Race 1.     1-4-7

The entry of Blarney Stones and Game of Stones looks as good as anything in this race. I think the latter might be the better of the two, but in the event of a scratch, I’d be ok including whichever was left. In his last race Game of Stones broke last out of the gate and made steady progress while on the rail but could not outclose the top two. He was sent off as the favorite in that race and with a better trip today he has a good chance of topping the field.  Miroc looked good in straight maidens but apparently didn’t take to the inner at all. He’s got plenty of front running ability and is taking a pretty substantial drop from his 2015 races. Last year’s numbers dominate the field. Our Ben’s Brush showed speed in his debut and should improve with that start under his belt. El Genio established a clear lead last time and gave it up badly in the stretch – it’s a familiar pattern. However, he is 12 of 14 in the money and that can make him worth a look in the verticals.

Race 2.     8-9-2-6

Wild Bella is the morning line favorite on the strength of her close fourth in her NY debut. Wasn’t quite as fast as her CA races, but was still competitive. Should be the strongest of the late runners. The down side – she’s not cracked the winner’s circle in two years. If she goes off at the ML odds it doesn’t look like she would be value. Tepid choice for me. More Than Rainbows has primarily been a dirt runner, but her breeding is decent for the turf and she does have a win on the grass. Her last race gave her an eye-catching figure. At 20-1 she can be used in the verticals. Jenny’s Creek has the advantage of being a turf horse, but she is a little iffy in the top spot given 12 seconds and thirds against two wins in 28 starts. Wraith was claimed last out by Gary Contessa and the horse has run pretty consistent figures. Only has one non-descript turf race but the breeding suggests she should adapt to the surface.

Race 3.     1-4-3

Augie’s Coming should be the front runner and puts the blinkers on today. Fits the conditions and has competitive numbers. Danny Gargan has cracked the code this year – he’s got a 33% rate. Shadow Rider has been off seven months but prior to the layoff he won a race at the distance and was one out of two at Belmont. In his last race – his first with winners – he prompted the pace on the outside all the way and gradually faded in the stretch. In his defense, Send It In was a powerful winner and nobody was beating that horse today. Should have a good stalking position. Union River is 10 of 15 in the money but with only one win. Looks solid in the verticals, a little iffier in the win slot.

Race 4.     8-11-10

Same Kinda Crazy lost all chance at the break last out in the mud but in her maiden debut she showed decent speed. She actually made a really nice middle move around the turn while wide the entire time. She actually passed a number of horses going into the turn to the stretch – really a great angle. She hasn’t been on the turf, but  in these sprints turf breeding is less important. She’s 10-1 on the ML and has plenty of outs. Ragazza Di Papa showed two decent races on the turf last year and her numbers from last year should improve this time around. If she comes out running she’ll be tough to beat. Bea Bea has a good race on the BEL turf and Violette is good off the layoff.

Race 5.     1-3-8

Animal Appeal goes for Englehart who is 41% off the layoff. She wired a field at BEL last year in a good time. Nice workout pattern for the return. Looks the best of the horses with turf experience. Hillaryinthehouse is another coming off the layoff for a good layoff trainer. Always gives a good effort and has competitive figures. Hush Now has done more running on the dirt, but her three turf races have been consistently good. Should be prompting the pace. Bush layoff horses haven’t been great, but she did run decently in her 2015 debut off the layoff.

Race 6.     6-4-3

North Slope comes out of a restricted stakes back to the claiming ranks. His last race figure is easily the best and if he runs back to either of his last two he should grab the top spot. Inca Saint just missed at this distance last out and makes a slight step up for this start. Perhaps a little ambitious given his wins have been for $25K or less, but looks to be in his best condition. Winter Games has been claimed for this price last two times out and almost comes into the is one with two wins in a row. No reason to expect less than a top effort here.

Race 7.     2-7-6-3

Neck of the Moon has two seconds in three tries at the distance, and has shown an affinity for the BEL turf.  Has run well off the layoff previously and has Chad Brown doing the training. Always hard to ignore a turf mare trained by Brown. Rumble Doll is 3 of 3 in the money at the distance and 5 of 5 in the money over the BEL turf. Her figures should keep that in the money record intact. The Clement runners Rose Et Or and Stormy Victoria both had success in Europe and Clement is a solid 19% with first time runners in the states. Stormy Victoria looks like the better of the two for me.

Race 8.     3-1-2-8

This is a really tough race so I’m looking for a horse at the right price and that is Ostralenka. He’s 4 of 5 at BEL; in fact that’s the only track he’s won over. That’s a good angle in itself, but he’s also at his best running with NY breds. BEL figures punctuate the pick. Drama King was riding a three race win streak, including a state bred stakes, before flopping in a non conditioned allowance. I think he gets back on track today. I’m giving an in the money spot to Weekend Hideaway. He’s not a need to lead sort, but should be in a good striking position. Has a couple of wins at Belmont and the distance. Eye Luv Lulu easily won the non conditioned allowance race three weeks ago and he looks to be in good form. Can’t discount.

Race 9.     4-12-11-9

The closer goes to Wake Up Smiling. His 2015 figures top this field and she should improve from last year. Both races were at this distance and at BEL. Switched to the Linda Rice barn and she is 33% with her new charges. Somerset Sandy also has two good races and gets first Lasix. Another that should improve over last year’s numbers and that gives her a good chance to get the win. Lady’s First has a competitive turf race last year and the workouts suggest she’ll be ready. Pira had a troubled start in her maiden voyage, but still managed to show interest, passing 8 horses. Could be any kind and worth a long look today.