ANALYSIS

FIRST RACE

FLYING LIBERTY is the class of the opener, dropping from a $25,000 to $16,000 conditioned claimer after rallying to be third Apr. 2; winning connections and on the board in five of seven turf starts. ARCHITECTURAL has been competitive in all three of his starts for a tag, but in contrast to the top choice, he is moving up the claiming ladder - from $12,500 to $16,000 after a runner-up finish Apr. 27; perhaps can improve a bit in his second start following a three-month layoff. TWISTCAT CANDY work up after a series of thumpings with a third Apr. 27 when just a half-length behind ARCHITECTURAL; seemingly not a good win-bet candidate given his 1-for-25 record, but seems capable of being a part of the gimmicks.

SECOND RACE

HEAVENS PULPIT has twice run third in as many starts, first on grass and then on dirt; been a bit slow to get in gear from the gate and can move forward if she gets her act together there. MS MESHAK lost touch with the field early when debuting Apr. 22, though a troubled start contributed to that, before rallying belatedly to be fourth; every right to benefit from that start. SMARTYBOOTS is one of a couple fast-working first timers for trainer Ralph Nicks, who also has UKULELE in the lineup; both look like possible factors, but prefer ‘BOOTS off a half mile in 48 seconds May 9.

THIRD RACE

MISS JAK disappointed in the Apr. 21 Game Face with a 20-length defeat, but had won her two prior starts; rates on the edge in the move into an allowance and due to possessing tactical speed in a race with surprisingly little. MY COUSIN MARTHA, a rallying second Apr. 5, would have been the selection if this race drew more speed; deep closers tend to settle for minor awards to a great degree, particularly when they don’t receive adequate pace. KATHY’S CLOWN had to go to Tampa to break her maiden in her sixth race, but at least flashed speed in that race; similar tactics would serve her well in this relatively paceless lineup.

FOURTH RACE

YES DARLIN, in sharp form and consistent, is top dog on Beyers, having run figures in the 66-70 range over his last three races; none of his rivals have run better than a 65 over that same three-race period. GOLDEN KANTHAROS crossed the wire first in his last two, though he was disqualified from his latest for drifting out in the lane; posted just a 56 Beyer last out but has shown the ability to run faster over his career. JERSEY STREET goes from the N2L to N3L ranks after blowing away lesser Apr. 22, albeit in slow time; plenty of back class and a trainer/jockey combo winning a 31% clip in 2017-2018.

FIFTH RACE

GRAYDAR’S RESOLVE didn’t draw as well as other leading contenders in this maiden claimer on the lawn, starting second from the outside, but maybe with a stalking style in a race with seemingly plenty of speed, he can work out a decent trip; a second, a fourth, and a third in three starts leading into this race. CONISTON ran a much-improved second Apr. 19 when moved to the grass, though the race came against cheaper and when he was able to make the lead; trickier task today with more speed in the lineup and jumping from maiden $20,000 to maiden $35,000. DYNAMIC DANCER ran evenly through traffic to be fourth Apr. 19 in a comeback race after five and a half months on the sidelines; more accustomed to sprinting than routing but did run third at this 7 1/2-furlong distance in December.

SIXTH RACE

California invader FRENCHMEN STREET faces

easier in this turf sprint after racing against better going down the hill at Santa Anita a couple of times this year; speedier than what he displayed in his latest when surprisingly 11th of 12 early before he closed to be sixth. SILVER WINGS REVEN acts the best of these that exit an Apr. 22 race over the local turf. Although fourth, he appeared second best, having lost a few lengths at the break when sideswiped. GREEN MANSIONS rallied to be the runner-up in that contest, also with trouble at the start, though not to the same extent as SILVER WINGS REVEN. First timers SARASOTA COUNTY and OFF THE MARK also merit consideration, with the former costing $315,000 at auction last year, and the latter coming off a couple bullet works at Palm Meadows.

SEVENTH RACE

After gaining seasoning over his first few races, TRAVY BOY has since responded with a pair of runner-up finishes against maiden $10,000 claimers; latest was his best, in terms of a speed figure and also since he didn’t make the lead and kept battling from a chasing position. CAPE MARCO DRIVE has hit the board in three of his six dirt starts - which is better than most in this unaccomplished field. HIGH MISCHIEF ran behind the top choice a couple times in recent starts, including by just three quarters of a length in a start May 4; lessening his appeal is a 0-for-32 record.

EIGHTH RACE

ERASMO’S DREAM rallied to be third in slowpaced allowance Apr. 21, and should elevate his game in a race that drew more speed; as a late runner he seems likely to lose ground on the second turn, but he ought to be able to at least save ground into the first turn from post three. ARCHER ROAD, much improved since the winter, just won a Florida-bred allowance Apr. 20; yet to race in an open one other-than, but his numbers suggest he fits. Speedball ADONIS CREED caved when fifth most recently but typically holds better than that; possesses a 9-3-2-2 record when routing on this turf course.

NINTH RACE

MANOLETE is three-for-five this year, and seems the class of this starter after just winning an open first-level allowance; enough pace to set up his closing charge. CHATIMENT was never a threat after getting bumped early in a race over a “good” track May 5; excuse that race and his previous two starts on fast tracks vs. easier starter runners resulted in a win and a second. FUNDY’S TIDE goes from turf to dirt after showing speed before tiring late to be third after setting a lively pace; gives the impression of being better suited to distances shorter than today’s mile trip.

TENTH RACE

MARTINI KID took the long way around when fourth with a wide trip in a $12,500 starter Apr. 21, covering 63 more feet than the winner according to Trakus and only losing by three quarters of a length. After landing post 8 of 9 last time, this time he is drawn well in post 2, putting him in position to get a better trip. MR. ONLINE was farther off the pace than usual Apr. 29 and didn’t challenge in a dull effort, but if one forgives that race he did manage a couple thirds here in March; a return to that form puts him in the mix. HOT AND HEAVY is a comebacking dropper that perhaps can be forgiven for a couple distant losses in his last two. He was burned up in a speed duel in one race, and the other time raced on a dirt, not his preferred surface.