ANALYSIS

BEST BET: RACE 3, KING MAURO

FIRST RACE

First post is 12:40 ET. Remember 12% takeout on Pick 5 wagers. SWEET ASTA (1,147 lbs. on March 5; weights should be listed on the simulcast feed during the post parade) was a handful behind the gate prior to his most recent start and that might have sapped some of his stamina. Fell behind a slow pace in a race dominated by the pacesetter (returned to finish third for $16,000 with a 50 Beyer) and couldn’t overcome those moderate fractions. Perhaps closer to the pace this afternoon with the addition of blinkers. Lyapustina departs for Here Comes Rudy. NOT TELLING (1,056 lbs. on March 19) isn’t the most trustworthy sort after eighteen consecutive losses, but think he’ll appreciate cutting back in distance with good speed. He was used hard to get the lead going a one-turn mile last month and only tired in the final furlong. Might not have to work as much to grab the top here. Keep an eye on HERE COMES RUDY, a 3-year-old facing older horses for the first time. Made the front stretching out last time out, but seemed green and wanted to lug out on the second turn. Another that should appreciate the cutback in distance and has upside potential. RUNBACK hasn’t done much just yet, but it’s hard to completely dismiss the Jerry Robb - Xavier Perez combination (11 for the last 34, 32% winners, $2.29 ROI).

SECOND RACE

CAIRO QUEEN (946 lbs. on March 6; +3 lbs. from prior start) tracked a quick pace three wide before finishing in a one-paced fashion against $16,000 sellers. The runner-up from that race returned to place second in a $12,500 “three-life” at Parx with a 51 Beyer. Trainer Cathal Lynch is 6 for the last 14 (43%, $5.55 ROI) with low-level claiming dirt sprinters making a 50% drop in price at Laurel. Think she can sit a nice stalking trip against these. OLIVE’S BUMPA (998 lbs. on Feb. 6; -24 lbs. from prior start) adds blinkers in first start following the claim and might show a bit more early speed. Lots of seconds on her record. Carrasco departs for Lookin for Candy. CONGRESS HALL (954 lbs. on March 20; +26 lbs. from prior start) usually misbehaves behind the gate, but she has good tactical speed and that should be a valuable asset against this group.

Battled early with odds-on Scamper Along last time out, put that foe away and couldn’t hold off Pete’s Pride’s late flurry. Stretching out to seven shouldn’t pose a problem. LOOKIN FOR CANDY races out of conditions as she’s eligible for a “two-life” event, but her early speed should put her in the mix from the get-go. Chased gate-to-wire winner Villamoura over a speed-friendly surface last month.

THIRD RACE

KING MAURO seeks third straight since being claimed by Gorham barn. He set reasonable fractions en route to both victories, but is capable from just off the pace and will likely play the break with Hayne’s Fever starting from the rail. Should be right there when the real racing begins. CHARGING LION tracked a fast pace three deep and in between horses, reeled in the leader and held off a strong late threat. Reclaimed by the high-percentage Ness barn, he can work out a trip sitting just off the leaders. HAYNE’S FEVER (1,093 lbs. on March 20; -10 lbs. from prior start) received a smart ride from Tais Lyapustina when beating nickel “beatens” last month. Off a beat slow, they rushed up along the inside to make a clear lead and controlled the race from start to finish. Ten-time winner might received similar handling breaking from the rail once more. WHIRLIN CURLIN (1,210 lbs. on Feb. 27; +32 lbs. from prior start) might have been in a bit steep when tackling Divine Interventio (returned to win for $16,000 with a 74 Beyer) in a slow-paced dime seller. Got the pace he needs when rallying to score for the nickel two back.

FOURTH RACE

MARTINI LANE (1,128 lbs. on March 20; -1 lb. from prior start) tracked a solid pace from the pocket, angled three deep turning for home and churned on for second behind odds-on The Revenger. His lifetime record leaves much to be desired, but he’s a nice fit for the dime and can work out another good pace-tracking trip. BIG RINNE (931 lbs. on March 21; -22 lbs. from prior start) exceeded the Beyer par for this level when second at huge odds behind heavily-favored Titan’s Will. Although he hikes up in

claiming price, that race was for “three-life” claimers and he should appreciate taking on “two-life” competition this afternoon. Doesn’t have much early speed and would appreciate some pace help up front. CONFUSION BABY BOY (997 lbs. on March 14; -17 lbs. from prior start) boasts an improving Beyer pattern and should be close to the pace as he stretches out in distance under the aggressive Cortez. He’s been stuck in the “two-life” condition for a long time, however. CLASSY SOLUTION (1,045 lbs. on Feb. 28) was caught up in a hot pace duel with favored Lasting Image, eventually shrugged that one off, but was ripe for the closer’s pickings over sloppy going. Think he’ll have an easier time of it up front this time around. SHAKA STYLE (1,212 lbs. on March 6) dips to the dime for second start following a whopping 763-day layoff. Should improve stretching out to the mile. Karamanos lands here instead of Mo American.

