Race 1.     1-5-3

Jet Black has 5 of 6 in the money finishes and should be the main speed here. Needs to show more interest in leading the pack. Wine Not adds blinkers and is back at the route distance today. Hasn’t run a poor race yet. Cold Gone Hot has a tough task going a mile at first asking, but the workout pattern is positive and Rice is decent with first timers.

Race 2.     5-2-10

Afleet Martini jumps up a little in price from his last, but has been competitive with more expensive horses previously. Has the best last out figure. Japhir was claimed last out by DJ  who is not the machine he once was first after the claim. Last race was an improvement. Congrats Kid should be battling up front early. Was well thought of last year – has a MSW loss to Mohaymen – but has failed as the favorite regularly since then. Still, has the talent and gets a switch to Castellano. Too Wild to Repent takes the blinkers off today. Has shown some speed and actually has a couple of place finishes.

Race 3.     5-4-2

Beating Heart Baby failed to get out cleanly last time on the turf but prior to that was competitive in state-bred races. May not be value, but has outs. Fast Retailing is a big favorite on the ML. Didn’t run well in the Comely and raced poorly in a NW1X, but prior to that showed some talent. Perhaps overvalued, but has chances in this field. Pushme Pullyou raced decently last time on the wrong surface. Prior to that was third in a stakes, Has competitive figures.

Race 4.     10-7-5

Nice Try makes a big drop for Bill Mott whose horses generally need a few races. The switch to the turf was a positive for him. Big jump in numbers, and with continued improvement, should be a big factor today. Money Illusion was nominated for the TC, but didn’t make it to the track until February. Chad Brown moves him to the turf today and drops down to maiden claimers. Gets the nod based on Brown’s success with turf runners. Hurricane Ramiro improved a bunch when moved to the turf and continued improvement puts him in the mix.

Race 5.     11-6-8

Storm Pursuit drops in half from his last, and the last time he was at this level he looked good. Englehart may be looking to move him out of his stable, but he looks as good as anything. Attractive Ride was claimed last out by Michael Pino, who is 24% with new arrivals. Figures say he is a contender. Hector’s Pride is a high early speed horse dropping way down in price. Is a danger to wire this field.

Race 6.     4-11-2

Wicked Fun ran well when moved to the BEL turf last year. That figure as a 2YO is very competitive for this race. Javier Castellano takes the ride and that is a positive. Church Social broke poorly last out but showed interest and made up a lot of lengths to only finish four lengths out. Conquest Lucknlove has showed a lot of speed in her last two outs and has far and a away the best last race figure.

Race 7.     1-5-8

Sympathy barely missed last out for Chad Brown. Should be hard to keep out this time. Ice Festival tried the blinkers last time and ran well, but takes them back off today. Last year she was a consistent runner at better levels and should be respected today. Bel Citron goes second time with winners and gets a new rider in Irad Ortiz. Should be driving late in this race.

Race 8.     1-11-6

Uncharted Course has two wins, two seconds and a third in his last five races. Should be setting the fractions and figures say he should be around at the end. True Bet is another who should be forwardly placed and on his best day he’s in the mix. Swell improved when moved over to state-breds. Another speedy sort who fits this group well.

Race 9.     6-7-12

Aripeka won his last out in a field best time. Goes first off the claim for Danny Gargan who is a solid 28% with new charges. Midnight Notes finished fourth to the winner last out and seems to be in a consistent pattern of figures. Dream Man has a high in the money record, and has a win and a place in four tries at BEL. Looks better than his 10-1 ML.