BEST BET: RACE 8, SMOKEY BROWN

FIRST RACE

ROCK AROUND THE DOCK was behind a few of these three back but that was a very eventul trip, one which left her with almost no chance; she returned to score in her latest, her next try on the dirt, and she can repeat on this stretch-out, as she may be at her best going two turns. CLOUDED APPEAL moves inside and picks up Gallardo as she moves from a sprint to a route; expecting her to be on the lead here, and she could well shake loose. CHARMING VERSE is down in class, and she was 2nd at this level two back.

SECOND RACE

MOONLIT METEOR could not make any headway in his latest but that was a race where the top three finishers were the speeds in the field, and controlled the issue; better set up likely here. FEARLESS MAJESTY makes his first start off the claim for a barn with positive stats with same; another who should appreciate a better pace scenario. BONETOWN WILD is a little obvious, coming off consecutive runnerup finishes, and his tactical speed should mean another favorable trip/set up.

THIRD RACE

BREWS TOONIE TOSS has never been on the turf, and the pedigree offers few clues as to her ability to handle this surface, but she has some of the hallmarks that usually indicate a horse will be effective as a grass sprinter, including a barn that does well under these circumstances, and some tactical early zip; price should be square. IT’S EASY TO SAY ships over from Gulfstream and lands in a seemingly favorable spot; he ran well enough in some previous turf sprint tries and he has some early speed in a race lacking an obvious pace scenario. WIND CHEATER is another Hallandale shipper, trying the turf at Gulfstream last time after sprinting on the main track here in his seasonal bow; versatile enough to lead or rate.

FOURTH RACE

COMMISSION ANGEL, is kin to Brother Fred, a stakesplaced sprinter, and the dam’s lone win came in a sprint on the main track; this filly sports a couple of decent breezes for this and should be expected to come out running given some life on the board. LOVE AND MISCHIEF was no threat to the winner but well clear for the place in that last one, where she was against the race flow; Beyers make her the one to beat. SHEZA SASSY LADY is down in class after tiring in his career debut; figures to improve at this level for a high-percentage barn.

FIFTH RACE

CAVALLO D’ORO has high speed and an inside post and he may be able to establish a clear lead easily enough, as this sprint is a little light on pace; cuts back from two turns but may be quick enough regardless. BROTHER CESARE has some speed of his own, and he’s another who should be a factor from the start; moves from turf to dirt for a barn which is clicking at 35% with that angle. TAVERNIER GEMS has never raced this cheaply, and that last figure makes him dangerous here; needs to stay close from the start if the pace is in fact controlled.

SIXTH RACE

GAME LAD was well bet in his first start off the layoff and he ran to that backing, scoring in game fashion despite a wide trip; he’s going to be a handful if he’s able to avoid a regression and run to that effort, as he has the speed to get position and there’s not a whole lot of pace in this field. IRISH MAJOR is clearly in top form, and now he’s making his first start off the claim for a barn which clicks at a strong rate with all types, including with new faces; main threat in the lane. BRIDLES HOLIDAY gets back on the green, and turf certainly does seem to be his preferred surface; he’s wide

but he’s also quick enough to get early position. NOSHACKLESHERE didn’t break well on the grass last time but with a clean start from the rail he figures to be a factor from the start, and he could even prove to be the one they have to catch; he was at this level two and three back but those seemed to be deeper fields, and those were longer distances than the six furlongs he tries today. DOODLE HOPPER has a strong late kick, and he loves this strip; dull try in latest, but he usually rebounds with a strong effort after those types of races. NICK THE CARDSHARK meets weaker and figures to be prominent from the start; main pace threat to the top pick, though he figures to be overbet some.

EIGHTH RACE

SMOKEY BROWN rallied deceptively well in that last one, a race which was light on speed, with the winner dictating the tempo from the start; he was in a similar situation two back but he galloped out strongly past the wire there after making up some ground in the lane. BOLD RESPONSE is widest but he may be the main speed today, just as he was in his latest, when on the dirt; note the barn’s record with horses switching surfaces. MOONLIGHT MISCHIEF is quick enough to stay close, and he could in fact get first run at BOLD RESPONSE; best figures make him the one to beat.

NINTH RACE

BRAVE NATION made his debut over this track but he seemed to race erratically and steady at one point, and he wasn’t persevered with when it was clear he was defeated; he didn’t threaten on the turf at Gulfstream last time but he adds blinkers for this and could well improve in his first start going long on dirt. NAVY ARMED GUARD exits the Grade 3 Sam F. Davis, clearly making him the one to fear in this Maiden Special Weight route; best Beyers plenty good enough for him to rout these, if he can run to them, but this is a pretty deep field. PRENDIMI was a remote third in his debut but that sprint came up very strong; barn does well with stretch-outs, and this gelding figures to be overlooked some in the wagering.

TENTH RACE

EVASIVE STORM was a neck short in her latest but that was a big effort, as she rallied strongly between horses to just miss; she showed a good late kick in her previous run as well, and she can make the last run here with a clean trip and a quick, contested pace up front. SHE DOESN’T MIND is going to be the favorite here on the strength of her class edge, and the Beyers she posted when last seen; that, however, was about 1 1/2 years ago, and it may be worth trying to beat her at a short price. WEST COAST BIAS is another off a layoff, albeit a shorter one, and she has competitive Beyers; would be no surprise despite the respite.

ELEVENTH RACE

WIZARD WILLIE gets the rail again and could be the main speed under Morales; he weakened late in his most recent but that was a very fast pace and the race set up perfectly for the closers, and he may find today’s race flow more to his advantage. CALL ME HANDSOME hit the board in all three starts since breaking his maiden four back; clearly one to consider for exotics, though it may be wise to try to beat him on top if he’s overbet. RUNNING ON GUINNES drops after facing better in both of his two starts since returning from the layoff; he’s had his chances at this level but if the pace is quick enough he may be able to make the last run.

SCRATCH BOARD

Here are the horses entered today who have been scratched in the last 45 days and have not raced since the scratch. Definitions: Off the turf: Turf race switched to main track. Trainer: Any scratch made by a trainer, including ones for weather, medical issues, a decision not to run in a stakes race, a horse entered back the next racing day, or a conditional entry (i.e., main track only for a turf race). Vet: Injury or illness. Steward: Administrative issues like medication and eligibility.