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By Nick Tammaro | @NTamm1215 RACE 1: 1-5-2-4 The opener brings forth a group of class droppers and recent maiden winners with #1 OMEY ISLAND representing the first category. He was last seen chasing the pace and tiring at a mile and now returns to a distance which yielded one of his career best efforts. His speed and inside draw are valuable going this trip at this level. RACE 2: 4-6-3-1 The recent running lines of #4 KISS ME HARDY are not pretty, but each start since the claim has come against better. She drops to a level at which she can be successful here for a barn that reaches out to an aggressive pilot. A forwardly placed trip is in the offing in a field without a ton of confirmed speed.
RACE 3: 1-3-4 The trip #1 BEAUTY REIGNS endured last out was hardly loaded with trouble, but she broke poorly in a race otherwise dominated on the front end. She put in a meaningful late move and wound up a good third, with the margin decreasing stride by stride. The pace needs to be solid for her today, but her last two efforts represent real development and she should be a square price as the 3 rd choice. RACE 4: 8-7-2-3 #8 UNWOKE drops in class for Jorge Abreu and returns off a layoff this afternoon. Abreu has an excellent record with maiden class droppers and should be a square price with Flavien Prat riding on the outside. The trip should suit her well, especially if she is out of the gate a bit more cleanly than she had been in her first two outings. RACE 5: 5-1-6-3 #5 LAST MANGO goes first off a claim bidding for two straight wins. She was victorious in impressive fashion last time against lesser and should get a similar trip this time around. The trip she had two back was less than stellar, as she lost serious ground at the start before putting in a serious late bid. Being more forwardly placed would make her tough to beat once again. RACE 6: 2-7-9-3 #2 IRON ORCHARD worked :9 and 4/5 at the OBS April sale and has been training forwardly for this debut. She is out of a dam who scored thrice and progeny of Kentucky Derby winner Authentic hit at a 6% clip on debut. Look for this filly to be quick off the mark based on the morning activity. RACE 7: 1-3-6-7 In years past, #1 FLUID SITUATION would have been close to favoritism in this spot. He is coming into this event second off a layoff after putting in a decent effort last time out at Delaware Park. He draws a good inside post in a race that doesn’t have a great deal of speed and gets John Velazquez. He’ll be a great price in a race where his best efforts fit. RACE 8: 7-6-5-2 #7 LAVENDER DISASTER has long been regarded as a graded stakes horse by her trainer and gets her opportunity against tougher in this spot. She was an impressive winner last time out against lesser and should be in a spot to move forward second off the bench. Her tactical speed is a weapon and she should be within range from the start in a slow paced race. RACE 9: 8-1-5-7 #8 SUNDAEWITHSANDY goes first off a claim by Ilkay Kantarmaci after a slow break from the gate last time out. He moves up a notch in class today off the claim, which is always a good sign, and he should be an active participant in the pace. The price will also be right and that only adds to the appeal. RACE 10: 1-9-3-7 #1 BEYOND LUCKY ran in some salty spots out west for Jonathan Thomas and should be in an ideal pace stalking spot this time around. She has blossomed with each passing start, and Thomas has proven himself to be quite adept with a small stable. Luis Saez is a great fit for this gal, who will offer real value from this perspective at the morning line of 6-1. RACE 11: 9-2-5-7 #9 OPERA DE RAVEL ran well on debut finishing a game 2 nd from just off the pace roughly 13.5 months ago. Trainer Chad Brown has an excellent record with horses off of layoffs in general, and this gal appears ready with a steady string of respectable workouts.
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