ANALYSIS

BEST BET: RACE 1, TIZ MAJESTY

FIRST RACE

It may be now or never for the 1-for-30 TIZ MAJESTY, who not only has some of the better figures in the field but also seems to hold a pace edge; unlucky in that last run. PALUXY PRINCESS has the rail and a hint of speed, and that should enable her to stay close from the start; that would be an advantage if the pace is in fact controlled. ONLY ONE WISH stretches out in her third start off the break and should work out a forward trip from her inside post.

SECOND RACE

EVERLASTING SECRET makes her 2018 debut and seems to land in a good spot, as she has competitive Beyers as well as enough early speed to make the lead in this relatively paceless race; barn solid with new faces. CAIRENN is very consistent, due in large part to her tactical speed, which helps her to work out good trips regardless of race flow; rail draw a slight concern, as she had trouble breaking cleanly from post one at Aqueduct two back. Speaking of consistency, MISSCHIEF MAAS has hit the board in 17 of 19 career starts, and she has steady Beyers; easy to like for exotic play.

THIRD RACE

MOON OVER A BEAUTY was a beaten favorite when last seen but that was actually a very good effort, as he closed nicely for the place in a sprint where the speeds held the edge (note the inverted “S” symbol in DRF pp’s); figures to make the last run here given a better set-up. STEPHEN’S ANSWER was third at this level in her latest, and the resulting Beyer makes him a contender in this race; positional speed a plus. SOUTHERN BARBECUE was no threat in his latest when a remote third but given quicker splits up front he license to improve today.

FOURTH RACE

VOLPINATOR has decent works showing and he debuts for a barn which sports a positive ROI with firsters; first starter out of the dam, who posted her lone win in a dirt sprint. BESTIA was very well bet for the debut run but a slow starts cost him his best chance; dam was best on turf, posting five career wins, all on the green, but her only runner to start posted both of her two career wins on the main track. EL GUERRERO AZTECA has had his chances (12) but he also has some of the best Beyers in the field; would be no surprise.

FIFTH RACE

OLDFASHIONED CLUB rises in class but he’s in very good form for trainer Jamie Ness and he figures to use his early zip to his best advantage in this optional claimer, which lacks a clear-cut pace scenario; may in fact be the one they have to catch. THREES OVER DEUCES is the one to beat on the strength of that most recent Beyer, an 81, which was easily a careerhigh for him; short price likely, though, and he’s more likely to regress than he is to run back to that figure. TAKEDOWN was behind today’s favorite in that last run but he has license to move forward off that effort in his third start off the layoff.

SIXTH RACE

PARAPENTE was moving deceptively well through the lane in that last sprint try, and though a slow start cost her in her debut she posted a representative figure; extra distance should work to her advantage. BLUE STRIKE adds blinkers and moves to the rail for a barn which does well with that equipment change; tactical speed a big plus. SPECIAL INCLUDED stretches out for a barn with positive numbers with such runners; should be rolling late.

SEVENTH RACE

GOTHAM NEWS went down as the favorite in his latest but he was closing well though the lane;

overall record makes a short price tough to take but he figures to offer more value here, with MR.

EURO in the race. The latter is clearly going to be tough at this reduced level, as his Beyer stand out and the barn does win with this move; value the main concern. LOVE AND CARE has sped and the rail and figures to be prominent from the start; could prove a threat to steal this if able to get clear easily enough in the opening stages.

EIGHTH RACE

NICO BREE N TEEJ was off the board as a very heavy favorite when in against older rivals but that was no easy trip, as he was caught up in a racelong duel with the eventual last-place finisher; that battle cost both runners but this colt should be expected to rebound today with a more favorable race flow likely. CORDMAKER didn’t fare better with blinkers added for his latest and he removes them for his first start of the year; may be the main threat late. BIRDIES HONOR should be a factor from the start; last couple of Beyers give him strong credibility.

NINTH RACE

Will have to overlook that dull try last time to but into CAN’TMAKETHISUP but his prior efforts are plenty good enough; will be looking to make the last run but he also has the positional speed to get the jump on the stone closers. SAN CRISTO had some traffic trouble in that last run and did well to finish a close-up third; showed a bit of a rating gear there but he may be at his best when on the front end. RUMBLIN KYLE was a game 2nd, missing by just a neck, in that last one, an effort that stamps him a contender back in a similar spot.