ANALYSIS

BEST BET: RACE 9, MALIBU MAX

FIRST RACE

Tough one on turf, pretty much per usual, to start the day. OXBURGER ships in from Fair Grounds where he kept steady diet of MSW company. Appears to have a pace edge over the several logical contenders in here if rider chooses to use it breaking from rail. CARDIAC KID dropped to this level, turned in game effort dueling much of way with LIMETINI before coming out second best as tepid fave last time. Must avoid similar conflict with same foe today.

SECOND RACE

CONSILIUM winless in a baker’s dozen chances but has knocked on the door on several occasions with this kind. Finished down on dead rail last out. Might be able to run these down on his best at a bit of a price.VOICESINTHEDARKNEZ looks like controlling speed once again if hustled along from outside post. Ran well when plunged for this tag the first time. MACHO D’ORO comes off far and away a career best effort from a Beyer standpoint although did hang late racing out in better part of the track that day. Obvious player if able to repeat the effort back on three weeks rest.

THIRD RACE

LET’S BE HONEST drops for cheapest tag yet, should be able to sit a nice stalking trip from outside turning back to six furlongs.WELL BRUSH MYTOOTH the big question mark showing up for this price in local bow off dull looking five-eighths breeze at Palm Meadows. Has speed to lead these merry chase if up to top try at this time. SMITTEN FOR SMITTY also has a turn of early foot, returns to more suitable level, switches to more experienced pilot after being overmatched last time.

FOURTH RACE

CRYSTALINA led through mid-stretch, faltered late behind Saffie Joseph Jr. trained and 1/5 Etana in her latest and lightly raced 3yo filly eligible to move forward off the effort. Will have to beat another short priced favorite here with WITCH HUNTER strictly the one to beat off the claim but who was defeated at 1/5 by the 34-1 Union Lane last time. UPSY DAISY DO readily ran down and passed preferred choice in their previous encounter but a non-winning sort still seeking a diploma at 15 tries.

FIFTH RACE

PROJECTED gets tepid nod dropping below level for which he won last out at Tampa Bay Downs and to the cheapest level of his long and successful career. Old pro eligible to score right back with a clean trip. HOT AND HEAVY another dropping in price off solid try last time, finishing third of a dozen in a race that has produced pair of next out winners including also-ran Farley who won for $16K in his next try. THE MIGHTY JUDGE earned career best Beyer winning more recent start but moving up to open claiming company for first time here.

SIXTH RACE

WELL CONNECTED ran credibly in only previous try earlier this winter and training forwardly for return for new barn. Should offer some value along with Louisiana invader MAN OF HONOR, who has also looked good lately in the a.m., squaring off against logical choice and likely odds on IMA PHAROAH, strictly one to beat off pair of near misses to kick off his career.

SEVENTH RACE

R U LUCKY entered main track only off game and popular victory just six days earlier, would be nicely spotted if this one comes off grass. FACTORINO over-matched against likes of Tiger Blood expecially after getting knocked around at the break last time. Speedy sort could prove bit of a sleeper re-uniting with Berrios today. LEGENDARY PRINCE moved well up, looked sharp breaking maiden in turf bow but facing much saltier bunch this time around.

EIGHTH RACE

DEVOTED KITTEN might offer a little value in extremely wide open event. Sheds blinkers, was beaten only a neck by tough Belgrano for $16K three back when allowed to hang close to the early pace. Repeat of that effort good enough to beat these. MYSTICAL MOON stays put off the claim for barn sporting ridiculous numbers with new acquisitions. Hard not to give major consideration in present form. SIR SEAMUS could shake loose on the front end, stand some catching if he does ala well graded N2L win during championship meet.

NINTH RACE

MALIBU MAX, the day’s best, joined Pletcher barn this winter and appears to be training extremely well for his return. Old pro drops to cheapest level in some time, should prove too good for these. HY RIVERSIDE has not had the best of racing luck in all recent starts. Raced down on dead rail in latest. Another getting ample class relief, classy vet could surprise at a square price. WHYRUAWESOME another who bogged down lane on rail when catching wet track two weeks earlier. Another long in tooth but with enough class to get things done for this tag.

TENTH RACE

COOP TRIES HARDER a slight edge in current form. Missed a neck to killer turf sprinter Tiger Blood in latest while well clear of the others that day, should sit a trip off all the speed in this lineup. FRENCHMEN STREET got knocked around early, didn’t show his best speed last time against preferred choice but expect major improvement if able to leave cleanly, stick head in front early from the rail. PAY ANY PRICE obviously the big question mark showing up for a tag off dull showing in the Tampa Turf Dash. Beat same kind on 1/5 in game showing but could prove vulnerable as short priced favorite if out footed to front end today.

ELEVENTH RACE

SWEET STORY in new hands off the claim, did not get the best of trips last time. Returns against state breds for first time since winning this conditions in June of 2019. Should offer value in another turf toughee. SUN SUMMERS tries Fla. bred for only the second time in her career. Exiting long layoff but working well for the return. GHOSTLY BEAUTY continues to run well but a hanging sort in all recent starts vs. similar. Still hard to toss in her present form.