ANALYSIS

BEST BET: RACE 5, HANDFUL OF STRIPES

FIRST RACE

DESERT DOMINATION is shortening up some to the distance of his closest career finish to date. Also like that he was favored over steeper last time out. THEGREATGENERATION finished in front of some of these last out and brings a useful running style to the table, as he could get an ideal tracking trip off a few of these. TARPYS ZIP has moved forward with each of his starts and could be sitting on a peak effort in his third race since August. He also owns competitive Beyer Figures.

SECOND RACE

SASSY OLIVIA ANN finished in front of some of these last out when second in a higher-priced race. ELLA B ALY owns what ranks as this field’s best last-race Beyer Figure. SUZY JONES BURROW fits with these.

THIRD RACE

IRISH YOU WELL gives up recency to these as he last ran in November, but what he lacks there he makes up for in class as one who has spent his career facing steeper. LODI STREET has seen steeper and has reason to move forward in his second out since November. The winner of the race he exits is an old class stakes horse who has won three races at the meet. RUNNINGUNNINRASCAL owns a consistent series of Beyer Figures.

FOURTH RACE

FRIGIDISH is a logical choice off a runner-up finish at this level last time. It was a race in which she set the pace over a laboring track in her first out since December. FRIGIDISH shortens up to a mile, the distance of her maiden win. DARK BLOOM exits same race as top choice. She, too, was prominent and ran third - in what was her first out since October. EVER SPECIAL owns the field’s co-highest last-race Beyer Figure, along with FRIGIDISH.

FIFTH RACE

HANDFUL OF STRIPES is back in the conditioned claiming ranks after facing starter foes. He set the pace in a quick race and the start was his first out since December. STARSTRUCK KITTEN hooked a quality winner last out in Fort Fortitude, who returned in his next start to capture an optional claimer over a more experienced Southern California runner. VBREEZE is a consistent sort with competitive Beyer Figures.

SIXTH RACE

ANIMUS debuted at this distance last out and was third to a dominant winner. The Beyer Speed Figure of 70 that ANIMUS earned is the best lastrace number in this field. STRIKE RATE has seen steeper and seems like one who will make good use of the bit of added ground he picks up in this spot. He also will be adding blinkers. HILL BENT hooked a quality winner last out now makes the move to two turns and he gets pedigree support for the task.

SEVENTH RACE

CHARLESBRECKNRIDGE has been facing steeper and could be sitting on a peak race in his third start off the layoff. He also has a high percentage team in M & M Racing, Diodoro and Cohen. CHIEF OF STAFF fired some big races over the local strip a year ago. TWIRLING CINNAMON has the speed to hold his position from the rail in this large field.

EIGHTH RACE

EL CHARRO might get the right setup in this spot as there appears to be a nice amount of speed tucked to his inside. He also owns some strong recent Beyer Figures. ADENS DREAM exits a race that went in good time. He was with the pace and was beaten less than two lengths for everything in what was his second start since September. SMART SPREE can make a real splash if he runs back to the Beyer Figure of 98 he earned for a starter win last out at Oaklawn.