(All selections made for FAST & FIRM. Follow me on Twitter for updates after scratches.)
RACE 1
2 – TAKE ME HOME (5/2) – A bit of a head-scratcher in the opener. I landed on this 3yo daughter of Take Charge Indy who comes in off a nice maiden score where Centeno rode her from off the pace after being bumped hard early. She has every right to take the next step.
3 – RUSSIAN ROULETTE (9/5) – I think she’ll have company on the front end from the 4 and this is a bit of a class jump. Hard to go against Camacho though.
6 – SCOWLING RIDGE (7/2) – Let’s see, adds blinkers, turns back, gets a rider change and tries the dirt. She’s also faced better and therefore poses a threat in a wide-open event.
2 – 3 – 6 – 5
RACE 2
7 – PURE SUGAR (6/5) – Daughter of Twirling Candy has been knocking on the door with a pair of 2nds in her last two. She’s run faster than anything in here, so there should be no excuses.
6 – LLOYDLY (7/5) – Takes a class drop, comes off the turf and gets a trainer change. Enough reasons to like in a race that looks chalky.
2 – PEYTONS PROUD GIRL (6/1) – Ships in for new connections off a layoff and a vet scratch. Does have some speed and that alone could make her dangerous.
7 – 6 – 2
RACE 3
($$) 3 – HIDALGO (8/1) – A very nice betting angle here…3rd off a layoff and back down in class. Should move forward today and his best puts him in the winner’s circle at a bit of a price!
1 – LITTLE TOE (4/1) – Not sure what to make of the layoff and 2 subsequent slow works for new connections. That and the fact he drops to a career low raise questions, but Centeno does get the call. Mixed signals for me. One to watch (if possible) in the paddock for further clues.
4 – SIR DOUGLAS (3/1) – Scored from off the pace for Uske last time and moves to NW3. Not sure he’ll get the right setup as the pace projects to be slow to average upfront.
3 – 1 – 4 – 7
RACE 4
1 – NOONSIGHT (5/2) – From the rail, Gallardo can control the pace. The cut back to a mile should only help. Numbers keep getting better and he should have every chance to wire this group.
7 – PINCHOT (9/2) – Did not like being down along the rail but should’ve gained valuable experience from his opener. Offspring of Magician (IRE) could put it all together in his 2nd start.
5 – JUAN PABLO (8/1) – Godolphin runner ran better than his line looks. Bred to be good, I think he can take a step forward here.
1 – 7 – 5 – 2 – 9
RACE 5
($$$) 8 – GOLD SHARK (6/1) – Lots to like here. 3rd off the layoff and takes a nice drop in class. Last time Martinez had a stranglehold on him while racing wide. He gave him a few taps just for show, as he galloped out strong.
2 – DARWISH (12/1) – Ran a game 2nd while contesting hot fractions at 7 furlongs. Camacho returns for top trainer Arriagada and if he’s anywhere near this price, you have to play this one to win.
5 – I’M IN A HURRY (5/1) – 9yo goes for his 20th win in just 57 starts for Looch. Sat just off a solid pace last time to score nicely. Stretches back out a bit and meets better, but this win machine is more than capable.
8 – 2 – 5 – 6
RACE 6
5 – SINDARIUS (3/1) – Narrow call in a wide-open turf event. 4yo trained by Keith Nations has been on the board in all 4 starts and rallied nicely last time when sprinting against tougher.
3 – AND WON (7/2) – Expect Gallardo to have this 4yo son of Majestic Warrior rolling down the lane on the turn back. Can he get up in time? Your call.
6 – NEXT MONDAY (15/1) – Don’t let the fact he’s an Illinois bred dissuade you. He is after all by Street Sense. Scratched out of a pair of races and hasn’t run since Oct. He did show a nice closing kick in that effort when the runaway leader set slow fractions. One to consider at a price.
5 – 3 – 6 – 12
RACE 7
1 – SIMPLY GREAT (2/1) – Not much separating the speed horses but we’ll give this gal a slight edge from the rail. She can rate if forced, but my guess is she’ll just try to outsprint them.
4 – STORMBEAM (9/2) – The late player who should be tighter after that routing effort. Caruso is 25% with 2nd starts after a layoff. On the class drop, she very well could mow them down late.
2 – I’M SO MUNNY (6/1) – She’s been tiring in her last couple and this is a quick turnaround. She does drop in class but I would only consider her underneath in your exotics.
1 – 4 – 2
RACE 8
10 – I’LL TAKE THAT (6/1) – In a race where you’ll need to spread, I’ll give the Motion firster a look off a solid work tab. The dam is an 8-time stakes winner and proven over the turf. A nice mix of speed and stamina in the pedigree.
4 – QUEEN OF COUNTRY (5/1) – Ran a strong race last time before faltering late and the addition of Lasix could keep this daughter of Medaglia d’Oro running through the lane.
1 – SCAT MAGGIE (12/1) – May show speed from the rail today after encountering soft & sloppy conditions in her last two. She was mired in traffic in those and ran evenly. The daughter of Scat Daddy may be sent along here and is worth a look at a price.
10 – 4 – 1 – 3 – 5 – 6 – 9 – 12
RACE 9
8 – OLLIVANDER (5/1) – In another race where you’ll need coverage, I like the way this guy finished up last time. After prompting the pace 2nd off a layoff, he rated while racing wide and ran on down the lane. He fits at the level and Gallardo sticks.
3 – PERFECT JOE (7/2) – There is speed along the rail and just outside of him, so I think his chances are compromised. That said, he’s shown enough ability at the class and distance to consider.
6 – MUSTANG POWER (9/2) – Another who fits at the level and is proven at the distance. Looked a bit flat and one-paced last time though.
8 – 3 – 6 – 10
RACE 10
9 – RHYTHMIA (3/1) – Has some good early speed figures in a race where there’s no proven closers. Takes a class drop off a series of sharp works and gets Gallardo.
5 – MAJESTIC MELODY (2/1) – Canadian invader also has speed and takes a rather significant class drop. Not as fast early on paper and this could set up as a bit of a merry-go-round.
6 – THE KID ROCKS (6/1) – Logical 3rd choice. Let’s see if he can stalk and close.
9 – 5 – 6 – 4
$$$ – ***Value Play
$$ – **Value Play
EARLY PICK 5
RACE 1) 2.3.5.6 / 2.6.7 / 3 / 1.2.5.7.9 / 2.8
EARLY PICK 4
RACE 3) 1.3 / 1.2.5.7.9 / 2.8 / 3.5.6.12
LATE PICK 4
RACE 7) 1.4 / 1.3.4.5.6.9.10.12 / 3.6.8.10 / 4.5.6.9
BEST OF LUCK!
@LIGHTNINGJAY_