Its Mandatory Payout on the Empire 6 this Sunday, and we have nine races to handicap in a very tough card assembled by NYRA. The feature lands in Race 8, it’s the Lady Shipman, for three year old fillies on the grass, at the six panels distance. Let’s go to the comments:
1st race: 6 Furlongs. (Turf) ™Clm 40000n2L Purse $40,000 (UP TO $6,960 NYSBFOA) FOR FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD
8-1-5
Noble Jewel (8) has some intangible factors that makes me favor her in the opener. First, she is running for a tag for the first time. Second, she was scratched yesterday in favor of this race, and Cardenas is riding very well lately. Shannon’s Girl (1) finally won a race last time out, and maybe the light bulb just went on with her. Her win was on the main track, but her best races have come on the lawn. Doll (5) is maybe the speed of the speed, but I am a little skeptical of her condition after changing barns, from Jason Servis to Brad Cox.
2nd race: 5 Furlongs. Mdn 64k Purse $64,000 (UP TO $11,136 NYSBFOA) FOR MAIDENS, TWO YEARS OLD.
6-2-4
My recommendation in this kind of race is that, if you can, hit the all button. Seems to me that all these colts are ready for a prime effort. I will side with Zippy Baby (6), the only one that has prior experience. It is true that it was on the grass, but he had some problems with the footing at first, then closed willingly. Rosario recommended the switch of surface, let’s see how it goes. Of the two Wesley Ward debut runners, the one I am interested the most is Copley (2), who was hammered at 15X his stud’s fee and I am sure he will be the better price of the two. Ward is not a guarantee on the dirt, but both colts seem to have talent. Zebra Cake (4) has some quick works for his bow run, and we are all anxiously awaiting that first Runhappy winner. But again, if you can, hit the all button and on to the next one.
3rd race: 1 1/4 Mile. (Inner Turf) ™Alw 66000n1x Purse $66,000 INNER TURF (UP TO $11,484 NYSBFOA) FOR FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD
1-2-5
Setting the Mood (1) seems to have the most upside of this group. Last time he crushed a decimated field in an off the turf event, but Pletcher has always taught of her as a grass filly. The mile and a quarter is an incognito, but her way of moving makes you think she will have no problem with the added ground. Cap de Creus (2) is the most consistent of this group, but I am not fond of the 5 second place finishes. She has been beaten at low odds regularly, so its not a cinch at the 7/5 Morning Line. Civil Union (5) completes the selection, she ran nicely for Shug Mc. Gaughey first time for him. She is getting back from a five month stay in the shelf and Jose Ortiz will put her right in the early mix from the bell. .
4th race: 1 Mile. Clm 25000n2L Purse $34,000 FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES.
2-6-7
Very difficult race to start the Empire 6. More than Striking (2) returns to a level in which she was extremely competitive three races ago. In a race in which the favorite is 1 for 20, this gelding, who has only four lifetime starts, will be my top choice. Oneshotatforever (6) won her maiden in march, and did it in impressive style. If she have maintained that same form, she can be dangerous at 10-1. Bebe Banker (7) completes the selection, by races she is the logical one, but 1 for 20 is nothing to feel proud about.
5th race: 6 Furlongs. (Inner Turf) Alw 66000n1x Purse $66,000 INNER TURF (UP TO $11,484 NYSBFOA) FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD
7-2-6
This is another race in which the morning line doesn’t fit to what we see on the analysis. Quarky (7) should go right to the lead from the gitgo. Luis Saez will look to wire this field, and frankly, I don’t see a shores that can go with him. The question is will he have enough at the end. Mountauk Daddy (2) was eliminated at the start last time out, but this horse has run against quality horses like Jack and Noah, Another Miracle and Chimney Rock. If he brings his A Game, he is dangerous. Cucina (6) is improving by the race. Apparently the move to trainer Bill Mott has been what the doctor ordered, and if he keeps on that upswing, he can score.
6th race: Mile. (Turf) ™MC 75000 Purse $49,000 (UP TO $8,526 NYSBFOA) FOR MAIDENS, FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD.
1-8-2
Trainer Jonathan Thomas sends Tilsa (1) to a better circuit second time out and Johnny V. will try to secure the rail and be in that early flight from the start. Speed is apparently scarce in this race, so that rail post can be very good for her. Checksandbalances (8) debuts for Klaravich and Chad Brown on the grass. That should give you enough information to put them in your plays. They are in danger of losing a ton of money risking her for a tag, but they can afford this. Irad gets the call. Lovely Lucky (2) improved dramatically in her first grass try, at odds of 71-1. Can she repeat or furthermore, improve on that effort? Jose Ortiz will do the honors for trainer Tom Albertrani.
7th race: 6 Furlongs. ™Clm 32000 Purse $52,000 (UP TO $9,048 NYSBFOA) FOR FILLIES THREE YEARS OLD.
5-8-4
We think this race will have a very live pace up front, so Irad will take Hot Little Honey (5) off that early fray and come charging in the stretch. She is returning to a sprint distance, in which she performs much better than at a mile, and receives a considerable jockey upgrade. Wedontbelieveher (8) has the very convenient outside post, which should allow her jockey to rate her kindly and not go along with the probable slugfest up front. She has been running versus much tougher competition. Our Lady of Loreto (4) returns from a seven month break, and hat means she will be ready to open the gates. With just two starts lifetime, there is still upside potential in her.
8th race: 6 Furlongs. (Inner Turf) ™LdyShpmn-B80K Lady Shipman S. Purse $80,000 INNER TURF FOR FILLIES, THREE-YEARS-OLD.
4-11-6
Chili Petin (4) is undefeated in the States. Her only defeat came at Royal Ascot, against fillies much better than these she is facing today. Irad should put her right in contention from the go, and we dint see that much speed signed in here. Miss J Mc Kay (11) won a couple of listed stakes last year and returns from a six month layoff working lights out at Laurel. Jose Ortiz most probably will have to follow his brother on the track and if she has maintained that nice from of 2019, she will be a very worthy contender. She’s My Type (6) is maybe the most accomplished filly in this group, with a stales in and a Grade III placing. Probably the six panels are short for her, but Rosario knows this turf course like the palm of his hand, and she will give this filly a good chance coming from behind.
9th race: 1 1/16 Mile. (Turf) ‘MC 40000 Purse $39,000 FOR MAIDENS, THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD FOALED IN NEW YORK STATE
3-8-11
Extremely low in quality are these maidens, in horizontal plays try to get good coverage. Shared Success (3) seems to be the fastest out of the gate, and in these groups this is always a plus. This colt hasn’t tried the turf yet, but he doesn’t have to be a world beater in grass to beat this group. Joel Rosario rides in the finale. Bricco (8) is another one dropping from straight maidens to this $40,000 group. He didn’t do bad at all in that debut, but there are question marks on returning from an eight month layoff and the drop in class. Zipalong (11) will need some pace for that late run to be effective, not sure if he will get it, but that lone try in the lawn was good enough to give him a chance in here.