Race One:
FRONTIER TOWN is my choice in this maiden-claiming route. This Congaree-bred gelding has had leaving-the-gate issues in both his starts. This 4 year-old’s most capable trainer, Jimmy Jerkens (he had a winner on yesterday’s card) has decided to enter this Arazi-bred in a route. That may make all the difference in the world. The extra two panels should offer sufficient time and a distance of ground to make up for any potential for any gate-related problems. The “Cajun,” Liston, LA’s Kendrick Carmouche – he should “make groceries” – reprises the ride for the aforementioned Jerkens. Othees:
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Race Two:
MELODRAMATIC MISS gets my nod in this state-bred maiden-claiming sprint. Frankly, I don’t think this Munnings-bred filly is a lead-pipe cinch. Yet, I’m impressed with “The In-Laws,” trainer Linda Rice (Linda’s having an outstanding “Big A” meet) and an equally stellar jock, Jose Ortiz. This filly was leading at the top of the stretch in this company back on New Year’s Day, but she faded to second. I believe this filly moves forward off that race. Oh, I like the second-off-a-layoff angle. Others:
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Race Three:
SNOW FIGHTER is my pick in this 25k claiming route, n2L. This Candy Ride-bred gelding has been competing against much better; yet, with little success in his most recent tries. Here. Today. In this company. The precipitous drop-down. Yes, Yes! This 4 year-old gelding is a distinct possibility. He’s “a player” in this one mile and 70 route. You can add to the mix a most capable trainer, George Weaver. Weaver does exceptionally well with horses entered first-after-a-claim. A recent sharp 4-panels work enhances confidence. Manny Franco is in the irons. Others:
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Race Four:
FREEDOM TOWER is my pick in this MSW route. This bay colt has yet to find his element. He’s tried the grass; he tried a sprint in the mud. Well, he now gets a fast track route to show what he’s got. Again, the “dynamic duo” of Taylor’s aunt and Irad’s brother will strut their stuff. Rice does well in all racing categories; yet particularly with beaten favorites. Others:
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Race Five:
SHADOW RIDER is my pick in this one mile and 70 n3L 14k claimer. This bay gelding has faced better…much better in the past. This 5 year-old tried this company in this last and finished second. Any slight improvement… Merrick, NY’s Gary Contessa is this gelding conditioner. Jose Ortiz reprises the ride. Others:
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Race Six:
POSSILICIOUS is my choice in the 25k claiming sprint. This Bruce Levine trainee has been overmatched in his last few starts. He now drops in “for a tag” against the kind of company he should be able to handle. One note of caution: this gelding has been away from the races for over two months. It’s a category that Levine has not had that much success with (I mean horses that have been on the shelf). Others:
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Race Seven:
PAPA SHOT, a Distorted Humor-bred 5 year-old gelding, is my selection in this allowance route n1x. This Forty Niner-bred has been doing very well in state-bred company. This Linda Rice trainee was “the scourge” of Finger Lakes allowance-route company. Well, this gelding brought his act downstate to “The Big Apple” and finished second in his last start. Any slight improvement and he’’ resume his winning ways. The aforementioned Linda Rice does extremely well with both beaten favorites and second-time races with a new trainer. Others:
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Race Eight:
CLOTHES FALL OFF is my choice in the 100k non-graded Interborough. This Awesome Again-bred bay mare may well have been overmatched in the Grade I Madison at Keeneland last April. However, today, in this company, she’s certainly a factor. I suppose my only gnawing concern is that this bay has been away from the races for over nine months. Yet, a recent “bullet” work, handily, allays most concerns. Manny Franco’s got his boots in the stirrup for the most capable Kiaran McLaughlin. Others:
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Race Nine:
LUNA RISING is my choice in this 62.5k maiden-claiming state-bred sprint. This bay filly just missed in the mud against weaker at the end of December. This Stay Thirsty-bred filly went off the favorite in that one. I believe she’s a viable choice despite the class hike off her last effort. Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin does extremely well with horses who were beaten favorites in their last. Irad Ortiz, Jr. is in the irons. Others:
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