Daily Racing Form National Digital Edition
ANALYSIS
FIRST RACE
FREEDOM FLYER could be tough in this maiden turf sprint following a better-than-looked fifthplace debut. She did not break well, tucked fourth or fifth on the rail behind a slow pace, and was blocked the length of the stretch. She missed by four lengths without a fair chance. Good debut for trainer Simon Callaghan, who won with three of his last five second-start maiden 2yos. MAP TO MY HEART enters with the top figure, a 62 Beyer finishing a close third in a similar turf sprint at Del Mar. ‘HEART ran very well. Shuffled slightly early, she saved ground, angled out and finished evenly. The one-two finishers returned to finish third in stakes next out. Solid debut by ‘HEART, who figures as one of the logical favorites. BRILLIANT CUT adds blinkers after a disappointing fifth as the favorite. She seemed to run in spots, perhaps she will be more focused with blinkers. I’M THE BOSS OF ME is pure speed, but she stopped all three starts. She’ll lead as far as she can.
SECOND RACE
Five-runner field of maiden-20 fillies and mares; TRUE MISCHIEF is the one to beat. Her only two starts at this class level/mile distance produced a second and a third with speed figures close to par. Proven at the trip, tactical speed, logical choice. She will have to catch likely pacesetter SUEZAAANA. The latter is a 12-start maiden stretching out for the first time since spring; she figures to make the lead under seven-pound apprentice Alexis Centeno and take them as far as she can. TIZ A UNICORN, stablemate of the top choice, drops to the bottom for the first time and stretches to two turns for the first time. This is only her third start.
THIRD RACE
Five-runner field of maiden-32 juveniles; firsttime starter SUPERDUTY JUSTICE debuts with a sharp gate work five days ago. He and Luis Mendez-trained stablemate FROM THE GET GO earned the bullet in 48-flat. ‘JUSTICE is by a stallion whose juvenile progeny are only 2-for-47 first out according to Daily Racing Form data; none of his dam’s seven runners won first out, either. But the fast work and modest foes suggest horse-tobeat status, with reservation. As for fast-worker ‘GET GO, he is the first runner sired by G3 winner Metaboss; the stakes-winning dam of ‘GET GO has produced 10 winners including a pair of debut winners. STONE’S RIVER was gelded following his ninth-place debut; maidens from this stable frequently improve second time out. EMPEROR’S FISC and UNCLE BOOGIE are first-time starters with modest works.
FOURTH RACE
Juvenile filly ASTUTE debuts with sharp works and win-early pedigree. The $425k Speightstown filly, sibling to a G2/G3 winner, has shown ability working from the gate and working in company. Her main work Oct. 1 was by herself, but she outworked company Sept. 18 and Aug. 31 (viewed on XBTV.com). Trainer Richard Mandella won with 5 of his last 16 turf-sprint first-time starters. All systems go, even from the outside post. CHEVELITA debuts with apparently sharp works at San Luis Rey Downs, and a pedigree that suggests an early win. Sired by Prospective, she was produced by a dam whose seven winners include three debut winners. Trainer Peter Miller won with his last two debut 2yos in turf sprints. EVOO posted sharp works at Los Alamitos for her career debut, though she might want a longer distance than five and a half. Her sire was a multiple G1 turf route winner who has yet to sire a winner (Big Blue Kitten progeny 0-for-34 into Saturday). The dam of EVOO was a G3 turf route winner. Sharp works, however. OSCARETTE, a $50k yearling and $210k juvenile purchase, appears to have trained okay.
FIFTH RACE
Five-runner field of N3L claiming veterans at a mile; late-runner LITTLE NO WAY gets the call dropping from three straight races vs. open claiming/starter allowance company. The challenge for ‘NO WAY is that most dirt miles this meet were won by forwardly placed horses. ‘NOW WAY is a closer. Tepid choice only. CAYMANS COBRA adds blinkers, drops in class and makes his third start following a layoff. He seems to have lost the speed he once possessed, but against this easier
company and with the equipment change, he could find himself closer to the front. COLOSI should vie for favoritism, plummeting in class from $25k claiming on turf. He has been facing much tougher company, and only needs to handle the main track to be competitive. His recent figures are tops in the field. He might be ranked too low by this handicapper.
SIXTH RACE
Five-runner field of N2X turf sprinters, it’s a close call between Grade 2 third GRIT AND CURIOSITY and streaking allowance winner TILTED TOWERS. The call is ‘CURIOSITY, whose ran well finishing third last out in a tough race that was his first start in seven months. He lost ground, loomed a threat, then flattened out. Solid comeback. He could improve second start back dropping in class. Meanwhile, how good is TILTED TOWERS? He scored decisive maiden and allowance wins his last two starts, and last weekend worked in company with graded winner Just Grazed Me. That Oct. 4 work at Los Alamitos was in heavy fog, and not recorded. But ‘TOWERS reportedly worked heads up with ‘Grazed Me, the early favorite Saturday in the California Distaff. The top pair are tough to separate. CALEXMAN drops and shortens in distance third start back from a long layoff; MESUT adds blinkers and returns to the allowance ranks.
SEVENTH RACE
Five-runner field of $32k claiming 3yo sprinters, CARPE VICTORIAM gets the call returning to preferred footing and distance. He is 3-for-4 in dirt sprints, his Midwest figures rank among the top in this field, and his versatile style allows for a likely comfortable trip outside his main rivals including UNCAPTURED HERO. The latter may have needed his last start; he set the pace and faded while making his first start since January. Improvement possible second start back, although the inside post does him no favors. PRESS BRIEFING is back with 3yos after facing older and finishing nowhere both recent starts. RACE HOME drops and shortens up; SHADY EMPIRE makes his first start in more than a year. He won his career debut on this track in sprint 2019.
EIGHTH RACE
INVICTATATUS is not exactly bred for turf on the top side, sired by Strong Mandate, but his dam was a turf winner and produced a pair of turf winners. Therefore, the footing might be okay for the gelding dropping from special-weight to maiden-50. He ran okay both recent starts against tougher than these. MOST SANDISFACTORY seems outclassed, having lost three recent maiden-20s. However, his speed figures compare favorably to the field, and he ran well finishing third in this turf course in spring against maiden-40s. FIRE POLISH slides into the maiden-claiming ranks for the first time; SILENT MUSKETIER is a 17-start maiden who will be rolling late. He missed by only a length last out in a similar race at Del Mar.