Blog

Race 1: Clm $16k 1M

1^st: #3 Antrim Aubrey, Delacour started this morning in claiming company before moving him up to allowance and then back in for a tag. Notable improvement in the first with Ham Smith registering a 59 Beyer when not in for a tag at 50-1. Should be some speed for him to target up front, a little more improvement wins this one with a drop in class.

2^nd: #2 The Magical One, very easily could win this, I’m tossing the last out which was the worst start of his career on a sloppy Parx surface. He returns to the site of his maiden breaking performance last summer. Last breeze at Parx very nice.

3^rd: #1 Top Me Off, son of Curlin and was once in the barn of Bill Mott, moves up from $10k level where he had the lead but tired significantly as the 7-5 favorite. Except him to battle for the lead here and tire again.

Race 2: Clm $8k 1M

1^st: #1 Dedicated, was 3 lengths behind Cause He’s Western back in November but after change of trainer a couple times he seems to be in the best condition of his life. Last out beat 10 rivals and was opening up at the end at 4-1. Slight class increase today but looks to be some speed between the 2,3,6 and 7 which should give him some pace to run at.

2^nd: #7 Cause He’s Western, nearly got up at this condition last out to a horse that came back to win, usually one of the best angles there is, I am a bit puzzled at whether this horse wants the lead or what. Katie Davis at times has ridden him aggressively and at times laid back. If she challenges the pace today she probably loses.

3^rd: #3 Sir Brahms, reliable, consistently forwardly placed and has the running lines of an absolute one-paced animal. Turf horse.

Race 3: MdSpWt $40k 1 & 1/8^thM

1^st: #1 One Eyed Jack, really hate taking this but it’s such a short field there won’t be any prices on the other two contenders anyway. I’m intrigued that after that terrible effort off the bench that Todd didn’t unload this former $675k KeeSep purchase to one of the smaller trainers. Also that he brought him down to Palm Beach in December to keep an eye on him rather than just sticking him at Bel with an assistant. Gets top local pilot. Bred for the distance, Uncle Mo out of a Street Sense mare. Grand dam an AP Indy daughter as well. Royal breeding.

2^nd: #5 Welling, an absolute contender, think I think the distance increase from 7F where he was simply outran. Softer pace should suit him better though. Will improve second off the bench.

3^rd: #3 Snidely, made up a ton of ground going two turns at Parx last out in the slop.

Race 4: OC$25k 1 & 1/16^thM

1^st: #3 Galatians, 3 70+ Beyer figures under his belt, this one making his second start off the bench after a decent run last out. One time trained by Todd Pletcher, he has been solid when in moments of health but has struggled to maintain his form. Assume he’s doing well now, like the added distance too.

2^nd: #5 Noble Weed, dropping out of the Claudio Gonzalez barn is not exactly an endorment, but this one narrowly missed the win last out at this level when sent away at 11-1 earning his career best Beyer, 69.

3^rd: #1 Team Effort, has speed and won big last time in maiden claiming company. Big jump up today.

Race 5: Clm $10k F&M 6F

1^st: #3 Abaco Dream, looks to be a private purchase by Kieron Magee on behalf of…Kieron Magee. Like that angle and she showed her mettle by clearing away from the pack last out on a wet track at GP.

2^nd: #5 Too Much Minutia, bit of back class (for this level anyhow) in November broke her maiden for $35k.

3^rd: #6 Conquesthardcherry, early speed of late, if the last can be tossed for the wet surface, will be a contender.

Race 6: Alw $42k F&M 3 Year Olds 1M

1^st: #7 Windy Lane, came from way, way back in the first on the slop going shorter than today’s distance when sent away at 9-1 and earned a field-best 73 Beyer. Cairo Prince a hot sire and the dam Move Clickly has produced 2 stakes winners already. Simply think this is the classiest in the field.

2^nd: #8 Quiet Imagination, improved Beyers in every race including last out 65 wiring the field and beating 9 rivals while getting Lasix for the first time. Should continue to improve.

3^rd: #1 Dancer’s Melody, tried stakes company and narrowly missed an OC$62k since the maiden breaking score in November. Certain;y moving in the right direction for Tim Ritchey, who seems to only train for himself these days.

Race 7: Alw $35k 1M

1^st: #6 Let’s Play Nine, maybe this one will scratch? I really don’t understand why he’s entered in this restricted allowance event for only $35k. After the first allowance win last out I figured we’d see him in stakes company next, little did I know he’d be running for just $35k next out? Seems obvious choice, I will not be trying to beat this one.

2^nd: #2 Crowheart Butte, last out earned his career best figure beating open allowance foes at 16-1.

3^rd: #5 Can’t Pass It up, the only other in this field with two Beyers in the 80s, comes from way way far back and simply will not be able to pass the 6 on this day.

Race 8: OC$35k F&M 7F

1^st: #3 So Gucci, notice the Tim Kreiser difference—this one was with one of California’s best trainers, but when he got under the care of Kreiser he ran the best figure of his life and scored by 8 lengths albeit at a Pen allowance event. This is a perfect spot for her as well going after some more money.

2^nd: #7 Bye Bye Bertie, going for her third straight win, barely a blemish on this one’s resume, but she only faced 4 other rivals on a wet track, think there’s reason enough to try to play against.

3^rd: #5 Monaco Princess, rebounding from a terrible effort two back before the switch to the Gonzalez barn, this one owns the field’s best Beyer last summer, probably headed in the right direction.