Here's my look at another inscrutable, terribly competitive card:
Race 1:
Hoping someone hooks #1 Southern Prince, who's beaten me out of a ton of money the last 2 months.. I also like #3 Sinkwich, should improve back on the turf..#'s 6, 10 and 11, Delta Storm, Ever a Friend and Redefined are all solid, #8 Sweet Grass Creek might be a longshot to throw in underneath.
Race 2:
#5 And a Gentleman, ran green first out for Toner, should run better today...ML fave #8 Sada, makes 2nd start off solid debut, certainly not a single however.. both Zito horses #1 Pick Off and 1A Web Gem are eligible to improve 2nd out... #6 Lord and T also capable of improving at big price..
Race 3:
Another very tough race, the big question is #4 Vitruvious, huge fig at Aq nearly 5 months ago, 1st race back today with Lasix, why the layoff?
I like the pattern on #6 Americanus the most... #1 Owner's Manuel, #3 Brilliant Son and #5 Leo are all basically the same horse, none would surprise.
Race 4:
A bunch of expensive first time starters, I really don't have a clue, but for the sake of making a pick, I'll use #9 Monsieur Pepp, #3 Anewday, and the Zito entry (2 for 1).
Race 5:
Going with a hunch on #10 Distinctive Sandy, 3rd time out for Albertrani, needs only small improvement to compete with these, 10-1 ML...#7 Tobruk comes back a bit quickly, but has had major excuses in last 2...#'s 4, 6 and 8, Howdymissthisone, Jelly Roll Rumble and Dubliner, all solid to fill out underneath exotics.
Race 6:
Very difficult race without much to go on, taking a shot with #2 Russian Sage, 1st try on turf off a slight layoff... 1sters #4 Diamond Rough (Ward hitting over 30% 1st out) and #1 Hussonfirst both dangerous..#8 Friendly Freud should like the turf.
Race 7:
Very contentious race, but stand out appears to be #10 Admiral Bird...
#2 Chasing the Crown also solid...possible live longshots: #4 Good Going Darl, #7 Drizzly, and #9 Bethpage Black, making first start off long layoff for Contessa.
Race 8:
#2 Flying Sappho, shortens up and adds blinkers, previous turf sprints fit very well here..#8 Twistaway shortens up off 3 month layoff, has dirt sprint figs that are competitive...#9 Precious Too, dangerous at a big price.. #11 Heavenly Anna, no world beater, but certainly competitive at this level.
Race 9:
#6 Simon Pure is a new horse since switching to Assmussen, needs a major speed duel, but may get it...#8 Midnight Lute, have to consider anything Baffert sends out.. #'s 7 and 10, Attilla's Storm and High Finance, obviously the 2 to beat.
Race 10:
What to do with Lawyer Ron??? His last, a TG neg 6, puts him in Ghostzapper territory, can he repeat? UNLIKELY! #2 Diamond Stripes, lightly raced 4 year old keeps getting better, perhaps breaks through today! #6 Wanderin Boy should run well, #'s 5 and 8, Corinthian and Brass Hat should run better than last.
Race 11:
#12 Uncle Indy, lock of the day, or money burner extraordinaire? I'll go with lock of the day! #7 Equitable next in line...using #4 Schoolboy, #5 Inqusitive, and #1 Balletti underneath..
This has been an extremely difficult meet, I for one am not all that upset that it's ending... hopefull to go out on a positive note!!
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