ANALYSIS

BEST BET: RACE 6, CREATE A STORY

FIRST RACE

KOLOHE PRINCE second est behind Chipshape when stretching to seven furlongs, dropping to this level for first time, need only repeat effort to graduate. FLAMINGO HAWK getting plenty of class relief off a couple of troubled trips going a mile to kick off the year. Should come running best at the end for Irad. MILITARY COMMANDER in dangerous hands off the claim. Expecting major improvement for red hot barn.

SECOND RACE

AERODYNAMIC ran well enough vs. this kind last time to finally get back on winning trap with clean run from rail. NYMUE’S TREASURE necked by 7-5 Codrington under similar conditions four weeks earlier. Hard to fault. PASSION PLUS vanned off when far back as 8-5 choice vs. same kind last time. Interesting that Irad signs on one more time. Best obviously good enough here.

THIRD RACE

SYSTEMATIC came off bit of a freshening to turn in promising turf when taking on Fla breds for first time. Can take whole thing with another forward move. CAUSINGAHULLBALOO readily handled preferred choice in their previous encounter, logical here off that effort. KATIESDREAMGIRL victimized by brutal trip in 2yo finale now gets Lasix and a huge rider switch to meet’s top jock. Must move forward from Beyer standpoint but expecting best yet here.

FOURTH RACE

COVE BLUE did not break cleanly or get the best of trips off fairly lackluster pace when well back off the bench. Deserves another chance showing up for a tag. Could be dangerous if able to shake loose here. TOWN CLASSIC totally stuck in second gear of late with five consecutive runner-up finishes. Gets new pilot, note big showing behind recently graded stakes placed Avante Garde in the Rapid Transit. One to fear again. LIKE YOU turns back off a pair of longer efforts but holding form well at the present time.

FIFTH RACE

OFFICIATING chased, tried, proved no match for promising wire to wire winner Comedy Town while making solid infield bow facing Fla. breds for first time. Could be his turn today. TRIPLE JEOPARDY must be respected after being necked by Sigiloso in latest, the latter having since finished 4th in Kitten’s Joy and fifth in Palm Beach S. CAPTAIN LAVA down from Tampa after a couple of decent efforts vs. open company to launch career.

SIXTH RACE

CREATE A STORY stays put off the claim, got beat 2 lengths vs N3L company two back, a length dropping down with N2L’s last time. Ready to graduate at a short price with Irad up for new barn off the claim. WICKED SPIRIT caught slop last time, fell far back, lost considerable ground turning for home dropping to this level for first time. Gets a mulligan at what should be a very square price. JOST DREAMY back in familiar hands, might wake up off the long freshening.

SEVENTH RACE

VIKING QUEEN over-matched in last pair although turned in credible effort behind likes of stakes caliber I Get It in most recent. Not facing that kind today. Should get another rail-skimming trip with Lanerie up. CRYSTAL COAST another who gets some welcome class relief. Repeat of easy maiden win makes her one to fear. CELESTIAL CHEETAH a question mark switching to turf off easy main track mile win. Breeding only fair for the going. Tough call.

EIGHTH RACE

SIR OLLIE out-finished by much improved Irish Honor who posted 80 Beyer winning this same category last month. Improving and lightly raced 3yo could be ready for best yet with two under belt. GATSBY sheds blinkers after chasing home 9-5 Real Talk while earning relatively high marks herself turning back to 5 1/2 furlongs last time. Major player with added distance the key.AMPERSAND ran like a horse who needed a race last time. Expecting much better off that effort.

NINTH RACE

SIMPLICITY one of any number of major contenders in wide open main event. Has been freshened after failing to fire against stakes company in 2020 finale. Ran well enough in first to U S appearances to get job done here at best. KISSING FROGS lightly raced but very promising although must step up her game taking on much stronger this time. TOFFEN never runs a poor one on turf, always gives it her all, and obviously very fond of this course. Will likely have to alter tactics this time with speedy Our Bay B Ruth in the lineup.

TENTH RACE

Many of the usual turf sprint starter suspects have assembled for the finale. FULLY LOADED always give his all at this distance, should get a nice stalking trip just outside all the speed. Shaky nod. CAPTAIN RON coming off a pair of brutal trips, still ran well enough to be second off the extended vacation. Split a couple of close decisions with preferred choice here last season. TROPICAT exits arguably his best yet coming off four month hiatus, must not bounce off the effort from tough outer post.