Hello and welcome back to the Spa for the third Thursday of the meet already! We are flying through this meet, but we are going to keep rolling with hopefully some more winners today!
Race 2: 1-3-5
As you can see I did not handicap the jumpers, it’s not my forte so we move on to this race. Here we have #1 MRS. AWESOME who is a first time starter in a race filled with just that. Her workouts have been two straight bullets, Joel Rosario is up at 5/1 as well. Based on works and her solid team she gets a slight edge in a wide open race.
Race 3: 2-6-3
So for this race I will be hammering this exacta, realistically in a box as the horse picked second is good enough to win here. #2 BEYOND DISCREET is the top pick however and with good reason. Not only do we get 6/1 but we can completely throw out the last race as it was on the turf. Before this race we see a victory with this same team at this same distance at a slightly higher level. Add in that in the last year this horse has a first and a second at this distance and we have a lively player at a price.
Race 4: 1-5-3
#1 TIDE OF THE SEA is getting a stretch out in distance today and I believe that should help him here. His last race he lost by a head but if he had more track he would have won. That trip he got that day was also a little rough a Joel should give him a better trip today too. We see some consistent works from him as well and a much improved figure from his first time start. The pieces seem to be falling into place.
Race 5: 1-4-6
This is a completely wide open race, I’m never somebody who suggests the ALL button, but if you can afford it then it may be beneficial. With that being said we are going to go with #1 HAWAIIAN NOISES. Reason being he is a length shy of a perfect 4 for 4 in sprints that aren’t on the grass. Also this is the lowest level he has ever gone to and we see very consistent workouts. Add in Johnny V for Wesley Ward and a strong showing last time and we have enough to pull the trigger.
Race 6: 1-12-6
This is another interesting race here but I’m going with #1 SEASIDE DANCER here. She’s a winner of four straight shipping in from California and getting Luis Saez up. All this victories are around this distance and around this level plus we see increasing speed figures for all 4 of those races. Her numbers are better than most of the field here and her track record is proven.
Race 7: 5-6-3
Let’s take a shot here, shall we? #5 IMINCOMUNICADO is a 15/1 ML shot who gets a 20% rider up for a barn who’s 2 for 6 fitting this criteria with first time starters. Add in how her workouts are all extremely sharp and why not let it fly at 15/1?
Race 8: 2-7-4
#2 MAID TO REMEMBER (GB) is coming off a 2nd place finish in a Grade 3 over at Monmouth. This mare has increased her speed figures in her two starts in the states. Today we get Johnny V up and her last work was very solid. Her last race was at the distance and she definitely will get some pace to run at turning for home, Johnny can get her the trip.
Race 9 John Morrissey Stakes: 5-1-4
#5 EYE LUV LULU is coming off a hard fought 5 wide second in her last race, an ungraded stake like this one, at Belmont. A better trip that day might’ve seen her the winner. She hasn’t been out of the super in over a year and ran a very strong 2nd here in this same race last year. Her speed figures are improving and she looks to be a major player here.
Race 10: 6-5-4
We are taking a shot here with the #6 APPEALING BRIEFS at 10/1 ML. The main reason being the Saratoga success, last year in two races here, at higher levels, didn’t finish further than 2 lengths behind. Also the gelding is dropping in class today and gets Jose Ortiz, who has been scorching to start the meet, up. A very solid value play here.
Race 11: 3-2-11
#3 RECESS rounds out the day for us here, coming back at a level she ran fairly well at a month and a half back. Irad climbs back on today after this filly has run some consistent works. She’s back at the distance of her last race and there will be some pace for her to stalk here.