2      4-1-5

Autumn Squall gets a positive switch to Castellano. She looks like the major speed and the one to catch. He best starts have been on the turf. Comet Sixty Two may be listed at 8/5 on the ML but the 1 for 16 record with 7 seconds makes me suspect. Turf figures look good and would be no surprise, but looks underlayed at the odds. Undertherain was claimed last out by Jason Serpe and he is 23% first after the claim. Should have first run at the leader.

Race 3      6-1A-4

Goodtimehadbyall was taken last out by Contessa after running a good third to Readtheprospectus. Should be in the mix at a decent price. Readtheprospectus goes for three in a row. Has a number of lifetime figures that would top this field. If he goes will be a legitimate favorite. Integrity makes a big drop and has shown good early speed against better. Throw out the last – he stumbled at the start and lost all chance. Has done well at BEL and at today’s distance.

Race 4      9-6-3

Insta Erma drops from MSW to the claiming ranks for Mott who generally does better giving horses some experience. Gets her first does of Lasix today. Should have no issue with the distance. Anna Creek didn’t break well last out but finished powerfully. Chad Brown does well with second time maidens and the works suggest she should be in top form. A better break and she may be the winner. Singmeasongbella stretches out on the drop down. Pletcher is 30% with MSW going to MCL.

Race 5      9-11-7

Native George is 20-1 ML but is much better than those odds. He ships over from FL where he was in MSW races. In his last start he had trouble at the break. Strategy is likely to send him from the outside. Lieutenant Dale is for sale today at $140K less than his purchase price. Figures are competitive with most of these in here. Banker’s Boss should be part of the early scrum and should benefit from the cutback to a mile.

Race 6      2-3-5

Hyper has been in nothing but graded stakes since coming back after a year and a half layoff.  He was placed in both a G1 and G3 and this is the easiest field he’s seen in quite a while. Sly Tom has a win and a third at BEL and has run his best races in his last three. Should have no problems with the 11 furlongs. Umgiyo flopped as the favorite last out. He’s a better horse than he showed in that race and I’m willing to give him another chance.

Race 7      1-9-10-6

Cuppa Joe should be the pacesetter and has done well at BEL and the distance. Drops down to his lowest price ever and  Irad gets back up. Comes the Dream is another tumbling down the price ladder. You can throw out his two mile races – this is a much better distance for him. Not Goliath comes off a state-bred stakes where he finished a close up fifth. Figures are competitive in this group. Elroi is a stone closer and if the race breaks down he has prospects.

Race 8      1-6-5-4

Joe Franklin looked good as a turf sprinter in his last and he’s 8 of 9 in the money with four wins lifetime. Tackles some of the big boys today but has the speed and the figures to surprise the field. Night Officer comes out of a couple of restricted stakes where he missed only by only half a length in each event. Seven year old has never better than in 2015. Dowse’s Beach has been out of the money only twice in his last ten starts. Horse has been consistent with his figures, does well at BEL and has a win at the distance. Iroquois Girl was off a year and has run  two good races. Ralph Nicks has been hot lately and the workouts suggest he’ll be dangerous today.

Race 9      10-3-5 (13)

Doc Curlin drops to his lowest price in search of a win and adds shades for focus. Has looked good in his turf starts. In his maiden race he missed by a nose at BEL. If he runs back to that one he’s got big outs. Updraft drops from MSW to MCL and has gotten the ultimate equipment change since his last in January. At his best he’s as good as any horse in this race. Seeking Daily goes for Jason Servis who is 33% off the layoff. Figures are right there with the top two, Our Luck has to get consideration if he draws in.