Another day where I’ll just do the detailed analysis of the feature. Lots of things going on as I’ve gotten well into the Doug O’Neill case. I still managed eight of ten with all but one of the turf races off the turf yesterday.

Race 1       5-8-2     OFF TURF   4-1

Race 2      9-3-7-5

Race 3      3-8-2-7    OFF TURF 5-3-6-7

Race 4      6-3-2-4

Race 5      3-9-5-8

Race 6      6-1a-10-8

Race 7      12-8-10-7

Race 8      1a-6-3

Race 9      The Athenia     Grade 3     1-12-2-5

• 1 Overheard – Winner of the Grade 3 Dance Smartly at WO in July; has never finished out of the money. Ran a closing third at FG on the soft turf. I talked a little about trainer Malcolm Pierce yesterday, and to remind you he has a 26% win rate with stock that is primarily running at the highest levels in Canada. Up With the Birds ran a bang-up race yesterday in the Knickerbocker and there is no reason to expect less from this runner.
• 2 La Tia – should be the speed in the race – only once in the last 10 has she not had the lead at the first call. I still think the track will be tiring but she has won on less than firm turf and has had success at longer distances than today’s 1 1/16 mile race. Not a lot of other speed to push her here so remains dangerous.
• 3 Embarr – has run well in non-graded stakes events, Doesn’t look talented enough to run with this group.
• 4 Byrama – hasn’t had the best 2014 but her last race was her best. Still, she isn’t likely to wrest the lead away from La Tia and that is how she managed to finish second. I’m leaning toward others.
• 5 Julie’s Love – two starts this year for Graham Motion. Hasn’t run badly on the soft turf but even off her best looks like no more than a minor slice.
• 6 Teen Pauline – MTO scratch
• 7 It’s My Time – really looks overmatched her. Frankly, all she can do is screw up the early pace.
• 8 Nashly’s Vow – scratch
• 9 Maximova – is not completely outless, but hasn’t run against graded company in over a year and that effort was dull. Hard to put her in the money.
• 10 Baffle Me – Definitely a contender but hasn’t finished in the money in four tries this year. Also hasn’t won at the distance. Looks at best slated for a minor award.
• 11 Cushion – has never really run fast enough to beat a graded group. Despite the presence of Clement it’s a stretch to see her winning.
• 12 Annecdote – The other Clement trainee. Shipped from England in July and under Clement’s handling (and the addition of Lasix) won the Noble Damsel in a good time. Definitely a Grade 2/3 runner and one probably the one to beat.

Race 10    3-4-9-11