ANALYSIS

BEST BET: RACE 2, BREAKTHROUGH

FIRST RACE

Rainbow 6 players should be happy this one not in sequence with so many options to choose from in this wide open mix of lower level maidens on turf. SWEET GIANT overcame tough post, threaded way through field to finish second behind MSW dropper Magical Mike when returning to turf last month. Might prove right one if able to repeat the effort, always a question at this level. TRAFFIC TROUBLE fanned wide, finished with good energy behind preferred choice in their previous encounter and lures Irad for the occasion. MAYITO an over-bet, beaten favorite in his last pair and likely to be a short price once again having been on fringes with same kind in both those starts.

SECOND RACE

BREAKTHROUGH, the day’s best, scratched Friday for this seemingly softer looking spot. Son of Nyquist has been well schooled in the a.m. at several different venues. HYPERFOCUS posted a bullet on 4/17 at PBD, perhaps not as effective in last two works but son of Constitution sporting J/T combo that demands the utmost respect in this spot. RESTORED ORDER another Pletcher trainee entered Friday but scratched for this one. Fetched $400K at Ocala 2yo sale.

THIRD RACE

MARIPOSA BELLE comes up for a tag, gets a set of blinkers for the occasion. Ran well enough two back vs. much stronger to merit a look at what could be a fair price for barn in midst of a pretty good meet. CAT LADY the logical choice once again but a beaten favorite in last pair and must work out a trip at yet another short price from extreme outside post. TOKYO showed promise in career debut, could handle the slight hike with expected forward move.

FOURTH RACE

DANA GRACE ran far and away her best effort yet when returning to the turf five weeks earlier finishing behind only red hot Chiclet’s Dream while well clear of the others. Need only repeat effort to get back on winning track over what appears to be her preferred surface. SAND DRIFT freshened since another good showing vs. this same kind but a hanging sort who must sustain her late run to finally break through at N3L level. GET REWARDED comes off big effort to defeat N2L’s rather handily last time but taking step up to N3L here.

FIFTH RACE

POSEIDONS PRINCESS strictly the pick by default against this very weak bunch of bottom level maiden claimers. Showed some speed in lone local work and like the fact Saez sees fit to sign on for the assignment. CAPELINE sort of a new face herself to category tryiing dirt off a couple of turf efforts to launch career. NENITA should have some late kick shortening up to this distance off a pair of mile tries.

SIXTH RACE

RECONVENE came up perhaps a tad short when running bang up third after getting clear early stretch debuting for this tag on 4/17. Looks like he’s got enough speed to overcome the outside draw. STRONG HEADED could not quite overcome the bad draw he had in his latest outing but ran well despite that issue, thinking third could be a charm for this one even with the class hike. STONECASTLE another of many potential win candidates in this one. Overcame lots of early trouble, also from outside draw, to turn in credible effort in latest try, should trip out much cleaner from today’s draw.

SEVENTH RACE

ENVIED and COMPENSATE could prove beneficiaries of what might be a heated pace scenario. Former rallied belatedy behind in form(3 wins in a row) Poseidon’s Passion and even money Shippy despite wide run when trying distance for first time off the layoff. COMPENSATE rallied to be second best behind only even money, pace setting Hear My Prayer in the Melody of Colors. FOOLISH HUMOR hard used chasing HMP in what could have been a much needed outing in 3yo bow but facing similar pace issues here from Fast Scene.

EIGHTH RACE

RESERVENOTATTAINED goes second off the layoff while adding a set of blinkers to the equation. Should sit a good trip stalking the inside speed under Saez. WAR ACT had some traffic issues before rallying mildly under similar conditions last time. Continues to improve. LOUIE’S KINGDOM re-claimed by Rivelli barn last out, has been away ever since with quarantined runner who returns for nearly half the tag. Major player at this level.

NINTH RACE

EL TORMENTA one of two G1 winners in this lineup along with War of Will but obviously the more accomplished of the pair on turf. Tossing last when keyed up early from bad post. Sheds blinkers, draws inside, figures forwardly placed throughout.. AQUAPHOBIA tossed in at a pricecoming off another improved effort for new connections off the claim two back. Addition of Irad to the equation heightens the appeal. WAR OF WILL idle since Breeders’ Cup returns on turf, a surface he hasn’t tried since two. Working bullets over PM lawn for this. Must overcome extreme outside post at a short price.

TENTH RACE

HARBOUR MASTER makes local bow for new barn while taking big class drop in the process. Hard one to gauge but good enough to run these down if near his best. BATTLE OF BLENHEIM strictly one to beat. Ran game effort last time disputing pace, getting away in stretch before run down by late striding Conviction Trade. Could face similar pace issues with this lineup. BASHA hesitated at the break, was taken far back, had little chance although not badly beaten by Battle of Blenheim for second money. Might offer some value with a clean trip.

ELEVENTH RACE

Tons of speed signed on which should help R MERCEDES BOY get the job done after catching monster in undefeated Cajun Brother last time. TAP IT TO WIN showed much promise last summer at the Spa but idle now following pair of dull efforts vs. tougher going a mile and beyond. Back to what may prove his preferred distance here off series of good looking works both on the farm and at PM. I’LL FIGHT DEMPSEY regressed stretching to seven furlongs off strong debut effort earlier this winter. Back to six furlongs but could wind up part of early mix with several others here.

TWELFTH RACE

PEPPI THE HUNTER a popular winner for $8K tag last time now stepping up vs. a notch better for new connections. Question of whether old pro can repeat that effort facing stronger off the claim. TRAPPEZOID a beaten favorite following wide trip facing same kind three weeks earlier. Should be coming best of all at end. THE QUEENS JULES turned in big effort when making rare main track appearance, this distance, two back. Major player if able to duplicate that type of performance in finale.