You can reach me on “X” @hkravets and/or email at hkravetshorse@gmail.com….. Post time is 3:40pm EST. Good luck, and CRUSH YOUR BETS!
Race 1: 1 – 4 – 6
Like so many others who only have one start this year, #1 Jolie Ruler (5-2) probably needed her last start. She faced MUCH tougher company last year and raced just fine going a distance that’s probably too short for her. With the rail draw, I expect jockey Colon to sit back comfortably in mid-pack and let the early speed go, then angle out in the lane and fly in the stretch. There’s plenty of early speed to run at in the opener.
Race 2: 2 – 5 – 1
Early Pick 4 ticket: 1,2,5 / 2,3,4 / ALL / 6 ($27)
The aptly-named #2 Ravin’s Town (7-2), owned of course by Richard Ravin, debuted last year for Rivelli and just nosed out at the wire as the 9-5 favorite. That was only going 4 ½ and today is 5 ½ furlongs, but with natural progression you wouldn’t think that is going to be a problem. The $300k buy should be able to clear early and hold off others, unless he’s just not ready to fire…good a.m. works say he’s fit and ready to go. The Ontario-bred should be tough today, then perhaps race at Woodbine this spring / summer based on his breeding if the connections feel he’s talented enough.
Race 3: 3 – 4 – 2
#3 Cat Attack (8-5) is the speed of the speed. Despite the layoff, the 6yo mare could be very tough on the front end if ready. You never know with older horses off the break, especially the females, who at any time could decide racing is not for them anymore and want to become a mama. But Cat Attack is 6/21 lifetime and has raced just fine at Hawthorne….wire-to-wire job coming?
Race 4: 6 – 2 – 1
Involved in a prolonged speed duel last time, #6 You’re a Dandy (7-2) will most likely be a price again today as she was last time. She battled the rail horse while showing much more early speed, which is uncharacteristic for her in general. WIth many races last year run at 1 mile, I think she’ll be more likely to be mid-pack today and let the speed go, then attempt to pass them all late in the lane. She fits Beyer’s-wise and is classy as others if not more so. Not a fan of her overall record, but maybe we can score at a price today….after all, who really scares you in this spot?
Race 5: 6 – 4 – 3
Late Pick 4 Ticket: 3,4,6 / 6 / 1,2,4,7,8 / 9 ($15 for $1)
Trainer Michele Boyce has a nice one on her hands with #6 R Katiebug (3-1) in this state-bred affair. She had little to no chance last time in her 4yo debut after stumbling out of the gate. You could argue she’s a better turf horse than dirt, but her numbers on the dirt are simply better than her counterparts in this field, plus she probably needed her last. A clean break / trip should send her directly to the winner’s circle at a short price.
Race 6: 6 – 1 – 2
If the name of #6 Rietta (9-2) looks / sounds familiar, it’s because she’s a stablemate of Michele Boyce’s R Katiebug and beat her last time. One could argue her figs are too low to be my top selection, as this field is competitive on paper. But two back, Rietta received a 68 Beyer in a tough open-company race at Turfway, where the racing this past winter/spring was very good. She faces older, more experienced runners and will have to earn her victory, but she has a decidedly early pace advantage on paper and should be tough if clearing to the lead early. I’m expecting another big effort today.
Race 7: 4 – 1 – 8
Nice field going two turns in Race 7, and while I’m a bit worried the early speed won’t come back to the field with the two “bookend” runners (rail and outside horses), #4 Danville (5-2) should be tactical early with talented jock Loveberry in the irons. Consistent but not spectacular, the 7yo has finished in the money 30 out of 53 times he’s raced, so he’ll give you an honest effort…stalk and pounce.
Race 8: 9 – 7 – 6
The finale is designated for horses who have not won in a year, $5k claimers….and there’s a horse who TOWERS over the field based on class. If #9 Unified Weekend (5-2), trained by Reavis, loses today, something went drastically wrong in my opinion. Look whom he’s faced…and last time was his first-ever dirt effort after racing on synthetics, and ran well as the heavy favorite. He should get the job done today and will be singled on many Pick 4 tickets. If you can beat him, you’re going to get a price for sure.
