ANALYSIS

BEST BET: RACE 11, DULL KNIFE

FIRST RACE

DAZZLING PROSE didn’t have the best of trips last time after beating this same kind to the wire two back only to lose the maiden win via a stewards DQ. As good as any if able to repeat that effort in opener. BRILLIANT LIGHT obviously a huge question mark off the layoff and drop to this level after closing out ‘18 with a near miss for twice the tag. May prove vulnerable favorite. FAYETTEVILLE a new face to the category plunging to bottom off year and one half layoff. Wouldn’t have to be much.

SECOND RACE

DAGNEY’S WARRIOR poorly drawn in post 12 while also over-matched in her last pair now drops into selling ranks for first time, might assert class edge with clean trip from the rail. LADRONA also gets some class relief returning from extended vacation. Figures forwardly placed throughout. O. K. KAY another dropping in for a tag off series of off the board efforts with better. Re-unites with Irad today.

THIRD RACE

ELLA BROWN got checked, shuffled back early, did well to finish third in promising turf bow. Dons shades. Can be along with expected improvement. NOBLE ALMA not badly beaten by Pletcher firster in her initial outing on grass. Johnny V. stays. Logical in this spot. KNOCK has not missed a beat in the a.m. prepping for bow. Tabbing board for clues with this one.

FOURTH RACE

CUCKOO KENIA just failed to run down 6/5 Queen Roller in open $6,250 claimer now finds an even easier spot against these conditioned claiming types. Should be along with repeat of last. ITALIAN SMILE has not had the best of trips while on the fringes in each of last pair. Might be worth a look at the price with the double bug aboard. LAUR NET goes turf to dirt, ran well enough on main in the past to get a look with this relatively soft group.

FIFTH RACE

CEEVEE shows up with a price tag on his head today and likely loose again in this spot. Looks like good fit here. May not look back. GALTON back to the grass for first time since the fall, old pro knkows his way around the winner’s circle. One to fear. GIANT RUN beaten a head for same tag in Belmont finale last fall. hard to leave out of the equation along with the old man Slim Shadey.

SIXTH RACE

FASHION BREAK drops to weakest level yet, showed enough promise on grass in only previous try last summer at Monmouth to get top billing in this wide open dash. THE TWO NANCY’S did not get the best of trips last time vs. similar but fits with this crowd with clean sailing. FIRST APPEAL back to what she does best, sprint on turf, for first time since switching barns earlier this winter.

SEVENTH RACE

Very little to choose from in this one, siding with class dropping BLIND RUCKUS who drops for this tag for first time in his career. RIGO obviously one to beat if managing to repeat that out of nowhere 61 Beyer less than three weeks ago. DON FAGER as good as any of the others for one of the minor awards.

EIGHTH RACE

PAYNTER’S BOY drops to more suitable spot, lures Irad off KING ORB, could be ready to get back on winning track against this group. KING ORB a pretty consistent sort from a Beyer standpoint, looks loose again on top, strictly one to beat. HOOVER TOWER dropped far back, raced wide, never had much chance in local bow. Tossing in at a little price with double bug up.

NINTH RACE

A zillion question marks in this one. MASS APPEAL showed little launching career on dirt but bred for grass being a half to G2 turf winner Ride a Comet. Working bullets over Payson sod for this. SIR CHUBBY comes off best yet and could prove very dangerous if loose on top under Jaramillo. THE ROCK SAYS one of several new faces in the lineup. Showing good speed over PM main in the a.m. and likely to turf by Uncle Mo out of a More Than Ready mare. High priced youngsters such as Largent and Militiaman also tough to leave out of the equation in a race that probably cries out for the “all” button in the Picks.

TENTH RACE

Taking BRAVER THEN WE ARE as a price alternative to logical PASSIONATE HACHI staying put off the claim, stretching out to a mile today. Ran well enough two back to consider in yet another toughee. Passionate Hachi game as can be to outlast same kind 3 weeks earlier, just a question of whether he can repeat the performance especially if pushed hard early as expected by Zuliano. MONTT back to the dirt, might prove major beneficiary if this one really ties up at the end.

ELEVENTH RACE

DULL KNIFE, the day’s best, didn’t get the cleanest of runs in U S bow while not badly beaten in a race that produced trio of next out winners including A Trheat of Blue who returned to win Dania Beach going away next out. Kin to G1 placed Qurbaan should show big improvement here. Stable mate CLINT MAROON could make it a 1-2 finish for team Pletcher in his present form. SHAZIER returns to his favorite surface, could be the sleeper if able to run back to big effort vs same kind two back.

TWELFTH RACE

IMPACT PLAYER turned in big comeback effort from well off the pace under similar conditions earlier this winter, expect to see him more forwardly placed today. Will likely have to fend off TIMBER GHOST who improved leaps and bounds during 2nd half of 3yo campaign. Seems to be training forwardly for this. WILL’S PIONEER in dangerous hands since last. Will take ‘em a long ways on front end today.

THIRTEENTH RACE

HOT FUDGE HONEY drops another notch off improved showing last time behind 9/5, class dropping Alpilles and like fact she’s lured Tyler