Race 1: Claiming $8,000, 4yo and up, 6 Furlongs
2- Sir Rockport: Stalked the pace and drew off easily against an easier group in his last race, with a big figure. He should rate off the lone speed in the field (who I’ll discuss in a moment), and if that rival tires, he’ll be right there to pick up the pieces.
4- The Great Provider: His plan in every race is to go as fast as he can, as far as he can. He’s won three out of his last five while doing that, and no one in the race really has the speed to go with him. If he can set a slow enough first quarter, this race will be over.
5- Big Slick: Made one start for the Kieron Magee barn, and how will race for Joan Reynolds. Didn’t have much of a closing punch in his last race, but hung around well enough to finish third. Looks like a good candidate to pick up a check, but not much more than that.
Race 2: Maiden Special Weight, 3yo and up, Fillies and Mares, 7 Furlongs
3- Eifs: Just missed in a four-horse blanket finish in her debut. The runner-up in that race came back to win, while the third-place finisher is a chronic maiden who returns here. This filly is lightly-raced enough that there’s still hope for her to be a good one. Jorge Vargas jumps aboard for the first time, replacing Carol Cedeno.
2- Last Love: She’s come in second in each of her last two tries at the level. She was disappointing in her last race, where she drifted in and finished evenly, but her race two starts back was good enough that I’m willing to give her another chance.
1- Atlantic Avenue: The 0-for-11 mark, with a whole bunch of seconds and thirds, is cause for concern, but first-time Magee is reason to hope.
Race 3: Claiming $12,500 (n/w3L), 3yo and up, Fillies and Mares, 6 Furlongs
5- Tidy Stripe: Two starts ago, she got involved in a hot pace battle, but stuck around and fought well to finish second. She ran at the same level, but for a higher tag, last time, and wasn’t that impressive, even though her figure was impressive. Now steps back for a $12,500 price, and should find the going easier.
2- Jazzy Juder: Her running lines in New York from last year will certainly depress her price, and she’s got great middle pace figures. In her second start of the year, she improved her figure sharply, and if she can get a good spot off the lead early, will pack a punch on the turn.
3- Bagels and Lox: The expected early speed of the field, she faded quickly in her last race after showing speed, but managed to hold well for second. Look for Cedeno to be aggressive here.
Race 4: Claiming $5,000, 4yo and up, Fillies and Mares, 7 Furlongs
4- Lost on the Stairs: I handicapped this race before I saw the morning line, so getting 15/1 on her was a bit of a surprise. She takes a big drop in class from starter handicap company, where she did nothing. She was brutally wide two starts back at Penn National, and should get an easier trap here. While she has great closing speed, this track isn’t always favorable to closers, so she might fall too far back to contend. Nevertheless, at a price near her morning line, she’s worth it.
5- Springtime Wind: Cuts back in distance after a visually unimpressive effort against similar. She still has the best last-out figure in the field.
6- Tiger Eyes: Went off as the favorite against tougher last out, but was eased after it was clear she wasn’t going to do anything. It would be nice if she had a workout in between that start and this one, but in fact she’s coming off just a seven-day break. If you bet her, at low odds, in all likelihood, you have to trust that she can bounce back and return to her prior form. Her races prior to last out would almost certainly win this race.
Race 5: Claiming $5,000 (n/w2L), 3yo and up, Fillies and Mares, 1 1/16 Miles
3- Brew by You: Lost a brutal photo two starts ago, then was a distant second against similar at Parx last out. She’s the only member of the field who can consistently run figures in the 60s, which makes her, despite her low morning line, a horse that is probably not worth trying to beat.
2- Cisco Bay: In a race without early speed, she’s got the best early pace figures in the field. If Victor Rosales is aggressive enough, he could get her on a lonely lead.
5- Majorie Mugs: She always picks up checks in these kind of races, but the 1-for-33 mark tells the story. This will be her first start in a two-turn route for the first time in a while; will it be a wake-up?
Race 6: Maiden Special Weight, 3yo and up, 6 Furlongs
4- Tom Hagen: Makes his first start off the layoff, after showing speed and tiring in his first two dirt tries. He should enjoy the shorter distance.
3- Day the Music Died: Trombetta firster has been working strongly, and gets dropped into a weak maiden field. Expecting a sharp effort.
2- VIP Ticket: He hasn’t shown the necessary punch to close the deal in his last few races, but his figures have been sharp when compared to the rest of these. I couldn’t take him at his 3/1 morning line, but if he floats up a bit, might be worth a look.
Race 7: Claiming $12,500, 3yo, 1 Mile
3- MG Broker: Absolutely destroyed a similar group in his last race, and he was claimed out of that race by Gerald Brooks. If this horse shows up at all, Brooks will get instant dividends on his claim.
1- Charging Lion: He was smoked by MG Broker in his last race, but was a solid second, well clear of the rest of the field. It looked like he was tiring in the last eighth of his last race, so there are some distance questions out there.
2- Expect Drama: Has improved in his last three races, and tries winners for the first time after a gate-to-wire score in his last race. Might be dangerous if he can sneak away to an uncontested lead.
Race 8: Claiming $5,000, 3yo and up, 1 1/16 Miles
2- Do Yahwanna Salsa: He was claimed from Claudio Gonzalez out of his last race, and now enters the Charles DiMario barn, which hits at a much lower percentage. His figures are vastly superior to those of his opponents, and if he doesn’t regress too much leaving Gonzalez’s care, he’ll win this one without too much trouble.
5- Ride This Train: Jevian Toledo jumps aboard this closer for the first time, certainly an improvement after having a string of subpar riders. The key will be to stay closer to the pace. In his last few races, he’s fallen too far behind to seriously contender.
4- Junction: He’s rated near the pace and fallen short in his last few. Like usual, he’s a good candidate for underneath.
Race 9: Claiming $5,000 (n/w3L), 3yo and up, 1 Mile
3- Best Surprise: Returns to the races after a brief vacation. Stretches out from six furlongs to a mile, but has enough closing speed to suggest some optimism that he can handle the task.
6- In Him With Him: Showed speed and tired after getting pace pressure in his last race. In spite of that, he earned his best figure in a long time. Looks to show speed once again.
1- Southeast: New York shipper drops in class and has had some good workouts for his first race since January 12.