ANALYSIS

BEST BET: RACE 3, COMMANDER TOM

FIRST RACE

ALKELINE is dropping back down to the level at which she scored in her penultimate start on the inner course under Kimura, off a troubled sixth in a second-level optional claimer on the main turf. After a bit of a lull, trainer Norm McKnight might be poised to go on a roll. SPARKLE SAMMY wired $25K rivals in her first inner turf excursion right off the $15K claim three weeks ago. She could take this field a long way with Patrick Husbands back aboard. MYSTIC NILE was along for second behind the latter then after missing the break and racing wide.

SECOND RACE

PEARL HEIST flattened out after an inside-stalking trip when exiting an extended layoff in a July 26 second-level optional claimer that contained two good next-out winners, including Sav. After working twice on the training track, she’s tagged for the first time in this much easier NW3 five-furlong dash. KA GEE GEE was shuffled back on the turn before missing the board for the third time in as many starts at the meet July 18. She’s another dropper from second-level optional-claiming company who could get back on track. MOKSGMOL is changing surfaces off a fading fifth behind the unstoppable speedball Spanish Ballerina, and wouldn’t be much of a surprise.

THIRD RACE

COMMANDER TOM rushed up to lead the way after breaking a tad slowly and then folded in the final furlong when debuting over three-quarters on the Tapeta. The son of Silver Max is bred for the grass, top and bottom, and could make all the running in this five-furlong dash on the inner turf.

I’M THE SHERIFF also showed speed on debut before weakening in a Tapeta tilt. His freshman sire, Reload, had his first turf winner the other day with a rapid second-time starter on this course. SOUPER CLASSY, by the successful young sire Souper Speedy, a full-brother to the placed juvenile Sterling Speed.

FOURTH RACE

LYRICAL NOTE is descending from $25K NW3 company to an inviting spot for his third start off the bench. The closer could be along in time if he get some pace to chase. VICTOR’S WAY put together a productive 11-race campaign last year, beginning with a neck loss in his season opener. The red-hot Stein is 2 for 7 at the meet for the barn. BEL BIMBO rallied belatedly for fourth when dropping to this class in an identical spot July 31. MACHO T beat two next-out winners when graduating by disqualification in his latest.

FIFTH RACE

ROOKIE GIRL got tired in the last sixteenth after helping to set the pace at first asking in a 6 1/2-furlong sprint on the main turf Aug. 1. The daughter of Rookie Sensation could find the mark against a seemingly easier group in this 7 1/2-furlong inner turf route. APPELLA is stretching out off a flat fourth going three-quarters in an open maiden special. She was previously knocking on the door at this OS/$40K level. WIDE AWAKE is by the 14% turf sire The Factor. Her dam loved the lawn and she’s produced a turf winner.

SIXTH RACE

BODE’S MAKER dueled through quick fractions before fading to fifth last time in another 1 1/16mile optional starter. There’s not much other speed in this event, and he could make all the running under Stein, who was aboard for his two strong showings earlier in the meet. LAPOCHKA won the aforementioned Aug. 2 race easily after an ideal trip under Wilson, who retains the mount. NIGHT WATCHMAN checked in second behind the latter that day, when moving up off a victory over $10K claimers.

SEVENTH RACE

SALIERI was a hard-trying second in the opening leg of this series July 16, when lane 1 was in use. The speedy chestnut got fried in a pace war most recently in a tough optional claimer on the Tapeta, but he seems made-to-order for this five-furlong turf dash, with the rail in lane 3. HITTERS PARK won the first leg with a fat 96 Beyer after a lovely ground-saving trip under Kimura. He’s coming into this engagement fresh and ready after the second leg of the series failed to fill. RECONFIGURE faded to fifth after a stalking trip in a recent optional claimer, after taking the overland route when a chalky third in the opening leg. Note that Husbands rode him to victory twice last summer.

EIGHTH RACE

LADY SUNSHINE came on late from off slow fractions for fourth vs. OS/$40K maidens in her first try off the McKnight claim Aug. 1. She’s dropping back down to $25K and changing surfaces to the Tapeta here with Contreras back up. GET OFF MY TAIL benefited from an inside bias when fifth in her July 23 comeback with a $40K tag. The drop and turnback from a route to seven-eighths should put her into contention with Hernandez retaining the mount. JACKIE MILTON is a prospect for the exotics, and JOAN’S CHRISTINE is picking up the very capable Fukumoto.