Race 1: MdClm $10k 6F
1st: #3 Homeofthe Lombardi, McCarthy and Ness team up for this one that they claimed for $10k at Parx. In his first try for the new connections he narrowly missed at this level by a head, closing against a heavy speed bias.
2nd: #7 Stacksdenero, solid last out effort where he made the lead in the stretch but relinquished immediately. Distance definitely an issue.
3rd: #11 L’Overture, speed of the field should set up the 3 horse nicely to close into. 14-time maiden, simply cannot pick on top.
Race 2: OC$25k 1M
1st: #6 Vouch, Delacour gelding with Vargas aboard turns back in distance to a single turn mile after struggling at the two turn distance at Del last out. Place horse in that one came back to win. Key here will be for him to get the lead without being tested too much. Not a whole lot of speed in this field.
2nd: #2 Rough Sea, 8-5 ML fav after crushing back to back races in what looks like a sudden wake up call. Last out he earned a field-best 81 Beyer closing into a strong pace and kicking away to win by 4. Only 5 horses in that field however and I suspect not as salty a bunch as he’ll get here.
3rd: #5 The Robert, Claudio G horse that had his career best effort locally in the two back winning at this condition going two turns here in April.
Race 3: MdClm $25k F&M 5 & ½F Turf
1st: #2 Friesing Waters, field best Beyer in the last out effort where she grabbed the early lead and was pressed into electric fractions and faded. Final time of that one a mean 1:02 flat for 5.5F. Must note her two best lifetime performances have both been sprinting on turf. Would be remiss not to shout out Friesan Fire, local Maryland sire.
2nd: #4 Carson City Coin, has shown ability to be forwardly placed which in my view is a pre-requisite for winning cheap races on the turf. Dropping down from Md$40.
3rd: #12 Tyche, second time out for Gary Capuano who is hitting 27% on Mdn’s second starts. This one definitely eligible to improve off a decent debut effort.
Race 4: OC$35k F&M 6F
1st: #2 Zorally, love the pattern, first out at 4 a winning effort in the first level allowance earning a more than solid 73 Beyer. Should improve second off the layoff going slightly longer today. Ability to rate or get to the lead. 3 for 6 locally.
2nd: #4 Madame Tiger, Cluadio G horse with 2 wins locally in 4 tries. Ignore the last two efforts coming on wet ground and turf respectively, always competitive at this level.
3rd: #3 Timeless Treasure, can’t ever ignore McCarthy + Trombetta here, this one looks to be slightly off the solid form she showed this winter.
Race 5: Alw $42k F&M 1 & 1/16thM Turf
1st: #4 Carnival Colors, tough to separate these at the top, this one hasn’t been out since October when she ran just a head behind in graded stakes company albeit at Woodbine. Consider that event a listed stakes here in the US for practical purposes, it’s definitely a high quality effort. Would expect improvement at 3 if she’s ready, she gets Lasix today for the first time. Lot of speed in this race but she can come from off the pace.
2nd: #1 Adult in the Room, very honest efforts from this one who should improve second time out at 4 after a decent allowance try over at Pim. Hasn’t won yet over the local turf, must include in all exotics due to consistency.
3rd: #3 Jennifer’s Dream, have enjoyed this one since she won for me back in October breaking her maiden. She tried turf for the first time in salty company at Pen and had the lead halfway around before fading. That Regal Glory is a heck of a horse, no disgrace to be third to her.
Race 6: OC$25k F&M 6 & ½F
1st: #6 Jumping Michelle, Claudio G again here as he was just a couple lengths back of defeating a field at this condition last out just 3 weeks ago here. Lot of speed to his inside, should have pace to close into.
2nd: #2 Sheza Handfull, claimed for $20k in her last at Churchill Downs gets top local pilot in her Mid-Atlantic debut. Connections thought highly enough of her this winter to try open stakes company at Oaklawn Park and she didn’t embarrass.
3rd: #4 Vampish, has the highest Beyer in the field in her last out, a win over sloppy ground against 3 other rivals at Del earlier this month. Not sure what to make of that effort, but willing to go with one more experienced against winners and consistent on even ground.
Race 7: OC$25k 1 & 1/16thM Turf
1st: #11 Boundary Pass, tough draw for this lightly raced colt who rated in his last and took over in the stretch after some powerful early fractions. Pimental can’t get caught wide but I am hoping he lets the speedballs burn each other out in front. There’s a lot of early speed on the inside, horse probably doesn’t want to be too far back.
2nd: #12 Family Tree, another outside post, but this one has proven his ability to come from way back. Blinkers appear to have helped in previous and O’Dwyer is making a name for himself. Look for him to make a late run.
3rd: #6 Hard Fought, blinkers on seems a bit of a desperate move after 20 lifetime races, but the horse has shown definite class in his last two at Pimlico earning mid-70s Beyers for local trainer Damon Dilodovico.
Race 8: OC$50k F&M 5 & ½F
1st: #3 Liz’s Cable Girl, multiple stakes winner at multiple tracks came back from her winter layoff at Parx and won earning a 76 Beyer. Expect big time improvement off that effort in prep for a summer stakes campaign, she was earning 80s and 90s Beyers in mid-summer last year. Second place finisher in her debut this year came back to win, gets top local pilot.
2nd: #1 Baby Boss, improving 4 year old was laid off a couple months after her best career effort earning an 84 Beyer for the Englehart/Vargas combo back in February. 5 published works tells me she’s ready to run.
3rd: #6 Hailey’s Flip, the two back effort in the Skipat was a tremendous race where she finished just 3 lengths behind Breeders Cup runner-up Chalon.
Honorable Mention goes to the Maryland goddess Crabcakes, the 4 horse here. She’s 7 for 10 locally.
Race 9: Clm $16k 5 & ½F Turf
1st: #8 Bold Thunder, 9 year old was competing well in graded stakes company on turf as recently as last July’s Parx Dash just a length behind Pure Sensation who went on to win a G3 turf sprint and a few listed stakes events this year. Drops to lowest level of his career and have a feeling it’ll be enough. You always run the risk with these that they’ve blown a tire and the trainer is looking to offload for pennies on the dollar.
2nd: #3 Spearhead, first off the nearly year-long layoff after winning some nice races on the synthetic up at Presque Isle. Gets top local pilot, probably needs a race before we see this 8 year old’s best.
3rd: #9 The Great Provider, interesting that Wayne Potts is taking him back to turf on which he is only 4 for 20 on lifetime after winning 4 of his last 6 on dirt. Notice McCarthy chooses to ride Spearhead and not this one today.
Race 10: Clm $8k 6F
1st: #2 Hot Sriracha, like the turn back in distance considering he’s led or been near the lead around 6F in numerous of his recent attempts. Two straight 75 Beyers, this one is feeling great.
2nd: #9 Elusive Hero, won in allowance company as recently as March 31 and followed that effort earning a 75 Beyer at the $16k level. Ignore the last on the turf, gets McCarthy today.
3rd: #10 Wilko’s Goldeneye, consistent but 2 for 45 lifetime. Could show up in the money.