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Race 1

1^st #6 Gray Hope (by Paddy O’Prado) has “improved” in both of his races, but finished fifth in both races.  Now he is coming down a little in class. Dale Romans is sitting at 25% so far for this meet.

2^nd #1 Run This Town is an interesting one.  I worry that he is not sound, but of course I have no proof of that.  It’s a Zayat Stables horse trained by Diodoro. They spent $475,000 on the son of Union Rags who is now running at the bottom as a maiden.

3^rd #5 Moose Got Even probably shouldn’t be 4/1.  He didn’t finish his last race, but he comes back without a layoff which is good to see.  (Means he’s more likely to be sound).

Race 2

1^st #1 Veritas ran second last out with Corey Lanerie aboard for the first time, and is back on him now.  He’s been through trainers quite often, and was even claimed a while back which is a surprise. Last out was a good race.

2^nd #2 Bear Trappe has made a little over $47K, and was a purchase for $5K.  He’s young and running at the bottom so I don’t think he will get better over time but you never know.  He’s just one of the best out of a weak race.

3^rd #6 Classic Zhar screams red flags.  Clearly he can’t be held together. From the top, all the way down to the bottom.  If someone claims this horse, I’d honestly be surprised and horrified at the same time.  He’s only finished two out of five races.

Race 3

1^st #4 Phantom Opening finally gets that softer race she desires.  She was a little slow starting off her career but has ran some good races and even ran in the grade one Jenny Wiley at Keeneland.  Why they started her in graded company after an allowance OC is beside me, but she’ll be tough here.

2^nd #3 Istan Counsel ran a superb race last out with Chantal Sutherland aboard.  She comes back to ride the daughter of Istan who’s trained by Larry Jones. This girl has a bright future, she’s only three years old and has run some solid races.

3^rd #5 Clever Serve is by To Honor and Serve, who’s done decent as a newer sire.  She didn’t run well last out, seemed to hold up real nice at Oaklawn. I’m really a little baffled with her last performance but confident she’ll come back strong.  

Race 4

1^st #4 Humor Me Dixie is kicking off her career for Mark Casse, and is ridden by Shaun Bridgmohan.  Her works have been solid, and her trainer is fantastic with two year olds.

2^nd #8 Abscond has been working bullets at Keeneland, but hasn’t had a work here yet.  Eddie Kenneally trains, and Corie Lanerie rides the daughter of Blame, who was a $90,000 purchase.

3^rd #5 Three D Flag I don’t have much to say about really.  Average works, trained by Steve Asmussen and ridden by Tyler Baze who’s having a great meet.  Her dam didn’t do much racing, only one other runner so far who’s made about $33K.

Race 5-

1^st #5 Baladera was claimed over at Santa Anita and brought over to Kentucky where she hasn’t ran really any consistent races.  Which brings me to my next point, she now is dipping in for almost half the price she ran last out. And was really close to losing her rider last out.

2^nd #1 Bivian B is dropping in class, has a win over this track.  She won her first race here last summer by a neck. Since then, has only managed a second place out of eight starts.  She looks good in this race and may be worth a bet.

3^rd #5 Angel’s Cut might be tough to hold together with those layoffs in between her races.  Not a good sign. She managed a win in her second race at Oaklawn, by a neck, in a $20K maiden claiming event.

Race 6

1^st #8 Marriage has an ugly racing record which is obviously why she is at the bottom of the barrel.  She doesn’t any interest in racing but the question is, can the turf turn her around?

2^nd #6 Rhoda’s Jewel I took last out I believe for second place, but she ran third which is ok.  I’d really like to see her win or run second, even though I didn’t choose her on top I’m hoping maybe a second time on the turf will switch things up.

3^rd #10 Woody’s Reward should have been dropped to this level way sooner.  Only on the board once out of eleven starts. Her races on the turf were no good but maybe the class drop will help.

Race 7

1^st #4 Gold Standard cost a pretty penny of $1.2 million.  Wow! On paper, even though she has the least amount of experience, I like her a lot.  Her dam finished third in a small stakes in LA, and has one other winning filly so far.

2^nd #3 Devilite has been in the hardest races of all of these fillies.  She’s sitting at 5/1, which seems a little off based on her performances against the competition she has faced, I’d expect to see her odds a little lower.

3^rd #5 Fun Paddy ran a clunker last out, to be dismissed.  For a horse like her that has improved greatly as time has gone on, she’s in a good spot.  She’s won over the turf before.      

Race 8

1^st #3 Wilbo is one of those older, consistent, rock solid geldings.  He’s by Candy Ride (ARG) and has been on the board twenty five times out of thirty four races.  So close to that $750,000 mark too.

2^nd #7 Done Deal is a homebred for Sierra Farm.  I wish Landeros was still on him because he did fantastic on this guy and knows the horse really well.  Only lost by three lengths last out.

3^rd #8 Seven Trumpets is also a super nice horse.  Purchased for $205,000, and has made $400,000. Good return value on this one.  Last out, something had to happen. Whatever it was, he’s had plenty of time to heal.

Race 9

1^st #7 Myositis Mystique won last out at Churchill with Jon Court aboard, and they reunite here. She’s somewhat consistent at this level, but is quite unpredictable.  Which bothers a handicapper. But her connections aren’t running her for a tag, which means they don’t want to lose her.

2^nd #8 Mizzen Air does quite well at this level.  She’s trained by eighty year old Merrill Scherer.  It’s really cool to see someone that age still training.  This girl has had a lot of races, but usually tries hard in her races and manages to hit the board often.

3^rd #10 Catty Krys has won eight out of twenty eight races.  She’s got a lot of heart. She’s been claimed a couple times in the past year and loves the Fairgrounds where she has seen most of her success.  This is her first start on the Ellis track.