SELECTIONS

has been solid sprint to route on turf in NY (past five years, 28 for 88, 32%, $2.34 ROI). HERECOMESYOURMAN has improved since switched to turf, and he has been against dynamics in each of his two starts at this level, first while away from a rated early pace in a race that was wired, and then last time when taking over on a solid pace, only get nailed on the line by a closing winner. NINETY ONE

ASSAULT getting a bit of needed class relief after facing tougher in first three starts since returning from the layoff; not sure how much improvement he has in him at this point, but he is clearly a contender based on what he has shown so far. DEVINE UNION flashed some potential without winning as a 2yo, and she was last seen taking the worst of it while wide throughout over a strong inside track, and settling for second-best to the talented Lockdown; don’t mind her starting back at this distance, espeically from the outside post, she just has to be close to ready off the layoff. TIZ SUPER got bet for her debut last year, but gave way quickly once challenged after showing some speed in that race and went directly to the sidelines; better effort upon her return in race where she finally got the best of a pace rival late, only to get out-finished at the end. PRESUMPTUOUS took a game run at subsequent Woodbine Oaks and Queens Plate winner Holy Helena in improved effort two starts back, then got out-kicked from off a rated pace last time; turn back okay.

SEVENTH RACE

DREAM DOCTOR has tough outside post to overcome, but there is plenty of pace in this race to allow him to find a spot with his positional speed, and thought he went well in that return when forward early on a pace that wasn’t exactly slow; facing several hard-hitters here, but they aren’t the most reliable runners at this point in their careers, and this horse has been solid right along. UNCLE SIGH trailed a rated pace for the distance last time before coming with a nice late rally that fell short at the end, which has been the story of his life since switching over to grass; good post on the inside to save the ground, and he should have a more honest set up this time. IRON POWER can beat this field on memory, but were are now two years removed from his most recent win, and he has clearly lost a step or two from his prime; class relief welcome for new trainer who is having typical strong meet here so far. NEVISIAN SKY looked good rolling clear in the stretch to win turf debut last time, though worth pointing out that he had a great set up there while rating off a contested pace.

EIGHTH RACE

HOMELAND SECURITY appeared to have landed in a pretty tough spot going long in a race she had a right to need making her 3yo debut, but she overcame it all while kicking in with a strong finish through the stretch to post an impressive win; tough if coming forward with that one behind her, which would seem to be a real possibilty. CHURCH SOCIAL finding wins hard to come by while continuing to go well out there, which is almost completely a function of her running style; takes on more distance after finishing up well in each of her last two starts, both of which were dominated up close. VIOLET BLUE improving from start to start for excellent trainer while finding distance to be no issue; game close to get up for a share over this trip two starts back, before taking a shot in a Grade 1.

NINTH RACE

CLIPTHECOUPONANNIE has lost two of her last three following strong start to her career, but she has excuses for both of those losses, as she chased from the outside over a strong inisde track in the Grade 3 Distaff, and then missed the break and rushed over a mess of a track last time, on a day when the remainder of the card was cancelled following that race; giving her one more chance vs. better horses. Trainer change a lateral move for CARINA MIA, who is the horse to beat here dropping out of seven straight Grade 1’s and turning back; would like to think that she could still improve this year, as her only sprints since dominant Eight Belles as a 3yo came in the Ballerina and Breeders’ Cup last year vs. older horses, and then in the sloppy Humana Distaff off the layoff, though that is not a given. GOING FOR BROKE may just be prepping for something down the line here, and the rail draw is no bargain, but she has some real ability for Chad, and not so sure that she isn’t better going shorter.

TENTH RACE

PURELY LUCKY debuting for trainer who does a very good job overall, and she is a half to three stakes winners from this dam, including the fast turf sprinter Manhattan Dan. IMPERFECT UNION holds the experience in field full of first time starters, and while she had no real excuse in her debut after making the early lead, that did seem to be a solid field for the level, and she can clearly come forward with that one behind her. CARRERA CAT debuting for underrated trainer, and she is bred for grass being a half to a 2-time turf winner and out of a dam who is a sister to the multiple graded stakes winner Class Kris. NEW PASS a half to the graded stakes-quality turf router Fifty Five, who was unlucky not to win her debut for this trainer