Daily Racing Form National Digital Edition
ANALYSIS
FIRST RACE
A new 4-day week gets under way with a 10-race Thursday card that starts at 1:15 ET and with HIDDEN STRENGTH finding an ideal spot for a stretchout. Spots don’t get much softer than this, even on the bottom rung of the mdn.-claiming ranks; Destiny Oaks homebred figures there all the way with the hot young bug in the saddle. FRANCISCAN comes the main foe after showing signs of life upon coming into the Mongeon fold; seems a fast track would better her chances. SEDITIOUS might as well give the dirt a try.
SECOND RACE
Assuming this one stays on grass — last week was a difficult one for keeping the rains away — we’ll lean toward BLACKJACK BABY after the gray dude got a much-needed start July 18; turf sprinters a legit specialty for the Klesaris barn. On the hedge, BLACK JET has been away since mid-May but otherwise has the right credentials to succeed at this ‘beaten’ level; note the 25-pct. strike rate for Baxter with these layoff types. ANOTHER SOFTBALL and G Q COVERUP also have been off for noteworthy durations; must be at their sharpest to potentially upset. Off the turf (and there’s been rain in the long-range forecast this week thru Thursday), a trio of outside draws all turn into major threats, those being MYSTERY WITNESS, TREV, and TAKE CHARGE DUDE.
THIRD RACE
The one-mile distance is an obvious hurdle, but sure seems like ELISSAS SECRET is the most capable in this abbreviated field of ‘beaten’ fillies and mares; shrewd handling from Zayas can make her double-tough in this light spot. MARY LEE AND ME was a romping winner going a mile vs. 3yos at the championship meet but hasn’t gotten a lot done since then; does belong with these, though. CHIQUI THE GRAY stretches back out when making her first start for Eppler; speed to factor in throughout.
FOURTH RACE
The humbling COLONELS DAUGHTER took in the Treasure Chest is no biggie, as her 62-1 odds tell the tale that she was pretty much overmatched anyway; in a far better spot today when back in for a hybrid $35k condition; well-timed move under Zayas can do this. SNOWZILLA has never hit the board in 5 turf attempts, so maybe the Imaginary folks are hoping this gets rained off; still, even on turf, she’s got enough class to muster up a competitive effort. MOTHERWELL clearly fits with these, although the 10-week layoff gives cause for slight pause.
FIFTH RACE
Sure looks like MALETTA is a bingo free-space start to the Rainbow 6, which hasn’t had its jackpot swept in more than a month now; Midwest homebred was a good 2nd vs. $20k maidens and now drops slightly when facing the unproven and the disproven; something like 2-5 seems about right as you whittle this thing down to a pick-5. WHERE YA GOIN OWEN drops in desperation; probably good enough to end a tiny exacta. FAYEZ and the first-time gelding VERDICT IS IN both can improve enough to vie for the placings.
SIXTH RACE
The gray SWEET BLOSSOM got closer than she’s ever gotten to breaking her maiden last out, and the 14th start could be the one to take her over the top as she takes on another 3yo Ky.-bred who’s also been denied for too long, GOLDEN TAP, an 0-for-11 chestnut with 3 straight runner-up finishes into this; highly likely that it’s Graduation Day for one of them. BEV’S STRENGTH is lacking Beyer-wise vs. the top two but does make her first start for a claiming tag.