ANALYSIS

BEST BET: RACE 1, HANNAH CATHERINE

FIRST RACE

HANNAH CATHERINE, a close second in each of her two starts, ran much faster in her debut, which came on a fast track, than in her second race, an off-the-turf contest in the slop; back going seven furlongs, the distance over which she posted a 57 Beyer in her debut on a dry surface. BUY TWAY MAY and ADOSINDA also enter this race off runner-up finishes, though both were well beaten. Neither appears to have the tactical speed of the top choice. Of the duo, slightly prefer BUY TWAY MAY, who is making her second start after a sixmonth layoff and is a candidate to improve.

SECOND RACE

BIGGEST LITTLECITY is dropped in class and returned to a turf sprint after coming up empty in a two-turn grass contest most recently; most effective as a late-running grass sprinter. FRANCESCO FISHING is two for two since being moved to the grass and starts for a winning trainer in Peter Walder, who is back from hiatus. RIGHT UP MY ALLEY rallied to be second to FRANCESCO FISHING with a wide trip as the favorite June 23; solid Beyers in the 64-68 range in each of his last four grass races.

THIRD RACE

AMALUNA is better than her one-for-six record in 2017 would suggest, having raced in challenging starter races and in open first-level allowances. Now she is moved into a Florida-bred first-level allowance and looks poised for a winning rally. SWEET DISTINCTION has been gaining ground in sprints, including when third and second in a pair of races at this level and gets more distance to aid her finish in this mile contest. CHIEF ATTRACTION possesses back class, adds blinkers, and looks poised for an improved race in her third race of her third race of the year; trainer/jockey combo hitting at a 28% clip in 2016-2017.

FOURTH RACE

TERRY’S CHARM has a poor ratio of wins to starts - 1 for 16 - but perhaps can pick up his elusive second victory with drop from allowance into conditioned claiming company; regularly posts Beyers in the 77-82 range - figures that would make him quite tough in this grass race. ZEFIRO is another dangerous class dropper, though he doesn’t look quite as good as TERRY’S CHARM, who finished three lengths ahead of him when they both were unplaced in a May 27 allowance at Gulf. This one gets a pass for his latest when able to keep pace in an off-the-turf contest. PORTER STREET is in good form and starts for winning connections, but doesn’t have the grass speed figures of either of the top two selections.

FIFTH RACE

WARREN’S JOE T. might slip past the public with his recent efforts having come at Parx, but get a favorable pace setup and doesn’t seem to be the kind of horse that needs his racetrack. He is collectively a 10-time winner on dirt and synthetic surfaces. 2016 Claiming Crown Iron Horse winner CHEPSTOW seems the classiest of these starter horses, but hasn’t raced since March and is in a must-send position on the fence with speed outside; will likely have to carve out quick splits in his comeback if he is to make the lead. SIR HANNOUN figures to be running with CHEPSTOW. The former has shown much improved form since being stretched out and put in the race early; won three in a row before crossing the wire second June 24, only to disqualified and placed ninth for interference.

SIXTH RACE

The stakes placed DEVILISH ROMANCE is dropped to her lowest level for $16,000 and starts for the always dangerous combo of Fawkes and Gaffalione; more tactical speed than chief rival GIO PATRICIA. The latter finished a length in front of the top choice when fourth on June 24 but was 1 1/4 lengths behind ‘ROMANCE when they met in a grass race May 12. FASHION FACTOR can be

excused for a dull performance over a wet main track June 9 but is a far better performance on turf than dirt; rock-solid Beyers on the lawn.

SEVENTH RACE

Lightly-raced maiden special weight droppers make the best plays in maiden claimers, and DANCE AROUND fits the profile, having run twice in straight maidens races before getting entered in this maiden $16,000 contest; second start off a long layoff, too. SO LONG CHUCK is returned to dirt after eight consecutive turf performances in which she showed speed and faded late; outrun in his only dirt start but that came when debuting against maiden $50,000 opposition; inexperience and the company may have contributed to his poor effort that day. TALE OF KANTHAROS is by Kantharos, an above-average stallion, and debuts for a barn that has is currently hitting at a 26% clip with first timers.

EIGHTH RACE

BLACKJACK BABY has rattled off three consecutive victories, all with Ruis up, and remains at the same class level in this optional claimer after just beating AXTELL and SHERPA. Unlike last time when BLACKJACK BABY raced for a tag, today he races under allowance conditions. AXTELL is an effective turf sprinter despite a relative lack of early speed; on the board in five straight fivefurlong races here at Gulf. SHERPA is another with consistent form when sprinting on the grass -only throwing in a poor race when stretched out to two turns in a race May 28.

NINTH RACE

QUICKLUCKYCOCO faces mostly first timers in this five-furlong dash for 2-year-olds, and holds an experience edge after a couple of competitive tries; twice fourth to begin her career and now moves into a race restricted to Florida breds. NAPA VALLEY GIRL and LAWLESS LADY are debuting runners that are unveiled by connections that can win first out. ‘GIRL is by a sire of runners in Wildcat Heir, while ‘LADY has recorded a couple quick drills that catch the eye.