ANALYSIS

BEST BET: RACE 9, FUEGA

FIRST RACE

VERYNSKY has run quite well in his last few dirt starts, including a smart win over more expensive than these at DMR July 18 and a good 4th again vs. more expensive than these there Aug. 22. His speed can have him in it from the start. SAN GIORGIO showed guts graduating over this track at this trip July 7. His first try vs. winners at DMR Aug. 3 wasn’t much but again, that was his first start vs. winners and he was facing more expensive than he faces here. He’s worked twice since.MO DINERO was sharp from last fall into this June. Things have tailed off since but maybe he’s not that fond of DMR. It’s nice to see no drop and he ran well here last Dec. 15.

SECOND RACE

RAGTIME BLUES debuts for Baffert, who of course is well known for having his firsters cranked and ready. This son of G1 SW Union Rags cost $500K so you know there are some expectations here. He’s asked to debut routing, no easy feat, but has worked strongly and is bred for this. His lone sib is Tough Love (1-1-0-0, $25K). BRONN gives Baffert 2 looks at this and this guy has experience which may give him an edge. He showed talent in his first 2 starts at DMR and may be ready to put it all together. All 9 sibs are winners including Sunrise Kitty (30-5-6-7, $218K, SP), Sunrise Smarty (12-4-3-1, $191K, G3 SW, 2 SPs) and Humorous Chant (45-12-5-7, $132K). SPECIAL DAY was no factor in his sprint debut at DMR Aug. 17, ending up 6th, but you can always forgive first run. He can benefit from that outing and being by multiple G1 route SW Tiznow he may like this longer trip. His lone sib to race is Magical More (15-1-5-0, $34K).

THIRD RACE

BURN ME TWICE wasn’t beaten badly when 4th vs. $10K at SA May 25, a run that looks even better when you note 2 he faced came right back to win. He hasn’t been seen since, which is a tad worrisome, but trainer Spawr is superb off the bench, there’s a drop to help and he’s run well here. STEVEN DECATUR got bounced around at the start here Aug. 30 and wasn’t able to use his speed. With a better start he can be in the hunt from the bell. Note they claimed him for $2,500 July 25, doubled him in value for that Aug. 30 run and move him up further in value here. SEATTLE ENCOUNTER considers this his home base. He hasn’t done as well on the ‘bigger’ version of this track but comes here sharp and retains a rider who’s done best with him.

FOURTH RACE

COLONEL POWER showed plenty of promise when last seen, finishing 3rd in her debut and then 2nd, both here and both vs. straight maidens. Trouble is, ‘when last seen’ was July 2018, so there’s a very long layoff to ponder. She’s also dropped a bunch in class, which is a bit worrisome, too, as they paid $180K for her and are now willing to part with her for just over 10% of that. The good news is she’s worked well for Sadler who is strong off the bench. Three of her 4 sibs are winners including full-bro Jukebox Johnny (18-5-2-3, $68K). APPOLINA is the one to beat as she’s posted 5 2nds in as many career starts, the last 2 coming on this track. All her work has come vs. more expensive so the drop may be key, and you know she likes it here. She’s worked well for this. Her 2 sibs are Desert Image (42-7-10-4, $132K) and Alter Moon (11-3-2-1, $169K, SW, SP). PETRONILLA was no factor in her debut here July 4 but not only was that her debut, it came vs. much more expensive. She then tried turf at SAR Aug. 8 but was again no factor. She drops, moves back to dirt and worked strongly here Aug. 31.

FIFTH RACE

FRANKIE MACHINE posted 2 fine efforts here in July, finishing 3rd and then 2nd. He then went to DMR Aug. 18, moved up in price and to a route but after pressing the issue gave way. He’s back down in price and back sprinting and that combo might do the trick. QUANTUM FORCE was away a bit slowly in an 870-yard race here Aug. 11 and a tardy start going that short spells doom. He moves

to a longer trip and his prior form was smart.

CAPES HOT ROCKET comes here sharp including romping win over cheaper at FER Aug. 23. He’s done good work on this track.

SIXTH RACE

BELLA RENELLA showed talent in her debut here June 29 when running on well for 3rd and the gal she chased (Powerfulattraction) was just seen in the G1 DMR Debutante last Saturday. She was then troubled at DMR July 17 and then in too deep in a stakes there July 31. She’s back down in class and back to a track you know she likes. All 3 sibs are winners including Nova (19-3-2-3, $66K). NAVY QUEEN showed promise in her first 2 starts at DMR this summer, finishing 3rd in each. It won’t take much of a move forward to put her in the mix. All 9 sibs are winners including Repo (10-3-30-, $208K, 2 SWs, 3 SPs). JODIE FASTER brings plenty of works into her debut so she appears to have a foundation for a trainer who can fire first time out. Her lone sib is full-sis Willinlilvillain (7-10-1, $5K).

SEVENTH RACE

ACCORDING TO BUDDY hasn’t been seen in some time (over 7 months) and while his last 2 good races at SA came on turf, note a big maiden win on this track at this trip last Dec. 9. He drops for this return with some solid works for a trainer who does well off a long layoff like this. SHAKE N FRIES not only beat maidens when last seen, his run was significantly flattered as 5 (!) he beat came right back to win. Trouble is, ‘when last seen’ was Jan. 20 so it’s not only first time vs. winners, there’s a long layoff to overcome. He has worked well for this. BEA’S BOY was away slowly and unable to threaten at DMR Aug. 31. Note, though, not only did he have a poor start, that was his first start in 7 1/2 months. He can benefit from that run and today’s drop.

EIGHTH RACE

EMPRESS OF LOV continues her good work. She wired $8K claimers routing at DMR Aug. 15. Not only did Freeman see fit to claim her, he brings her back with no tag attached. She also returns to sprinting, a game she’s handled well before. CIOPPINO PASADINO comes here hot to the touch off 4 straight wins. That all came here so she calls this place home, and there’s no way to knock a gal who’s done so much good work (12 for 32). Not only did Azcarate see fit to claim her for $5K last time out, he brings her back where she can’t be claimed away. BRAGGING RIGHTS finished with good energy to be 2nd for $8K at DMR Aug. 16. That was her first start in 5-plus months so she can improve, and you know she loves it here (3 for 3 here).

NINTH RACE

FUEGA was a smart maiden winner in her only try over this track July 12. In her first try vs. winners at DMR Aug. 4 she pressed the issue from the start and stayed on to finish 3rd. Considering that was her first try vs. winners and came vs. more expensive that was a fine try. She’s worked strongly since, drops and returns to a place you know she likes. COILETTE blasted maidens in her debut here almost a year ago. Then came a long layoff but she’s run well in 2 of her 3 return outings. All 3 came vs. tougher so today’s drop with the return to this place helps. TENGS RHYTHM finished with good energy to be 2nd in a race like this at DMR Aug. 10. She figures to keep coming.