Sloppy track and off the turf, makes for an interesting day of racing. Good luck!
Race 1: CLAIMING $5,000 6 Furlongs
Picks: 4-5-2
#4: Jack Straight: All eight wins have comes at this distance, trainer is 22% shipping and drops to lowest level claimer of his career. Three of his wins have come on an off track, and hit the board in five of those six starts.
(#5) High Five Cotton: Won at this level two starts back at Tampa Bay Downs. Trainer is off to a fast start for this meet, Jose Delgado is 29% with horses second time in the barn. Has two wins at Monmouth Park. Has good early speed, will be around late.
(#2): Wilshire Star: Shortens up to distance he likes today. Has a win over an off track. Speed horse and will be close to pace. Should be tough.
Race 2: WAIVER CLAIMING $25,000 – $20,000 Six furlongs
Picks: 3-6-4
(#3) Morgantown: Ships down from Belmont Park and drops to the #25,000 level today. Both wins have come at this distance and over a sloppy track. Should be the speed, jockey/trainer combination off to hot start for meet.
(#6) Drops to $20,000 level, which is where he fits in this group. No wins, but five on the board finishes on an off service. Ran a sharp 89 beyer speed figure last out. Longshot chance.
(#4): Irish Roar: Won on a sloppy track at Charles Town in February. Only other win came at this distance last year. Has a win, second and two thirds at this distance in career. Trainer Jeffrey Englehart is off to fast start for the meet.
Race 3: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING $25,000Six Furlongs
Picks: 3-1-5
(#3) Never Enough Time: Back to the dirt after a failed try on the turf, this filly won her debut on an off track and has pedigree to suggest she should love this off going. As a former stakes performer, she should be better than this company today.
(#1): Nth Degree: Has a win on off track and his only start at Monmouth was a runaway victory. Gets the inside post today, and with a good ground saving trip, can get first run.
(#5): No Deal: Has three seconds on off tracks. Ships down to Monmouth Park for a field he should be tough against. Last two races he ran the fastest beyer numbers of his career. In good form.
Race 4: WAIVER CLAIMING $30,000 – $25,000 1 1/16 Miles
Off track: 12-5-6
(#12) Maximus Midani: With off track, and plenty of scratches, he should be in the right company. Only win came on an off track, Gets blinkers on for the first time. Should more focused and ready.
(#5) Brown Eyed Boy: Dirt pedigree, should be able to handle the off going. Only win came on the dirt, trainer is 21% in claimers and 16% shipping.
(#6): Umbrage: Makes first start of 2020, should be able to handle the off going. Has run well at Monmouth Park in the past. A reduced field can help his chances.
Race 5: CLAIMING $8,000 – $7,000 Six Furlongs
Picks: 6-3-4
(#6) Hero for Hire: A first and a second in two starts on an off track. First time with Jerry Hollendorfer, he is 19% with horses second time in the barn. Good speed out of the gate, could be in front early, can go a long way.
(#3) Arcelor: Hasn’t been worse than third in last six starts. Makes first start for new trainer Domenick Schettino, whose 10% with newcomers in the barn. Fast out of the gate, he has the fastest beyers of any horse in the field.
(#4): Mz. Foo Do: Drops to the $8,000 level today, has run well at this level in the past. should be close to the pace early on, drop in class makes him live for the upset. Will be coming late.
Race 6: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500 – $6,250 5 1/2 Furlongs
Picks: 3-7-1
(#3): Sir Rockport: Ships up from Laurel Park after two wins in a row. His trainer is 21% shipping and 20% with horses as last out winners. Has three wins at this distance, and four wins on a sloppy track. Will use his speed early on. Should be in front and could be dangerous.
(#7) Ray’swarrior: Was a last out winner down at Gulfstream Park, ships to Monmouth Park where his only start was a win. Has two wins and two seconds on off track. Will need to go from outside post.
(#1): Long Blade: Last time he was on dirt, he went wire to wire and won going away. Now, he’s back on the dirt, draws the rail, and has big time speed. Ran a 89 beyer his last win, that could be good enough against these.
Race 7: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT 5 1/2 Furlongs
Picks: 1-12-4
(#1): Bernie’s Mistress: Makes first start in three months, get the rail draw, and has most speed in the field. In last start, she took the lead and was just caught late. Faces easier field today, with ground saving trip, could get the jump on the rest.
