Monmouth Friday

[RockHardTen1985]

Race 1- #7 HECKUVA RIDE Trainer Mark Shuman is 0/15 at the current meet, but his numbers with first time starters are impressive, he is 17% with a ($4.74) ROI and that's enough to make Heckuva Ride the top choice in this wide open NJ Bred maiden race. #6 SARATOGA LOUIE This second time starter gets blinkers for the first time after showing brief speed in his debut. He has come back to work :47 which was the 2nd fastest of 89 works at the distance. Adding blinkers has been a successful move for this barn, so a wire job would hardly surprise.

Race 2- #5 HOPELESS ROMANTIC Comes in off of two straight second place finishes at Delaware, a repeat of either of those performances puts him right there on the wire. #4 HALFBETTERTHANNONE is going turf/dirt for trainer Stephen Dimauro, a 20% move for the barn, the last time this horse went turf/dirt he was third with a 70 beyer a repeat of that performance in here crushes these.

Race 3- #2 CHOCOLATE BLUSH If favorite Very Sweet is allowed to control the pace she will be tough to deny, but there is enough speed in here to disrupt her on the front end, because of this 15-1 shot Chocolate Blush has a big shot. Trainer Joe Pierce excels in sprint/route spots like this one and once again Paco Lopez will secure a sweet stalking trip.#5 VERY SWEET- There is definitely talent here, but the question is what has run behind her in her last two starts, she was able to track an easy pace last time and draw away for the win. In this spot there is stretch out sprint speed from the rail and DEBONAIR DARLING to deal with early on.

Race 4- #6 NOTHING HONOR Stretches out from 5f to 6f coming off an easy victory in her last. Has the tactical speed to sit right off an expected contested pace and get first jump on the stretch runners. #8 SMART CITY DOC is another who does not need the lead to win, her best races have come from close range.

Race 5- #1 BIG DEALER Looks like the speed of the speed from the fence, and gets back to turf sprinting today, he has won his last 3 turf sprints and looks to be very tough in this spot. #7 DUFFYS TAVERN has been off form as of late, but has back races that would make him very competitive in here. Looking for him to fill out the exacta at a decent price.

Race 6- #2 COLLECT THE FEE Showed 21.4 opening quarter speed last time and takes another small drop down in class today, there is not much in her way in this spot and she is THE TOP PICK OF THE DAY. #1 SURE AS GOLD, first off the claim for a trainer who is 25% with that move, the problem is she was claimed from the mighty Pletcher barn, think she is good enough to run second if she gets back to some of her past races.

Race 7- #3 BOOM TOWN SALLEY This one has never been on turf and the trainers stats are not great, but the drop down could wake her up and the trip Eibar Coa figures to pull vs this group, it should be enough to get this one home. #5 SAMANTHA G could be the main speed in a race without much speed, was not really thrilled with anyone in this group but speed has been ok on this turf course.

Race 8- #2 GOODNESS GREYCIOUS Just seems like the one you want in this spot, he can win on the lead or from close range, this should ensure Ebiar Coa a clean trip in this wide open event. #1A MAGIC MAX, plummets into this bottom level claiming event for Gary Contessa, has not shown much of late, but the drop down and big jockey switch to Jeremy Rose could help wake this one up.

Race 9- #7 ESPINOSA This barn wins off of this type of layoff they are 22% with a $4.60 ROI, there seems to be a good amount of speed in here and that could set up for one big late run from Espinosa. #6 UFFIZI, had a rough trip last time as the favorite, he is another who can come running late into what should be a hot pace.

Race 10- #3 PAPALEO Trainer Scott Volk is currently winning at a 20% clip this meet, this horse had a rough trip last time when facing better, a clean trip here should be enough for the victory. #7 GRAND CAPTAIN, suspicious drop on this one, just 3 back he won a 50k claimer at Gulfstream Park, if he runs a race anywhere near that effort they are all running for second.

Race 11- #2 MS. SHORT POCKETS Has something the other top contenders in here don't have, that is tactical speed. Paco Lopez should be able to sit just off whoever decides to go to the lead and get first jump on the other major contenders, I think this horse has a huge tactical edge in this spot. #4 REPREIVE- Bruce Levine is only 8% first time turf, but the ROI is $4.17 so when he hits, he hits big. This is the type of horse I think he is dangerous with in a pace less race Eibar Coa might go to the lead right out of the gate, and he might not stop.

Race 12- #3 DONT ASK THE DOC Moves inside from the 8 hole after pressing a hot pace and being wide last time out. CC Lopez will do whatever he can to get this one to the lead, and maybe the track can carry her home at a big price. #4 IVEY WALK Tom Albertrani is 32% with a $2.34 ROI with runners cutting back in distance, this cut back should be strong turning for home on Chris Decarlo.