Race 1
Jorge Rosales shifted a bunch of sharp horses to Emerald after the Grants Pass meet ended and they have seemingly run even better in their first start here. TIGER ON YOUR SIX ran 2nd in his last 2 at Grp and if he also improves here he could get his 2nd lifetime win. The pace scenario here is hard to read as a couple of these didn’t show their usual speed in their latest start. From the outside post TIGER will be able to adjust to whatever happens early. There aren’t any real confirmed closers in here, so being on top of the lead turning for home could be the spot to be in. COLT FIFTY SEVEN was very difficult behind the gate and then didn’t break real sharp in his last. From there he seemed to be pulling hard against the jockey on the backside and ended up very wide to boot, before flattening out late. He moves to an inside post and takes off the blinkers for this and that could be the answer for most of his previous woes. Good chance for improvement here. LICORICE DROP POPS ran a solid 2nd as the favorite 2 weeks ago and will probably be favored here again. No real knocks on this guy, but think he may have shown his best, while the top 2 picks may have reason to improve enough to beat him to the wire.
Selections 7-2-6
Race 2
DISCREET DEMONS has been pitched into some tough spots in her career, but this could be the spot where everything is right for her. Think she’s best when she can settle back and make one run and there are 2, possibly 3 speed types in here to set the table for her. She was used a little early to keep position last out, raced wide thru out and then hung late against a better group than these. Add a big rider switch and today should be be the maiden breaker. PORT LIONS blew a big lead in her first start of the year, but the horse that beat her came back to run a big 3rd against a tough bunch and the horse that ran 3rd, 12 lengths behind LIONS, won her next out, so LIONS defeat shouldn’t be judged too harshly. 6 1/2 furlongs may be a stretch, but if she can get clear early she may take them a long ways. STAND IN YOUR LOVE also ran a good 2nd in her last start, but she was just coming back off a route race in No Cal, so that may have been her best effort.. Rider will have to decide whether to try to beat LIONS to the lead or settle just behind. Will need a well timed ride to get the money here.
Selections 5-3-2
Race 3
LA WAUN ran huge in his last race. In a heat filled with speed types he dueled through fast fractions and then drew off. There looks to be speed in here, too, but the speed looked better in his previous race, so not sure he’ll be that bothered early. All in all this probably isn’t as tough of a field as his previous race was. He has a great Emerald record and it looks like he’ll improve upon it at a short price. If there is going to be an upset, rapidly improving MISSED THE BOAT may be the one to do it. His two wins here have been against easier, but he looked like he had more in the tank in his latest. He likes to settle back a few and move at the them around the turn, so if someone can keep battling LA WAUN, then maybe BOAT can get him late. IRON ROB didn’t seem to fire his best shot in his first start of the year, but it was a bit of an odd ride and last year it took him a couple starts off the bench to get going. He ran some big races against some tough customers last season and gets a rider upgrade for this one. Not going to give up on him yet.
Selections 4-7-5
Race 4
8 of the 9 two yr olds in here are first time starters, so going with the firsters being started by trainers who have already had good success with their babies at this meet. NAVAL ESCORT is trained by David Martinez, who has won 3 of the 7 baby races run at the meet. His sire, Coast Guard, sired last years 2 year old filly champion and his dam won her debut and then was stakes placed twice as a 2 year old. He worked a best-of-the-day 5 furlongs last week, so everything is saying “win early”. SLEWS LEGACY is trained by Blaine Wright who has a 2 yr old winner here this meet. Her dam made over $110,000 racing in good company on the East Coast, and there are a couple useful works showing. Matias (who’s won 2 baby races here), doesn’t ride a lot for Blaine, so, seeing him here gives you the idea this one can run. WHISKEY AND WINE starts for Frank Lucarelli who has one 2 year old winner and several that have placed at the meet. He’s not one to give you many clues in the morning, but the work tab is solid. Outside post is never bad for a firster, it will eliminate potential traffic troubles for an inexperienced runner.
Selections 7-3-9
Race 5
There are several contenders in here, but MITCH AND JOHN E will be a deserving favorite. Stalked a hot pace, took over turning for home and was nailed in the last stride by a horse who jumped up and won his 3rd straight in his next out and MITCH was 5 lengths clear of the 3rd place finisher. Versatile running style should get him a cozy stalking trip in here again. Curious move replacing the jockey who just got caught on the wire in the last with a rider who finished 6th on this guy the race before, but nonetheless, this race is clearly his to lose. DRIZZY has run 2 strong races at the meet. He was an easy winner sprinting in his first start, then, in a route in his next start, he pulled his rider on the backside to move into a speed duel before tiring very late. Showing speed going long and then cutting back to a sprint is an angle that has been around for a long time and still pays dividends. If he continues to improve over the Emerald dirt he may pull the upset. It’s been a long time since VALID PRINCE was in with this kind, but he’s as sharp as he’s ever been right now. His last was an easy kind of win in a fast time. These are tougher, but when a horse gets rolling like this they can be a tough opponent on any level.
Selections 3-6-5