ANALYSIS

BEST BET: RACE 8, DALAL

FIRST RACE

The forecast called for heavy rain on Thursday putting the status of turf racing for Friday’s card in jeopardy at press time. THE KID IN SYD beat more than half the field despite trouble at the break in his Ky finale and may relish the stretch to a mile while making third start of his form cycle. Could be best of a fairly weak lot. QUASAR MOON a new gelding since his last start, switches to dirt and gets some much needed class relief. Looks like the most logical choice. DAD’S YANKEES has the speed to try to steal this one from the rail at what could be a square price.

SECOND RACE

ITSMYLUCKYCHARM wheels back on short rest off game two turn turf score now shortens up a tad in distance, returns to dirt, gets tepid nod in current form. ROYALLY COOL obviously hard to fault off his runaway maiden win over next out grad Shall Return(on turf with just a 40 Beyer), one of many speed types in this lineup. BARGAINAIRE another multiple winner in the field coming off a career best number but must prove she can repeat the effort in new hands.

THIRD RACE

PROUD AS PUNCH has turned in a couple of credible tries from comprising posts to launch career and likely knocking on the door here although could be a question mark if this one switches to the dirt. CLINT MAROON another who might be better on the grass considering his breeding. Hasn’t missed a beat in the a.m. since his career bow. KING OTTOKAR kin to G2 turf winner Free Rose so turf probably the best option. Exits key race when finishing mid-pack in a key race that produced trio of next out winners.

FOURTH RACE

AWESOME THOUGHT Looks like a horse who’ll really benefit from the wet track, rarely runs poor one with this kind. Has the speed to be forwardly placed throughout. DIAMOND BACHELOR better on turf than dirt but did run bang up second around two turns despite extended pace duel in crosstown finale. Major player with repeat of that effort. FIRE MISSION beat much better under $40K tag late this summer at Belmont Park and another who would probably benefit from a wet strip.

FIFTH RACE

GERRYS BIG WIN turned in sharp turf bow although equally adept on dirt as well. One to beat no matter which way this one goes. ROTATE comes up tagged while also getting Lasix for the first time but obviously would be best suited if this one goes as scheduled on grass. W W COUGAR a daughter of Kantharos so automatically demands respect off the bench and especially on turf.

SIXTH RACE

GO GO JAK has won his last pair by a combined 10 1/2 lengths and obviously nicely spotted for this tag on hike to N3L level. Hard to pass despite the short price. Tossing DANCING STARLET when caught wide, tiring late. Previous pair points her out the one to fear with Zayas re-claiming the mount. OPTIMISTIC SHOT second best as the 7-5 choice first off the claim for current connections. Knocking on the door with this kind.

SEVENTH RACE

FORT KING by More Than Ready probably better suited to turf than dirt so hoping this one stays on grass as scheduled. Dueled, faded late trying two turns earlier this month. Might not look back if this one goes as scheduled on sod. GEARHEAD has been rained off the turf in three of four previous starts so why not once more? Son of City Zip proven on both surfaces. COLD WARRIOR figures

to improve after stretching to seven furlongs, trying open company last time and would likely love the grass being by Kantharos out of a Devil His Due mare.

EIGHTH RACE

DALAL, the day’s best, battled ultimate winner Mia Angeliina to late stretch before coming out second best in crosstown finale while easily second best of a dozen and need only repeat that to graduate with this softer looking group. WICKED MANDATE taking the ultimate drop from MSW to bottom level maiden claiming, working well, should show marked improvement today. MAMA LELA finished fourth of a dozen behind preferred choice despite ducking in sharply and banging off inside fence in early stretch. Dons shades, could be the sleeper if keeping straighter course with the equipment change.

NINTH RACE

CHISELED entered for main track only and likely the beneficiary if this one comes off the grass. Beat same kind over sloppy track in “off the turfer” here in September. ZAP DADDY and BLUE LUTE the two logical choices should this one go as scheduled although neither have any main track experience and would be underplayed if they were to go on the dirt.

TENTH RACE

SENSATIONAL ZIP shows up for bottom tag after racing exclusively against MSW opposition to launch career. Obviously lots of red flags here but he does show a steady series of works at GPW in preparation for his bow. CODESEVENTYSEVEN, like preferred choice, obviously has his issues, the $200K yearling purchase launching career vs. lower level maiden claimers and with a fairly extensive work tab of his own. AMANECER the third member of the field going MSW to bottom maidens so obviously another player in wild looking finale.