Race 1: Clm $16k F&M 5 & ½F
1st: #3 Eifs, playing against the 4-5ML favorite 1 horse here who looks to be going in the wrong direction and they’re trying to unload her. Trying instead with this one who clearly does her best work on turf but is returning for a second time off a fall freshening and should improve off a decent effort in OC$16k company when not in for a tag. Does have a win at this distance at the $8k level last June when she caught the lead.
2nd: #5 Off My Stage, definitely has trouble staying on the track, only 2 races since last May. Has a bit of class, the guess here is that she just isn’t completely right physically.
3rd: #2 Bow Town Cat, some nice figures in the past at Parx, another second off a brief freshening should improve.
Race 2: MdClm $40k F&M 3 Year Olds 6F
1st: #5 Chaysenbryn, Englehart tried this one up at Saratoga for $75k last summer and got Jose Ortiz to ride. Something must’ve gone wrong, but he’s been training excellently at Belmont. Check out Jan 19 drill, 47 flat breezing from the gate, wow. 6-1 an excellent price.
2nd: #4 Did I Stutter, decent first effort beating 7 rivals when sent away at 31-1 oddly enough a coupe weeks back. Should improve.
3rd: #7 Eloquent Lady, been off for about a year now they started this two year old early last year in MdSpWt company at Churchill for Patrick Byrne. Cal Lynch now trains gets McCarthy to ride.
Race 3: Clm $16k 5 & ½F
1st: #6 Thurman Merman, simply no speed in this race, I went with the best one that also has a tendency to be towards the front. This one has been on the lead or a length behind the leaders very frequently, and races when he gets the lead early seem to be good ones for him, notably Nov 9 and Sep 23. Two back had a big figure at Pen at this level.
2nd: #1 Self Start, avoiding this 4-5 favorite as he doesn’t like to be close enough to the lead in a race devoid of pace. Of course, if he finds himself on the lead that would be great, but he doesn’t look like the type. 1 for 15 at Laurel lifetime.
3rd: #4 On the Lam, usually stalks the pace and comes with a run. Should set him up nicely in this one.
Race 4: Alw $42k 1 & 1/16thM
1st: #1 Moretti, will not be playing against this favorite. In fact 9-5 would be a really good price on this $900k Todd Pletcher trainee who just narrowly missed going 9 panels last out in allowance company at Aqueduct. Clearly Pletcher wants this one to travel two turns and I love the improvement from his first to his second back from the 9 month layoff. Should be more than ready to win here. Pletcher thought highly enough of him to try the G3 Withers as a young 3 year old last year before something went wrong.
2nd: #2 Pretty Good Year, has proven resume of closing hard from way back. Has won at this distance and will need all of it for sure. Could be a major player like the two back race if this pace gets very hot.
3rd: #7 Sparty, would have a better chance but looks to be a good amount of speed in this field that will challenge this one who clearly wants the lead.
Race 5: Alw $42k 6F
1st: #3 Bodeflex, this is my best bet of the day. Not usually a fan of Parx shippers but this one has already acquitted himself locally winning his last race by nearly 4 lengths at 8-1 earning a field-best 80 Beyer. I love the progression: notice since they added Lasix the horse’s Beyer has jumped from 18 to 63 and finally up to 80 last out after a couple months away. Love that they’re bringing him back in 3 weeks, I will be hammering this one.
2nd: #8 Twixy Cat, don’t understand why this horse—who is heading in the right direction now under the tutelage of Claudio Gonzalez—is 5-1 ML, just a couple weeks after finishing second to Bodeflex last out. Look for these two in the exacta again today.
3rd: #1 Carey Times, a lot of speed in this race including this one, who could struggle with the pace.
Race 6: MdClm $10k 1M
1st: #3 Coffee Please, been knocking on the door for some time now. The final margin of defeat last out was most assuredly impacted by the muddy surface. Previously was second by a length of less two times in a row. Gets it done today.
2nd: #5 Blade O, taking a shot here, this one running for the first time as a gelding.
3rd: #2 Leading Man, has some early speed, not sure about the distance, retains McCarthy today.
Race 7: OC$35k 1 & 1/16thM
1st: #4 Tappin Cat, seems to just get better and better, the figures keep going up now that he’s a 4 year old, won at this distance in the three back although came down after a DQ. Has the highest Beyer in the field and it came last out, further improvement puts him in stakes company.
2nd: #5 Bobby G, Laurel lover 9 for 14 lifetime locally, and 3 wins at this distance. As consistent as they come.
3rd: #1 Tattooed, doesn’t exactly look like he wants two turns, but hits the board frequently, should feel better after the freshening.
Race 8: OC$25k 6F
1st: #4 Buddy’s Run, understand he faded a bit to a couple others in here, but notice the difference between the start in the mud and his previous two starts. I think you give him a better start and a dry strip he takes that race. So I’ll take him here.
2nd: #5 Ziggy Mon, two very nice races at this distance and condition last two. Expect another.
3rd: #3 Revolutionary Road, a ton of quality in this one’s PPs at events at this level or higher. Just a consistent performer.