Analysis & Selections By: Dean Keppler @Keppskorner
BEST BET: 6-Allaboutthemoney (Race #4)
Race #1: 3-Oubabe has burned a ton of $$ with three straight defeats as the public’s betting choice but makes 2nd start off the layoff today off sharp runner-up try and should finally break through this afternoon for hot jockey/trainer combo. 5-Johnny Paycheck debuts with Lasix off of some snappy a.m. drills and this lucrative jockey/trainer combo have paired up to win with debut runners in the past. 7-Hot Legs Romolo showed good early zip in February 21 unveiling and is a strong threat with any normal second-out improvement.
Selections: 3-5-7
Race #2: 5-Ikigai has been freshened for new connections off encouraging debut try last spring. Adds Lasix and drops in for a tag. 6-First Class Dad has also been freshened and has run some top efforts against better. This conditioner has had prior success with MDSW to MDCLM droppers. The 4-year-old colt 1-Special Ride debuts with Lasix for $150K price tag for team Baffert off some sharp drills but we’re betting against in this spot. Top barn is only 1 for 14 with Maiden Claiming 1st time starters the past 5 years.
Selections: 5-6-1
Race #3: This race appears to run through the pair of 4-year-old fillies sent out by the Baltas barn. 2-Tomorrowisalongtime makes the all-important 3rd start off the bench; has improving turf Beyers and drops into claimers for the first time. Some sharp a.m. drills in the interim add to the appeal. 1-The Ginger Queen comes off a good runner-up try and earned the field’s best last-out turf Beyer (70) in doing so. She draws well again. 4-Royally Command is the likely pacesetter and could get brave up front if allowed to settle.
Selections: 2-1-4
Race #4: Beaten favorite 6-Allaboutthemoney was a good 2nd when returning off the layoff and stretches out this afternoon for Cerin. The 4-year-old gelding should be forwardly placed in what appears (at least on paper) to be a pace-less affair. 1-Primer Dimer switches back to the main track after finishing a strong 2nd at 12/1 off mini-freshening. He projects to get a favorable trip with today’s rail draw and broke Maiden over dirt back in November. 3-Star Sailor drops in class and has run winning Beyers for this level.
Selections: 5-4-6
Race #5: 7-Augusta Melody is hard trying and usually very consistent but usually fills out the underneath exotics. The 5-year-old gelding projects to sit a nice stalking trip today, however, and shows a snappy “best of 57” 4-furlong drill for this. 2-Continental Divide ran on well enough considering the extended layoff in most recent try at long odds and should get a lively pace to close into this afternoon. Some of his best mile turf attempts fit well here. 3-Commander Khai stretches out off winning effort and Glatt claim.
Selections: 7-2-3
Race #6: Baffert holds a strong hand in this mile main track Maiden Special Weight event. 5-Mauritius won’t offer any value but posted a strong (86) Beyer behind another barn runaway winner in March 5 debut. The 3-year-old colt by Twirling Candy stretches out for start number two and might be quickest to lead of the pair. 2-Bletchley Park is by multiple G1 winner Nyquist and cost $2.6 million. He finished 2nd as the beaten favorite in debut effort behind stakes-placed Happy Jack. Beaten favorite 1-Set Sail rounds out the chalky selections for trainer Richard Mandella. The colt finished behind next-out winner American Admiral in debut who Beyered an (88) March 19th.
Selections: 5-2-1
Race #7: 4-Dick Best finished an even third on February 6 debut try; goes turf to dirt today and fits well here with any normal second-out improvement. The 3-year-old gelding gets in light again with hot apprentice and might just find himself on the lead in this spot. 2-Orth is the most seasoned gelding in this lineup and appears to be on the improve. Today’s cutback should help. 1-Fast Buck has sharp a.m. drills coming off a 7-month freshening and is bred to handle the turf.
Selections: 4-2-1
Race #8: 5-Darling Donna makes career start number 7 but drops in class; has good speed and moves back to the main track. This jockey/trainer combo scored with turf to dirt gelding Street Ruckus on March 12. 8-Pequena Tormenta has not been seen in 7 months when outrun against better on turf but has trained smartly for return. Trainer Richard Baltas is 3 for 11 (27%) with turf to dirt MDSW to MDCLM dropdowns. 4-Tracy Di Vecenzo finished behind next-out winner Marie who came back to score here again on March 20 with a (65) Beyer.
Selections: 5-8-4
Race #9: 3-Jibber Jabber is one of two runners from this barn. This 4-year-old filly runs well fresh and likes this turf course. A BIG stretch threat today. 5-Kuora goes first off the claim for trainer Vladimir Cerin who clicks close to 30% with new acquisitions on the turf. 1-Miss Addie Pray was not disgraced when beaten only 2 lengths off an extended break for Gallagher and should get a better race flow to set-up her late kick this afternoon. Not impossible.
Selections: 3-5-1
