Race 1. 6-2-5
Fuhrlong has one start and showed good speed. Tale of Two goes for good 2YO trainer Mark Casse, has some eye-catching works and should excel at the sprint distance. St Benedicts goes for RuRod who already has a 2YO winner at the meet. Nice works.
Race 2. 2-6-5
Quibbler is making a big drop in price and looks like the best term of the two Persaud runners. Should be the one to catch. Ferzetti walked out of the gate last out but before that had been close at this level. I like him at the odds. Buckskin Doll was claimed last out by Ray Handel, who is still struggling to make an impression. Still, he’s got a competitive figure.
Race 3. 3-7-5-4
Enterprising has been having a hard time cracking the winner’s circle but he looks to be in top shape and this level gives him a good chance. West Hills Giant seems more comfortable with state-breds, but at one time he was a very fast horse. May be a pretender, but at 12-1 he has some interest. Slim Shadey has been running well in 2016 and switches trainers to MItchell Friedman. Competitive in this group. Toledo Eddie is the fastest horse in the race, but is 0 for 12 on the turf. However, he does have 5 seconds. May be good in the verticals.
Race 4. 5-1-4-10
Texting puts the blinkers on for Chad Brown who is 21% with that move. Has been closing from well off the pace and may need to get a little closer to have a chance. Should benefit from the switch to Johnny V. Galileo’s Song also goes for Brown and she showed good talent going off as the favorite in her first out. As a Galileo she’s very well bred for the 10 furlongs. Bene Pista really woke up when moved to the turf and given Lasix. Doesn’t seem well bred for the distance, but in this field I wouldn’t discount his chances. Tiz Jeweled is another well suited to the distance, and has the best figures in the field.
Race 5. 3-6-4
Natalie Victoria was claimed last out off a win at a slightly lower price. Before that she won at a higher price. Fits this field and looks to be in excellent shape. Guayana is rarely out of the money and her last race suggests she’s as good as anyone in the field. Doinwhatshelikes ran well in her first race of 2016 and should improve today.
Race 6. 1-8-6
Momma’s Mark nearly beat a $25K field and the move to a state-bred NW1X really isn’t a big jump up. Has the best last race figure. Brother O’Connell looks far better suited to the turf and is making his third start of 2016. Best lifetime turf number in the field. Hirschbein makes his initial start of 2016 after being gelded over the winter. If he runs back to last year’s numbers he’s competitive today.
Race 7. 8-7-2
This race is filled with speed and Quiet Ruler is one of the few that has a style that may be advantageous. Should track behind the speed and the race breaks down he should be the one to benefit. Victory is Sweet makes his first start of 2016 after showing good speed in last year’s Amsterdam. Perhaps seven furlongs may be tough first time out this year, but this is one fast horse. Juba has wired a field at this distance but may have to battle with Victory is Sweet up front.
Race 8. 6-9-4
Browse looked good in his first start of 2016. The figure from that race was his lifetime top and she looks very strong in this field. My Girl Corey showed good speed in her debut race. Should be the one to catch. Sense of Beauty puts the blinkers on for Pletcher and he is 23% with that move. Had trouble at the break last out but his penultimate race got a number almost as good as the top choice.
Race 9. 3-8-5-9
Princessofthetheives has good speed, competitive numbers and should enjoy the cutback in distance. Galroyale, March On, and Orzo have been struggling as a maidens, but have enough talent to be factors.