ANALYSIS

BEST BET: RACE 8, BABY BEAR’S SOUP

FIRST RACE

Hard to be enamored with any of these but UNION REBEL has some semblance of form, coming off a string of decent outings. Yes, the last 3 came on different footing (2 on GG synthetic, 1 on GG turf) but prior to that he fared decently on dirt in NoCal. vs. likely tougher, too. MALIBU MAGIC has yet to be a threat in the lane in 9 starts but the colt spent all that time facing tougher. He’s worked well for this and maybe today’s drop can get him headed the right way. LEVI’S SAINT JAMES was no threat at any point in his first 2 starts but he gets blinkers and has worked decently since his last start. Two of his 3 sibs to race are winners including Trouble’smyname (57-3-4-8, $42K).

SECOND RACE

Baffert has had an amazing year with 2yos and as good as he is first time out, he’s just about as good 2nd time out. FIGURE EIGHT ran on decently to be 2nd in his sprint debut at DMR Nov. 17 behind highly regarded stablemate Coliseum. He can benefit from that run, has worked well since and may enjoy this longer game. His lone sib is El Dulce (6-1-1-1, $78K, SP). GUM TREE LANE, a $320K sales buy, was slow into stride in his debut at DMR Sept. 1 but ran on decently for 3rd. He was well backed that day, too (2-1) so somebody saw something they liked. He’s been freshened, has worked steadily and moves to a longer trip he may enjoy. Two of his 3 sibs are winners including Tensas Carlos (17-2-2-1, $57K). SALAH has shown talent in his 3 starts, 2 of those routes, though he steps up in class here. GREEN FLEET is Baffert’s 2nd bullet. The son of 3yo champ Afleet Alex didn’t do much in his debut but it’s far too early to give up on him. His 2 sibs to race are multiple winners Go Go Rocket (42-11-8-6, $290K) and Oakton (31-3-5-2, $187K, G2 SP).

THIRD RACE

CONQUEROR finished well to be a sharp 3rd here Sept. 6, beaten just a half-length, while facing tougher., He hasn’t run since but has worked steadily of late and the drop may do the trick. His 2-for-2 at this 7f trip. LINDANTE dueled and paid the price at DMR Nov. 30 but not only did he duel, that was his first start in over 11 months. He can surely improve off that run and the slight price hike encourages. Two of his 3 wins have come here. SPOKANE EAGLE comes here in good form and makes his first start for Belvoir off the claim. That was the 4th straight time this gelding was claimed, too. He has speed to be in it from the start.

FOURTH RACE

LOVE YOUR LIFE looks back on track. After a dull 870-yard run here Oct. 20 he moved to a longer trip on the shorter track here Nov. 11 and gamely won, then finished a solid 2nd on this course at this trip Dec. 8. He’s winless in 7 starts at this trip but 4 2nds and 2 3rds show he handles it. CHRISISCOOKIN ran 3rd to the top pick in that aforementioned Nov. 11 race, then came back to be 3rd going 870 yards on the shorter track here Dec. 8. The move to this longer trip may help. FANS ON THE RUN makes his first start in over 17 months but he drops for this, has run well here and signaled he may be ready with a bullet work here Dec. 4.

FIFTH RACE

CUTE KNOWS CUTE dueled and paid the price for twice this tag at DMR Nov. 17, fading to 5th as the 2-1 favorite. The price drop certainly helps and her speed with the rail draw is attractive. WE WILL RE JOYCE is another with speed. She comes off a fine 2nd vs. $16K open foes at DMR and you know she loves this place (5-4-0-1). The combination of speed and affinity for this place likely makes her the one to beat. ALLOTMENT has ample speed herself. Yes, she’s been running on different foot-