ANALYSIS

BEST BET: RACE 5, LITTLE DIPPER

FIRST RACE

Hard to predict condition of track for today’s card with rain in forecast at press time. BREAKING BREAD one of a number of main track only entrants in opener and surely the controlling speed if the race moves to dirt. Might not look back. PERU suffered through a less than clean trip when disappointing behind Hogans Holiday last time but taken to make amends at her best. LUCKY LONG hard to fault in current form. Has cycled back to top of her game at the present time.

SECOND RACE

ELISSAS SECRET comes off far and away her best yet when beating a field that produced pair of next out winners to boot. Should trip out well stalking speed of Mertz and Noncents. MIDNIGHT MIRACLE the only 3 time winner in the field and should kick on late turning back to her most effective distance. STRONGER KAT trounced weaker in her previous two tries. Must prove she can maintain form for new barn.

THIRD RACE

AMALUNA stretches out to her most effective distance, easily ran by better last time at a mile on 12/27. R WAY TO ESCAPE sharp as a tack at the present time off those last two wins at Tampa but stepping in against better today. GRACE’S DRAMA another in peak form at the moment, back in familiar hands off the claim but facing better jumping in with starter company here.

FOURTH RACE

LISA MILA in new hands today and might have a pace edge if handled aggressively, clearing off early under Jaramillo. GARDENCITY GAMBLER should also have a say in the early running while aggressively spotted vs. winners off popular maiden win. GLOTONASA easily handled preferred choice in their first encounter but might not get quite the same pace set up in rematch.

FIFTH RACE

LITTLE DIPPER can handle turf or dirt and looks like controlling speed no matter the surface in this spot. Might not look back. FIRST APPEAL a six time winner who is also versatile enough to handle either surface. Will need some help up front to set up that late kick. SPEED STAR exits best yet from a Beyer standpoint. Can’t ignore. Knarsdale training well for new connections off long hiatus. Perhaps better suited if this one moves back to main.

SIXTH RACE

BULLGRATS never got untracked first time with winners but appears to be facing softer with this bunch. Might have enough speed to steal this one if hustled along from outset. FLORIDA COTTON second best in game effort behind 6/5 choice last time but a hanging sort who has burnt a lot of money of late. TRUE BOOTS not badly beaten by same kind last out and works say ready for another top effort in this category.

SEVENTH RACE

UNCOMMON FACTOR her own worst enemy leaving the gate, puts shades back on after getting a little more gate schooling in for this. Outside post and Paco on both should be plusses as will be the class drop to this category. Perhaps one to catch turf or dirt if she can leave with the others. SONOMA STORM another getting some class help after showing improved speed with blinks on last time. CURLIN’S DANCE a new face to a pretty weak category and with breeding to handle turf if this one goes that way. Wouldn’t have to be much.

EIGHTH RACE

ELLAS MY LOVE returns to level at which he was easily second brest two back behind next out N1X allowance winner Trio of Champions in late December. Repeat of that should be good enough

here unless SCAM is able to repeat out of the blue 88 Beyer effort from last time behind class dropping, 9/5 winner Mr Joshua. WILDCAT’S LEGACY another coming off big effort albeit over wet track nearly two months earlier and Saez does run to top choice today.

NINTH RACE

WILDWOOD DANCER a starter allowance killer of late since haltered for $16K last fall at Keeneland. Hard to look past even at the short price. ROYAL SQUEEZE steps up in company off the claim and another improved effort last time albeit on turf. Back to preferred surface for new connections. DUPREE the preferred one’s uncoupled mate and rabbit for that one last time although sharp in defeat despite early pace engagement.

TENTH RACE

PASSIONATE EMOTION looks like a good fit in final turf or dirt staying put off the claim and another solid effort for this tag. STORM TEMPLE PILOT demands respect getting class relief off decent showing vs much tougher in each of last pair. ICE SHOW lost best chance when off slow as the favorite vs. same kind in off the turfer several weeks earlier. Could make amends if leaving with the rest.