We’re finally on the inner dirt but NYRA hasn’t given up on the turf yet. Let me ask a question. If the turf can’t be better than soft after 5 days of no rain, what hope do we ever have for getting a firm turf?

Race 1      7-1-6 

Senso goes for Jacobson. She’s been at the $40K level for a while, which is not a good thing, but she had a couple of good races in off the turf affairs her last two. She’ll be a suspect favorite but has raced best on the dirt. Confessa had some trouble at the start last race. Will be bet off one good dirt race at SAR at this level that she might have won with a better trip. Maura’s Pass ran fair on a sloppy track last out and gets a trainer change to Jason Servis.

Race 2      5-3-7

Razia Sultana has been consistent in he first three starts. Didn’t care for the mud at BEL but has been working hard in the mornings lately,. Violette and Ortiz have been a strong combo lately. Good Shot has been second in his first three starts and she seems to be getting better with each start. Stolen Victory has been off the turf her last two starts. Finished close behind Good Shot two back. Room for improvement.

Race 3      1-4-2

America spent most of the year tackling the likes of Untapable and Stopchargingmaria and soundly beat an allowance field in the mud at AQU last out. Stands out in this field. Evening Show has been struggling to find the winner’s circle this year but has been running competitively. Lunar Surge has been having a good 2014 with 7 of 8 in the money. She’s another that has a lot of thirds compared to wins, but could make the exotics.

Race 4      4-14-10-2

Mambo at the Gym improved substantially when dropped to this level. Hasn’t been on the dirt yet but has good tactical speed. Harbor King is the MTO in the race. Richard Metivier has so far refused to give up on him and has put him in state bred MSW. Perhaps with the drop to MCL he improves. Puts blinkers on. Identity Crisis has been mainly on the dirt and is much better bred for the dirt than the turf. Bold Runner has a lot of speed and will be the one to catch.

Race 5      5-6-2

Prove It All Night has a good turn of speed that she’s been using to her advantage. Jumps up off the claim. Lopez is usually effective with frontrunners. Kelly’s Prize drops in from the state bred ranks. Last time she was at this level she ran creditably. Mr Rico Is Valid didn’t seem to care for the turf last time but two back he was competitive on the BEL mud. Gullo claim hasn’t win’t yet for him but he is 24% with the turf to dirt move.

Race 6      7-8-5-3

Two year old maiden race has a number of promising first time starters and a few second time starters. Call me Stoney switches to Bruce LEvine for his second start after showing speed and fading last out. That race certainly gave him necessary experience and the intervening works should have him with a  good edge. All Is Number goes first time for Violette and has a nice series of works for this one. Violette has been hot wtih firsters lately. Apollo Eleven goes first time for RuRod and Castellano. Good works for this debut. Francis Freud had trouble at the break first time out in June. Cannizzo laid him off until this spot. Should come back fitter and stronger.

Race 7      4-7-1-6

American Progress puts the blinkers on for Leo O’Brien and takes a price tumble from NW1X. Has a win on the inner dirt and that moves him up today. Bajan Summer improved when moved to the dirt and dropped to this level. Switches to Angel Cruz for this trip. Three For Me is making his 13th start but he has shown a tendency to finish in the money. Another with a win and a second on the inner.

Race 8      8-3-7

The horses that ran on Sunday all scratched out of this race leaving four runners. Clean Eleven looks like the speed here and is decently bred for the route. Castellano stays and that is a good thing. Legally Bay is 1 for 25 and has been knocking around this level for a while. She’s got some fast figures and with only three competitors she has a better chance than she’s had in a while. Swift Taylor is coming from FL with three wins in her pocket including one on the inner at AQU.

Race 9      10-8-5

Mr. Lit comes in from FL for new conditioner Michelle Nevin after being off for a year and a half. The first race was certainly necessary and he has a win, second, and third in four races on the inner. Straight Bite showed some speed last out at a mile in the slop at AQU but faded badly. Switches to the Bruce Levine barn. Much better bred for the dirt and a wet track. Byron’s Pop is the Jacobson trainee coming in. He showed some speed in his last before fading. Expecting better today.