ANALYSIS

BEST BET: RACE 2, PRETTY OVERDRIVEN

FIRST RACE

RUMSON RALLY and HEZA KITTEN figure to vie for favoritism and the top prize in today’s opener. Former gets the nod exiting another improved effort for nearly twice the tag. Latter should get first run on preferred choice despite shedding shades but has shown to be a hanging type of late losing a mid-stretch lead in each of his last two starts. ALPHADAR may prove best of the others.

SECOND RACE

PRETTY OVERDRIVEN has been hard pressed, run well in each of her last pair including recent setback at the hands of in form, class dropping Royal Asscher. Looks to be loose, able to relax up front with this group. Should not look back today. ALLIYA’S STORY drops into the category for the first time and should prove good fit at this level. FERGIELICIOUS has been away since October but has enough class to merit close attention for barn which can have ‘em ready off the bench.

THIRD RACE

CONISTON took first run at the lead, paid the price while continuing to improve from a Beyer standpoint and taken to finally seal the deal today. HONEY DONT turned in a couple of good efforts both locally and at GPW during the fall/early winter and works have been promising for return to favorite surface. VINO finished just behind preferred choice after racing forwardly throughout last time while jumping to far and away his best Beyer yet. Obviously has found his niche for this tag.

FOURTH RACE

GRAND UNION broke a step slow, rushed up rail, steadied back sharply losing all chance when heavily back for his debut while catching wet track to boot here last fall. Drops, Jaramillo stays and note that last gate drill at GPW. Might prove too fast for these if able to leave cleanly today. CAGLIARI second best behind well back, class dropping Queen’s Bird in latest while posting far and away his best effort to date. One to fear. HEATED ELEMENT second best in each of his last pair vs. a notch cheaper but hard to leave out of the equation. Hasta La Byebye didn’t get the best of trips in what may have been much needed return vs. better. New gelding eligible to better the effort.

FIFTH RACE

SPAC could not quite overcome wide trip from impossible post when dropped to this level last time, stays put off the claim but getting much better start position first out for new connections. GENERAL JUNE beat half the field in her debut now gets some class relief at second asking with J L taking the reins. Lots to like. CLOCKSTRIKESTWELVE didn’t get the best of trips debuting at the MSW level now plunges to bottom, adds blinkers. Expecting much better at what should be fair price here.

SIXTH RACE

MATH WIZARD and BRONZED both coming off freakish efforts in their last starts and hard to look past as the two legitimate win threats in this one. Former already proven at the distance and with a couple of nice looking works under his belt since latest try. Bronzed improved leaps and bounces off the claim for his current connections although must prove he can handle the added ground which likes won’t be much issue for this barn. One to catch if away clean from rail. GRAN PARAISO overcame tough trip to win his latest, can’t ignore off that game try.

SEVENTH RACE

Taking a flyer with class dropping MONACO PRINCESS who was hung wide the entire trip launching career vs. better in her bow. Blinkers go on,

might be sleeper at big balloons with this average looking lot. FOLLY drops after being on the fringes with better in all three previous local starts. Lures Luis. One to beat. KINDHEARTED KOTA an improving sort from a Beyer standpoint, should come running for at least another minor share.

EIGHTH RACE

RICHIE’S SISTER a popular item at claim box in her current form. Returns to favorite surface and in very dangerous hands off the claim. Too fast for these if she leaves with the field. VALUABLE PACKAGE a question mark making turf bow off a very long layoff. Shows up with blinkers and demands respect just by fact alone she’s a daughter of the exceptionally good grass sire Kantharos. SALT POND has already proven her mettle at this level although disappointing as post time favorite with same kind last time.

NINTH RACE

DANCE PROUDLY got a bit of a break after handling same kind rather handily as odds on choice in 2018 finale. Has not missed a beat in a.m. Should be along again with clean sailing and some early help with the speedy SLEEPING GIANT who dropped frustrating decision vs. same bunch three weeks earlier. DAY OF RECKONING turns back to a sprint after showing speed in series of longer outings, offer a formula for success in these turf dashes.

TENTH RACE

STARSHIP TAXI did all the dirty work before being picked up at the end by Sky Point two weeks ago but need only repeat that kind of effort to finally earn elusive diploma in the finale. ROCKY STRANGE has been freshened for return to main track, showed enough here last season on dirt to merit respect against this relatively soft bunch. VAUGHAN knocking on the door with this same kind since getting on the main track. Can’t leave out of equation for at least a share.