Turf racing at this point in the year is very hard to come by in New York, so for the turf races we will do analysis on the top pick for turf (in parenthesis) then for dirt. Let’s get into it!
Race 1: 4-3
#4 TAKING AIM has run 3rd in both career races and gets a rider upgrade today. Her works have been very solid since joining the Linda Rice barn who is 50% in maiden special one turn races off layoffs of 11 days or less. Good enough of a stat to put on top for me. #3 ACTING CHIPPER ran a distance 2nd last time out by 10 lengths at a higher level. Johnny V hops back up today and there isn’t a lot to say about this 5 horse race.
Race 2: 6-10-8 (3-2-10)
Turf: #6 SUPER MAMA is switching back to the turf and did her best running at this distance. Manny Franco who has had a great meet so far jumps up today. Her works have been very consistent and there are no world beaters here.
Off Turf: #3 THAT’S SMART ran 3rd in her last two races both of where were off turf races. She’s an MTO today who will be under looked if it goes off the turf. Her speed figures are comparable to the field and the stretch in distance may help her today.
Race 3: 6-4-2
#6 STAGE LEFT has the best speed figure out of the crop today, this gelding also ran a solid race in an ungraded stake over at Monmouth. We can throw out the last race as he clearly didn’t want to run after being bumped at the start. With that gone we only see 2 races, both ITM, one of them was a stakes race. Today at 6/1 ML we get great value on a solid gelding with some back class dropping in distance. #4 HAWAIIAN NOISES broke his maiden at the distance last time out trying the dirt bouncing back from a lackluster race on the turf. That last work looks very solid and he has a solid shot today. #2 PUTTHEGLASSDOWN gets some class relief coming out of a grade 3 and is good enough to show.
Race 4: 7-1A-10 (14-13-4)
#7 IMPAZIBLE ODDS just missed last time out at this level getting nipped at the wire. Today the cutback in distance will help the gelding and he has only been improving with every race. Junior jumps back up today and he should get a pace that will be to his liking today.
Off Turf: #14 TWELFTHOFNEVERLAND has run 2 races on the dirt and those have been his best races of his career. The drop in class today should help him and Manny Franco jumps up today.
Race 5: 1-4-5
#1 MILLS is dropping down in class today and has some back class running very well in the ungraded Mr.Sinatra stakes here at the Big A. His record over this track is very solid as well and at 6/1 ML this is a solid shot here.
Race 6: 3-7-5
#3 GET ALONG went 7 wide last time out and still finished only 3 lengths behind. Irad jumps back up here for the colt who had as honest an outing as any in his first race. Throw in the fact he’s 5/1 ML and we get some nice value here.
Race 7: 5-2-4
#5 SOLITARY GEM just missed by a nose at this level last time out. That last race was the best speed figure earned of this fillies career. Rajiv jumps back on today and why wouldn’t he? A runner up under similar conditions last time is good enough for me to put on top against this field.
Race 8: 6-1/1A-5
#6 PALLADIAN BRIDGE ran a sublime race last time out getting up in the final jump to win in what was a magnificent ride and overall performance. That was at a higher level than this, a drop in class today after a race like that at 8/1 ML, I shouldn’t have to say anything more but I will. Since December he’s 3 for 4 at Aqueduct with one second in a stake race. My play of the day here for value.
Race 9: 2-6-9
#2 THERE GOES JOSE got caught at the wire last time out at this level in his first time facing winners. I expect some improvement off that race and that last race was the geldings best speed figure earned. Cohen jumps aboard today after a solid last work.