Race 1: The Thursday night card at Emerald kicks off with a 6 furlong sprint for older fillies and mares. #6 Zanab put in a decent effort last out at this level, spotting the field a considerable amount at the break, going wide around the turn, and finishing strong. She loves the track, with a record of 11 5-2-2, and should get a good stalking trip behind the speed. One of those quick horses that figures to be on the front end is #3 A Filly Can Dream, who comes out of the same 6 ½ furlong race as our top pick. She showed early interest, but faded down the stretch, and probably needed that last effort. The slight cutback should help as well. #4 Perfect Promise is stretching out a bit from her last race, where she also showed good early pace, dueling on the lead with other rivals. Drops in class to one of the lowest levels she has seen, and if she can move forward off of that effort, could easily win at a short price.
Race 2: Five of the runners in this field of 7 faced off 3 weeks ago at this same class level, all still searching for their second lifetime win. #1 Dark Suspicion took a lot of money, and went off favored in the last effort against these common foes. She contested the early pace in between other horses, faded to the pressers behind him, but might have needed the fitness off the long layoff. If she carries that speed today she could contend. #5 Invite Me was the runner up last out by a head, and sat a perfect trip behind the front runners, saving ground and shooting up the rail late. She went off at huge odds that day, and will likely be favored today off of the nice figure produced in that race. #6 National Heroine also took a lot of attention from bettors last out, but flattened in the lane after attempting to make a move around the turn. Gutierrez wrapped up on her early and never brought out the crop, so should come in fresh.
Race 3: A bottom level claiming event going a mile, where the ML favorite, #3 Check and Raise looks pretty tough coming off of the fourth place effort first off the bench two weeks ago. Slight class drop also bodes well for this gelding. Gary Wales jumps off our top pick and hops aboard #2 Deputy’s Command, the second runner for trainer Manny Ortiz, Sr. He has been off since February, but runs consistent figures at this distance, and enjoys the Emerald dirt. #1 Oldtimers Vision could score at a big price after a disappointing race last out at this distance, where he was bet to 5-1. If you throw out that race, his back figures are competitive.
Race 4: A MSW for fillies and mares going 6 furlongs, and the top pick will again be somewhat chalky. I liked the #4 She Owns the Paynt last out against similar company, and ran well first time over the track. She improved her figure to her lifetime best, and if she runs back to her last, will be tough. Second time starter, #5 Cascade Dancer, garnered some attention at the windows in her debut for trainer Kay Cooper, and had a decent race. That experience should move this filly up today. Also coming from that same MSW race earlier in the meet is #3 Alotmoreaction, who finished 3rd behind a runaway winner and our top pick. Improved greatly last out from 2 to 3 years old.
Race 5: This Maiden Claiming race has some familiar faces in it from the last few weeks, and we’re going to try and get #6 Atta Boy Billy his diploma today. He ran second all the way around the track last out when he dropped to this level, and showed improvement over his previous race. He might have needed those to get into shape off the layoff from last August, should be competitive today. #3 Brett always takes money, and will likely go off as the favorite. He has ran respectable races as a 2 year old at higher levels, and now at 3 is still looking for his first win. The race last out is good enough for him to finally win, but the price won’t be anything to shout about. #2 Sovereign Nation has only made one start, but it was not a bad debut in which he attended the pace, only to fade in the stretch. He’s a player if he can build off of the last.
Race 6: In this OC for $15k, the #6 Frieburg comes in off of defeat by a head to his stablemate for trainer Lucarelli, at a slightly higher class level. He ran a great figure considering the layoff before, and should be tuned for a big effort today barring any bounce. #4 Graycaster comes up from Southern California first off the claim for the Cooper barn. The lightly raced 5 year-old is obviously taking a class drop by coming north, and has ran solidly against heavier competition. #7 Tumac Mountain ran against similar company last out, and has that recent race edge over much of the field. He was DQ’d for breaking in at the start, but still put in a good effort. The jockey change to Wales is a definite upgrade as well.
Race 7: In this bottom level claimer for older horses, the oldest in the field seems tough. The 11 year-old son of Tapit, #2 Dreamcatcher, is a hard knocker if there ever was one. He finished 2nd last out after a spring layoff, in the first race of the meet, losing by 1.5 lengths to a horse who came back to win again yesterday. The third place finisher also won his next out, so the race seems very live. #7 Intelicrypt was bet to favoritism in the aforementioned race on opening day, but couldn’t carry his speed past the turn. He was basically eased, so should still be fresh, and may improve with that run over the track. #4 Cats Champ raced evenly in his seasonal debut 2 weeks ago, and could upset if he finds his old form. Trainer Bozell has had some luck with horses the 2nd out after entering his barn.
Race 8: This allowance field has plenty of horses that could get the money, all fairly lightly raced. #1 Papa’s Golden Boy broke out the first week of the meet and graduated from the maiden ranks. He’s facing winners for the first time today, but his early speed and the rail draw should ensure he gets a good position. Improving figures each race of his career, if he moves another step forward, should figure in the outcome. #3 Frolic and Detour is also looking to clear an allowance condition after breaking his maiden recently. #5 Unmachable won first out of the box in Stakes company here last summer, and has only ran in Stakes races since, most recently in Arizona, where he didn’t seem to break well from the rail. Trainer Jack McCartney is off to a slow start this meet, but this horse has loads of promise.
Race 9: The feature race of tonight’s card is an OC $50k for fillies and mares sprinting. #3 Ima Happy Cat is a stakes winning mare who is consistently quick out of the gate. Trainer Dan Markle knows how to get a horse ready off of a layoff, winning one and getting two placings in his 3 races this meet. The recent works look sizzling, and could be controlling speed. #7 Broome is a very classy horse, spending time in Kentucky and Louisiana for high profile trainers. Now running out of the Wright barn, she rarely runs a clunker, and gets massive class relief. If she takes to the Emerald surface, could upset the locals. #4 Paddy’s Secret has been ITM in 8 of 12 races over the course, but usually at longer distances. Might use this race as a springboard for the season, but overall numbers make her hard to look past.
Race 10: All looking for their third lifetime win, I’ll look to the #1 Taptoo. She has been ITM in 6 of 11 starts, and usually puts forth an effort. Lost by 3 length last out to the probable favorite, so we’ll take a shot with the larger of the prices out of that race. #6 Sadie Sue has been improving figures throughout this year, and had a troubled start last race breaking from the rail. The draw as well as the early running style could help this filly. #4 Pin Up Lady lost the rider 2 weeks ago in her seasonal debut, and could contend given her past form. If she improves as a 4 year-old, could be sitting on a big race.
Race 11: The nightcap is a MC for $5k, and I’ll look past the favorite and go to #5 Magic Mahogany. He pressed the pace last out at a much higher level, and now drops into a weaker field. Should improve second off of the layoff. #9 All About Time seems to be the horse to beat, as he’s taken money each of his starts. He bobbled at the start of the last race, and the runner up came back to win yesterday. If he gets a clear trip, could easily get the money. #6 Stanley Ryder gets a slight jock upgrade to Gutierrez for his second start of the meet. Raced wide last out, but could have used the race to prime for today. 0 for 13 record looks bad, but should break through at some point.
-Good Luck!