Analysis & Selections By: Dean Keppler @Keppskorner
BEST BET: 4-My Man Bags (Race 5)
Race #1: 1-Details Matter goes turf to dirt, route to a sprint, and drops in for a first-time tag for trainer Brian Koriner. The 2-year-old gelding has speed from the rail and should appreciate today’s big class drop. 6-Pharoahs List showed little on Aug. 24 turf debut but is eligible to improve in the second start with surface switch and class drop. The colt switches to Vasquez who traditionally does well over the Los Al afternoon course. 2-Work It is by grade 1 winner Outwork who gets a solid 16% with his juvenile debuting prodigy.
Selections: 1-6-2
Race #2: 4-Bella Baby has not been competitive in the last two efforts for trainer Librado Barocio but drops to a career-low $10k claiming tag and would be tough to beat if she can run back to her Maiden-breaking main track score three-back. 1-Parco has the rail with good positional speed, removes the blinkers today, and is another in here dropping down to a career-low claiming purchase price. 2-Rose Girl appears to be the speed of the speed and drops in class making the second start off the bench for trainer Luis Mendez.
Selections: 4-1-2
Race #3: The Neil Drysdale firster 2-Ranger Joe (By U S Ranger) debuts with Lasix off an average-looking work tab but entices Vasquez and could be live at first asking. This barn is, however, 2 for 62 with debut runners overall and 0 for 3 at Los Al. Having said that, the 4-year-old gelding need not be much to beat this weak group. 1-Bluegrass Ryder was a good second over this strip two-back going 7 furlongs. 3-Acceleray has had bad or awkward starts in all 4 career efforts but adds Lasix today for winning connections and could be a factor if able to get on track here with a cleaner journey.
Selections: 2-1-3
Race #4: The speedy 1-Gayles Evening comes off a 1,000-yard evening romp under the lights July 22 and should be sent hard with today’s rail draw. The 5-year-old mare is a multiple winner going 6 furlongs, and she should be tough to reel in with an alert break. 2–Indy’s Star is a logical fit off two solid runner-up performances over this strip two and three-back. Turf to dirt 3-Lasting Love comes off a troubled trip fifth (beaten less than a length) Sept. 3 and was a Maiden-breaking winner over this strip in debut.
Selections: 1-2-3
Race #5: 4-My Man Bags goes first off the claim for trainer Steve Knapp and this 6-year-old gelding loves this Los Al course (3-2-1-0). The 5-year-old gelding projects to sit a favorable staking journey this afternoon for the new barn. The obvious knock is the short price. A winner over this strip two-back 6-Equipo A has good speed and is nicely drawn outside with Vasquez. 1-Project Leader has speed and the rail and has been freshened since the last 5-furlong July 9 score over this strip.
Selections: 4-6-1
Race #6: 1-Mars On Fire has not been seen since April turf Maiden-breaking score but has speed and today’s rail draw. 3-So I’m Told prefers to run underneath indicated by his 6 runner-up place finishes from 17 career starts but fits well here making a second start off the bench and coming off a nice effort over the evening course Sept. 2. The late-closing 6- The Key Is Unity drops into a softer spot making his second start against winners.
Selections: 1-3-6
Race #7: 8-Midnight Special was a winner over this strip three-back against similar and came off back-to-back solid tries during the evening program July 22 and Aug. 19. 7-Red Cross Knight returns off an eight-month hiatus for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer who has a solid overall record over this racetrack. This colt has proven he can fire fresh and has a 15-1 upset win over the course. 2–Tembo was overmatched in the last pair but is 2 for 2 over this course and drops to a career-low $10,000 claiming tag.
Selections: 8-7-2
