Race 1: Clm $16k F&M 5 & ½F Turf
1st: #10 Salt Pond, has a win over this strip and you have to like any horse that’s been actively racing down south and performing admirably compared to horses coming off the winter layoff. This one won at this condition back in December at GP and has run in state-bred OC events finishing close. Trombetta + McCarthy always a dangerous combination. 3-1 would be generous.
2nd: #6 Feelin Foxie, 2 for 3 locally but has been laid off since November. Once a very hot commodity in the Tom Proctor barn. Lacey Gaudet trained her to a win at this condition last October, expect she needs a race or two.
3rd: #3 Shipman’s Magic, earned two nice Beyers up at Pen last fall before a winter in the shed.
Dirt: 10-12-14
Race 2: Clm $5k F&M 1M
1st: #6 Drops and Buckets, I really wanted to avoid picking this even money ML favorite on top because the results have been so mediocre, but this is a very weak field and she has the highest Beyer figs and is dropping considerably in class.
2nd: #2 Dear Charlotte, had wanted to pick her on top but couldn’t given the significant drop off in Beyers. First off the claim for Dale Capuano I would expect her to improve coming off a win at this condition and distance.
3rd: #1 Eye of the Wildcat, notched a couple nice races last fall before considerably deteriorating in form recently.
Race 3: MdClm $40k 1 & 1/16thM Turf
1st: #10 Gunslinger, after some close attempts over in Ireland the previous trainer tried in him graded stakes company as a maiden and he ran 6th behind some heavyweights including Kentucky Derby starter Somelikeithotbrown. After a winter away, Chuck Lawrence brought him down to Keeneland to try against MdSpWt company. He didn’t run well although the track comment is “bothered start”. Huge class relief today and the Beyers have been decent. Will improve bigly.
2nd: #3 Jag, 7-5 ML favorite in his first out since last August (really?). Last summer he was narrowly missing at the MdSpWt level over at Del and earning solid figures. Probably the best if he’s ready, we’re going to play against here in favor of something that has a race under his belt this calendar year.
3rd: #1 Haz a Notion, first out this year and gets first Lasix. Had a few even tries at the MdSpWt level last year.
Dirt: 9-1-3
Race 4: OC$25k 6F
1st: #2 Fearless Trap, incredibly interesting horse that broke his maiden last summer at Timonium in the MdClm$25k ranks going only 4f. Was transferred to the Claudio Gonzalez barn for this year and his first time out he was entered in OC$50k company and went off at 133-1 and led the whole way until was passed in the stretch by some high quality horses Wendell Fong and Sunman. In the last out Claudio dropped him in OC$25k but against older horses and he won going away beating Petion Night and Tbtwelve who came back to win. Going to go with this improving 3 year old against older again here today despite being a tough field.
2nd: #3 Dirtyfoot, this is the 5-2ML favorite after coming off a win at the StrAlw level earlier this month earning a 76 Beyer. Will definitely be in the mix but I don’t see any pattern of improvement.
3rd: #7 Thunder’s Honor, definitely a case for this Rudy Rodriguez shipper with Trevor McCarthy aboard who just won a $25k claimer under the tutelage of George Weaver last out at Aqueduct. Has run some big figures in the past.
Race 5: Clm $16k 1 & 1/16thM Turf
1st: #8 High Noon Rider, first time out for trainer Brittany Russell after previously being conditioned by Brad Cox down at the Fair Grounds. Will be his second time out this year after finishing 4th at this distance back in March earning a 73 Beyer. First race since being gelded as well and Russell is 3 for 8 with 1st time starters under her tutelage.
2nd: #10 Roman Approval, this one was earning upper 80s and a 90 Beyer fig last year when Mike Maker thought highly enough of him to enter him in graded stakes company. Does have a trip under his belt during this meet and should move forward off that.
3rd: #2 Sir Brahms, 1 win in 3 attempts on the local lawn back in June of last year when he was really going well. First try on turf at 4 today.
Dirt:
Race 6: OC$50k 3 Year Old Fillies 1M Turf
1st: #8 Ionic, Arnaud Delacour sends this one away after just breaking her maiden against MdSpWt company at Tampa earning a 69 Beyer. Track comments “impressive” from that race and he opened up at the end going slightly longer than today’s mile. Will project improvement off that effort, barn gives confidence.
2nd: #2 Shoobiedoobydo, John Servis trainee ridden by Jorge Vargas has been in form down at Gulfstream where she just earned a 70 Beyer in an OC$75k attempt while challenging a decent pace and slightly fading at the end. She’ll be better for that attempt and the winner of that one came back to win.
3rd: #11 Gardenista, Delacour’s “other” horse. Looks like Centeno had the option to ride this one or Ionic and chose Ionic. No problem, Trevor McCarthy picks up this mount who just narrowly missed in OC$75k company last out at Tampa.[
Dirt: 6-10-7
Race 7: OC$25k 6F
1st: #7 Two Putt, along with Gold Man (#6), member of a mixed up group of SAL-quality horses that have faced off against each other multiple times. This one has ability to close and we’ll take that angle with some solid speed to his inside.
2nd: #6 Gold Man, previously mentioned, member of that speed contingent will be on or near the lead early. Definite questions about his ability to handle the distance but he is getting his shortest try since November.
3rd: #3 Tale of E Dubai, likely pace setter, has not done anything to convince me that his stamina is legit to win against this quality.
Race 8: Clm $16k 5 & ½F Turf
1st: #3 Field Advantage, just narrowly missed last out at the $12.5k level earning a hefty 77 Beyer and before that won a $28k allowance at Pen. Incredibly consistent figures. We’ll see how he handles the turf.
2nd: #10 Featherthefalcon, first out this year Scott Lake trainee last raced on Del’s turf going two turns and he earned a solid 75 Beyer. Definitely a solid horse, it depends if he needs a race.
3rd: #5 Scout’s Honor, does have a win over this lawn last summer, hasn’t raced in 2019 yet.
Dirt: 3-12-1
Race 9: OC$25k F&M 1 & 1/16thM Turf
1st: #4 Watchin the Wheels, Graham Motion trainee had her only career win come on this turf when she broke broke her maiden in claiming company last November. Motion sent her down to Tampa for the winter where all she did was improve against much classier quality including a narrow miss in the two back event where she led the whole way until the wire.
2nd: #9 Pebble Road, this is a tale of two philosophies: this one has the better past performances and figures but hasn’t been out since last October. I prefer the horse that has been going recently, even with slower figures.
3rd: #5 Lunar Rille, did break her maiden over this turf last year in claiming company. Form seems to be going the wrong way.
Dirt: 2-7-3
Race 10: MdClm $25k F&M 1M
1st: #6 Atlantic Avenue, boy have we been suckered by this one in the past. Finally they drop her into claiming company where she really belongs and she’s the 4-5ML favorite. McCarthy stays with her. Today is finally the day I think.
2nd: #2 Midnight Mass, gets first blinkers and definitely looked like the type that would improve going longer.
3rd: #5 Eifs, tough second choice is also dropping from MdSpWt company but her figures are going backward and she hasn’t been able to retain a jockey in any of her attempts.