Race 1:
#7 Tracy Ann’s Legacy 12-1 ML
#10 Immaculate Heart 6-1 ML
#9 Spiced Rum Punch 5-1 ML
Trainer Terri Pompay has two in this sprint, but I will go with the one with experience under her belt in #7 Tracy Ann’s Legacy. This one takes a big drop from MSW to McL, has a trainer who excels with 2nd time starters (29%), is well bred for the turf out of Shackleford and Trippi on the dam side and took a lot of money first time out at 3-1. Has been working bullets and has all the looks of a horse sitting on a big effort at a nice price.
DIRT: 10-8-7
Race 2:
#2 Dana Grace 2-1 ML
#4 Jazzy Beach 6-1 ML
#7 Armony’s Angel 8-5 ML
#2 Dana Grace ran a much improved race on the drop last time out, showing good speed while chasing a runaway winner. Jonathan Gonzalez will have his pick on what to do early dependent on how the race flow shakes out, but this one should get first run on the deeper closers.
Race 3:
#4 Nickie’s Papa 3-1 ML
#6 Jacks A Warrior 9-5 ML
#5 Lovingrdsimmard 10-1 ML
#4 Nickie’s Papa goes from the Joan Scott barn to the David Fawkes barn who does well with his new acquisitions. This one showed a lot of promise early last year, and maybe Fawkes can tap into that talent at the bottom rung claiming level.
Race 4:
#2 Long Story Short 5-1 ML
#1 Shes an Introvert 3-1 ML
#8 Lailoni 4-1 ML
#2 Long Story Short caught a yielding turf first time out at Belmont for Maker, and took some decent money at 8-1. Trainer does much better with his 2nd timers vs debut types, takes a slight drop in class, and deserves another look on a firm turf.
DIRT:
8-1-6
Race 5:
#4 Army of One 2-1 ML
#8 Fun Finder 6-1 ML
#7 Princess Trina 3-1 ML
#4 Army of One obtained a good education first time out at Churchill, debuting in a fast sprint that could end up being a key race down the line. Rodolphe Brisset does well both stretching out and running horses for the 2nd time, this one is a 400k purchase, and has the looks of one that could be a very could one down the line out of Scat Daddy.
Race 6:
#9 Coniston 6-1 ML
#3 Leroi’s Gem 15-1 ML
#14 Golden Decision 8-1 ML
#9 Coniston goes first off the claim for a 16% barn on the year, has speed in a race that lacks a lot of early speed and has done well over the Gulfstream turf course (3 for 5 ITM). This is a race I would recommend spreading pretty well, as there is no standout favorite.
DIRT: 2-13
Race 7:
#4 Stylishly 12-1 ML
#9 Dig Deeper 7-2 ML
#1 Nasq 5-1 ML
Cherie Devaux is due to get her first win as a trainer, and I think #4 Stylishly has a great chance at a bit of a price. The debut effort going shorter was ok, especially in a salty group like that of a Saratoga maiden, before getting a good amount of money on the dirt going longer and faltering. I think this one wants turf and gets back to the preferred surface today in a wide open race.
DIRT: 5-6-9
Race 8:
#1 Francesco Appeal 8-1 ML
#11 Dreamy Martini 12-1 ML
#4 Charlie the Greek 7-2 ML
If you’ve followed my column the first two Sundays, you will remember I had #1 Francesco Appeal on opening weekend. If he breaks well, he wins that race going away, and so while the price might be a bit depressed here, he will again get a good setup and with a better break will not be as far back.
Race 9:
#9 Gucci Factor 5-1 ML
#1 Dr. Edgar 4-1 ML
#3 Mo Maverick 12-1 ML
#9 Gucci Factor really improved once switched to turf late last season for Christophe Clement. This horse always makes his run and there seems to be enough pace in here to set it up well for his late run. While 1 1/8 might have been a bit too far last time out, this one has won it’s last 3 tries going 1 1/16 so a mile should be well within his scope. I would look for this one in turf stakes going forward.
DIRT: 8-7-6
Race 10:
#8 Violent Nature 10-1 ML
#2 Rashette 4-1 ML
#5 Princess Victoria 3-1 ML
#8 Violent Nature goes turf to dirt, a 16% angle for Pilotti, and in this one’s lone dirt race? A nearly 6 length score against cheaper. I think the 7F is a perfect distance as this one showed speed going the mile and will be able to be tactical enough to keep up with the front runners. Might get an OK price on the step up in class too.
Race 11:
#7 Sister Kitten 9-5 ML
#4 Point of Honor 8-1 ML
#2 Chasing Helicity 12-1 ML
#7 Sister Kitten deserves one more chance on a firm turf course. She has caught 2 yielding courses to date, the first of those being against the superstar filly Newspaperofrecord. In her last race, there was no pace to chase and she ran out of real estate. Additionally, out of that race, 2nd place finisher Hidden Facts ran 2nd by a short margin last weekend in a race she really should have won after running off with Leparoux. Will have to stomach another short price here, but looks like the most logical.
DIRT: 4-5-9