Daily Racing Form National Digital Edition
ANALYSIS
FIRST RACE
A 12-race Saturday card will be run amid the possibility of thundershowers and in mid-80s temps (all selections here made for turf racing ON), with the featured Sea of Tranquility (R11) being part of a Rainbow 6 sequence (R7-12) that could offer a guaranteed pool of about $750k, assuming the jackpot wasn’t swept Friday. An abundance of speed in the noon ET opener would seem to set the table for capable closers such as MOZANO and CONSILIUM; the former got beat a zop in this same kind of opener 18 days ago and is more ‘recent’ than the latter, who did finish 2nd in 4 of his first 6 starts this year. ELITE MISSION, a surprise 3rd in each of his last two, is among those who figures to be part of a swift pace for the level.
SECOND RACE
Assuming dry conditions, this’ll be the first time MAY I gets to go two turns on the grass, and that might turn out a good thing. Filly met salty grass sprinters when debuting for Cherie, then was part of a short field when going a one-turn mile in the soup in her first try for Avila; this kind of race could be what she’s meant for. STARSHIP MALLOMAR comes an obvious contender for The Marlins Man following a couple of respectable efforts at this same level, while HUMOR ME DIXIE has been crying out for more ground and finally gets it today.
THIRD RACE
Expecting the 7-pound bug to go right ahead and send POSEIDONS PRINCESS as soon as he hears that bell sound. Filly has shown speed in all 3 priors and exits a shorter turf race when being spotted for a life’s-low tag; will be taking no prisoners. SUZIE ITS YOU seems worth trying after spending some quality morning time with Joey O.; can give closest pursuit. BEAST OF WILDWOOD sheds the blinkers as Pete wastes little time in dropping her.
FOURTH RACE
The May 24 start has to help HALLAJOORI toward this, especially as the apparent lone speed in a short lineup of high-end mdn.-claimers; from flagfall to that’s all for a barn (Avila) that continues to win more than its share. K’S RUNNING FREE finds a cozy spot in which to debut; steady work slate for Fawkes, as you’d well expect. INVALUABLE can be given consideration if you ignore her first start off the claim.
FIFTH RACE
Thirteen wins from 32 starts is an exceptional record when you’re facing a mish-mash of N3L types as CROWN AND SUGAR does here; classy mare comes shrewdly spotted by D-Rod when exiting the stakes ranks. PASSION PLUS also has been facing some pretty solid filly-mare turfers; gray gal has a closing kick when things unfold in her favor. AUGUSTA MOON and BIG TINA can stalk themselves into the tricks.
SIXTH RACE
The 6/21 comeback from a 4+ month layoff by FLASHY KYEM points him out in this short field of N2x alw. types; sustained bid at 33-1 ultimately netted a runner-up finish in an overall useful attempt for the Pa-bred stalwart; a little
follow-thru does this. WIN WITH PRIDE comes the obvious one to beat for the Pletcher powerhouse; open-air outer box yields nary an excuse. ZORB has been a pretty handy sort for Ocala Art and can figure into this mix.
SEVENTH RACE
Looking for Luca to sit a chilly trip aboard CHIT CHAT GIRL before the early goers start to limber up; steadfast stretch bid can finally earn this Flabred miss an overdue trip to the circle. MYSTIC COMIN HOME tries proving herself as fastest of the fast here; been a bit faint-hearted since the 4/18 mdn.-breaker but can hold for a decent chunk. LUXE DIAMOND stands to trip out cleanly from the outer post.
EIGHTH RACE
Rousing bottom-level mdn. score by DISTURBIN BOURBON sure would seem to make him a prime win-back candidate for Ralph, who assumed his training once the Hennig barn left town; loads-ngoes when getting plenty of calls from Announcer Pete. MAGNOLIA BLVD has run two good ones since coming under the Avila fold; part of the picture here. HARPER GO LUCKY and THREE DEEP both have some merit in this spot.
NINTH RACE
Always difficult to improve on Saffie’s work, but BIG SPENDER is eligible to win right back off the D’Angelo claim when coming well-drawn here in the outer post; trio of Palm Meadows tighteners have him ready to go these 6.5 panels off the 8-week respite. BEAU TRACE turns back when looking to pick them up late; well-timed run liable to surprise. SHAKEM N BREAKEM matches up fairly well here, even after the mehh last few starts.
TENTH RACE
Extremely well-matched starter-optional for fillymare turf milers could get its winner from most anywhere, but we’ll give DRINKS ON ME the slight nod on the heels of a couple of competitive efforts with essentially this same kind; be looking to trip out cleanly with the underrated Reyes aboard. CLASSY OF COURSE always forces the issue, and should do so again here; no worse than 3rd, remarkably, in each of her last 8 outs. ELUSIVE RYDER has enjoyed an awesome 2020 thus far (5 wins from 8 starts, all at Tampa); gray mare shows up at GP with Moises, who’d normally be in Chicago at this time of year if not for all the AP woes.
ELEVENTH RACE
Not as much opposing speed to facilitate his late kick this time, and yet EYE OF A JEDI still looks as good as any when looking to defend his title from the 2019 Sea of Tranquility; clearly didn’t deserve to be 17-1 in a handicap that was part of the huge 6/13 Rainbow forceout, as his late run overtook the likes of Diamond Oops and other classy steeds; can lurk from the get-go under Berrios before moving along. Similarly, QUENANE has the versatility to keep within striking distance of the likely pace-setter, RED CRESCENT; am expecting a fast closing quarter for the top finishers given the way this shapes up on paper.
TWELFTH RACE
Looking for the Hall of Fame jock aboard THE QUEENS JULES to work out a nice stalking trip from an outer post before quick fractions take their toll on the quicker ones; saving the day’s best for last in what seems to be a competitive Saturday finale. DIDNT DO IT turns back to a very interesting distance for Klesaris, who excels with grass sprinters; 5yo should be all set with that 6/19 comebacker now under his belt. I’M CARDINAL was a dominant gate-to-wire winner in his Tampa farewell; figures to have company up top today.