Race One:
GIVETHEMAN A CIGAR will be out and going when the gates open. Can he last? I’m not enamored with inside starting post. I believe the bias will be to the outside. Yet, any moisture will help this gelding. A board-hitter: quite possibly. A win: I have doubts.
2 DEPUTY FLAG will likely be heading to the front; yet the added panel in today’s race may be “a bridge too far”.
3 SCRUTINIZE appears overmatched here.
BAD GUY might squeak out a minor award.
CASTLE CASANOVA comes right back on short rest. The one-panel cut-back should help. So too the services of Junior Alvarado and trainer Jeremiah Englehart. Should benefit from any wetness. I believe he will be well-bet. Possibly over-bet.
NUEVA YORK could be “the sleeper”. Yes, he stepping up to MSWs.
Race Two:
SATIN SHEETS dropped to the lowest level last time and still couldn’t win. She was claimed out of that one. She now resides in a Mertkan Kantarmaci barn. Kantarmaci does well with 1st after claim. The one-panel turn-back should help. A board-hitter?
2 HAVANA AFFAIR is capable of a minor award. Today’s cut-back helps.
RIBBONITE will likely catch a lot of attention…and deservedly so, but at this level, I would tread cautiously. She has been away from the races for almost two months. Yet, a recent workout appears to signal readiness. By default.
ELIZABETH NICOLE is another horse that’s cutting back in distance. She would benefit from any moisture. I consider this front-running filly “a player”.
Race Three:
1/1A JAZZY J/SHEZA DIVA. Of the two, I lean toward the later. Sheza Diva broke her maiden at first-asking only to be entered, over-ambitiously, in stakes-company races. At this level she might have a chance.
HEY MAMALUKE. Is she a “flash in the pan” or “any kinda horse”? I’m leaning toward the former, yet I’m not quite sure. A recent morning work says she’s ready. She’s the kind of horse whom you can’t leave out. Dylan Davis for Patricia Farro.
GUACAMOLE is another enigma (he fell to his face, last time). This filly hasn’t raced in three months. But look at her past competition: The Adirondack, The Spinaway, The Matron, etc. If this gal is ready, she can romp. Her most recent morning work is very good. Manny Franco in the irons. Todd Pletcher trains. Inhale…Exhale… Caveat: Don’t expect much at the windows.
SHE’S A BLACK BELT was ambitiously entered in the non-graded Ruthless (up the track). Alas and alack, enter Jose Lezcano. This Michele Nevin-trainee definitely fits. If the odds-on choice fails, I see this filly as “the pick”.
AMANDASROMEO ships in from Parx where she got caught with quarter-horse fractions up-front (she finished last). Any chance, I believe she has, would likely be from off the pace. This filly is certainly capable of hitting the tote with the right trip. Mychel Sanchez ships his tack in from Bensalem for trainer Guadalupe Preciado.
Race Four:
1 KATHY’S CAUSE will likely leave from her inside post. Question: Can she get the added panel. I’m looking for a possible minor award.
2 BARBARA P is a first-time starter who looks more turf-oriented.
3 TOO MANY TALES does not inspire. Yet she may move up on a wet track.
4 STERLING BEAUTY drops in for “a tag”. I find her hard to recommend off her last try.
5 FAIR LASSIE is another filly I have my doubts about. Her broodmare had two winners from three starters. She should move up on a wet track.
DETECTIVE KID could be turf-oriented. Dam had two winners from two starters. Junior in the irons. Watch her on the track and on the tote. Not sure what to make of her.
TOPLINE has a solid pedigree. She would also benefit from any moisture. Rajiv Maragh in the irons is a plus…for a trainer, Bruce Levine, would does well debut maiden-claimers. The dam had 6 winners from 6 starters. Again, watch the board.
DELTA GAMMA draws outside. I believe that this makes this filly formidable (Is she better suited for the turf?). She should go chalk. Linda, Dylan Davis et al. Yet, I don’t see this gal as a lead-pipe cinch. Why the drop from MSWs to a claiming event?
Race Five:
1 WELL INTUNE looks overmatched.
RACING RAVEN is dropping 2+ classifications. As a board-hitter, I believe he fits; I’m concerned about him winning. Will likely go chalk. I’d “buy insurance”.
3 SHILOH LANE might complete a gimmick.
SOMEBODY ran a solid race in his last in this company. Yet, this A.P. Indy-bred has been away for a couple months. Morning works: mediocre. Will likely go “chalk”.
5 GARSOON would be hard to recommend.
6 SUPPORT OUR CAUSE can hit the board. He looks like he has trouble “getting the mile”.
SEEDISKID “woke up” last time at a huge price. Apprentice Heman Harkie recently got “the shaving cream”. In which direction is this gelding headed? He would move up on a wet track.
8 HURACAN. I find little to recommend. A remote chance of completing a gimmick.
ALRAHAAL is my top pick. Linda Rice does exceptionally well with first-after-claim. This gelding has faced better. Look for him when turf racing returns. Dylan Davis (Is this his “red-letter day”?) is in the irons.
Race Six:
1 HALLOWEEN HORROR might earn a minor award.
H MAN may get overbet. Then again… Jose Lezcano for Jason Servis. This gelding was beaten by weaker in his last.
4 RO BEAR would benefit from a wet track; yet he’s tried better with little success. At the very best, he might complete a tri or super.
PRETENTIOUS could not win at the 12.5 level; yet he does pick up the services of Rajiv Maragh. I believe this gelding is a “board-hitter” who could surprise and enhance an exotic.
SPARTY BOY is a wet-track specialist. He retains the services of Manny Franco. He will likely be well-bet. Yet, I admit I can’t get overly enthused. Yes, I’ll use him, but… Rudy Rodriguez trains.
7 TOOHOTTOEVEN SPEAK. I find it hard to get enthused about his chances.
8 SWIVEL will benefit immensely if there’s moisture on the racetrack. Otherwise… If the track is wet, I’d make a bet.
GLENCAIRN can “get the distance”. He also moves up on a wet track. I see this guy as “the sleeper”. Frankly, I’d hate to leave him out of my exotics.
Race Seven:
LANGDARMA fits nicely. Can get the nine panels. This gelding benefits from moisture. Yet, he’s been 2nd in last three.
3 FELIX IN FABULA may be overmatched. I’m not sure he can get the 9 panels.
ROAMING UNION merits consideration. Wet track conditions would move him up. This gelding has faced better. Eric Cancel for Kelly Breen.
6 MILLS looking like the plodding type. On that basis, he’s very usable in gimmick bets. Junior Alvarado for Dave Cannizzo.
LET ME GO FIRST is another horse that looks like he can run all day. Yes, he’s a likely board-hitter and possible winner.
G ZAP’s form has deteriorated in recent months. Yet, if there’s “a sleeper,” this Ghostzapper-bred gelding could be it. Dave Cannizzo does very well: 2nd start w/trainer.
Race Eight:
1 MICKEY T looks like an also ran.
2 BUSS THE BELL might just complete a tri or super.
4 IMVROS PRIDE has shown very little.
LA MAQUINA GRIS is dropping into a spot where she might just wake up. Watch her on the track and on the board. Possible.
6 INFIELD IS IN might just mop up an exotic.
CHANGE OF VENUE looks like he wants to go longer. He should be coming in deep stretch. Linda Rice does exceptionally well w/3rd off a layoff. Dylan Davis in the irons.
LAURA’S POSSE will move up on wet track. This Posse-bred cannot be overlooked.
9 PANTHER CREEK looks like a rank outsider.
HOPPER DROPPER might just pick up the pieces in a gimmick.
