ANALYSIS

BEST BET: RACE 3, DUTCH BLITZ

FIRST RACE

VIA ANN closed for third last time in a tough turf mile that included two next-out maiden special winners, most notably Galileo Gal, who romped by nearly six lengths. She’s questionable on the Tapeta, over which she ran fifth in her five-furlong debut at 2, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see her prevail under Garcia, who won four races last Friday. LOGIC OF ABSURDITY should be favored off back-to-back seconds in a pair of maiden special weight routes on the Tapeta. COOL AND STORMY is stretching out while changing surfaces. The daughter of Stormy Atlantic is a half to four route winners on the main track, including G3 Grey victor Globetrotter.

SECOND RACE

AUNT SUE came up empty at 41-1 in a recent N1X. The plunge in value to the bottom $5K level makes her the one to fear most under new rider Hernandez. COURT DEPUTY annexed her last race in a $6.25K conditioned claimer after an ideal stalking trip. POLY ANNA rallied belatedly on her left lead for third when dropping to this price following a sabbatical Oct. 13.

THIRD RACE

DUTCH BLITZ lacked room after getting away slowly and then came flying on end for third at first asking for $25K three weeks ago. The 67 Beyer he earned is among the highest in this $40K event, and he figures to take some beating with a hot Boulanger picking up the ride. MONETARY SYSTEM is hard to gauge in his first outing since a lackluster performance in a June 15 maiden special on the Gulfstream sod June 15. The son of Ghostzapper placed in one of his three starts on the Tapeta here last fall. MAGICAL MAN faded to fifth after stalking three-wide on the turn when debuting in a similar spot Oct. 20.

FOURTH RACE

STRING BIKINI and IRIS WILL were both vet scratches Oct. 21. The former breezed an easy half the other day, and would be dangerous on a repeat of her dominant Oct. 4 victory vs. $10K NW2 stock. THALIAS FIRE went three-wide on the first turn before rallying four-wide to finish a neck back in third in her latest. ZENDREYA is going long for the first time in a while off a third at this level. OFELIA GIRL is another prospect for the bottom of the exotics.

FIFTH RACE

LOST IN THE CLOUD has been idle since a subpar showing July 26. She prevailed by four lengths following an extended layoff in her May 31 season opener, and can certainly fire while fresh. The capable Christopher Husbands has the mount. LIGHT MY PATH finished third in each of her September outings. The win-shy gal is debuting off the claim by a veteran trainer who’s won at a 12% clip first-time off the halter switch going back five years ($1.35 ROI). PRIDDY FAIR is also stepping up off a $5K claim by Fairlie, and she’s worked thrice since winning a slow-paced Sept. 22 tilt on the front end.

SIXTH RACE

FIRST PREMIO ran two strong races here this fall since returning from a long layoff, which included an N1X allowance score going long. The 3yo appears to possess some upside, and should strike again in this N2X/optional claimer if he continues to improve by leaps and bounds. LEAVEM IN MALIBU was surprisingly empty last time as the 2-1 second choice in the G3 Durham Cup. He was previously knocking on the door at this level, and is getting a rider switch to Contreras after two lovely breezes. CLEOPATRA’S STRIKE ran second to a peaking runaway winner last time on the grass, and should be along to pick up some of the pieces.

SEVENTH RACE

TITAN CITY awaited room behind the leaders before angling off the inside en route to a daylight score over rock-bottom NW2 claimers in her latest. She’s worked a quick half in the interim, and can repeat in this $6.25K B contest. SILVER