Race 1. 8-4-6
Good Laugh had three good races on the inner, has plenty of speed and the best figure. Flower Kisser showed good speed on the turf at Belmont last fall and had absolutely no chance last race when she face planted at the start. She’s making another drop and with RuRod training she can’t be discounted. Wire Dancer has a second and five thirds in eight starts. Heading to bridesmaid status.
Race 2. 2-1-7-4
Monty Haul just won for $40K and drops down today. I can’t say I like the move, but perhaps Klesaris has decided time to move the horse. Should be the one to catch. Bellarmine has a useful pressing style and consistent figures lately. Is another moving down the ladder. Pass the Dice drops in search of a win. He’s been consistent in 2016 and a big one would be no surprise. Son of a General seems to run one, take one off and today would be the run day. He won for $32K in December and missed a nose at $25K in February. TA duplicate of that race would put him right there.
Race 3. 2-1-3-4
Stormin Monarcho has two huge figures in his last two and appears to be the purest speed. Matternhorn is slightly hidden here. He’s graded stakes placed and likes the AQU main. Off his best from last year he’s right in the mix. Samraat has been off a while, but Violette is good off the layoff. He was well-thought of in 2014 and made a decent return in 2015. Some question marks, but if he is right he can be part of the picture. Transparent is another off a long layoff and is another with back figures that put him right there.
Race 4. 7-9-3-6
Show Giant looks like far and away the best speed. Not sure who challenges him early, so he could have things his own way wire to wire. Baronet was just taken by Sciacca who is 29% first off the claim. Should be in the chasing pack. Sweet Peaches came off the layoff to run a pretty good race. Improved over last year and with another step up she can take the top slot. Silly Face was taken last time by the good claiming trainer Michael Pino. Puts the blinkers on today. Should be part of the pressing group.
Race 5. 1-4-2-3
Zen Papa has show good speed in all his races and looks to be the best front runner here. Last race figure off the short layoff cements the pick. Bust Another has the top last race figure and if the top pick falters he should be there to pick up the pieces. Ready Dancer finally showed a little after getting stomped when over his head in the grade 2 Swale. Could be good if he can establish a striking position early. Name Changer was impressive first out. He was off slow, bumped, but still won going away. Can’t discount his chances.
Race 6. 8-1-5
Porch Pounder finished second well behind Amoral, but has the best early foot and the best last race figures. The one to beat. Desperado is a good angle play. He showed speed last year in a turf sprint from an outside post. He looks much better bred for the dirt. He’s better than the 30-1 ML, although unknown trainer Joan Milne has to give room to pause. Still, I like the angle. Justalittlebitmore took the worst of it at the start but still made an early run. A clean break should let him show what he’s got.
Race 7. 10-3-1-7
I had to go with longshot Saint Joseph who certainly looks like he should be winging out on the lead early. He has a win at 7F and a win over the AQU dirt. Surfspun has been has a lot of seconds and thirds, so he’s worth using in the exotics. Consistent figures as well. PArk Ranger just broke his maiden by 6 for DJ and has a series of good maintenance works for his first with winners. Sourcesandmethods may not be a solid choice for the win, but he’s shown a lot of willingness to finish in the money. Use in the verticals.
Race 8. 4-2-5
Bellamy Way smashed a filed last out and steps up a few rungs today. Has been in the money in all but one of his last 10 and while I don’t like the value proposition, he has to be respected for his consistency. Sioux has plenty of speed and fits in this group. Has been with better and seems to like winning. Sea Raven is 10-1 ML. He is a closer and may be up against it today, but if the speed comes back he can make a strong bid for the win.
Race 9. 3-7-2- 5
On to Trenton just missed last time after a slightly troubled break. Last race figure tops the field. No Tanx Blue Chip beat For a Good Reason last out and finished a length away from the win after having to go wide around the turn. No better than this level, but a repeat makes him a contender. For a Good Reason showed improving speed last out. If he stays anywhere near his ML odds, he’ll be my win bet. Shootout has run two good ones in a row and has every right to keep improving.