ANALYSIS

BEST BET: RACE 6, NUMANCIA

FIRST RACE

The last card of an eventful 4-day Festival week starts at 12:44 p.m. ET and with HIGH FLYING GUY likely to come a short price to redeem as a beaten favorite when stretching out to two turns while retaining top jock Gallardo; just not much to stand in his way. DREAM ZAPPER drew a noteworthy amount of play for a Wilkes firster in his debacle of a debut in late January; now draws the rail when having the kitchen sink thrown at him, i.e., blinks, Lasix, first tag, and a stretchout; stark improvement or bust. OPEN OUT would seem to benefit from more ground.

SECOND RACE

Sudden plunge to the bottom makes sense for SEALED WITH A KISS, whose two-back score for an N3L condition was followed by a blowout loss when overmatched versus starter foes; aggressive move by Buff enough to entice Gallardo. Right alongside, OUR PRINCESS BELLE makes a subtle stretchout after having gradually earned the respect of the players; all 3 tries here this winter have been decent. MISS RICKLES shows 3 published works since prevailing for a lesser nickel condition in mid-January; should fit.

THIRD RACE

Beyer-wise and otherwise, BEST OFFER looks as good as any when making his third start off the Rigattieri claim; hard-knocking gray guy shouldn’t mind being sent around two turns again; liable to trip out nicely with Centeno up. BIG SILVER HOSS also tries a route, which is something different; figures closer than usual once they’re sprung loose. EXCLUSIVE ZIP adds blinks after faring just so-so since coming into the Harvatt barn; usually along for a share.

FOURTH RACE

MARRY ME DUDE got caught up in a duel while down along the rail when favored for a slightly higher tag, but he might be going solo this time when stretching out to 7 panels; different dynamic could carry him much farther today. JUMPIN JETT is just a head-bob away from being ineligible for this condition; will be looking to track the top pick from the git-go. LATREVO is a tricky gauge after being away 3+ months and dropping substantially upon switching circuits; looks pretty competitive on paper, anyway.

FIFTH RACE

Seems a good spot for NONNO to redeem after going a beaten favorite in his first try for The Family Wright; tactical ability might well be enhanced by the extra half-furlong in seeking his third win of this 2017-18 meet. KANTHAROS’ IMAGE ran huge off just two weeks’ rest in powering thru his N2L condition last out; can capitalize if things melt down up top. SALEAS was a decent 2nd for this same condition when overlaid last out.

SIXTH RACE

Benefit of that otherwise mundane effort on Feb. 3 could be a key here for NUMANCIA, as a few of the other would-be contenders have the disadvantage of returning from layoffs of varying lengths; clean stalking trip along the rail can put this gal in prime position; call it the day’s best. ADIOS CAT was a creditable third for these same conditions 3 weeks ago and seems to be coming to hand; comes one of the choices. RECENT TRANSACTIONS has been OK when competing vs. open platers across the peninsula; rates a long look in first try for highpct. barn.

SEVENTH RACE

When last this hybrid allowance was run for 3yo fillies on the dirt 5 weeks ago, R SWIFT TAYLOR ran ‘em off their feet; stays eligible for the condition

by being entered for the optional $75k tag; seems like a shrewd move, assuming she’ll run the same way when switching over to the grass. PASSION

PLUS won a 3-horse race last out and probably could’ve done it quicker if needed; interesting turn-back most likely a result of the race availability; unbeaten on the green. HAY BABY GIRL sure has improved Beyer-wise since the Nations claim.

EIGHTH RACE

Three straight 2nds for this N2Y-bottom puts STABLEFORD on the threshold of finally knocking it out; can’t say that’s necessarily a good habit, but yeah, at least he’s got recency and some decent form in his corner; default kind of pick. DANNY’S TURBO will be sniffed out by the sharpies despite his unfamiliar form and surely comes favored with those big main-track Beyers at Delta and Fair Grounds; high-percent barn picks up Gallardo to boot. ABLE BAKER CHARLIE stands to benefit from the 2/23 start when haltered by K. Miller.

NINTH RACE

Two open-length scores in as many starts over the Tampa surface make JOJO’S SPENSIVE the obvious one to beat when staying put for this same $16k tag; right back down their throats. JACKS A WARRIOR ran OK when trying a turf mile last out and now comes well drawn when reverting to something more in his wheelhouse; that New Years Eve score sure was well done. ANONYM could see his speed enhanced when going this extra furlong; might not be a bad thing.

TENTH RACE

Main track and a plunge to the bottom of the mdn. claiming ranks could help awaken HALO’S FOR DUDE, who doesn’t face much upon moving over to the Gulf Coast; the figs she earned over grass might not translate, but if they do, she’ll do here. FIRST SHOWING has had chances aplenty (15, to be exact), but she’s well drawn here after getting a little speed-sharpener late last month; in line for a share. RUM BRANDY gets cut in half when just looking to be competitive.