Analysis & Selections By: Dean Keppler @Keppskorner
BEST BET: 5-It’s Saul Good (Race 8)
Race #1: 3-Grenada Flavor has been freshened since back-to-back scores at Santa Anita and now makes first start off the Steve Knapp purchase. This gelding has worked swiftly for the new barn and this jockey/trainer combo has had good success here with recent claims. 5-Zimba Warrior ships in off a decent 2nd place finish over at Pleasanton just two weeks ago earning a solid Beyer and has run well over this course. 4-Deep River steps up off smashing Maiden victory on May 19 and may find himself on or close to the lead in this field that appears (at least on paper) to be lacking early zip.
Selections: 3-5-4
Race #2: 4-Fast Per Se got cooked battling on the lead in most recent start June 2 against tougher when faced with taxing fractions but has returned to fire back-to-back 4-furlong bullet drills since then for conditioner Steve Knapp. 1-Catbernay draws the rail with speed and has won two of his last three on the evening card going 1,000 yards. His last try during the afternoon was a sharp runner-up finish last December. 2-Paul Vincents Poem broke his Maiden over this afternoon course way back in 2021 but drops out of a much tougher allowance race on the evening card on June 10. That event has already produced a pair of next-out winners.
Selections: 4-1-2
Race #3: 2-Minedandrefined makes the all-important 3rd career start this afternoon for trainer Sean McCarthy and will likely try and wire this small field of fillies. She appears ready for top try. 5-Tiff With Jimmy moves to the main track after two starts on grass and should relish the surface switch for trainer Mark Glatt. This filly is by Grade 1 winner Jimmy Creed; has trained well over dirt; and exits a “key” turf race that’s produced a pair of next-out winners. 1-Mahina hasn’t shown much in three starts but has been freshened for this and goes second time blinkers and Lasix.
Selections: 2-5-1
Race #4: 3-Eagles Landing hasn’t been out in 10 months but returns as a first-time gelding for hot barn that’s already sent out a pair of winners and two runner-up finishes from 4 starts. This gelding makes first start for a tag today and fired off an eye-catching 3-furlong bullet drill in :34.2 on June 20 in preparation for today’s return try. 4-Stafford to Kupp is another coming off an extended layoff this afternoon but showed some promise in last try at Santa Anita back in the fall when flashing improved speed. He adds Lasix today. 1-Donttestyourluck returns as a first time gelding off the claim and tries sprinting after a series of route efforts at Santa Anita where he’s hit the board in three consecutive races.
Selections: 3-4-1
Race #5: 3-Wiley’s Wonder stretches out after two decent efforts going shorter on the evening program. This 5-year-old gelding has the breeding to suggest he’ll like the 7-furlong trip. 1-Bluegrass Ryder exits a mile turf try at Golden Gate where he was a 3/5 beaten favorite 3rd against similar $20k Maiden claiming caliber foes. This gelding deserves another try at this reduced level returning to the main track. 4-Danz Till Ten shortens up to 7 furlongs after flashing speed going longer against similar at Santa Anita and now switches to aggressive gate rider.
Selections: 3-1-4
Race #6: 4-Bengal Tiger arrives in super sharp form having won back-to-back efforts under the lights and has proven she can handle this 5 ½-furlong trip. The 10-year-old 3-Coalinga Hills has been freshened for this and was a winner three-back when last seen trying the bigger afternoon layout. This old gal has worked well for return and often fires strongly off the bench. 5-Ana Lisa returns to the afternoon layout after consecutive 2nd place finishes to multiple stakes winning mare Trouble N Paradise. This veteran mare has a win and 2nd place finish over this course going today’s 5 ½ furlong trip.
Selections: 4-3-5
Race #7: 7-Dark Marcus makes career start number twelve today but has been freshened for great layoff barn and returns to the main track on the class drop. Trainer Peter Miller had 3 winners on opening weekend. 4-Barbacoa returns off a 10-month freshening for trainer Luis Mendez who is 2 for 2 to start this abbreviated afternoon meet. This gelding adds Lasix today and drops in for a first-time tag. Mendez is 8 for 20 (40%) with a $4.09 ROI the past 3 years with MDSW to Maiden Claimer drop downs. 1-Right Turn is wheeled back on short rest after flashing speed and tiring against straight MDSW types last Saturday on the turnback. The 4-year-old gelding makes career start number three this afternoon and can carry his early speed a lot further with the drop into Maiden Claimers.
Selections: 7-4-1
Race #8: 5-It’s Saul Good was a heavy favorite beaten chalk in debut but had an eventful journey that afternoon. She was off slowly; rushed up into contention and was then forced to check when running up on the heels of other rivals. This daughter of Stay Thirsty safely held the place spot that afternoon and figures to be a handful with an alert break. 3-Conquest Celsius has been well-backed in both career starts at Santa Anita with excusable trips. The filly stumbled badly at the start in debut losing all realistic chance and was then cooked through swift fractions in start number two when beaten by a runaway winner. Improvement likely. 8-Fiamina has shown ability in both career starts for Miller with back-to-back 2nd place finishes. Hernandez back aboard for career start number three.
Selections: 5-3-8
Race #9: The Saturday optional claiming N1x route nightcap is a bit tricky with six runners going turf to dirt. 4-Ultimate Hy only has one previous main track try but is bred for dirt and comes into this in good form having a pair of 2nd place finishes against considerably better. This mare shows two bullet drills since that last start and should appreciate this long stretch. 1-Rosie Forecast has speed and the rail draw while making initial main track start. She’s by multiple Grade 1 winner Nyquist who gets 17% with his dirt route runners. 2-Tizzy Twister just missed in last effort when nosed out against similar at Santa Anita. Her back-to-back (70) main track Beyers make her the one to beat in the Saturday finale.
Selections: 4-1-2
