ANALYSIS

BEST BET: RACE 2, MARKISTAN

FIRST RACE

MAURO’S TEAM paired up career best Beyers while finishing behind pair of next out maiden winners for $50K and $40K(Aqueduct). Need only step forward to earn his own diploma in opener. HOLY MEISTER the class of the field and exiting key race of his own but that was nearly a year ago. Has been working steadily for return. May just be a matter of whether he needs one off bench at what figures to be another short price. COUNT DOWN exits career best effort returning from extended vacation but wheels back relatively quick and facing prospect of early pressure from Aesthetically and perhaps others today.

SECOND RACE

MARKISTAN, the day’s best, owns a pair of wins and a second in her three tries vs. open $6,250 company, just a matter of stretch running filly getting some pace help up front. LET’S BE HONEST turning back from a mile, figures forwardly placed throughout for new connections off claim. WEDONTBELIEVEHER returns to preferred surface, won only previous start for this tag but that was against conditioned claiming foes. Facing tougher here.

THIRD RACE

EXONERATED PREZ dueled, faded late at a mile last time, back to more suitable distance today. Need only repeat effort behind Thorover two back off the bench to graduate. COMISKEY PARK comes off far and away his best yet behind 9/5 winner several weeks earlier. One to fear. JUGUETE perhaps a bit of a sleeper adding blinkers for second career outing. Was beaten only 6 lengths for second money while finishing in front of half the field in her debut.

FOURTH RACE

HONEY PANTS getting some major class relief and perhaps even more important Lasix for the first time after holding own once again with good company in the Sweetest Chant, a race which has subsequently produced pair of graded stakes

winners Con Lima and Domain Expertise. POR QUE NO hard to fault in present form. Zipped fast half over PM sod to indicate she is maintaining her sharpness out of those wins. MRS FRANKEL another training well at PM prepping for return from long layoff. Ran well on graduation day although her two most immediate victims that day remain winless to date.

FIFTH RACE

COLLIERY drops to the bottom after holding own with better, this distance, on 1/17 with that nine furlong experience likely a big edge along with class plunge with these. VIKING PLUNDER was hung wide throughout, faltered some late when trying this level for first time on 3/21. Should be able to save a little more ground from today’s inside draw. GUN OF GLORY still a maiden after 13 tries but knocking on door and perhaps the controlling speed with this lineup. Was caught late after setting all pace, this distance, in 2yo finale.

SIXTH RACE

Switch in barns and perhaps more so the addition of Lasix woke AUDREY up on graduation day and perhaps eligible to improve off the effort. Will likely have to run down FLORADO who finally earned her diploma after 15 tries. Recent Beyer Figs suggest it won’t take her nearly that long to win another. GONE TO CABO drops, gets Lasix, figures forwardly placed throughout for this tag.

SEVENTH RACE

KARTANO wheels back a bit quick but hard to fault off last pair including another big run just 19 days earlier when circling field, just failing to catch in form Key This Time who registered his second straight that day. Obviously needs some pace and a clean run from far back once more. HALCYON DIGEST should be able to control things a long ways once again if away clean from outside gate. Might not look back this time. CHAO re-claimed by Joseph barn after unlucky 2nd place finish last time. Another late running sort who’ll need honest pace set up.

EIGHTH RACE

Lots of options in nightcap. Will go with EASY ON THE SUGAR off much needed sprint try second out off the layoff for hot barn. STARRY HOPE back to more suitable spot after being over-matched last time. Repeat of game 12/26 showing puts her right in this mix. KAHIKO another returning to more suitable territory and well drawn on rail. All’s Fair get blinkers and plenty of class relief. Can’t ignore.