Monmouth Park – Sunday, June 30, 2019
Assuming they stay on the grass – weather is beautiful after yesterday’s bibilical downpour. Card would be decimated if it comes off grass.
Race 1: 6 – 5 – 3
Martini Kid is a standout on paper. Will be hammered at the windows and looks to deserve it. Won last, same class, jock stays. Overzealous drops back today to show closing kick…extra 1/16th helps him gather in 2nd. Bright Blue may be the speed – lone speed – has him lasting for a share.
Race 2: 5 – 2 – 4
Short, competitive field. Sweet Sami D. looks to be the up and comer – won last for laughs, steps up (certainly should) may take this on recency. Two maintenance works to help avoid the ‘bounce’ takes another. Tweeting is from the powerful Navarro barn, but has been a money burner of late. Second same class in last – a couple of strong works – leading into this one. Prospective Belle likes the track. Presses from the start – may compromise the chances of either of the top two. May take it off the mini layoff.
Race 3: 4 – 2 – 8
Let’s go with a price – while everyone is nothing Royally Cool’s last – we’ll make note of Animeauxselle’s last. Huge improvement, and now gets a huge jockey change. Takes subtle class drop, sits, stalks, finishes. Blame TJ consistently closes against this type – has won on this course, turf labeled good. Royally Cool – really hard to look past last open length win, defeating many of these. Perhaps give in the ground, and some other speed slows her down just a bit?
Race 4: 1 – 4 – 6
Game of Thrones fans unite! Going with Unsullied on the drop, shipping in from NY – speed to compromise Pointer, jock smart enough to tip outside and wait. Takes it in the stretch. Pointer gets major points for consistency, always tries, shakes free but gets caught. Mayrhofen comes back in a week, along for a part, again.
Race 5: 5 – 9 -8
Uncle Artie – today’s the day. Takes significant drop into maiden-claimers while having consistently highest speed figures in the field. Pinchot picks up Lopez off a better than it looks 5th – 3 solid works consistently spaced has him sitting on ready. Souper Courage will be tough – a repeat of either of the last two could take this.
Race 6: 1 – 2 – 3
Hard to separate the top three – each has license to win. Achilles Warrrior uses rail to his advantage while he cuts back in distance. Works strong coming in. A repeat of his race two back takes this. Quizzical Cajun – hasn’t run a bad one on dirt, comes in off Servis mini-layoff. Barn can never be discounted. Bugle Notes the $825K price tag creates stop! Clearly not working out as they had hoped, but does have races on the page that make him competitive. Strong works coming in.
Race 7: 1 – 9 – 2
Think Autostrade looks tough off the drop. Never been in for a tag and the company he’s been keeping is certainly better than these. Think the stalking rail trip helps. Gilded Warrior like him a lot for the exotics, think Lopez has him stalk and finish, post may have him wide into first turn. Kitten Street may be compromised by the other speed signed on, but last two are hard to ignore. .
Race 8: 7 – 3 – 4
Jingo – last two works show improvement you want to see coming into a race, especially a debut. Should sit the outside trip. Should be tough coming from good first out barn. Wallercito showed good speed in debut – will be tighter today and last longer. Quiberon Bay may improve on his off the bench 3rd last out.
Race 9: 8 – 9 – 1
Super tough, competitive field – came up stronger on paper than purse would suggest. Think a couple will vie for favoritism – La Feve sits off Karama, who will be kept coming by Valiance, and gets first jump on Beautfiul Lover. Either could prove to be formidable within the division going forward. Ellyb saves all the ground – and like the course.
Race 10: 4 – 2 -6
She Loves It – entered to win right back off the maiden win. Won impressively last out laying just off the pace, with continued improvement and Juarez aboard. Bearing Secrets likes the NW2L condition, and likes second. Last speed rating makes her tough. Wheels back quickly – must be feeling good. Hand Rail continues the slide, but should be good enough for 3rd.
Race 11: 2 – 1 – 3
Golconda switches to the Servis barn and seems to be rounding into form, and looks to sitting on a big race off the mini-vacation. Drops in class. Auldwood Lane – looks awfully tough off the last two over the course. Lopez saves ground, tips out but can’t hold Golconda late. Racinginthestreet gives them all something to run at, helps soften up Auldwood Lane a bit, holds on for 3rd.