ANALYSIS

BEST BET: RACE 8, RIVER BOYNE

FIRST RACE

First post, 12 noon. Runner-up twice since switching to turf, MAJESTIC EAGLE is spotted for a maiden win third start following a layoff. He finished more than three lengths clear of third last out; the cutback from a mile and one-eighth to one mile is not an issue considering his runner-up finish in a sprint two starts back. Obvious choice. JUNGLE WARFARE is an eight-start maiden that finished in the money all eight starts. Third last out while only a neck behind the top choice, JUNGLE WARFARE has been gelded since. DESERT STONE makes his California debut after four starts in New York. He faced good company last fall. Although he is racing at the same level (maiden special weight), he might be dropping in class against these locals.

SECOND RACE

The promising third-place debut by GO GIRL GONE stamps her the one to beat in this maiden-20 race for 3yo fillies. ‘GONE was well-backed first out, chased a fast pace and stuck in there until deep stretch. That race was six and one-half furlongs; she benefits from the cutback to five and one-half. She is far from a sure thing, however. Secondstart maidens MONGOLIAN RAHY and COW DOG might offer greater wagering value. MONGOLIAN RAHY showed speed in morning works prior to her debut, but broke slowly from an inside post and finished sixth. With a race under her belt, and a clean start, she figures as a front-end contender. COW DOG had a brutal trip first out. She broke slowly, encountered trouble on the backstretch, rallied into contention, then faltered. The inside post does her no favors, but she probably has more ability than she showed first out.

THIRD RACE

If this stakes race for Cal-bred fillies and mares stays on the hill, horse-for-course HOW ABOUT ZERO would be tough to beat. She scored decisive victories both downhill starts including a stakes last out over four of the five she meets again here. She has speed, she can finish, and enters as a deserving favorite if the race stays on turf. MISS SUNSET would benefit if weather forces this onto the main track, but her speed makes her dangerous on either surface. The 8-for-14 filly is the most accomplished in the lineup; she will lead as far as she can. While she might prefer dirt, she ran well both previous starts on the hill including a frontrunning stakes win on “good” last winter and a creditable third behind the top choice in January. Win or lose, MISS SUNSET is the one to catch. BARBARA BEATRICE will roll late; CUDDLE ALERT should get a good trip alone in second.

FOURTH RACE

OMDURMAN has plenty going for him in this $10k claiming sprint, including a pace scenario that plays to his pressing style. This field came up short on speed; OMDURMAN, an 11-for-37 pro, could fall into the lead and coast uncontested. Or, from the outside post, he has the option of pressing soft fractions. There is one additional positive factor, although it might be an aberration. Ten of the 41 races this meet at six and one-half furlongs were won by a horse breaking from the outside post (irrespective of field size). HERE AND THERE finished third at even-money last , but he had an alibi. The pace was slow, the one-two frontrunners dominated, HERE AND THERE rallied from last. He was claimed by Jeff Metz, gets a top rider and probably benefits by the stretch-out from five and one-half, to six and one-half. CHROMIUM should be forwardly placed, though he could not have asked for a softer pace than last time when he finished second. FINALLY GOTABENTLEY adds blinkers and returns to the level at which he was re-claimed two back by Derek Meredith.

FIFTH RACE

An evenly matched N2L field races a mile on turf for a $25k claim tag, DARK ENERGY gets the nod