Analysis & Selections By: Dean Keppler @Keppskorner
BEST BET: 2-Recycleyourheart (Race 1)
Race #1: 2-Recycleyourheart finished an even fourth in her Pleasanton debut on June 22 and now drops in for a tag in start number two. This juvenile filly by Conveyance blew out a sharp three furlongs on July 19 in :35.2 over the local strip, and this barn clicks close to 30% with MDSW to Maiden Claiming droppers. Despite a dismal final Beyer figure, 8-Promose Me Kat flashed improved speed and tired to third with a wide trip when dropped to this level in her last at Los Al on July 5. Blinkers off 1-Tropical Rain Day drops in for a first-time tag today and is eligible to improve with the class relief while making the all-important third career try.
Selections: 2-8-1
Race #2: 4-In Your Face drops in for a career-low claiming tag for trainer Peter Eurton and should get adequate pace to close into. The 6-year-old mare has run well over this grass course and she should offer good value in here. 5-Madiha exits a game win on June 8 while going this one-mile trip while earning the field’s best last-out turf Beyer (81) for her victory. This mare now goes first off the claim for the Papaprodromou barn, that’s a solid 4 for 12 (33%) with a $5.33 ROI with turf route acquisitions over the past two years. 9-Tiegarten makes her second start off the six-month freshening for trainer Steve Knapp and is likely to move forward considerably on the class drop, venue change, and stretch out.
Selections: 4-5-9
Race #3: First-time gelding 2-Nap makes his third career start with an improving Beyer pattern for conditioner Antonio Garcia and finished third behind next-out winner Infamous Angel in his most recent effort on June 16. 6-Gozer (by multiple grade 1 winner Ghostzapper) debuts off an encouraging work tab for Hernandez and Miller. 8-Sir Tom is by freshman sire Bodexpress who is off to a fast start with his offspring going (2-3-1) from 9 starts. This 2-year-old colt has trained sharply in his a.m. drills for Team O’Neill and should come out running.
Selections: 2-6-8
Race #4: Blinkers on 3-Laugier Night (Ire) makes his second stateside start for trainer Phil D’Amato after breaking slowly in his U.S unveiling back on February 3. This 3-year-old is by multiple grade 1 winner Night of Thunder (Ire) and will likely improve substantially this afternoon, making career start number three. 7-A Day to Remember hasn’t been out in a year for conditioner Mark Glatt after showing some ability in his revealing last summer over the main track. This son of American Pharoah adds Lasix for a good layoff barn and attracts a top turf pilot. The lone 4-year-old in the field, 5-Prospe, has flashed good speed in all four career starts to date for trainer John Sadler but has yet to maintain his stamina late. The $1.7 million pricey colt does have two grass Beyer figures that match up well here.
Selections: 3-7-5
Race #5: The speedy 6-Mystic Spirit has won back-to-back efforts on dirt and turf for trainer Michael McCarthy and looks primed to potentially take his third straight moving back to the main track. A beaten favorite in the last, 5-City of Angels, moves back to his preferred surface this afternoon while making the second start off the layoff. His sharp runner-up finish and effort two-back make him a strong contender today. 4-McGregor Lake has shown solid ability in all four grass starts and has the breeding to suggest that the switch to dirt should suit him well.
Selections: 6-5-4
Race #6: 3-City Exile (GB) exits back-to-back runner-up finishes and makes the all-important third start of the form cycle today with an improving Beyer pattern for conditioner Phil D’Amato. The 4-year-old gelding should be on or close to the lead again this afternoon on the stretch-out. 6-Rimprotector sports the field’s best last-out grass Beyer (90), coming off a third-place finish in the grade 3 San Juan Capistrano. The 4-time winning 5-year-old gelding won two straight over the synthetic footing at Golden Gate two and three back. 1-Midnight Jostar is a multiple winner over this turf course and projects to get a favorable ground-saving journey from the rail.
Selections: 3-6-1
Race #7: The only winner at seven furlongs in the field, the highly talented multiple stakes-winning 7-Grand Slam Smile has never been worse than first or second in seven career starts (7-5-2-0). This daughter of Smiling Tiger should sit a nice stalking trip behind the likely pacesetters and take over at will when it counts. Today’s likely frontrunner, 9-Pushiness, poses the main threat to the top choice exiting a game runner-up try on July 4. The Repole Stable filly came back to work a solid four furlongs on July 19. The multiple stakes placed 1-Loretta Lynn shortens up this afternoon for D’Amato off the mini-freshening and just might get a fast pace to rally into.
Selections: 7-9-1
Race #8: A beaten favorite in the last 8-Epione goes two sprints to a route today while moving back to turf for trainer Tim Yakteen and poses an upset threat in the Friday nightcap. The 3-year-old filly has a solid turf pedigree and should be forwardly placed on the stretch-out, which has been the place to be on this turf course. 7-G’oro was beaten double digits in her June 29 unveiling but now moves to the turf on the stretch-out. This 3-year-old is by Passion for Gold, who was a grade 1 winner routing on grass. This gal could improve substantially on the surface switch for a shrewd barn. 1-Miz Clubcali rallied for the place spot when finishing in front of several of these back on June 15 and now moves from post 8 to the rail.
Selections: 8-7-1
