ANALYSIS

BEST BET: RACE 3, I GET IT

FIRST RACE

First of 14 on a day that concludes with mandatory Rainbow 6 payout and the Florida Derby. SHAFTESBURY ran Annex to a length decision when last on the lawn, the latter flattering effort coming back to win the Palm Beach. Held form well over the main in latest. Best likely too good for these unless one of the new faces is special. Of the many debuting here, OUR INTEGRITY and WAR BOMBER demand respect, the former off near bullet half in latest and the fact she’s out of a 4 time turf winning mare. War Bomber kin to many Euro turf winners and with a steady if not spectacular work pattern of her own prepping for bow. Fortified also has some breeding for the going, could prove bit of a sleeper as well off bench.

SECOND RACE

AYCAPOTE in new hands off the claim while turning back to most effective distance after setting pressured pace around two turns last time. Looks like one to catch with these. CANDY CRUSHEM a bit of a question on the drop but obviously one to fear with repeat of 12/31 outing. ZONIC was fanned extremely wide, finished well over a wet track under similar conditions 3 weeks earlier. Beat similar open claiming company in previous try.

THIRD RACE

I GET IT, the day’s best, appeared loaded when nearly getting dropped going into far turn in the Herecomesthebride and now a victim of unlucky trips in both stakes tries. Third could be the charm with clean sailing in this spot. JOY OF PAINTING has improved leaps and bounds since switching to the grass. Volleyed for lead before faltering late in the Herecomesthebride, may actually relish turn back to a mile. WORLD TOUR hard to fault off promising and relatively well graded debut. Must prove she can duplicate effort at the next level.

FOURTH RACE

FEEL GLORIOUS finished best of all after getting boxed around a bit in the Honey Fox, galloping out past the field in run out after wire. At the mercy of the pace, as always, but looks ready to move forward to winning try with the right trip. SWEET MELANIA held own with solid company at three

but must prove mettle against her elders and without Lasix for first time. Works suggest ready for big try. May not look back. SWEET BYE AND BYE figures to press issue from outset off big showing first for this barn in Marshua’s River.

FIFTH RACE

SHIVAREE stretches out to perhaps his most effect e distance today. Ran well in the Hooper after getting hooked in prolonged speed duel. Should get some pace to run at ala Tampa Stakes win, this distance, in 3yo finale. YODEL E. A. WHO never better. No match for Mischevious Alex two back, rebounded with popular allowance win. Distance and no Lasix the two questions he must answer today. FROSTED GRACE continues to prove a consistent sort who is right at home over the local strip. Figures right there at the end once more with repeat of his effort in the GP Sprint.

SIXTH RACE

EVER DANGEROUS worth a look at the price stepping back into graded company for only the second time off solid showing in 2021 bow behind wire to wire winner Flying Sensation, who freaked to a 102 Beyer posting major upset that day. Should get a little more help up front here. FROSTMOURNE the one to catch as usual although again with plenty of space between his races. Old pro loves the distance, dangerous is allowed to relax long enough once again on front end. RENAISANCE FROLIC likely to have a say in the pace scenario himself although proved ability to rate, pick up horses beating softer to launch current campaign. Interesting Zayas runs from here to preferred choice today.

SEVENTH RACE

NO ORDINARY TIME comes off solid effort by now stakes placed Joy of Painting despite being snugged back early, fanned 4-5 wide with her bid into stretch. Kin to G3 winner Current sitting on her diploma especially if allowed to race more forwardly place here. CADENCIA the logical choice after coming out second best behind red hot Alwayz Late, who flattered effort coming right back to win again. Strictly one to fear. Her mate AMERICAN HEIRESS among many new faces in lineup and well bred being half to Ticonderoga, who won the G3 Palm Beach over the local course. Held own in company with Cadencia in recent a.m. trial.

EIGHTH RACE

SUPERFECTO got hung wide throughout in latest and lightly raced to date although paired up career best Beyers in that one and training like a horse ready to break through to best yet. Distance, no Lasix the questions but perhaps worth a look at a fair price. JUST WHISTLE looked like a horse who needed his last. Came off similar allowance effort a year ago to finish strong second at a big price in the G3 Hal’s Hope. LAST JUDGMENT should be long gone on the lead from the rail. Logical choice with repeat of his best recent showings.

NINTH RACE

SAND DANCER winless in quite some time but best good enough to spring the upset with the right trip with any forward move for new connections off the claim. SAYYAAF exiting wire to wire tally with similar last time and likely the one to catch again on turn back to a mile. SUMMER TO REMEMBER gives team Pletcher a potent one-two punch in this one if ready to best effort off the recent freshening. Working well but must prove mettle with elders for first time today.

TENTH RACE

Pace a key question here and from the rail CROSS BORDER may actually have enough early foot to control this one if aggressively handled from outset. Distance not a question, note near miss when on lead much of the way a year ago in the McKnight. TEMPLE gives Maker two major players in this one. Bit of a hanging sort but certainly capable of being along at his best. SADLER’S JOY may have lost a step or two lately but showed enough in the McKnight to merit consideration although old veteran always at the mercy of the pace.

ELEVENTH RACE

LUCKY LAW back to what he seems to do best after flirting with Derby trail in the Sam Davis. Working up a storm over Palm Meadows sod. Talented sort gets shaky nod in another wide open test over the turf. KING OF DREAMS impressive in lone grass outing and another who tried luck in Derby prep before returning to what may also be his strong suit today. ANNEX perfect in two starts, won oddly run Palm Beach. Talented sort definitely in mix once again.

TWELFTH RACE

CRAZY BEAUTIFUL ran well off the bench in Davona Dale, working well for stretch back around two turns. Looks to be class of this field at her best. CON LIMA back to dirt, should prove one to catch if away running from the rail. MILLEFEUILLE a major disappointment in Davona D, expecting big improvement with one under her belt.

THIRTEENTH RACE

ALWAYS SHOPPING the dominant member of this division thus far this winter. Hard to look past with repeat of last pair. DELTA’S KINGDOM no match for preferred choice in La Prevoyante but continues to hold form nicely while searching for illusive third career win. WAR LIKE GODDESS a lightly raced but improving sort who ran well off the layoff despite wide trip in The Very One.

FOURTEENTH RACE

GREATEST HONOUR will be an underlay on the tote board but hard to look past this one stretching out to what figures to be a more suitable distance after winning Holy Bull and especially FOY under trying circumstances at a mile and one sixteenth. Stretch running will have to get a little help up front and clear sailing to keep local mark unblemished. COLLABORATE short on experience but long on talent. May ultimately prove one to catch if able to clear that first turn in good position from tricky post. KNOWN AGENDA showed improvement with blinkers added and like GH a proven commodity at this distance. Expecting another forward move here. Spielberg poorly posted and still a question mark at nine furlongs although obviously can’t ignore any top 3yo from this barn at this time of year.