ANALYSIS

BEST BET: RACE 4, SHARPIN

FIRST RACE

Being a May foal, it’s understandable that KEEPER IN SPITE is a little late for her coming-out party. A half-sister to stakes-placed dirt sprinter (and debut winner) Change of Season and stakeswinning turf sprinter (and juvenile debut winner) Oldies But Goodies, she shows a steady string of workouts leading up to her debut for alwaysdangerous barn. Don’t want to completely give up on HOSS KITTEN as she drops to the $16K level for the first time. Two back, she was taken in hand to rate out of a tight spot, then bid four wide for a minor award behind next-out 63-Beyer winner Magical Luna. Last time, she broke well, but was outsprinted over a muddy track in a fast race for the $25K maiden claiming level. Nice fit here. PRINCESS CADEY takes big drop in class after squaring off against next-out maiden special winner Wonder City (56 Beyer). Lone one-turn sprint effort resulted in runner-up effort against the very talented Miss J McKay.

SECOND RACE

BOAT OVER THE HILL raced down on the rail the entire way in initial route appearance only to flatten out in the final stages. Don’t think there’s as much pace in this lineup and he might be able to stay a bit closer to the leaders. PROMISING PISTOL didn’t break very well and ended up taking mud while far behind a slow pace in recent sprint. He seems more effective at this longer distance as evidenced by his solid gate-to-wire maiden score the last time he tried this track and trip combination. Should be prominent early. LECTRIC CHOKE steadied when being tapered in from outside post to work out a beautiful ground-saving, pacetracking trip, It was a clever ride and the gelding responded once shooting through an inviting opening along the inside swinging into the stretch. Got help up front that day and it might be a different scenario here.

THIRD RACE

BUDDY’S RUN ships up from Florida after facing next-out winners Vinnie Van Go (85 Beyer in 12.5K claimer at Gulfstream) and Fully Loaded (81 Beyer in $16K beaten claimer on turf at Gulfstream West). Lightly-raced colt can move forward in second start of the form cycle and is now under the care of high-percentage Gonzalez barn. MARYLANDER tried to rally into slow fractions in return from early summer layoff and now adds blinkers for very capable barn. Seems like a nice fit at this class level, but will need some pace help. SEANY P paid the price after going very fast up front, but still finished well ahead of next-out 67-Beyer winner Catonsville. Makes first start off the Robb claim and could have an easier time of it on the lead here.

FOURTH RACE

This $16K ‘beaten’ claimer seems like a nice spot for SHARPIN’s local debut after she handled a weak allowance field at Mahoning Valley. Raced three wide and in between horses on the backstretch, got the split turning into the stretch and was just too good for that group. Don’t think the one-turn route will be an issue and she has good early speed when asked for it out of the gate. The jury may still be out as to whether MAMMA DEE is a better filly on turf as the dirt score two back came in a race that was switched to the main track, and she didn’t do much running (albeit against tougher allowance foes) most recently. Solid Beyer from two back puts her in the mix. RAVENEL makes first start off the claim after facing next-out 61-Beyer winner Swirrlie Shirlie. Chased a quick pace in that heat before packing it in late and could find easier fractions to chase here.

FIFTH RACE

CAROUSEL MARGE didn’t break well in career debut, then got on track late while rallying on the outside in slower division of $10K claimers on November 22. O’Dwyer barn won with second-out juvenile winners Shotski (11 to 1 odds) and Cruise and Danze (7 to 1) over the past ninety days. WIN THEN GRIN seemed to be moving sweetly into the

stretch, then drifted out badly when the beaten favorite here last month. She’s shown hints of ability in her career. SMART ENTRY passed some tired horses last time, drops in class and adds blinkers. Wouldn’t be surprised to see a bit more early speed.

SIXTH RACE

Not sure what we’re going to get from SAVVY STREET as he drops precipitously in first start following 337-day layoff, but he finished ahead of Forty Acres when last seen in a race that produced three next-out winners. Has the back class and back Beyers to be a threat if ready. DEDICATED made first run into the teeth of a hot pace before flattening out in the lane and was claimed by dangerous Magee barn. That was a live race as the winner returned to finish second with a 65 Beyer while the third-finisher came back to score with a 67. Consistent performer at this level is a logical factor. KING OF ALL MEDIA hasn’t raced in 399 days, but trainer Mark Reid sent out Allthewrongreasons to win here following a 445-day break and is 3 for his last 4 ($4.80 ROI) with horses that have been off a year or greater.

SEVENTH RACE

SACRED WALK returns from 268-day layoff for the waiver (ineligible to be claimed) in first start for new barn. Perhaps this distance is a tad short for him and this race might simply be a prep for something longer, but he has several Beyers that exceed par fort his level including a facile pacepressing win on the Ides of March. PRAY WITH FAITH looks to be racing back into shape as this will be his fourth start following a very long layoff. Exits solid heat that produced next-out winner Wrong Ben and Blue Y Gold (came back to finish third here in a $25K starter/optional with a 76 Beyer). Expect early speed, but he tried seven furlongs for the first time. BIRDIES HONOR gave an improved performance last time out and now makes first start for barn that has won with four newly-claimed runners over the past ninety days.

EIGHTH RACE

KINGSTON PIKE saved ground behind a three-ply pace battle, altered course outside in the stretch and powered past his rivals in first start off the claim. It was a good trip, to be sure, but he’s been in very good form since the summer and might offer value once again. DIVINE INTERVENTIO missed the break, then had no pace to attack when facing razor-sharp Bobby G in most recent appearance. Farrior barn is 3 for the last 10 (30%, $4.18 ROI) over the past ninety days with newly-claimed runners. I IDOLIZE YOU might find the pickings a bit easier here than down in South Florida this time of year. Might need to call upon some of his back early speed.

NINTH RACE

Thought MARGIE’S BAND ran well in her career debut last year as she rallied evenly along the inside before galloping out with some interest. Looks like she was simply in too tough against classy Las Setas before going to the sidelines for a long layoff. Figures to have gained fitness after chasing next-out winner Kateandlillian (42 Beyer for $14K maiden tag). OYA seemed to run in spots in debut and is training swiftly (presumably with new blinkers) for first start off the Capuano claim. Big drop in class after facing Tiz a Sharpie (hit board in next three races with mid-50 Beyers each time). BROADWAY TROUPER has run some decent races at this level and boasts some price potential here.