ANALYSIS

BEST BET: RACE 6, GIANT STORM

FIRST RACE

DANI’S VICTORY rallied inside for third when switching to the turf for his third start following an extended layoff June 22. The 4yo is being reunited with Boulanger, who was aboard for both of his triumphs last year. BAKERSFIELD showed speed before fading to fifth in a recent turf experiment against tougher. He worked a fast half-mile the other day for the always live McKnight barn. TINKER RING missed the break before checking in fifth behind several classy rivals in a $12.5K starter allowance July 11.

SECOND RACE

CUMMINGS ROAD mounted a mild wide bid to finish two lengths back in fifth against $20K stock in his latest, but the win-shy veteran should be more prominent in this $12.5K turf tilt. His hot trainer is 5 for 13 (38%) second-time off the claim during the past five years ($2.62 ROI). MILWAUKEE MAGIC is taking a three-race win streak on the main track into his turf debut. He doesn’t have an abundance of green in his pedigree, although that’s not a prerequisite for success in grass sprints. SUMERIAN BELL ran better last time when fourth while cutting back from a mile to six and a half furlongs. Put him on the bottom of the exotics, along with SKY MARSHAL.

THIRD RACE

CARDINAL KITTEN has worked nicely for a trainer with decent stats with first-timers in routes. The 4yo is a full-brother to the talented Banned, a multiple G2 stakes winner on the grass. ENCYCLOPEDIA faded to fourth from a stalking position when debuting in a nine-furlong maiden special June 17. The son of Smart Strike could be more effective with blinkers on in this 10-furlong maiden special, even though his trainer has weak numbers with maiden second-timers in turf routes. ENGLISH CLASSIC fought for the lead before weakening to second when beating MO GEE and ENCYCLOPEDIA June 17.

FOURTH RACE

AIRY FAIRY took the long way home while closing for a nose loss in her first turf start in a similar spot on a hot/humid day July 1. She’s worked quickly over the turf training course in the interim, and should take some beating with Ryan retaining the mount. CORKER is a wild card in her local debut. The Maker charge was beaten six and a half lengths the only time she tried the grass in an open maiden special at Keeneland. Use TREASURE FINDER and TWO TRIBES on the bottom of intrarace wagers.

FIFTH RACE

CONNORS SENIORITA blew away $8K maidens with a mediocre Beyer when adding leading rider Hernandez in her third trip postward July 8. She’s well-spotted in this $6.25K NW2 event, with Rafael back in the saddle. RING FOR ESSA raced wide throughout before closing on her left lead for second against slightly tougher in her latest. MISGUIDED PASSION finished just behind the latter in third after a wide/stalking trip July 6. Note that Moran broke her maiden.

SIXTH RACE

GIANT STORM came wide from a stalking position to win another optional starter with ease as the favorite a month ago. He should have another lovely trip tracking the speed here under a hot Da Silva, who was aboard for that last race. BEAR AT LAST checked in second for the 11th time last out after a stalking trip in a $25K route on the Tapeta.

Hernandez stays aboard and is 2 for 6 at the meet for this veteran conditioner. DECISION DAY wound up second behind the top pick when switching from turf to the main track in his second start off the bench June 24. The classy 6yo could dominate the front-end proceedings.

SEVENTH RACE

BEAR PAW broke in the air and then trailed in seventh before rallying to finish second for the second straight time after some late trouble June 23. This barn’s go-to rider Contreras takes over on the second-time Lasix-user. BIONDETTI’S CHOICE is descending from the maiden special ranks to make her first two-turn start on the Tapeta, with blinkers on after going a race without them. DESDEMONA dueled for the lead before fading to fourth behind the top pick when she went long for the first time as the chalk June 23. CODDIWOMPLE is stretching out with the pedigree of a router.

EIGHTH RACE

COURT CENTRAL has worked extensively on the Tapeta for her first outing since early April, when she was claimed for $12.5K at Gulfstream by Maker. Her freshness might be an asset, and the addition of Hernandez is a plus. BILKY BLUZ is plunging in value off an uncharacteristically poor showing for $40K, and is no stranger to filling out the exacta. BOLDNPOSSIBLE pressed the pace en route to a second when stretching out to a route July 7. SAVANNAH ROXANNA is halving in price to a new low.