Race 1: 2-5-4
#2 MY VICTORIA ROSE finished second going 7 wide in a seven horse field last time out, about as bad a trip as you can get (thanks Reylu!). Junior hops on today and hes tied for the meets leading rider and the rider who was aboard during the November victory. Today this filly stays at the level but gets a noticeably weaker group to run against, should come out a winner today.
Race 2: 3-5-7
We are throwing out the favorite here as Steve Asmussen is 0 for 11 when combining multiple categories that apply here. #3 BUSTIN TO BE LOVED looks to be a great value here at 8/1 ML with more back class than anyone in this field. We see three straight bullet works here and we get Jose Lezcano who is one of the best jocks here in New York left. Those solid works combined with the back class and a great price make this colt a very live player in this race.
Race 3: 7-5-4
#7 EQUAL THE SCORE has finished second in both career races and gets a step down in class today making this gelding the heavy favorite. Manny Franco is aboard today, the trainer, though only having a couple races, has been very solid thus far. The two works we see since that last race are consistent and solid enough to win against this crew. Not going to try and swing for the fences here, going with the favorite and would single.
Race 4: 1/1A-6-2
1/1A ENTRY looks very enticing here, especially at that 9/2 ML price. We see two solid runners, both of which have run consistently at this mile distance, both of which are coming off wins. The trainer has been extremely hot ITM 8 of 11 times and winning at a 36% clip. Both these guys have had much success on this track and the 1A OUTPLAY has some very solid back class to boot.
Race 5: 3-5-2
This race is very stinky, let’s just be honest here. If you can afford the ALL button here for the end of your early pick 5’s I would to be safe. If not then there are a couple of ones that can be thrown out. #3 EMPRESS SOPHIA is coming down to a career low today for Todd Pletcher and Manny Franco jumps up today. We see some consistent works since that last race and and speed figures are better than most of the field here.
Race 6: 1-2-5
#1 DR. HIPP is a chalky selection but in a race like this it looks like the unders will be the way to spice things up. We get Chad Brown and Manny Franco in New York in January, that should really say it all. The workouts we see are very solid and he is coming off a layoff from an ungraded stake. His class seems to be above the rest of this 40k claim field. To spice things up on the bottom #2 TAKEOFF looks solid and has run 3rd in two straight races at this level. He’s stretching out in distance today which is great as he has done better running at a mile and over.
Race 7: 3-7-6
Bombs away in this race boys. #3 NO DEAL is 8/1 ML and is coming off 2 straight wins, has shown very solid works since the last victory. This filly has only improved in her two consecutive races on the dirt and I expect more improvement today. She clearly likes the distance, Eric Cancel stays up today and I would box these three up in an exacta and a trifecta to go for the bomber here.
Race 8: 4-8-2
#4 COURAGEOUS QUEEN is dropping down to her lowest level yet. The last time she faced claimers she won fairly easily. Today Manny and Todd are teaming up again today. Her workouts have only gotten better since her last race improving with every run. Manny rode her well the last time they teamed up but she had a rough trip and still finished a strong 3rd in that race. Today he should be able to rectify his errors that day of taking her 7 wide and maybe being a bit impatient to get a winner in the finale.