SEVENTH RACE

HOUSE OF CHANCE gets a tepid nod here. Though he hasn’t hit the board in four starts, he has never missed a check. He’s coming off an even effort as he drops a notch to the bargain-basement level. Looking for value is always important, and this race seems to be crying out for someone who can offer value. TAKE CITY BY STORM is a money burner, favored in his past four starts. He’s hit the board in all four Nocal career starts, and he has take the lead early each time. He’s the one they’ll be trying to catch today. BUNKER BUSTER dueled the second choice early last time and outfinished him for second by a neck. He’s advantageously drawn outside that one, and he’s running for the bargain-basement tag again where he woke up last time.

EIGHTH RACE

CASH LIMIT is a first-timer by an OK debut sire. Seems to have some quickness given his two recent two- and three-furlong bullet works. Both siblings, one full, are winners at age two, and he’s a half to Cash Price, stakes-placed at age two. OH MAN adds blinkers after running second for a tag in his debut. Blinkers are going on today as he steps up to the straight maiden ranks. Five of six siblings are winners with the only one running at two finishing second in lone start as a juvenile. Sire has never had a 2 YO winner. STEVEN DECATUR is by a good debut sire. His lone sibling won at age two. Like the solid work pattern for barn that shows profits with first-timers and 2 YOs.

NINTH RACE

WISE TALE won here last year and then went to the sidelines for 49 weeks. He gave a decent effort in his comeback to indicate he’s in good form. Barn not known for winning the second start following a long layoff, but it is basically cutting his claiming price in half. There may be some value with the lone winner of a race here. LUCKY MARK ran big when he dropped and then ran second after a 13-week layoff. He has not been rushed back and has three works since him comeback. Should get a good trip although he’s likely to sit back early. He’s coming off a big year with seven exacta finishes in nine starts, and the comeback try was his best start this year. OUTTHINK’EM could never catch the second choice last time. He’s going in good form, and the former Socal runner has enjoyed success on the dirt in the past. This is his favorite distance, and he’s hit the board at it in his past two starts.

TENTH RACE

FERVENT FEMME just beat similar with a frontrunning trip. She was headed at the quarter pole but proved superior in the stretch to score an easy victory. Barn just won the training title at GGF and looks to continue success during the fair season with rider who has two wins aboard speedy miss. She’s won on dirt before, and she’s fast enough to be a pace factor in sprints. This track is far kinder to speed than GGF, and she’s the lone speed in this small field. CHRONOLOGIC’SGHOST is usually close. She’s never won on the dirt but has multiple stakes placings on the surface. She broke slowly and finished third behind the top pick last time, losing a photo for second. This is her third start off a layoff, and she should have no excuses today. MON PETITE has a win and a third in two starts here, and the distance suits her fine. She may be last early, but she’s sharp and game and can make her presence felt late.

ELEVENTH RACE

TUNE TO WIN has run at the bottom level down south and is running at the bottom level here as well. Hasn’t really been a factor in his Socal starts. Showed a bit more early foot in his last start, and that could be a key in this spot. He’s had a twomonth freshener and has a pair of solid works at Golden Gate in preparation for his first Nocal try. OIL CHANGE ran fairly well with being a serious threat in his debut and was dropped to this level in his second start. Dueled on the lead early last time. He did tire, but he’s shown enough potential in his two starts to be worth a look here because he’s a definite contender. TUSCAN WARRIOR is dropping to the bottom level today after trying a route and the turf for the first time in his last start. He’s a factor off his best and has enough early foot to sit in good position from the rail.