ANALYSIS

BEST BET: RACE 7, HONZA

FIRST RACE

HIGH HOURS turned in likely his best race since being imported to the U.S. from Brazil when third in stakes company June 30, a start that marked his first race with blinkers; perhaps ready for another forward move in his third outing of the year. Morning-line favorite DIDDLEY is the one to beat on current form, having finished second, a length and a half in front of HIGH HOURS, most recently. He does not have the early speed of others, however, which can present a challenge when sprinting five furlongs on the lawn. LITTLE CHESNEY is lightly raced and a touch fresh after not having started since a fourth in the Crystal River June 3. A fivefurlong specialist, he is most effective when given over a month between starts - the case today.

SECOND RACE

DEPUTY CZAR stands out on dirt form and figures, having run second in two consecutive races at Gulf, earning Beyers of 68 and 76. None of his rivals has managed a single runner-up finish or a Beyer higher than a 61 on dirt. UNCLE LARRY is lightly raced and in the dominant Pletcher stable, and therefore seems a candidate to fare better than what he has shown in his two starts; had a troubled trip when sixth on the turf most recently, a race he may have needed anyway after nearly eight months off. SQUARE THE CIRCLE is a fastworking first timer who zipped a half mile from the gate in 46 and change June 7. He shows gaps in his worktab, though - first in May and then in July - though there is of course the possibility a work or two went unpublished.

THIRD RACE

HELEN VIRGINIA rates on top over MISS CASUARINA in the opener, dropping in class from $12,500 to $6,250 company, while ‘SWALWART moves from N2L to N3L company after a blowout victory. ‘HELEN has never started for this cheap of a tag in her 17-race career. MISS CASUARINA crushed N2L foes on the stretch out to a mile June 24. After being an off-the-pace runner in races going six furlongs or shorter, she relished the long, one-turn mile and made a clear lead down the backstretch before extending her margin at every call; might regress a bit on the cutback to seven eighths . BEAUTIFUL ALLY seems best used underneath in the gimmicks. Although selected third in here, by far her favorite finishing position is second (29-211-0 record).

FOURTH RACE

5-1 shot FLORA FANTASY does not have the grass experience of others, but it has not been from a lack of trying from her connections. Twice she has started in scheduled turf races that were transferred to dirt due to rainy weather. Although sixth in one turf race in October 2017, that race may not be representative of her grass ability - as it came in a route, not sprinting. LOVE FLUTE was freshened after running seventh with a troubled trip May 31. Excuse that race and her overall form when sprinting on the lawn is respectable, though she has settled for quite a few minor awards over the past year and a half. READY FOR SUMMER is among the most appealing on class and figures, but rates behind the top pair due to not having started since February; a couple fast works this month but still has a right to return a bit rusty.

FIFTH RACE

CRUMB BUN has run promisingly in two starts, first with a third vs. Florida-breds and then with a second against open maidens; came up a little empty late in those races and now adds Lasix; slight edge in what seems a contentious group. LADY DUDE set the pace in her first start, and then treated to be a well-beaten third after getting discouraged after Catherinethegreat blew past her on the turn. There was no shame in that - the latter

came back to win the Schuylerville by four lengths at Saratoga last week. BELLA CIAO debuted with a third, though in a short field of six. The 44 Beyer she ran is matches up next to the top figures of the top pair. Of the others, first timer REGAL RAGS is probably the most dangerous, having sold for $120,000 at auction in April.