Race 1 3-6-1 C=2 V=3
Greek Life drops slightly in price off a win in an open $20K. She’s already improved off the claim by Falcone. She’s a 50% winner this year and is well suited for the distance. Colonel Juanita has been consistent this year and has been popular at the claiming box. Despite the jump in price she’s got competitive numbers and should be the one to catch. My Donna Jean was taken by Contessa last out. Has a win and is 3 of 5 in the money at AQU.
Race 2 3-1-8 C=2 V=3
Lots of horses with multiple starts in this maiden affair, but I like looking at the horses with fewer starts. Counter Culture made a good debut at 6.5 furlongs and puts the blinkers on for this effort. That first run was really better than looked considering she got caught up in a lively speed duel. Beating Heart Baby is listed at even money on the ML, and while she has plenty of outs, she isn’t clearly superior to the top choice here. She’s been off a year, but switches to trainer Michelle Nevin who is 24% with the long layoffs. Lil Renegade showed some speed when moved to the turf last out and definitely looked improved.
Race 3 5-1-2 C=3 V=3
Theophilia has a ton of speed and is only 3/4 of a length away from being undefeated in 2015. Will have to be run down. Guayana has four wins in eight starts this year and has shown some liking for AQU. Always runs competitively. Natalie Victoria has the best last race figure. DJ usually rules the winter at AQU.
Race 4 11-9-2 C=1 V=1
Foolish Cause is listed at 20-1 ML. She’s shown some new maturity, although she hasn’t quite been able to finish. Perhaps the addition of blinkers will keep her focused to the wire. Matty’s Wondergirl is a nine start maiden that has been in and out of the money lately. Her numbers look competitive and perhaps number 10 is the charm. Break Away has shown good closing ability and should benefit if a pace duel develops.
Race 5 2-1-3 C=2 V=2
Cosmic Coincidence was claimed two back by Edward Barker 75% of his wins have come at this distance. Life’s Reward is dropping down a few levels in price. He comes off a win two back and followed that with a mediocre effort. Has the figures to top this field. Best Play is a new gelding and would be competitive off his best. We’ll see if the equipment change makes a difference.
Race 6 7-11-8-3 C=1 V=1
Miss Thursday dominated a field at Delaware and came back at Parx in an ALW NW1X where she ran pretty well. She’s been competitive since breaking her maiden and has the best last race figure. Daisy a Day has been competitive at slightly higher levels and has had improving figures lately. Shakespearian Dream hasn’t run a bad one in a while and beat a few others in here last out. One of a number of horses with good outs. Theresa Candyrose has a good tracking style, should get good position early and should have first jump on the frontrunners.
Race 7 5-4-6 C=2 V=2
This one looks like a battle between the two heavyweights, Chad Brown and Todd Pletcher. The good news is that both trainers are keeping the horses in MSW. The Brown entrant, Acapella, stumbled at the start last out but still managed to finish second. With a clean break she’s the danger. Pletcher’s horse, Taken by Surprise has two turf starts and moves to the dirt today. She’s better bred for the dirt and should improve at the sprint distance. Ditch Em goes first time for George Weaver. Uncle Mo’s progeny are off to a rip-roaring start and the workout pattern looks like he should have her ready.
Race 8 3-2-4 C=2 V=2
The Big Deluxe has dominating figures when he is at his best. He’s been a little off lately but drops to his lowest price in a while. Likes this distance and shows some liking for AQU. Pegasus Red was taken by Persaud out of an open $12,500 claimer. Moves up in price but with state-breds. Good enough to get the win in this group. Star of New York does well at the distance and at AQU and has been running consistent figures.
Race 9 3-7-2 C=1 V=1
Ally’s Envy has run two good ones and stretches out in search of the win. Ragazza Di Papi ran well first time out and should improve today. Lady’s First gets a trainer switch to Tony Dutrow. Has run figures as good as any of the starters in the race.