ANALYSIS

FIRST RACE

The weather forecast Friday is sunshine; the condition of the main track and turf course is uncertain following nearly a week of rain. STAY IN YO LANE was overmatched last out, he benefits by a class drop from N1X to $18k-20k claiming. His “sloppy” track maiden win two back might be good enough. Only five entered this seven-furlong claiming sprint for 3yos, but all five have a shot. Front-runner RUNNING W SCISSORS could vie for favoritism based on a fine runner-up finish last out. He dueled on fast fractions, got the best of his pace rival, was worn down late but finished far clear of third while earning the top Beyer (65) in this field. ‘SCISSORS is the speed of the field, and could be long gone even at seven furlongs. GLEYBER, stablemate of the top choice, misfired last time without a visible alibi. But his maiden win two back puts him in the hunt. He could get a great trip sitting second behind the speed. IRISH POLO and LEAD STAR both go route to sprint, while facing easier.

SECOND RACE

This non-winners of three claiming mile is scheduled for turf. SPEAKERS was compromised by a bad trip last out. She was hard-held and unrelaxed in traffic much of the way, then blocked from the top of the lane to deep stretch. She finished third by three lengths in an inconclusive effort. Back at the same level, in a field with more speed than last time, she is good enough to win with a clean trip. MONGOLIAN WINDOW insures pace, along with the stretch-out sprinter drawn to her outside. ‘WINDOW pressed fast fractions and faded last time in a N1X; these $35k claiming N3L rivals are easier. WIND TARTARE finished fifth in the same race as the top choice; ‘TARTARE did not have a good trip, either. She was three- and four-wide wide throughout, her late rally was ineffective due to the slow pace (winner led gate to wire). With more speed to run at, and a switch to the last rider she won with, ‘TARTARE has a legit chance to win from behind. SUBIC BAY finished in front of three of these last out when second, though she benefitted from a perfect trip saving ground while chasing slow fractions. COME ON KAT is the afore- mentioned stretch-out sprinter that will keep the pace honest.

THIRD RACE

Another small field, but same as the opener, contention runs deep. AWARD IT had no shot last time when finishing fourth. A closer, she was wide most of the trip in a race dominated by speed. Assuming realistic fractions this time, AWARD IT can win from off the pace. MAJESTIC DIVA moves up one level and stretches to two turns following a sold runner-up finish at seven furlongs. The consistent mare is possibly challenged by the twoturn trip, however. She is 1-for-9 at a mile; this is the first time she tried a mile and a sixteenth. She shows up every race, but could be vulnerable at the distance. EMPRESS OF LOV looms an upset candidate. She has been a sprinter most of her career, but she did post a $29.20 route upset here last March in a two-turn mile that was run over a track labelled “good.” If the surface is still wet on Friday, ‘LOV is a must use. MISTRESS OF THE NIGHT finished second last time, in front of the top choice, though ‘NIGHT benefitted from the slow pace.

FOURTH RACE

This maiden sprint for fillies and mares is scheduled to be run on the downhill turf course. STORMING LADY, a seven-start maiden, gets the tepid call. She finished in the money her last five starts including two on the hill. Claimed from a runnerup finish for $50k last out, these MSWs are not much better. ‘LADY is the lukewarm choice to win with a pressing trip. MAGICAL GRAY returns from a two and a half-month layoff. Based on recent