Another Sunday of racing here at the Big A, with nine races scheduled. Let’s go to the comments:
1st race: 6 Furlongs. Mdn 68k Purse $68,000 (UP TO $11,832 NYSBFOA) FOR MAIDENS, FOUR YEARS OLD AND UPWARD.
5-4-1
In a race in which two of the favorites are 0 for 12 and 0 for 11 respectively, we will go with the one that is only 0 for 4. Fast Break (5) can be placed in a garden sot position from that outside post and Lezcano (if he arrives in time from Arabia) will be riding him for the third time in a row. Not crazy about having failed as a favorite twice, but we have no other better choice. New Frontier (4) is another one who has burned some money (three consecutive times a beaten favorite), but has run well and comes from a much better post now. He should be part of that early flight. Point of Humor (1) ran well in his first dirt try. He needs a good pace up front but breezed a bullet for his comeback race from an almost three month rest and Cancel repeats.
2nd race: 1 Mile. ™Clm 25000n3L Purse $37,000 FOR FILLIES AND MARES FOUR YEARS OLD AND UPWARD
5-6-7
Chillinwithfriends (5) drops again to the level in which she belongs and she should be able to dictate the pace in here. Has six works in preparation for this race and should be right behind the leader. Awesome Alana (6) is dropping for a tag for the first time, has seven works leading up but she needs pace to be able to close effectively, I am not sure she will get it. Spring Drama (7) is another one taking the big class drop, and she changed barns also, to a trainer that hasn’t won a race yet in 2020. She is the speediest in here, but at this stage, the mile maybe is too long for her.
3rd race: 1 Mile. ™MC 25000 Purse $33,000 FOR MAIDENS, FILLIES THREE YEARS OLD.
4-3-7
My Sweet Kat (4) was very game in defeat last time out, now has a big pace advantage over this field and will be a tough beat today. Linda Rice scores at a 39% going to a route after two sprints. The wild card here is Thegoodmind (3), who ran twice in Ireland on the turf, now switched to the dirt and gets lasix while dropping to a much softer level. Watch out!! Super Twenty Seven (7) gets a big upgrade in jockey and this will be her second race for new trainer Orlando Noda. He is dropping from straight maidens, so we can expect an improved effort by her.
4th race: 6½ Furlongs. Clm 32000 Purse $50,000 (UP TO $8,700 NYSBFOA) FOR FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD.
2-7-1
Wegotoldyougotsold (2) was claimed by Jason Servis and immediately steps up in class. Servis hits at a 37% rate first claim, so if he sends him in this spot, is because he is sure the horse is live. Not much speed signed in, and that’s another factor in his favor. Autostrade (7) gets blinkers on, so we can expect him to be closer to the pace. That outside post gives Franco plenty of options on how to ride him, and also like the confident step up in class by Rudy Rodriguez. Life in Shambles (1) has stabilized in these mid to high claiming groups and just by repeating, he is a top contender. This one, by contrast, was claimed away from Servis.
5th race: 1 Mile. ™‘Mdn 60k Purse $60,000 FOR MAIDENS, FILLIES THREE YEARS OLD FOALED IN NEW YORK STATE
3-2-4
This is a difficult race to analyze, because it doesn’t seem like any of these fillies want the early lead, so trying to judge a pace scenario is a challenge. I will go with Kilkea (3), who now will be ridden by Julio Correa, who has looked very good in trying to maximize whatever speed a horse has. She has worked very nicely for this, her third race. Beautiful Karen (2) had early trouble in her debut, second time out should be much fitter and Rice and Lezcano team up again. Makingcents (4) was abysmal as a beaten favorite, but that day there was a lone speed filly fractioning 24.4 for the first quarter mile. I think Vargas will be much more forwardly placed today.
6th race: 1 Mile. OClm 50000 Purse $55,000 (UP TO $9,570 NYSBFOA) FOR THREE YEAR OLDS
1-8-7
Mr. Shortandsimple (1) was eased in his last start, which was four weeks ago, in a spot in which he had no chance at all. He has worked since that time and Vargas already has a win with him. In general terms, he has been facing much tougher horses than these. Tapizearance (8) broke his maiden last week, routing a group of over matched claimers. Cox must feel he is fresh enough to wheel him back with just seven days rest, and his figure compares very favorably against these horses. My Sacred Place (7) completes the selection, he just missed last time out at this same level and Franco repeats with him.
7th race: 6 Furlongs. ™‘Alw 64000n1x Purse $64,000 FOR FILLIES AND MARES FOUR YEARS OLD AND UPWARD FOALED IN NEW YORK STATE
5-2-7
Collegeville Girl (5) now drew a much better post than in her last two and Castillo is the one with whom she has run better. Has two very good breezes in Parx leading up to this race. Doll (2) just won her maiden last time out over a sloppy track. She goes against winners now and if she can get an easy lead, she can wire this field. Carlisle Belle (7) receives a notable jockey upgrade and I think she is better at the six furlong trip. Watch out for her if she gets a hot pace upfront.
8th race: 1 1/8 Mile. OC 62500n2x Purse $75,000 (UP TO $13,050 NYSBFOA) FOR FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD
3-4-6
Patagonia (3) improves with each new start and is one of only two that are not being risked for a tag. Cancel repeats for trainer Jonathan Thomas. Roaming Union (4) drops to a group in which he has been much more competitive, and Franco has been red hot lately. He should be tracking the speed from the gitgo. Its All Relevant (6) completes the trio, an Aqueduct specialist, winning 6 out of 10 here and maybe is the seed of the speed. It’s a reclaim for Rudy Rodriguez.
9th race: 6 Furlongs. Clm 16000n3L Purse $31,000 FOR FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON THREE RACES.
4-3-9
Air on Fire (4) now goes on his second race after a long layoff, and Rice hits at a 35% second time with her. Lezcano keeps going to the pond and maybe he was just too close to the pace last time out. Elios Milos (3) is the one that can take advantage of a speed duel, and seems to me that probability is high. Cancel is still very hot in 2020. Flat Rate (9) was gelded after his last effort; let’s see if he can come back to his 2019 form, which was much sharper that was he has been showing lately. Franco preferred him over Elios Milos, keep that in mind.