ANALYSIS

BEST BET: RACE 1, STRATUS BIRD

FIRST RACE

Since running second against better in her debut, STRATUS BIRD has won two straight in wire-to-wire style as the odds-on favorite for this tag. She seems to have everything in her favor to make it three in a row today. She has the best speed and is running for a high-percentage barn. If you want to quibble, you may wonder why she hasn’t had a work in the three weeks since her last win, but she is the one to beat. BLUE CHIP BETTY will run without blinkers for the first time as she gets a big drop after a disappointing try. Late last year, she ran races that could beat the top pick, and she does have enough speed to be part of the pace picture. WE WILL RE JOYCE just stalked the top pick, running evenly behind her in her in her first start in six weeks. She’s drawn outside, which works to her advantage.

SECOND RACE

GET LIKE ME gets a drop to the bargain-basement level today. He likes the one-mile distance and has been part of the exacta in five of eight starts at it. Stalker type draws the rail where he’ll be able to save ground and get a good trip. BURGER AND FRIES has never won here, but he’s hit the board in his past five starts, including a runner-up effort when favored last time. He’s willing to sit back a bit early although he has stalking speed. INVERTIGO ran evenly while running a bit wide last month when dropped to this level. He was claimed and has one easy work for his new barn.

THIRD RACE

ON THE KEY is bidding for a hat trick today and has been showing improvement of late. His two wins have come in starter competition at a slightly lower level, but he may actually have been meeting tougher than he’s facing today. He’s sharp and makes his presence felt in the stretch. JOE STAR won his debut here following four months on the sidelines and has run consistently since his arrival here. Found himself well off a brisk pace last time but did finish with interest in a fast race. DIZZY DANCER has been given a six-week freshener since a nice win last time, and he’s worked steadily since, including a bullet in his last work. That was a much-improved effort, and he’ll be a factor if he repeats it.

FOURTH RACE

GAMBLER’S APPEAL has never missed a check when running for this tag and just missed by a head as she made a strong closing kick in a sprint last time. Prior to that, she hung a bit in her first try at this distance since a turf try last fall. Consistency and potential value make her the pick here. MAYDAYMAYDAYMAYDAY dueled for the lead in her lone try around two turns but had nothing left in the lane. She has finished well in sprints in her past two starts and is getting a 10-pound weight break today. MOONLIGHT MYSTIQUE has hit the board in her past two starts which were he first two tries at this distance. She’s a steady performer who seems nicely spotted to make herself a factor in the lane.

FIFTH RACE

GEE STREET has run third in all three starts this year and gets the ultimate drop to the bargain basement level today. She was a turf specialist down south but has transferred her form nicely to the Tapeta surface here. She’s making a quick turnaround after sprinting here last week and should appreciate the chance to go two turns again. MY CARMELA has been the runner-up at this level and distance in all three starts this year. She’ll be a pace factor again today. SHE’S PRETTY WINDY has had many chances. She has picked up checks in both starts at this level and is dropping back to it after chasing the top pick last time.

SIXTH RACE

NEAT N TEIDE moves into a new barn after running third at this level in her first try at a route. Barn does well off the claim, and having a route under her belt should help her as she makes her first start in five week. Does have an easy work in the interim. BONNIE’S RANSOM outfinished the top pick last time and figures to be the one she’ll have to hold off today. She’s shown ability at a mile both on turf and the main track. She lost to the top pick sprinting last year. IRISH STREETSINGER responded to a drop to the bargain-basement level by scoring a game graduation victory when she rallied through the lane. She’s meeting better today but has been working steadily in the six weeks since her maiden win.