Daily Racing Form National Digital Edition
ANALYSIS
FIRST RACE
MIGHTY MOLLY was bumped at the start, took lots of mud in her face when stalking the leaders, split horses on the turn and finished evenly as a clear third in her career debut. That was an excellent learning experience for the half-sister to multiple stakes-placed turf performer Mighty Souper and she should appreciate the extra halffurlong to work with here. Some turf in this pedigree to consider for down the road, but Ness is 3 for 4 (75%, $4.39 ROI) over the past five years with older (4-year-old and upward) second-time starters on dirt. CORNETTA’S
CHOICE boasts some angles as she adds blinkers while dropping into a claiming race for the first time. No real chance last time as she tried to rally into a slow pace in a race dominated by a runaway winner, but her sloppytrack start two back puts her in the mix. New barn sent out two winners here on January 16. The concern is that she was listed as a vet scratch on March 31 and hasn’t raced in 348 days. KICKSTARTMYHEART is another taking a steep drop in class and she was 3 to 1 two starts back against waiver maidens. Fifth-place finisher from most recent start returned to run third in a maiden special weight with a 48 Beyer.
SECOND RACE
Although TARNISHED JUSTICE has lost at odds of 3 to 1 or less in his last five starts, he’s run some competitive races with excuses. Three back, he ended up five wide on the backstretch before attacking outside on the turn. Although he couldn’t get past the winner, he was very game to hold second. Most recently, he made a premature and prolonged four-wide bid on the backstretch to gain the lead at the quarter pole only to understandably falter in the final sixteenth. Owner/trainer/jockey combination scored with Charles Town-based first-time starter Fugiwhara (13 to 1) earlier in this meet. A TRUE GENTLEMAN swung extremely wide in similar spot two weeks ago and was slowly gaining on the top two finishers. He’s been in good form, but will need pace help up front to adequately setup his late rally. TOP HAT WARRIOR ended up three wide around both turns in recent two-turn outing at Penn National. The winner of that heat returned to Beyer 65 when second for an open $5,000 tag. Mageetrained gelding was a gate-to-wire winner the last time he tried fast going and might not have too tough a time of it on the lead here.
THIRD RACE
OLDIES BUT GOODIES, lathered up around the neck during the warm-up, went right to the front in salty optional claimer here earlier in the month but just couldn’t quicken over that muddy going when confronted by the sharp winner on the turn. He might have to deal with some other speeds in this spot, but is very quick, somewhat versatile if unable to make the lead, cuts back a half-furlong and might do better on dry footing. CHARGE TO VICTORY may not have beaten the best field in the world at Penn National, but he showed big mid-race speed to open up a clear lead before holding sway. He’s won four of his last five and might make the top one run hard early. FACTOR
IT IN could very well be the one to fear from off the pace if the top two hook ‘em up. Produced a nice rally to beat a next-out winner twenty days ago and goes out for barn that’s been on a run lately.
FOURTH RACE
FINAL PROOF received a nice trip when graduating on January 11. He showed good speed while being pressed by a 45 to 1 shot, opened up under confident handling on the turn and was all-out to just last while getting out a bit in the lane. Connections aren’t shooting too high in this spot and the Mineshaft gelding should be close to the pace once again. BRADY’S PALACE took step forward with blinkers and stretch out to seven furlongs when going gate-to-wire at Charles Town. Created separation on the backstretch and went about his business in the lane to earn field’s co-best Beyer Speed Figure. It’s worth noting that five horses have come back from that race with none hitting the board (best Beyer of 26).
TWO L’S MEOW tracked four and five wide entering the turn, attacked the 1 to 5 favorite turning for home and won comfortably over a field that included one next-out winner. Think this colt is getting better with each start and should be considered in the Pick 5 wagers as a strong late threat.
FIFTH RACE
NO QUESTION will race with Lasix off after an even performance in first start on dirt. She tracked a quick pace while slightly off the rail, angled to split horses three wide turning for home and finished evenly. May need to get closer to the pace than usual in this short field, but believe she still has some upside potential. JUDI BLUE EYES finished ahead of three of these rivals, including the top pick, when a runner-up yet again. She received a beautiful ground-saving trip under Victor Carrasco, seemed to have the momentum in the final hundred yards, but was pipped on the line. TOMA has not been quick out of the gate since returning from spring layoff and that could hurt her in this relatively pace-less field. Believe she is rounding back into her good form in third start off the layoff for very capable barn. Note that Whisman departs for REDEEMED SPIRIT, who might have a nice time of it on the lead after breaking from the inside.
SIXTH RACE
DOROTHYFROMDUBLIN goes two sprints to a route in the third start of the form cycle and has winning experience over this one-turn mile in the past. Saved ground at the back of the pack last time, split horses on the turn, eased out into the stretch and was running on when second-best to favored Truly Hot. She did get a quick pace to attack in a race that was falling apart late, but the pace figures to be solid once again in this spot. Note that McCarthy departs for Annika Gold. TANDA’S JOY takes big drop in class after chasing three-time stakes-placed Moon Virginia in starter optional claimer. Another that looks to be rounding back into form in third start off the bench and another that received a favorable pace scenario for closers last time out. BAMBOO GARDEN moves up on wet going as she is 0 for 14 with no exacta finishes on dirt, but she is another that comes into the race in good form with perhaps the right running style. Beat next-out 58-Beyer winner Glowing Star ($7,500 non-winners of three at Parx) in recent two-turn try.
SEVENTH RACE
MAGICAL LUNA battled hard with second-choice Ilchester Cheetah, put that one away on the turn, but was left vulnerable from the duel and couldn’t stave off the winner’s late kick. She’s finished first in three of her last five starts and might have an easier time making the lead on the class drop here. WIN THEN GRIN seeks third straight score after earning career-best Beyer Speed Figure over muddy going. She got a good setup that afternoon and would benefit if Competitive Queen attempts to race the top pick early. ONE SLICK CHICK is another that benefited from the quick pace in that January 3 start and goes out for Ness barn that is having a sensational month. Turning back to this seven furlong distance should work nicely.
EIGHTH RACE
POWERFUL VENEZUELA wasn’t embarrassed in first start following a layoff as he saved ground every step and finished evenly after jock dropped the stick midstretch at Parx. That was a pretty solid pace he was chasing for that level and he should be sharper with that race under his girth. TAPPAHANNOCK a very dangerous contender dropping in class for Jerry Robb. Might have gone too fast in the early stages of recent two-turn route before paying the price late. Sprinting might not be his game, but he’s won at a one-turn mile in the past and snugly fits this level. Whisman lands here instead of Seany P. BIG IRON can get forward after setting sharp splits over polytrack at Turfway Park. He’s won on dirt in the past and can work out a stalking trip while racing in the clear.