Wed Jan 30
Race1: 7-4-8
#7 JERMYN STREET ships across the state after running a career best Beyer going today’s distance at Tampa. Keith Nations is a great turf trainer and has good numbers with horses making their next start after a win. #4 COOL KATE looks like the horse to beat. Maybe needed the race last time so I’ll give her that as an excuse. She is 9 for 11 lifetime running first or second. #8 SCATNAP had a visually impressive race last time out winning by 4. Saez stays aboard for today’s race. Will need to run better than he has in the past at this distance (0-2).
Race2: 7-2-3
#7 FOR THE ROAD goes out for trainer Jorge Delgado who is tearing it up this championship meet. He’s got great numbers first off the claim. This horse is cutting back to 6 eighths after appearing to tire late at 7f last time. #2 ASTRO EMPIRE will try to play catch me if you can as he won his last 3 races in front running fashion. Should be a heavy favorite here, so I will try to beat him with the #7 as I think you won’t get much value here. Top contender. #3 MYSTERY WITNESS broke his maiden last time very effortlessly and faces winners today for the first time. Goes out for the successful Navarro barn.
Race3: 4-8-3
#4 SECOND STREET ran a better race than it looks on paper last time out. He raced at slightly higher levels up at Woodbine. Has a good closing kick and could win here with the right trip. #8 LOVE CONQUERS has the back class and speed figures to win, but hasn’t won since 2017. Should be the favorite but must show he likes to win. He’s dropping to the lowest level he’s raced at in 2 years. Let’s see if he can get it done. #3 IN THE CHAMBER must improve off his recent efforts. It is interesting to note that he is 11 for 14 running first or second at today’s mile distance.
Race4: 2-3-6
#2 GRAN BONITA CHICA has been favored in her first 4 starts and looks to be the heavy favorite here. Never ran out of the money. If she runs like she did in her last two races she will win here. The one to beat. #3 COUNTRY GIRL SHIRL drops from the 16k level to 12.5k and looks to improve. #6 AQUA GEM is a lightly raced filly who will get the bug weight break and goes out first off the claim and maiden score.
Race5: 9-10-3
#9 ADAMANT goes out for Pletcher who is great with the MSW to MCL move. His go to guy Johnny V rides. Horse was bought last spring for 150k now in for 25k. #10 FOR REEF’S SAKE has some early speed and raced in a few respectable races thus far. 5f appears to be a good option for this one. #3 ENOUGHANDTHENSOME seems to be lacking the run late to win. Just needs to find that will to win. Race two back was good.
Race6: 6-5-7
#6 R LUCKY DICE has had three straight tries at the 6,250nw3 level running second each time. The field he faces today isn’t terribly tough and I think he gets its done. #5 SOL DAT SUGAR likes GP and is consistently finishing evenly. He doesn’t seem to pass many horses when the race gets going. I hope he can change that today. #7 MISS SURPRISE’s race two back was very impressive. Gets the trainer switch to Delgado who is solid off this move. One to consider for sure.
Race7: 2-1-10
#2 RHODE ISLAND is bound to break his maiden soon. Has been running great in similar races to the competition he faces today. He battles tough in the stretch and I think he gets his win today. #1 ARGONNE ran first back on fourth of July weekend but was DQd. Similar to Rhode Island in the fact that he won’t be a maiden much longer. Just waiting for the right opportunity to get that elusive win. Ran okay last time out, was really looking for more in that race from him. #10 FIRST COMMANDER stretches out and tries turf for the first time. He’s eligible to improve which makes him a contender at which looks to be a little bit of a price.
Race8: 1-3-9
#1 WHY GOD fell just short in his race last time finishing ½ length behind the winner while gaining. I think the mile suits him and he can win against this nw2 competition. Might get an okay price on him. #3 NIGHTSTRINGS raced in an optional claimer last time after the maiden win. He was in a bit over his head and now comes back to the 12.5k level. Should be competitive here and might get overlooked in the betting. #9 EMPEROR JOHN has races that are good enough to win this. He has been well backed in his recent starts and has just lacked the winning kick. I am willing to throw out his last due to the sloppy track.
Race9: 1-2-3
#1 MCERIN is a talented horse for Servis whose race two back got a 98 Beyer. The winner that beat him last time out came back to win. Ran at Ascot as a 2yo and was favored. Should be heavy favorite today and I’m not trying to beat him. #2 BOLD ENVOY grabs blinkers for the first race off the layoff. Might need a race to figure it out but has some back class that gives me confidence. #3 NO REGRETS shows some speed but just didn’t have enough to hang on and find the winners circle. Tough spot here but should be involved early.
Race10: 8-1-12
#8 MORE MO almost broke his maiden last time at this same level as the favorite. Gets Irad for another shot. The one to beat. #1 INDURATE was purchased for 275k and is now in for 20k. Has lost to some of today’s foes but might improve second off the layoff. #12 WISELY breaks from the far outside which is difficult from this distance. Major contender none the less. Might have been favored if he drew a better post. If he can work out a trip he can be dangerous.