Race 1: Maiden Claiming $150,000, 2yo, 5 Furlongs
3, Thanks Mr. Eidson: Faced a salty maiden field last out, and battled gamely in the stretch. Now goes up against six firsters, and should have his way with them.
2, Georgian Road: Interesting call by Baffert to debut this $100,000 purchase for a tag, albeit a high one. Is he simply looking for an easy win? Maybe, but Thanks Mr. Eidson is not a pushover. The most recent workout was promising.
1, Istain Man: He’s had some good bullet workouts, and worked a sharp three furlongs last Saturday.
Race 2: Maiden Claiming $62,500, 3yo and up, 1 Mile (Grass)
5, Mystery Messenger: Went up against a tough maiden field first off the layoff, and was in the three-path the whole way. Unsurprisingly, he faded. Now faces much easier company, gets a jockey switch to Flavien Prat, and goes for trainer Pat Gallagher, who is 27% second off the layoff. Anything around is 7/2 morning line would be generous.
7, Boru: He knows only one way to run: go to the lead and just keep going. It’s earned him plenty of checks, but no wins yet. In fact, he’s been second or third in each of his last four tries. That’s rarely a good thing in maiden races. He’ll definitely be on the pace, but I’m not going to believe he can hold on until he shows me so.
6, M Town Gem: First-time gelding showed speed for the first time last out, and equaled his career-best brisnet figure.
Race 3: Claiming $16,000, 3yo, 5 1/2 Furlongs
5, Mo Dinero: Raced wide throughout last time, but battled gamely and lost by a head. Now faces easier competition, going back against his fellow three-year-olds. The last time he faced them, he smoked the field.
2, Whatsitoya: Speedy gelding faces winners for the first time, after a gate-to-wire score at Pleasanton. There doesn’t look to be much pace pressure for him, so he could sneak away.
3, Drill Time: Comes in with steadily improving speed figures. Runs first off the claim for Steve Miyadi, who is 23% with that angle.
Race 4: Maiden Claiming $50,000, 2yo, Fillies, 5 Furlongs
8, Lady Sunset: Drops in class second time out, and has a good workout in between races. Adds blinkers as well.
4, Samurai Charm: Prat and Miller teamed up for a winner on opening day, and they’re back on day 2 with this good-working filly. The board will tell the story: if she’s getting a lot of play, watch out.
9, Senora Power: Faced a tough maiden field on debut and was visually unimpressive. Her speed figure was decent, so I’m willing to give her a look.
Race 5: Claiming $40,000, 3yo and up, 1 1/8 Miles (Grass)
7, Tequila Joe: Closed sharply from off the pace to just get up against similar last out. Has a good rate-and-pounce style that plays well in a race like this.
8, Calle Kingpin: In all likelihood, Tequila Joe will have to chase this NoCal invader to win this race. He’s got the most early speed in the field, and comes in off an extremely sharp front-running victory at Golden Gate. Jockey Amir Cedillo would be well-advised to be aggressive early.
5, Kazan: Was in great form over this track last year, including a runner-up performance in the Del Mar Derby at 59/1. He’s raced just once in the past four months, however: a disappointing fifth-place try against allowance company. Prat rode him to victory in February, and now jumps back aboard. Very much a mixed bag: he’s got the class, but is he going to be in top form.
Race 6: Fleet Treat Stakes, 3yo, Fillies, CA-bred, 7 Furlongs
1, Sneaking Out: Finished second in the Summertime Oaks last out. She would have whupped these fools in the Melair Stakes, but was scratched after her trainer was suspended. Now racing for Keith Desormeaux, she’s still miles better than her competition. An easy horse to single in multi-race bets.
7, Hollywood Hills: Cuts back in distance after some ill-advised tries around two turns. Over the winter at Golden Gate, she won four races in a row going six furlongs or shorter.
6, Ruby Bradley: Won the Melair by grinding in the stretch and just getting up. That style could earn her a small check.
Race 7: Allowance Optional Claiming (n/w1x), 3yo, 1 1/16 Miles (Grass)
11, Irish Heatwave: Just missed his second straight win in the Snow Chief Stakes last out, closing well in the stretch after not being asked to run until late. I would’ve liked to see a jockey switch, but he’s still got a great shot.
9, Red Island: Churchill Downs invader will seek to wire the field. After a disappointing American debut, he improved sharply in his last two races.
4, Originaire: He’s probably not a two-turn horse, but he has a stalking style that will have him involved late.