Race 1: 6-5-1
#6 READY TO ESCAPE has been ITM in all 4 races of his career and has fired off some bullets since that least race. He should be coming off a bit off the pace today like normal but he has more than enough talent to catch the leader. The switch to junior Alvarado is great today since the usual NYRA suspects have gone down south and he’s one of the best still here. He is used to outside poet positions and looks like a lock here.
Race 2: 4-1-2
Bombs away in this race boys, we are going with the 30/1 ML, longest shot on the board #4 COLTANDMISSISSIPPI. He has the back class to compete here in the jump in class. When sprinting on a fast track he is 2 for 4, the switch of surfaces today makes me hopeful as does that one bullet work we saw from him and the blinkers being added. The cut back in distance is the icing on the cake for me to go bombs away in this 5 horse (sigh) race.
Race 3: 2-4-1/1A
#2 HOT MESA is basically facing a 5k claiming Finger Lakes field today so it should be an easy one. He’s been ITM in his last 5, this distance was where the gelding ran closest to victory losing only by a neck. Junior jumps back up and this race is just really stinky overall so I would do one of two things. Hammer the top pick or skip it as I will be doing.
Race 4: 5-7-2
#5 GATTINO MARRONE just missed last time out by a head at the distance even after bobbling at the start. Manny Franco jumps on up today and he won this meet last year. Considering her last race we are getting a solid price as the 3/1 ML third choice. She won’t have much if any company on the pace today so the world is in her hands or hoofs.
Race 5: 6-1/1A-5
#6 ASTERISK won the last time out and did so very easily after going 3 wide into the turn. We have seen him win at above this level so this slight step up in class doesn’t worry me at all. We also get a cut back in distance today which I don’t think will hurt and he will have a pace to run at as there will be some speed up front.
Race 6: 3-1-5
#3 ARROWSPHERE got caught last time out by some late runners but that was on the turf. So if we throw that race out she won at Santa Anita on the dirt and was clear late. She’s been ITM in her last 3 races on the dirt so her being on the dirt today makes me think that she has a very good chance. At 6/1 ML against what I see as a vulnerable favorite, let’s take a shot.
Race 7: 2-1/1A-4
#2 COTTON CANDY CUTIE is taking a step down in class today and is a consistent runner at this level. This mare has had success before the layoff and has won at level’s above and comparable to this. She has had consistent works since her last race, Junior jumps on today and Rudy Rod should have her ready to go today.
Race 8: 7-1-5
#7 AIR ON FIRE is cutting back down in distance to a career low today. Reylu hops on today who has been on fire this meet winning at a 20% rate. This gelding has better speed figures than most of the other contenders here and I’m optimistic about his sprinting. The price isn’t great but key a couple of longer shots under him and you can make some profit here.