[Kasept]

Race 8 Closer Look
By Byron King

Kocher Girl Lone win came at Finger Lakes against much easier and now she gets tested against the big girls here in the Big Apple; 42 Beyer is a concern; she simply doesn't appear fast enough.

Ginger Snapit A contender - NY-bred but one with Kentucky bloodlines; her two starts have been very good and she was a winner in good time at the Spa recently; quick turnaround is less than ideal - Pletcher typically likes to give his stakes horses more time between starts and work them.

Queen's Harbor Performed well to score at first asking and then was third at the Spa in a stakes race; those were fine efforts; ultimately this miss will likely do best when racing on the grass given her pedigree; like others more here.

Rosa Salvaje Was bought privately off owner-trainer Beattie after that fast win at Penn National in open company; had a rough trip in stakes company last time, an experience that ought to move her forward; addition of front bandages for that last race is a potential negative; Solis gets the mount - Gomez is on Saltamontes.

Saltamontes Did everything right in that maiden win, breaking alertly, pressing the pace and drawing away; Rodriguez, who has done so well with claims this year, showed he could have a 2YO cranked, too; Gomez sticks; threat in her first start in stakes.

Lady Vi Though a stakes winner, her win at Finger Lakes came in slow time; it also unfolded with a fast pace and a slow finish, setting the race up perfectly for her; was beaten by Ausable Charm when they met at the Spa; like others more.

Ausable Chasm Vast improvement 2nd time out, going straight to the front and maintaining a clear advantage over Lady Vi, who returned to win a slow FL stakes race; even so, others have run faster and that maiden win came at just 5.5f.

Yawkey Way The choice after winning both of her starts at the Spa, including a stakes race; shows two maintenance works and is already proven from off the pace; usually in 2YO stakes there is a real scramble for the lead, resulting in some that don't make the front getting discouraged; that won't be an issue for her; deserving favorite.

Readygetsgold Ran competitively in her first two starts, though in slow races, and then was outrun in stakes company at the spa; take note of the trouble she had, however; she stumbled at the start and was wide; she is better than what she showed that day but doubt we are going to see her move forward the 30 Beyer points necessary to win a race like this.