ANALYSIS

BEST BET: RACE 5, UNTREATED

FIRST RACE

SAINTE MERE EGLISE getting some class relief returning to preferred surface and dropping in with bottom level maiden types. Recent works have been good at PM prepping for local bow. COPPER over-matched while also hung wide last time, back to more suitable spot for third start of her form cycle. Addition of Jose O. adds to the allure. Figures forwardly throughout. GINGERONMYMIND second best for same tag off a nine month hiatus and Tyler stays. Need only repeat effort to prove one of main contenders.

SECOND RACE

SAINT LARNED has encountered trouble of one sort or another in all recent starts but has shown well in last two starts on dirt. Should sit a decent trip here stalking likely pace of Money Come and perhaps ROSAS WAY. The latter broke slow, got shuffled well back last time now switches pilots, stretches out, figures forwardly with a clean beginning. Tossing in at a big price. PURECRAZIDUDE no match for preferred choice last time but ran well enough on drop to this level to consider among key players with the right trip.

THIRD RACE

Will stick with a couple of the experienced ones in here starting with speedy DR. DUKE who dueled with well meant Pletcher youngster Prime Factor returning locally off much needed try in Ky. Third could prove charm for speedy colt who should be out and winging here on the front end for Paco. GRAN RUNNER dueled, was second best behind 6-5 Moonlight Strike showing improvement over wet strip last time, the latter flattering effort coming back to win an N1X allowance with 71 Beyer in his next start. Pletcher pair of firsters ATLANTIC ROAD and Sainthood not setting world on fire in a.m. but both will come to the table fit and ready to win from this barn. Tab board for further clues as well as with Lamutanaaty who fetched $750K at the sales for Shadwell.

FOURTH RACE

BLUEGRASS PARKWAY finished third behind Mr Alec and Tide of the Sea going 11 furlongs this summer at the Spa off a long layoff to boot, those two likely to be odds on in this lineup. Well posted inside, figures forwardly placed throughout. COWTOWN ran extremely well against tougher bunch in the Allen Jerkens now turns back five panels and gets rider switch to top jock Saez for the occasion. DOVER CLIFFS looks loose on the lead if rider chooses to be aggressive early on. Turned in big effort in only previous try at 11 panels.

FIFTH RACE

Lots of promising new faces in this one beginning with UNTREATED by Nyquist out of a G2 placed mare. Works say ready for big one off the bench. JEEBAR has shown good speed in the a.m. on several occasions and another well prepared at first asking. BLITZ TO WIN owns a couple of bullets on the resume’. Must respect for these connections.

SIXTH RACE

HENNI PENNY held own with better in N Y, should find ample pace to run at if not left with too much to do early on. SWEET SWEET SWEET perhaps the speed of speed again breaking from inside, may

not look back this time. LA CARA BONITA a beaten favorite in each of last pair but Saez sticks and hard to leave out of the equation with a trip.

SEVENTH RACE

SIMOVITCH comes off much improved showing in 2yo finale behind 3-2 Pletcher trainee Donegal Bay, should benefit from the experience at the trip. SOUND MONEY disappointed over wet track last time but eligible for big improvement back on dry land. BRACKEN out-ran his odds behind runaway winning stable mate launching career at 6F despite trouble along the way. Might appreciate the added ground.

EIGHTH RACE

BIG DRINK OF WATER off the bench with big effort to win local debut, need only repeat that try to take another in this spot. BOURBON CURRENCY should benefit from all the speed in this lineup, come running late for major share after nearly running down even money Duress in N Y finale. CHIEF HOWCOME back to preferred surface off razor sharp turf drill on New Years Day. improving worth a look for at least a share at big price.

NINTH RACE

JOE DI BAGGIO made a bit of a wide, pre-mature run in the Rapid Transit, flattened out latee stages but in top form now, eligible to spring the upset returning against virtually the same kind today. TOWN CLASSIC turned in big effort when second best behind win machine Avante Garde in Rapid Transit but a bit of a hanging sort stuck in second gear for much of the 2020 season. I’M A G SIX big disappointment behind top pair in the RT but worked extremely well with addition of blinkers alongside runaway debut winner Arham since that outing. Irad stays. Expecting major improvement with the equipment change.

TENTH RACE

RIDE A COMET back to perhaps his favorite surface off a couple of big sprint wins on Woodbine synthetic off the extended vacation. Working lights out for this. FROSTMOURNE another who came back from big layoff with big effort beating allowance company, this distance, with career best Beyer at Churchill. Owns a win over the course. CASA CREED getting some class relief coming out of the Breeders’ Cup Mile but winless since summer of 2019. Perhaps a bit vulnerable at a short price.

ELEVENTH RACE

TIME SENSITIVE drops nd to cheapest level yet and picks up Saez for the occasions. Well posted from the rail. Should work out a nice stalking trip chasing likely pace of OUR TEN ANGELS who has some breeding for the surface and likely the one to catch if away running in turf bow. NOT TONIGHT BOBBY not badly beaten in key race that has produced trio of next out winners including Serenade Kitten who came right back to defeat $35K players in her next start. Must overcome tough post.