ANALYSIS

BEST BET: RACE 1, SIMPLY THE BEST

FIRST RACE

SIMPLY THE BEST a solid third trying state breds for first time last week. Ready to graduate with stalking outside trip. LADIES’ CHOICE comes off improved showing with addition of blinkers, third could be the charm. Bred for going being full to turf stakes winner Cajun Casanova. LIME sheds blinkers, lures Irad, logical but a beaten favorite in all four previous starts.

SECOND RACE

NICHOLAS ROSE getting plenty of class relief dropping to bottom after getting hung wide from tough post last time. DIAMONDS ENJOY exits same race as preferred choice when likely bouncing off career best Beyer effort winning N2L condition four weeks earlier. DECKOLOGY stays put off the claim when a close second behind Moon Pistol last month. Worked sharp half for new connections. In the mix with repeat of that try.

THIRD RACE

BLAKENSTEIN chased wire to wire winner throughout when dropped to this category for first time, may prove one to catch himself today. HERE COMES BULLET idle a year but with plenty of miles under his belt prepping for return. New gelding class of field, looks the one to fear. DEBBIE’S ROAD exits another big a.m. breeze after dull showing last out. Sheds blinkers. Worth tossing in for a share at the price.

FOURTH RACE

MALIBU MAX has been away a long time, take big plunge off the claim for O/T combo willing to make this type of move. Too good for these if anything near his best taking advantage of date clause in the conditions. SHOSHONE BRAVE Another who has not won a race since last September which makes him eligible for the condition, might be worth a look at the price as seemingly lone speed here. VINNIE VAN GO re-claimed by Barboza barn after likely bouncing off good effort two back. Another who fits conditions well.

FIFTH RACE

SMALL TALK no match for 4/5 Gimme Some Mo while easily best of rest when tagged for first time off a long layoff. Back at MSW level, has been given ample time to recuperate from career best performance. VOODOO ZIP turned in game effort behind Gear Jockey who flattered race finishing third in G3 Canadian Turf in his next start but a hanging sort to date going winless in 6 starts but while beaten a total of less than two lengths in last 5 outings combined.BEAR ALLEY the wild card here returning from long layoff and trying turf for just the third time. Kin to multiple G1 winner Arklow looms formidable if not needing one off bench.

SIXTH RACE

Solid bunch although some with distance questions to answer going seven furlongs. NO such problems for JOE DI BAGGIO off well graded starter win, this distance, two back or BLESSED JOURNEY like-wise a starter win at seven furlongs two starts ago. Both should benefit from what figures to be lively pace scenario. CREATE AGAIN turns back from a pair of mile efforts and another who will have no trouble at the distance.

SEVENTH RACE

GOLOVKIN broke maiden for $50K in January, held own with likes of Indy Tourist and Chao two back. Not meeting anything near that kind for this tag. MY MAXAMILLION gets Lasix for first time while exiting good showing vs. similar in latest. COWARDLY ACT got loose on the lead, proved easy maiden winner while beating a field that included trio of next out grads. Problem is he may not see the front so readily stepping up here.

EIGHTH RACE

WELL DONE WEST freshened since easy MSW win to close out abbreviated 3yo campaign. Seems to be working favorably for return. SEPTEMBERTEN a three time winner who lures Irad and may be well spotted to grab major share at what appears to be his preferred distance.MUSTANG CAT in top form but one of many speed types signed on here.

NINTH RACE

ENSIGN PARKER comes off solid turf bow when forcing wicked fast pace, succumbing grudgingly at the end. drops in with softer today and lures Irad for assignment. EXCHANGE DAY has won three of last four, all on front end. One to fear if able to shake loose once again in a field not lacking in early foot. DEPUTY INDY could be the beneficiary of what may be a very hotly contested pace. Comes off best yet, may be coming fastest at the end.

TENTH RACE

ALRAHAAL taken as a price in the finale after not being disgraced by tons better despite less than clean trip in latest, a key race from which three of top six finishers all returned to win next starts with Beyers ranging in low to high 70’s. Not facing that kind here. SHINING THROUGH the logical choiceoff near miss for this tag last time but a hanging sort with only a single win and seven runner-up finishes in 22 career starts. POLICY OPTION another who might outrun his odds adding blinkers after slow start, wide trip vs. better off six month hiatuus. Expecting big move forward today.