Race 1:
MdClm $50k 3 Year Olds 5 & ½F
1st: #1 Smile Bryan, not exactly a fun play here, last out tired badly but that was going 7 in MdSpWt company. Class and distance relief today, has solid Beyers for this level. Last out winner came back to win first level allowance.
2nd: #7 Bucked Tooth, debuter with couple really nice gate drills and gets one of the top local pilots out of the Trombetta barn.
3rd: #6 Dapper Mun, debuter, the two back drill was excellent, fastest of 19. Only one drill so far in February.
Race 2: Clm $8k 3 Year Olds 1M
1st: #2 M G Broker, hate playing this favorite as the last out victory came when Claudio Gonzalez dropped him to the lowest level of his career. First out for Jerry Thurston but he’s the only one in the field with respectable Beyers and a win over this surface recently.
2nd: #5 Ice Docket, could be some pace coming from the inside for this one to chase. Slightly improving Beyers indicates heading in the right direction.
3rd: #3 Charging Lion, bunch of even starts of late, even some at the OC$25k level. Comes from far back.
Race 3: MdClm $50k 3 Year Olds 5 & ½F
1st: #7 Spotmeifucan, another favorite where there just isn’t much in the field. Shortens up after getting passed in the stretch last out locally while earning a 69 Beyer. Nice. Second off the brief freshening he should be improved.
2nd: #1 Valiant Appeal, stepping down from the MdSpWt level is always a reason to pay attention, two back was very even losing to repeat winner Red Gum.
3rd: #2 Babeswildweekend, outstanding name, showing recent improvement. Like the last out drill.
Race 4: Clm $5k F&M 5 & ½F
1st: #5 Dorcas Carey, couple of wins over the slop but the two back at Pen was decent and he shortens up here. Could be some speed to challenge her from the inside, will definitely want to see her at the front on the turn.
2nd: #2 Hold That Kiss, last out Beyer came back more than adequate at the Restricted Allowance level. The two back was good, she was put up for first.
3rd: #3 Doit for Spite, not much to say here, first effort for extremely hot Cathal Lynch who is 8 for 19 so far at this meet.
Race 5: MdClm $10k 1M
1st: #10 Salutelute, hate to pick something that far out in the gate but the Mile shoot should give him time to get a better position near the front. First effort for Michael Gorham after some adequate tries out in California.
2nd: #9 Uncle Shaggy, just to our top choice’s inside, this one gets the works from trainer Justin Nixon: first time since being gelded, the blinkers come off, and second off the freshening which he faded in. Gets Weston Hamilton to ride.
3rd: #2 Eagle Caviar, actually wanted to take this one on top, the last out effort was solid, just faded at the end going a half furlong longer which is two turns at Laurel. Shortens up, definitely a contender if he gets a good position.
Race 6: Clm $25k 7F
1st: #5 Gold Man, finished just behind the 1 horse Great Casby but that was at a mile. Two back he beat the Great Casby on a speed favoring track. This one has the front running speed which should help him especially at the 7F distance today from which he is 3 for 3 lifetime.
2nd: #1 The Great Casby, 2 for 4 with 2 seconds locally including last out win at this condition going 1M. 0 for 3 from this distance, I think he really needs that extra furlong.
3rd: #7 Nate’s Tizzy, may be the most talented horse in the field but is making his first start since last July. 1 for 1 locally for trainer Lacey Gaudet, I assume he needs a race but if he’s ready, will be tough.
Race 7: Clm $5k 6F
1st: #11 A True Gentleman, this is one of those situations where if nothing stands out, and Claudio Gonzalez has a decent looking one, take him. He’s dropping to the bottom level after winning at $7500 at Parx last out. Should have some decent pace to close into.
2nd: #7 Wizard of Odds, it’s possible he retains the lead the entire way around, but the last out he couldn’t finish at only 5 & ½F on a speed favoring track. Still if he can set a more sensible pace this time, will have a better shot.
3rd: #9 Turbin, always pick this one in the money and sometimes he comes in, but rarely on top. Lacey Gaudet retains services of 10 lb bug LaBarre so carries only 111 lbs today.
Race 8: OC$50k 3 Year Olds 6F
1st: #6 Be Lal, two time winner satisfies this condition by entering for the tag of $50k presumably thinking no one will claim the horse after a 5 month layoff. The horse was doing really well at Pen last year and Cathal Lynch is on fire. The last two works are very strong and tell me he’s ready.
2nd: #7 Hall Pass, just caught at the wire last out going 7F. This one looks to be right in his wheel house. Retains services of top local pilot Vargas.
3rd: #1 Street Prayer, debut was impressive earning a 74 Beyer. Definitely could win this one with improvement, but jump from maiden claiming ranks is significant, and he faced only 4 rivals in that win.
Race 9: Clm $5k 6F
1st: #10 Candymankando, two wins in four tries since adding the blinkers including last out in December at this condition. Retains services of Vargas. 3 back win at Belmont at $16k so solid earning a 74 Beyer with Irad Ortiz on board.
2nd: #6 Saratoga Heater, just a single December start since last summer up at Belmont but it was decent earning a 73 Beyer coming in third. Transfers out of the Rudy Rodriguez barn to Jonathan Maldonado who is 4 of 14 at this meet.
3rd: #3 Tipit, like the last out effort missing the win by just a length earning a 66 Beyer for always steady Scott Lake barn.