ANALYSIS

BEST BET: RACE 2, I IDOLIZE YOU

FIRST RACE

Another 4-day race week starts Thursday with a 9-race card consisting of 5 turf races (all odd-numbered races) and 4 dirt races (all evennumbered races) — that is, weather permitting. Showers are in the forecast for much of this week ... there’s the SoFla rainy season for you. Either way, we’ll assume turf is a ‘go’ today when calling VENEZUELAN FOREVER the most likely winner of the 1:15 ET opener; gray gal jams down for a dime after facing capable sorts in the state-bred starter ranks the last few months; handy style sure fits well in a race with very little speed signed on. Right alongside, FAITHFUL SUE also has a forward style and sufficient quality to contend; she’s a last-out winner (albeit via DQ) for a slightly higher tag to boot. MADISON BLUES has been first or 2nd in half of her 8 starts over the local lawn.

SECOND RACE

One of the Brothers Navarro hasn’t been able to collect a ‘W’ with I IDOLIZE YOU since claiming him off Servis by way of Saffie, but this aggressive drop into a ‘beaten’ bottom-rung race ought to remedy that oh-fer; tiny mutuel is deserved in consideration of the soft competition here. ORGANIC JENNY turns back slightly when having the blinkers removed; 3yo has enough to grab part here from the favorable outer box. ROYALSTON seems a must-use under for the tri’s and supers.

THIRD RACE

The two inside draws, GRAN SAMAN and TIGER BLOOD, both are listed at less than 2-1 on the track morning-line, and that’s probably right; they’re clearly the principals in what shapes up as a better-than-average field for this starter/optional level; wow, take a look at their combined records of 9-for-11 (plus two 2nds) over the local course; what a battle this might be. GO GONE GONE and EARTH should vie for the minors.

FOURTH RACE

Short field of MSW 3yos going long appears to have ARMANDO R as the one to beat, assuming he can stay close enough to what most likely will be a slow pace; the last-out runner-up finish at this level is better than what the other 4 bring to this; another favorite with an apparent edge. SWEET GIANT flashed some ability in his first-and-only; liable to try stealing away from his rail slot. MANICOMIO, the ‘other Bezara,’ resurfaces as a firsttime gelding in search of a minor upset.

FIFTH RACE

There are worse practices than defaulting to Bobby Dibona whenever grass races are run over the GP turf, and that’s essentially what’s happening here with ZAO’S DREAMS as the top selection; veteran conditioner has really found a niche since moving to this circuit; this filly, like her trainer, tends to do her best work on grass. LABHAY was a laterunning 2nd as the favorite for this same condition last out; logical enough. ANABELLA QUEEN, with 1 solitary win alongside 11 2nds/3rds, is a compulsory must-use ‘under’ in all verticals.

SIXTH RACE

ROSEPATH, 3 for her last 5, comes jamming down for a $6,250 tag while still eligible for these ‘beaten’ conditions by way of the familiar 3yo exemption; gets an extra half-furlong from which to extricate herself from the rail; A.Delgado taking full advantage of that 3yo loophole. MAMBO DANCER suddenly came to life when frolicking in the slop just 6 days ago for J.Delgado, who might well have stumbled into something good by way of that off-turf shift; was it an outlier or no? BIRD OF PEACE, you’d think, can be forgiven (slop) for that debacle of a first out for Dobles.

SEVENTH RACE

A return to the grass would be very much welcomed by GLORY ROLL, who at least has maintained fitness for Joey O. in those last 2 off-turf efforts; outer boxes can afford both she and her next-gate neighbor, TRACY ANN’S LEGACY, clean

stalking trips in a lineup filled with more than ample speed. SUGAR BOLT might be the quickest of them all.

EIGHTH RACE

Been more than 5 months since the public last saw MR ATILA, who resurfaces in the Barboza fold after facing good ones at the championship meet; with a solid slate of works behind him, he’s favorably drawn in the outer box and figures to show more speed than normal when fresh; ‘beaten’ conditions sure do suit; trainer’s numbers in the categories that apply here are outstanding. OH DANNY BEAR was 2nd at this same level last out; clearly fits. BLINGS EXPRESS steps in with that remarkable record of 48 1sts/2nds from 80 starts; major player, obviously.

NINTH RACE

Speed’s always a danger, and so it is that STRAND DE ORO returns to the grass with that valuable weapon; experience helps in these circumstances, as does the outer post from where he can do her thing; J.R. homebred can go deeper than she’s been going. GRAN BRANDY is another live one for Barboza; extensive work slate suggests she’s sufficiently schooled to overcome the tricky onehole; sure to attract her share of play. TANGLED TALE ran respectably in her debut last month and stands to improve for her underrated stable.