Blog

Race 1

1^st #5 Rhoda’s Jewell makes the most sense dropping from the $32K level down to the bottom with James Graham aboard.  This is the first and only foal racing by the dam (for now), and there wasn’t much luck with the dam’s career either.  This filly also appears to be better at sprinting.

2^nd #3 Gold Zephyr and #5 both have six starts and three thirds…  So trying to decide which one is better isn’t an easy task. This one literally just missed a second place finish at Churchill last out.  Now, she’s back at $10K with Mena riding.

3^rd #6 Michigan Miss like most of these girls is trying Ellis for the first time.  She has seven races, three back managed a decent second place at Keeneland. Leparoux was on her that day and today is back on her.

Race 2

1^st #4 El Venue has had a short and interesting career filled with layoffs.  He’s tough to keep together. He’s been racing three years ago and only has eight races.  He’s had two months off and is at the bottom, looks like the one to beat.

2^nd #3 Mine Inspector’s lone win was on the turf here last summer and he crushed it.  Since then, things haven’t been the same. He hasn’t even been on the board since. Now, he’s dropping to the lowest class drop he’s had.  Last out on a drop he only lost by three lengths.

3^rd #6 Austin Ray didn’t like Turfway Park and hasn’t been off the board since he left which is a positive sign.  He won two back by seven lengths at Indiana and is coming from there. He’s a son of the late and great Scat Daddy.

Race 3

1^st #8 Pocket Personality is really going to be hard to beat.  He’s coming down from $30K, he ran sixth beaten by three lengths.  It’s interesting that he was claimed from Diodoro and then he took the horse back for nearly double the price. 

2^nd #7 B. B. Dude comes in from Belmont, he ran fourth by thirteen in a $25K claiming race.  His races he’s been in have been tough, but he hasn’t been as solid this year as he was last year.  Steve Asmussen trains the son of Shakin It Up.

3^rd #3 Divine Desire ran fourth last out, and it wasn’t a bad run.  He’s been coming down a little bit in class gradually for a while now, without much luck.  He hasn’t won since November of 2017, so it’s easy to wonder if he will ever win again now.

Race 4

1^st #6 Surrender Now looks like the for sure winner coming out of a second place in a huge allowance race at Churchill.  In April she came from California, where she’s had all of her success. This is the easiest race she’s had since coming to Ky which helps.

2^nd #1 Ascot Day hasn’t ran on the turf before, which is her opponents strong suit.  This gal has been off since the first weekend of May, coming over from Oaklawn. She ran some pretty strong races for Daniel Peitz.

3^rd #2 May Lily is a talented Broken Vow mare who just won a $62,500 optional claimer at Churchill.  She ran one of the best performances of her life. She’s won one out of her two races at Ellis and this is set up with her favorite conditions.

Race 5

1^st #6 Humphrey is a flashy son of Liam’s Map.  The dam has a son named Majestic City who has made over half a million dollars.  He now stands at stud in New York. His other siblings are also winners. 

2^nd #2 Johnny Unleashed has raced once already at Keeneland finishing a nice second place by a length in a quarter.  He’s by Colonel John, was a $10K purchase, and is trained by Eric Foster.

3^rd #1 Tiny Danza (by Danza) may have been a $3,000 purchase but his workouts especially at Keeneland have been fantastic.  The dam has one other colt by Jimmy Creed who has won one race.

Race 6

1^st #1 Cool Beans is a very talented Candy Ride filly who’s been off since December of last year.  I think she’ll be excellent in this race even with the layoff. She finished second by a head last out.  She hasn’t been off the board yet.

2^nd #5 Rahway ran third last out at Churchill in a $62,500 optional claiming race.  Her race two back she quit early, it looked to be a little bit longer than she would preferred distance.  She’s a bit inconsistent but this is a good spot for her.

3^rd #8 Love On Tides is a Michelle Lovell trainee who lost by a nose earlier this month at Churchill.  Her last couple of races have been an improvement for her. She’s definitely capable of running third or better here.

Race 7

1^st #3 Lanse Mitan is a son of More Than Ready who is making his career debut for Rodolphe Brisset who is at 15% for the year.  He’s been working very well at Keeneland, with a recent bullet.

2^nd #4 Cairo King is making his debut for Steve Asmussen.  His sire Cairo Prince is currently the #1 second crop sire according to the Bloodhorse stallion register, and his dam is by Dixie Union, so pedigree with lots of promise.

3^rd #6 Not Again Jackie is the most experienced out of the field making his third start.  Pushing two races onto a newly turned two year old in April is a lot to ask of a horse, but he’s been off since then.  Stretching out a little also, which will help him.

Race 8

1^st #3 One Last Strike was recently claimed from his breeders- the Ramseys.  I believe he was hurt, as he had over a year and a half off. He’s came back with good efforts and I’m glad he scratched from his Churchill race today, (Saturday) to be in this race.

2^nd #7 Apreciado was one I took recently and then he was scratched.  Which was a bummer because I was excited for his race! I have the same comment as last time: to go from a claiming $30K race to a second place in a monster allowance doesn’t happen often.

3^rd #8 J Zar has had some tough luck lately in some allowance races that have been a little over his head.  Both were fourth places that were respectable, as he didn’t lose by much. Saez is aboard for the Welsh trainee.

Race 9

1^st #11 Brie’s Lucky Charm didn’t get a lucky draw as far as post positions go.  Her only disappointment was last summer at Belmont when she finished seventh. She’s always the bridesmaid, never the winner.  This could be the race to change that.

2^nd #1 Miss Hanna Jo left Chad Brown’s barn and it makes me curious as to why.  She’s had some gaps in between those two races she’s had, her last race was much better though at Keeneland when she ran third.

3^rd #7 Temple City Terror hasn’t been on the board every race, but they were still reasonable efforts.  She’s done quite a bit of traveling for her short career and has handled it well. If your looking for a little value, she’s your girl.