ANALYSIS

BEST BET: RACE 7, CUMMINGS ROAD

FIRST RACE

LUCAS N’ LORI placed in two of his three excursions, most recently in his first two-turn try where he had a wide trip under Da Silva. He worked fiveeighths the other day, and seems poised to put it all together. SKYNYRD ran evenly along the inside in a stalking position when third behind the top pick in his improved second start Nov. 2. BREAK AND ENTER is stretching out with a blend of speed and stamina in his pedigree.

SECOND RACE

MR. CHEERFUL has worked well since an improved third-place finish in a similar spot Oct. 28. He might be ready to pop in his fourth race off the bench, with the leading bug Kimura back in the tack. RIVERBOAT GAMBLER was a front-running third the only time he competed on the Tapeta in September. Contreras climbs aboard and is 3 for 31 at the meet for this barn. The debuting SOUPER SCAT DADDY is an expensive son of the late supersire Scat Daddy, and his dam dropped the G2 stakes winners Travelin Man and Discreet Dancer. His works left something to be desired.

THIRD RACE

STOLEN IDENTITY had just one work leading up to the Bull Page Stakes due to a virus, and he exited that Sept. 23 race a little under the weather, according to trainer Bill Tharrenos. The flashy bay has worked encouragingly leading up to this OS N1X, in which he drew ideally on the outside in a compact field. CORDUROY ROAD prevailed in a front-end battle before drawing clear to graduate at first asking in an open six-furlong maiden special Oct. 20. He figures to lead the way, with the top choice in close proximity. CAPTAIN HANDSOME had a troubled trip along the inside last time when he disappointed in the Frost King Stakes. He came from off the pace to capture his debut, and could be an effective closer in his first try under Da Silva.

FOURTH RACE

KITTEN’S SOLUTION faded to third after battling for the lead in a route at this level Nov. 11. He ran big in each of his last two turnback races, including a second to a sharp rival in a six-furlong sprint Sept. 26. COLLEEN’S SAILOR is stepping up off a reclaim by trainer Vito Armata, off a troubled third for $8K. Kimura takes over to get the lead out on the 13-time winner. SPEIGHTSTOWN TIME can pick up some of the pieces, and STAY DETERMINED could get the better of BAKERSFIELD in the projected front-end battle.

FIFTH RACE

MARSANTROPIST met much tougher on a speedfriendly track in a recent $10K route, in which she gave way in the final furlong after setting an honest pace. She figures to wire this group of rock bottom $5K claimers under the 10-pound bug Twomey. BLUE PEARLS finished a flat fifth after a stalking trip in a slow-paced, $6.25K tilt two weeks ago. Perhaps Santos will get more run from her here. IMAGE OF LUCY rallied wide from seventh to beat out BLUE PEARLS for fourth at a big price Nov. 16. This third race off the bench could be a peak one for her. Use THALIAS FIRE underneath in the gimmicks.

SIXTH RACE

The 10yo RUN TO THE BANK is winless since 2016, but a repeat of his wide second over an insidebiased track for $10K on Oct. 7 would be good enough to get the job done in this nickel claimer. BEST BARD flattened out to third after closing from eight lengths back over an anti-speed track when plunging to $10K Nov. 18. The 8yo is surprisingly winless in eight starts since leading trainer McKnight took him for $40K last year. BOLD ANIMAUX went too fast on the lead before tiring Nov. 14. A less-aggressive approach could serve him better this time.

SEVENTH RACE

When trainer Jim Ensom gets these classy older runners going in the right direction, they often

stay good for a while, and CUMMINGS ROAD fits the bill. He earned a 76 Beyer in each of his last two outings, including in a victory at this level Oct. 26. PAT DADDY was steadied early and then dropped back before closing for second behind the top choice in his latest. He’s debuting off a claim by a capable conditioner. SOUTHERN GREATNESS was bumped shortly after the break en route to a fading fourth Nov. 14. He’s a gutsy competitor when racing up front, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him make all the running. RED AT LAST rarely runs a bad one.

EIGHTH RACE

BLAKEY got hung out four-wide on the first turn in a speed duel before riding an inside bias the rest of the way when third in his first try at this NW3 class Nov. 9. GUY CABALLERO is dropping from second-level optional-claiming company following a layoff. The stakes winner has been working on a regular schedule, and can acquit himself well when fresh. SPLIT MY PANTS saved ground until the far turn before closing wide to nose out the top pick for second in his best performance since the spring Nov. 9. SPECIAL FORCES is another contender in his second race off the Kevin Attard claim.

NINTH RACE

DAVKA raced wide over an inside-favoring track when landing his second straight $10K conditioned claimer over seven furlongs Nov. 9. He gets to stay at the same level because he’s a 3yo, and his tactical speed should come in handy under Simon Husbands. MAKE MINE A MANHATTAN tracked a fast pace over a speed-favoring track en route to a comfortable score vs. $10K NW2 stock Nov. 17. The flashy chestnut drew favorably towards the outside with Chernetz back aboard. HEYDON’S CASE is cheapening up off a win over $20K NW2 rivals where he disposed of another leader. ALLIED INSTIGATOR is a longshot possibility for the exotics.