Race 1: MdClm $40k 7F
1st: #6 Lifespan, Kelly Rubley absolutely en fuego at the current meet 7 for 12 with 3 seconds. This gelding is a homebred for the powerful Elkstone Group operation, a son of Animal Kingdom, has been breezing consistently at Fair Hill since December.
2nd: #5 Self Awareness, another Elkstone trainee, this one will be massive favorite as he performed admirably at this level at first asking but got nipped at the wire only going 6, adding panel today.
3rd: #4 Robber Bob, second time out for Jerry ODwyer after a decent effort in the class level below this one.
Race 2: Clm $5k 5 & ½F
1st: #3 Chuck’s Dream, wanted to try to play against this one who just broke his maiden at 1-5 on a sloppy track, but he has back quality including an 84 Beyer in a previous life at Churchill Downs at this distance. Half panel shorter today should help him as he’ll likely be on the front end and be challenged. Beyer improvement from first to second suggests we hopefully see some further improvement in this one.
2nd: #4 Paid Holiday, if I was going to try to beat the favorite, I’d have tried with this one. You can toss the last event against winners in the slop. Proven track record of being on the front end and has lost to some solid horses recently.
3rd: #5 Mediterranean, Trombetta and Victor Carrasco team up with this one who hasn’t been out since last summer. If he’s ready he could win.
Race 3: MdClm $10k 3 Year Old Fillies 6F
1st: #4 Smoking Baby, don’t see any point trying to beat this one, especially if you get 8-5, doesn’t seem bad considering this field. 3 decent tries, gets 7 lb weight allowance this time.
2nd: #2 Cheers N Applause, don’t often see a McCarthy/Mary Eppler horse at 15-1 ML. Probably sees improvement today.
3rd: #1 Rapidashqueen, hasn’t been horrible.
Race 4: MdClm $16k 5 & ½F
1st: #7 Let Me Ask Bob, default rule applies here. Don’t like much in this field, here’s one that has shown some ability in the past hitting the board a couple of times and consistently in the mid-40s Beyers claimed by Claudio Gonzalez. Gets Victor Carrasco now.
2nd: #5 Dr. Rusty Raymond, obviously significant class relief here, you can probably toss the last attempt in the mud, comes down from $40k to the lowest level of his life and gets a half panel distance relief.
3rd: #4 Devotion in Motion, first time out in almost a year was a decent attempt finishing poorly but should be better for that effort.
Race 5: Clm $5k 6F
1st: #2 Super Buddy, with a modicum of speed to his outside I like this one’s chances to come running late. 6F gives him some extra strides to run the leaders down, given today’s distance he was probably a winner last out.
2nd: #7 Fifty, was also running late in the last race, just a nostril behind Super Buddy. Occasionally has been on the lead, however.
3rd: #6 Unnamed Soldier, member of early speed, could last.
Race 6: Clm $5k 6F
1st: #2 Bucked Tooth, just going with the hot hand here, the hot connections Kieron Magee and Carol Cedeno with a horse that’s two times a winner. Muddy track both times gives me pause, but very sharp.
2nd: #4 In Him With Him, first time back since last summer when he was really coming into his own as a 4 year old. Probably needs a race or two.
3rd: #5 Grimgrinnin’ Ghost, Wayne Potts claimed this one who made a big after missing the break last out. Don’t understand why he’s stuck with Lyapustina, winless on the year, after McCarthy rode last time.
Race 7: OC$35k 1 & 1/8thM
1st: #7 Pretty Good Year, this one looks like he just wants to keep running. Coming off the highest Beyer of his life last out going two turns and he was just coming on gamely passing horses who had set a very modest 25, 49 and 2 pace. Now 4 he is obviously an improved horse and fired a bullet since the allowance win. Borderline stakes horse and should appreciate this more classic distance than these.
2nd: #1 Forest Fire, scares you because he has won twice at this track and at this distance most notably in the Maryland Million classic. The field that day stunk but he ran well and was in form. Seems to have lost a bit of that form, definitely a player.
3rd: #2 Hammerin Aamer, highest Beyer in the field a 97 last winter at Aqueduct. Brittany and Sheldon Russell should do well with this one.
Race 8: MdClm $25k 3 Year Old Fillies 7F
1st: #1 Bow Maker, an improving filly who set the fractions last out in the $35k level and tired late going longer than today’s distance. Definitely want to see this one get to the front early.
2nd: #4 Groove, Claudio Gonzalez is definitely going to improve this filly who was claimed for $40k for Joseph Besecker.
3rd: #8 Queen of Tomorrow, solid efforts each of the past 3, isn’t showing the improvement you’d like to see.