Race 1: Maiden Claiming $25,000, 3yo, 1 Mile
4- She’slikethewind: In her lone dirt start, and her only try against the boys, she led almost all the way around going 1 1/16 miles, before fading late. It was a great effort, to be sure, but she hasn’t raced since that December 31 outing. Trainer Michael Dickinson is a guy you can trust, so I have some optimism that she’ll run well first off the layoff.
3- Grand Oasis: Recent Claudio claim plunges in class after a frantic closing effort against $50,000 maidens last out. In almost all his races, he falls far behind early, then closes late for a small piece. I expect a similar result here.
5- Road to Oz: Was outkicked by Grand Oasis in his last race, but he’s shown steady improvement in his last few races, and makes his third start off the layoff. Wouldn’t be surprised if he ran a career-best race.
Race 2: Claiming $16,000, 3yo, Fillies, 6 Furlongs
5- Starting Tour: She broke her maiden in her debut with a strong figure two starts back, then broke slowly and wasn’t a factor last out. I’m counting on this lightly-raced filly to regain her form, and her worktab since her last race suggests that she can.
1- No Refunds: Sat a perfect trip off the pace last time, and rolled by to an easy win. It was her first race off the layoff, and I figure some improvement is likely. The pace scenario and her post set up for a possible similar trip.
2- Mimic: This Rudy Rod trainee crushed in her Maryland debut last out. Should be on or near the early pace.
Race 3: Maiden Claiming $10,000, 3yo, 1 Mile
8- America’s Prince: Drops back to the $10,000 level after a futile try against $16,000 foes. Ran a big race at this level first off the layoff, closing strongly to lose by 3/4 of a length.
2- Elevated Forever: Was well-backed in his debut, but had a bad start and lost all chance. His late pace figures suggest that he still had plenty of closing punch, even if it doesn’t necessarily show up in the running lines. He’s one to watch if he breaks well.
6- Lucky Bull: Made some decent ground in his first try at this class, and has very consistent figures.
Race 4: Maiden Claiming $16,000, 3yo, Fillies, 5 1/2 Furlongs
5- Great French Kiss: Showed speed and faded when well-backed on debut. Now drops in class for Claudio. Tough to beat if she can last.
6- Determined Mission: Raced greenly in her debut, but still closed well. I wish she was getting a jockey change from ten-pound apprentice Victor Rosales, but she was impressive enough to merit respect.
8- Queens or Better: She’s been second in four of her last five starts. Her figures are good enough to win this race, but that’s been true going into her last few races as well. Proceeding with caution.
Race 5: Claiming $5,000 (n/w3L), 3yo and up, 1 Mile
7- Offshore Trip: Gets a jockey upgrade to Eclipse Award-winning Weston Hamilton, and looks like the primary early speed. Whether he can hold onto such a big lead, of course, is another story.
3- Street Review: Dropped to this level for the first time last out, and battled well to eventually come in second. He looked impressive going in that he was claimed by Jonathan Maldonado. He’s the only one in the field to consistently run figures in the upper 60s. Looks dangerous.
5- Bigz Littler: Lightly-raced three-year-old has quietly improved in every race of his four-start career. Karamanos was named on two horses and picked this one.
Race 6: Claiming $25,000, 4yo and up, 6 Furlongs
3- Sir Orinoco: It looks like he’ll be able to sit a perfect trip just off some blazing speedsters. Turned in a bullet workout on March 16, setting himself up perfectly for this race.
2- Tricky Lion: He’s been able to outrun the rest in tougher races, and if he can do so again, he’ll be dangerous. However, there’s some aggressive speed drawn to his inside, and when he couldn’t clear last out, he was toast.
6- In Arrears: He was in better form earlier in the year, but was visually dull in his last race. In spite of that, he ran the best last-out figure in the field. Gets a slight drop in class here, and must be respected.
Race 7: Allowance Optional Claiming (n/w2x), 3yo and up, 1 1/16 Miles
3- Tattooed: Noted closer has won two out of his last three, including a desperate win against similar last out. He’ll make you sweat to get your money, but he’s going to be heard from late.
2- Measured: Stretches out after a dull try at 6 1/2 furlongs, but had run his best figures going a one-turn mile. Shouldn’t have too much trouble with the extra distance.
5- Super Dude: Shipped down from his Belmont base for this start. Closed well in his first start off a layoff, now tries two turns for the first time.
Race 8: Allowance Optional Claiming (n/w3x), 4yo and up, 6 Furlongs
2- Moe Trouble: He was in over his head when finishing twelfth in the General George Stakes last out. Prior to that, he had been in great form, with tons of early speed and consistent figures in the 90s.
3- Saratoga Bob: Ran a career-best figure against similar last out, but wasn’t visually impressive. Faces a slightly easier field here.
5- Cozy Lover: First off the claim for Claudio, and he’s already been showing good form. Dangerous.
Race 9: Claiming $8,000, 4yo and up, 5 1/2 Furlongs
4- Midnight Cry
9- Drive at Nite
10- Swing Step