(#12): Helene Jacquline: three seconds in five starts, this filly has the most experience and best beyer numbers of any horse in the field. Gets a fair draw, but with some expected scratches, could get better trip. Trainer is 21% shipping and should be tough here.
(#4): Rollick: went tot eh lead but finished 3rd over off going last out. Comes back after three months away and faces similar company. Trainer Mike Stidham is 19% with horses off 60 days or more. Posted a sharp four furlong work on July 5th, ready to go.
Race 8: ALLOWANCE $50,000 1 mile and 70 yards
Picks: 4-2-6
(#4): Be Present: Coming in off sharp maiden win at Delaware Peak last month, this colt stretches out to two turns for the first time. Trainer Jorge Duarte Jr is 21% routing for the first time and 25% going sprint to route. She has speed and will be close. Expect a big run from her.
(#2) Cherokee Maiden: Took nine tries to break the maiden, but finally won in April, but followed it up with a disappointing run at Churchill last out. She gets a good field to her liking today and should be on the lead early. Working well over the Monmouth Park track. Expect better from her today.
(#6): One Last Trial: Ships up from Maryland to run here today. Lone win came over a muddy track at Laurel Park in January. She returns off a four month layoff to a distance about right for her. Trainer Kelly Rubley is 14% shipping. she is a speed horse but knows how to rate. Good chance.
Race 9: Blue Sparkler Stakes $75,000 5 1/2 Furlongs
Off Track: 3-10-8
(#3): Shipp: Graded stakes placed Shippy makes Monmouth debut for George Weaver. She was 3rd over a muddy track, beaten less than a length on the G# Schylerville at Saratoga last Summer. She was beaten a nose on the turf last time out, but this race is off the turf, so with some scratches out of the field, she holds the class edge.
(#10) Call on Mischief: Never worse then fifth in all seven starts on dirt, this filly ha quick speed, and has a win over the Monmouth Park dirt. Trainer Mike Stidham is 17% in non graded stakes races. Outside post will make it tough for her. Needs good trip from outside post to have chance.
(#8) Pretty Edgy: Ships up from Laurel Park, gets a good post and has plenty of early speed. Coming off the turf, she should have a reduced field and be up front early. Trainer is 22% shipping. Longshot chance.
Race 10: ALLOWANCE $62,500 6 Furlongs
Picks: 11-4-2
(#11) Bramble Bay: Won last start at Gulfstream Park with Joe Bravo aboard for the first time. Ran a career high 87 beyer number last time out. Bravo returns aboard, and gets around one turn again. Expect him to be quick out of the gate and get pace advantage. Could be enough in the end.
(#4): Romney Marsh: Gets back into state bred company today, and should be tougher. Shipping in from Laurel Park, where trainer Cathal Lynch is 13% shipping. former stakes runner can get back in form today.
(#2): Miss Maris: Only career win has come over Monmouth Park. Was 2nd going this distance and an off track last year, closer will need speed in front of her to have a chance.
Race 11: STARTER HANDICAP $12,500 One Mile
Off track: 12-4-2
(#12) Yellow Chick: Main track only will draw in. Has placed in four of seven starts over off track, Trainer is 20% second off the layoff and should be more fresh. Was 2nd beaten half length last November at this distance. Should be ready to go.
(#4): Checkbouncin Billy: Coming in off a win last time out at Delaware Park, ran a strong 87 beyer number. Good speed to get to the front and not look back. His third start of the year, trainer Jamie Ness is 28% 3rd time off the layoff.
(#5): Rithm box: First start in the new barn and has bee consistent for last year and a half. One of her three wins have come at Monmouth Park. Will need speed in front of her to get a chance, should be shorter field with the off track.
Race 12: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500 – $10,500
One Mile and 70 Yards
Picks: 3-5-6
(#3): Drive In: Drops from $40,000 to $12,500 today, had three straight seconds earlier this year at the $16,000 level. Has to get away quick from the gate. going two turns for the first time should help given his pedigree, trainer is 13% routing for first time and 24% 2nd after the claim.
(#5): Timeless Di: Has two straight seconds and comes in here with her best chance. Trainer Tom Proctor is 17% when away for 60 days or more, will be stalking the pace in the early going and should get first run.
(#6): R Awesum Betty: Was a fast closing 3rd at Laurel Park last time out. Drops from $16,000 to $12,500 today. Will need speed in front of her. but has a good closing kick to make her a contender.