BEST BET: RACE 6, CITY SECTION

FIRST RACE

HARDLY HOME tries the local sod for the first time while also dropping in with conditioned claimers off steady diet of alloowance races. Blew out a sharp three-eighths on the main for this. Reunites with Ortiz, gets tepid nod in opener. GREATEST GAME another getting similar class relief off much needed try here last month when turning in an even effort returning from a 8 month hiatus. Castellano stays. One to fear. WHO’S YOUR DRAMA got hung wide, lacked closing bid when trying N2L’s for first time, looked sharp from the gate over the weekend.

SECOND RACE

TOO CLEVER BY HALF hard to fault in current form although likely to get tested a bit more early on by this bunch than in her most recent outing. Still the one to beat at this level. WINNING FOR SARAH no match for preferred choice in their most recent meeting but would likely prove major beneficiary should the speed really tie up today. Looks like best late threat of this bunch. DANCING WIND has run away from weaker, conditioned claiming types in last pair but never better since joining Zerpa stable, must respect despite the hike.

THIRD RACE

AWESTRUCK turned in solid debut behind a pair of next out winners, Nonna Bella and Salty, the latter returning to dominate MSW company a couple of weeks ago. Need only repeat the effort to earn her diploma on stretch to a mile. ANALYZE checked at the break, switched leads late, still managed to be second best behind wire to wire winner Saratoga Citizen in 3yo bow and expecting another forward move with that one under her belt. DORITZA fanned extremely wide off the turn, finished on her left lead while showimg improvement of her own in 3yo bow. Expecting better making third start of her form cycle.

FOURTH RACE

TANYAS PRIDE one of only two multiple winners in this field along with LOVING VALENTINA and an improving filly who exits her best yet, a clear cut victory over this same kind on stretch to seven- eighths four weeks earlier. Can score right back with another forward move. DIVINE MISS GREY plummets sharply down the class ladder after being overmatched in her latest try, a bit of a red flag, but obviously a major player at this level. LOVING VALENTINA remains put off the claim after disappointing as 4-5 choice stretching back to a mile on 3/2. Has already won three times for this tag. Cannot ignore.

FIFTH RACE

BELIEVE IN ANGELS suffered through an absolutely brutal trip last time exiting strong showing several weeks earlier while second best in a field that produced next out Tampa MSW winner Above the Mark from among the also-rans. Reunites with Paco, could prove a bit of a sleeper behind likely choices SISTINE SISTA and BLENHEIM PALACE. Former continues to knock on the door with this kind, even running well over wet track in her lastest. Easily handled B P two back, both chasing home loose on the lead Charlotte’s Sister. Bleinheim a hanging sort and a beaten favorite in each of her last three tries. Broke slow, got hung wide from tough post last time. Perhaps blinkers the missing link to finally getting her into the winner’s circle.

SIXTH RACE

CITY SECTION, the day’s best, got hung wide last time losing best chance vs. $35K maidens now drops to weakest level yet. Well posted on the rail, ready to finally earn elusive diploma if able to trip out with these. STREET PERFORMER back

to what appears her favorite surface. Earned high marks over Tampa turf when a beaten favorite in 2017 bow. VIZI GIRL stretches out to launch her campaign off series of sprint outings closing out her 3yo season, may ultimately prove one to catch if not needing one off the bench.

SEVENTH RACE

KARMA DELIGHT turned in promising career bow in N Y last December behind Jess I Am, a recent N1X runner-up with 83 Beyer at Laurel. Workiing well for local debut. Earns shaky nod for top connections.. THEBIGFUNDAMENTAL a $550K yearling purchase all the way back in ‘14, finally makes it to the races today. Kin to $359K earner Hightail. Has one bullet in the holster at PBD. FORMAN THE FOREMAN benefited from a relatively soft pace two back when second best going seven furlongs, looks like the one to catch if away running from the rail. Providence Road finished behind 3/2 winner when catching wet track here several weeks earlier while finishing in front of next out MSW grad Morse Code. Should improve, another contender in wide open affair.

EIGHTH RACE

STOLEN SUNDAY finished well, galloped out best of all while continuing to show improvement since launching career earlier in the meet. Taken to run down the leaders with another forward move. QUESTEQ got loose on the lead, faded late while likely needed her 3yo bow, may not look back returnin against same kind today. LITTLE NICOLE walked from the gate, fanned very wide turning for home, put in a nice run before hanging at the end launching career at five furlongs. Runner-up came back to finish third around two turns for $75K tag in her next start. Must prove she can sustain similar run at this distance.

NINTH RACE

GRACE APPEAL could not fend off QUEEN DEL VALLE in their previous meeting and must go an extra sixteenth of a mile in the rematch but that was her first time around two turns so expecting improvement, especially with big post position edge breaking from the rail. Q D V the obvious

choice having won 7 of her last 8 but must break from extreme outside, just enough of a question mark to try to beat at another short price. VASILIKA an easy winner of her last pair vs. softer, hard to ignore in current form despite the hike.

TENTH RACE

BLUEGRASS SINGER comes off sharp try when doing all the dirty work before succumbing late to ultimate winner and obviously on the improve at this time. Continues to train well, might stand some catching if able to set up shop on the front end. Will have to outlast chief rivlas ADULATOR and RALLY CRY, both of whom come off extended vacations after having held their own with much stronger at 3.

ELEVENTH RACE

PARTING GIFT has been victimized by unlucky trips in both tries since returning locally for the winter, might offer a little value if able to work out a clean run returning vs. same caliber in finale. BIG MONEY MACHINE another whose last being tossed due to a tough trip. Previous try points him out one of the major players in this evenly matched lineup. GOLDEN PIRATE dueled, faded late while showing some improvement for new barn, might actually get loose and a chance to relax a little more up front in this spot. One to catch.