Race 1: 6-5-7
#6 Deputy Dora gets, with all due respect, a nice rider switch to leading jockey Wade, a better post than last time, speed to close into, and small drop in class. All of that gives this 7yo mare a big chance in the opener.
Race 2: 3-1-2
The horses in this race have run a total of 39 times, and only once did they reach the Beyer Par of 32 for this race. So I need to look for an “unexposed” horse, and that would be #3 Majestic Stride for trainer Robertson. Only 1 start just over a year ago and ran a 1 Beyer! But has been working well, showed a little speed in that debut, and this is a very weak field. If she breaks, can easily wire the field.
Race 3: 6-8-4
My price plays have been doing well lately, 2nd and 1st respectively at double-digit odds with last two. Here’s my price play today, the #6 Smok’n Policy (8-1). Not quite as confident with this one as I have last two days, but this gelding was scratched off the turf twice in Arizona, has some turf breeding, can close well, and just needs a trip and some early speed to run into to have a chance. Why not…..wide open affair.
Race 4: 2-1-5
#2 Omen of Change goes turf to dirt and cutting back to 6 1/2 furlongs, two angles I like quite a bit. Has plenty of back class and figs that will be very competitive here. Would like to see this one mid-pack at the least and pounce in the stretch.
Race 5: 5-9-1 Late P5 starts here!
Very tough way to open the late P5. Going with #5 Johan Zoffani, who closed well from mid-pack last time for Wade, who rides back for Diodoro. Like his style for this race, tactical, should be too far back. In good form and does have a maintenance breeze since last win. The drop doesn’t concern me too much…it’s the end of the meet and they’re just looking for a spot to win most likely.
Race 6: 6-7-8
5f on dirt means one thing…..SPEED. And #6 Haddy Up has that in spades. Drops down to a more realistic level, and seems to be the fastest early. Drop and pop, from pillar to post….probably at 8-5. Only concern is the horse outside of him pressing and making it very hard to hold onto the lead.
Race 7: 4-3-7
#4 Junior Bug is an interloper from the Fairgrounds. Has not raced in a while, but has good, steady local works, has some early speed, and trust the connections has this one ready. J/T combo is 2 for 5 so far this meet.
Race 8: 1-4-5
#1 Tapage has a big-time close, and seems to better on dirt than turf. There’s other early speed, and he needs every bit of it because he is a deep closer. Not a fan of his 2 for 20 record on the win end, but has been rested up a bit and is ready for this one at a decent price.
Race 9: 4-5-7
#4 Fortheloveoflydia is very quick early, just needs to shake free for one quarter mile to win. Has been pushed very hard in her starts lately…don’t really see another horse than go with her in this race. Think she’ll be tough with a clean break and any kind of lead.
