It’s Sunday after the Travers and to continue enjoying this great weekend of racing, there are ten good betting races at the Spa, highlighted by the Better Talk Now, for three year olds going a mile on the grass. Let’s get it on quickly:
1st race: 6 Furlongs. ™Mdn 90k Purse $90,000 (UP TO $15,660 NYSBFOA) FOR MAIDENS,FILLIES TWO YEARS OLD.
2-4-6
In a race in which there are no world beaters in the ones that have a race under their belt, Wicked Whisper got the works for a successful debut run, and the combo of Santana and Asmussen are hitting on all cylinders here at the Spa. Sea of Blue entices Rosario for the ride, and he has been extremely effective on debut two year olds. Solid works for his bow run. Foreign Exchange completes the trio, Lukas generally much better second time out, much more second time on the dirt.
2nd race: 5½ Furlongs. (Turf) Mdn 90k Purse $90,000 (UP TO $15,660 NYSBFOA) FOR MAIDENS, THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD.
1-7-3
Readyforprimetime gets blinkers on in his second race under Linda Rice’s preparation. Irad hopes for a contested pace up front and no one rides the rail on the grass like Irad does. Ahead of Plan has the numbers in his favor, the only questions is can he transfer them to the turf. Chad Brown knows a grass runner when he sees one. Real Money will provide some of the early zip, in a race with plenty of speed signed in. Had some trouble in his most recent, and comes back today after almost three months on the shelf.
Off Turf: 7-5-8
3rd race: 1 3/8 Mile. (Inner Turf) OC 25000n1x Purse $92,000 INNER TURF (UP TO $16,008 NYSBFOA) FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD
3-4-2
Catcho en Die drops to a much more manageable level. He has not been disgraced at all against the likes of Robert Bruce, Bricks and Mortar and others, and should get a favorable trip. Tide of the Sea has the looks of a nice stayer and should be in front from the start. He needs to step up a bit along with the hike in class, but the upside is still there. Krewe Chief is the best of the rest, has always run well in distances similar to this one.
Off Turf: Same
4th race: 7 Furlongs. ™Clm 25000n2L Purse $45,000 FOR FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD
3-5-1
Queendom should love the fast pace expected in this race. This is her second after a four month layoff and should be fitter for this one. She hasn’t faced a non winners of two yet. Wisconsin Night goes to her first race for Linda Rice and she is maybe the speed of the speed in this event. Returning from a six month hiatus, should be ready to break open the gates. Excess Capacity looked like she was going to be a pretty good filly, but apparently patience has ended and Asmussen drops her to her lowest level ever. From that rail post, Santana will be looking to put his mount at or near the front and just by the relief in class should be considered.
5th race: 5½ Furlongs. (Turf) ™OC 62500n2x Purse $95,000 (UP TO $16,530 NYSBFOA) FOR FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD
6-8-9
Violent Times should be in a nice garden spot position just behind the speedy Really Proud and will throw the first punch at her. Johnny V is riding as good as he has ever ride. Originator will be running in her second after a long layoff. Her trainer waited for Saratoga and it paid, because she won right off the bench. Pace doesn’t help her, but she is classy enough to win despite that. Really Proud’s chances depend on how easy she can have the lead, if she can do this, she can take them wire to wire.
Off Turf: 6-5-4
6th race: 6 Furlongs. Clm 12500 Purse $34,000 FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD.
1-5-10
My top pick Soul P Say ran on the grass last time out, I will draw a line to that one. In his penultimate, he almost ran them off their feet in a very similar group. Carmouche specializes in these speed type horses. Gypsum Johnny drops again to his level after running well at twice this race’s level. Needs a hot pace in front of him, not sure if he will get it. Jose Ortiz repeats. Sir Ballantine is another one dropping sharply. His trainer’s stats second start out are outstanding and he should fare better today in such a weak group.
7th race: 5½ Furlongs. (Turf) ™MC 75000 Purse $60,000 (UP TO $10,440 NYSBFOA) FOR MAIDENS, FILLIES TWO YEARS OLD.
4-9-6
Larry’s Baby goes second time out and first time Lasix for the legendary D Wayne Lukas. The third place finisher in that debut race already won, so the race came back strong. Saez repeats and the Majesticperfections run in any surface. Yellen debuted at Churchill with a race that should win at a MSW level. Ward drops her to 75,000 and neither Johnny V or Irad rides. And a change of equipment makes me think there are question marks with her. Lolita Express goes first time out for Linda Rice, always a force here at the Spa, she hits at a 29% clip when running at the maiden claimer level.
Off Turf: 4-3-10
8th race: 1 Mile. (Inner Turf) BttrTlkNwB100K Better Talk Now S. Purse $100,000 INNER TURF FOR THREE YEAR OLDS
7-4-1
Bulletin has a significant edge speed wise. It is true that the mile distance is a question mark for him, but the class and the pace scenario favor him dramatically. The Breeders Cup Champion will be a very tough cookie to chew.Swamp Rat is the most experienced of this group and ran very well in a Grade II last time out. Johnny V. is a great upgrade jockey wise and if he gets the proper setup, he can win late in the stretch. Front Run the Fed was extremely impressive in winning his most recent by a whopping thirteen lengths. Stakes are higher now and the two turns is a question mark for him also, but can’t be blind by such a display of superiority.
Off Turf: 7-2-8
9th race: 1„ Mile. Alw 92000n1x Purse $92,000 (UP TO $16,008 NYSBFOA) FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD
2-1-7
Just seven horses, but we can make a case for each and every one of them. I will give the edge to Meet me in LA, which was promoted to first last time out after being interfered on late in the stretch. In the race before, he lost to Highest Honor, who yesterday ran in the Travers, so that race came back good. Mo Gotcha shows improvement with each and every new race, and seems to relish the added ground. The rail draw will enable him to get into a nice stalking position and Alvarado rides back. Tap it Wise had some trouble at the start of his last. With a clean start he can be part of the early flight who doesn’t seem to be too crowded.
10th race: 1 Mile. (Inner Turf) ™MC 40000 Purse $48,000 INNER TURF (UP TO $8,352 NYSBFOA) FOR MAIDENS, FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD.
1-4-6
Countenance returns to the grass after being claimed by half of the price she is running today. That here in the Spa is a very positive sign. It’s true she has burned some money lately, but Asmussen gets Santana to ride and gets a favorable rail draw. Augusta Moon drops from straight maidens and just by repeating that most recent effort is a serious contender for the win. Sweet Gisel was gaining ground in her last at five and a half furlongs and Rosario rides her back now at a mile. She should be much closer to the pace now and can be a nice upset here in the finale.
Off Turf: Same