FIFTH RACE

JEEZUM JIM was claimed out of a quality conditioned seller at Penn National as the winner returned to score for $16,000 with a 92 Beyer while the runner-up came back to win for $8,000 with an 80. Stalked off the rail, angled wide on the turn and never threatened the top three. Thirteen-time winner is a proven commodity over the surface and trainer Hugh McMahon is 4 for the last 10 (40%, $2.63 ROI) off the claim. MARDEN receives needed class relief after finishing ahead of only one horse in his last two starts. Looked good kicking them down the last time he stepped six furlongs and should get some pace to attack in the stretch. INDIAN GHOST (1,145 lbs. on Feb. 21; -13 lbs. from prior start) pushed a solid pace in a starter-optional that went to closers. Think he’ll be patiently handled cutting back in distance and might be set for best in third start of the form cycle. Chavez departs Indian Ghost and Mystic Times for Blue Danube. PROUD ENOUGH was knocking on the door prior to the 98-day layoff and should be kicking in the stretch. Lots of seconds and thirds on his record and was listed as a vet scratch on Jan. 18. BOURBON STREET (1,115 lbs. on March 5; +20 lbs. from prior start) drops in class with good early speed. Should do better at this reduced level.

SIXTH RACE

Grade 2 winner SHOTSKI might be racing himself back into shape as he makes his third start following a 321-day layoff. Shook loose on Feb. 25, took some pressure from longshot Closer Look (faltered to finish last) on the backstretch and into the second turn, and tired in the stretch in a race that went to the two closers. Trainer Jeremiah O’Dwyer is 7 for the last 16 (44%, $2.70 ROI) with older dirt horses (3-year-olds and upward) removing blinkers. Should gain a forward position. There’s a good chance this pace heats up and MISCHIEF AFOOT (993 lbs. on March 13) deserves strong consideration from the back. Bet down to 6 to 1 in the $100,000 Harrison E. Johnson Memorial last month, he was completely stymied by the race flow. The pacesetters set glacial fractions and wound up running 1-2-3 around the track while Mischief Afoot attempted a wide bid from the back. Any of his last three Beyers would qualify as this race’s best-last speed figure. Karamanos lands here instead of Awesome D J. DINAR went way too fast in the early portion of the Grade 3 Mineshaft, a race that featured Maxfield (returned to finish third in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap with a 99 Beyer) as well as next-out winners Chess Chief (92 Beyer in Grade 2 New Orleans Classic) and Blackberry Wine (99 Beyer in “three-life” allowance at Laurel). Rosado lands here instead of Gentleman Joe. YOUNGEST OF FIVE (1,290 lbs. on March 6) should appreciate getting back around two turns after tough-trip third-place effort. Raced in behind horses, was denied when trying to rally up the rail and was forced to alter course outside to split horses in the stretch.

SEVENTH RACnE

NO DOWN DAYS ($62,000 yearling; $60,000 juvenile) must deal with 182-day layoff, but she displayed good speed last year and might show greater stamina with Lasix. Faced two next-out winners last time as well as Buckey’s Charm (returned to finish second in an entry-level allowance with a 69 Beyer and is now stakes-placed). Trainer Jeremiah O’Dwyer is 3 for the last 11 (27%, $2.25 ROI) with 3-year-old dirt performers adding Lasix. NO CHANCE GIVEN (999 lbs. on March 19) broke inward from the rail in first start with blinkers, tracked inside and finished evenly once eased out in the stretch. Think she’ll get some pace to run at and the daughter of Grade 2-placed dirt sprinter Olive Branch seems well-spotted. CAUSE TO DREAM ($3,000 yearling; $27,000 juvenile) deserves respect shipping in from New York and making first start for Claudio Gonzalez. Chased Maracuja last time out at Aqueduct and that filly flattered the race by returning to finish second in the Grade 3 Gazelle with an 88 Beyer. FRAME THAT DAME (923 lbs. on March 19) dueled hard with 5 to 1 shot Nine Mast (finished fifth) before understandably tiring. Expect early zip once more as she hops up in class. MOSLER’S TOUCH, daughter of multiple stakes-placed dirt router Touch the Birds, raced on a deep and tiring rail when a speedy second. Swift workouts and can sit a nice trip from just off the pace. CELESTIAL DIVA ($45,000 yearling) is a half-sister to stakes-winning dirt sprinter Myfourchix. SHABANG ($55,000 juvenile) is a half-sister to stakes-placed dirt router Keepmeinstiches and adds Lasix.

EIGHTH RACE

REMAIN ANONYMOUS (982 lbs. on March 20; -19 lbs. from prior start) saved ground at the back, advanced along the inside and was briefly put on hold off the heels of the pacesetting winner. She regained her momentum, split horses in upper stretch and just couldn’t forge by as the odds-on favorite. Starting to get tired of her act as she’s riding a nine-race losing streak with six defeats at 3 to 1 or less, but willing to give her one more chance adding blinkers. SARAH’S TREASURE (1,033 lbs. on Feb. 6) hasn’t won in almost two years, but she’s hit the board in 30 of 55 races and seems in solid form cutting back slightly in distance. Better tactical speed in her last couple of starts is a positive although she would prefer a bit of pace to adequately setup her late bid. She’s cracked the top three in five of her last six. QUEEN OF TOMORROW (921 lbs. on Feb. 6) runs well fresh and gave a nice effort when beating Lookin Dynamic (returned to finish second in the Conniver Stakes for Maryland-breds with a 79 Beyer) going a one-turn mile. Prompted the leaders three wide and in between, pushed fourth-place finisher Long Point Beach’s pace and forged clear. Expecting a similar tracking trip. LARIMAR (1,069 lbs. on Feb. 5) has speed and might shake clear as she stretches out a furlong. Couldn’t step with sharp Conjecture (came back to win for $25,000 with a 77 Beyer) last time out and was listed as a vet scratch on Feb. 17 at Penn National and March 20 at Laurel. TWEET AWAY ROBIN (1,036 lbs. on March 20; -6 lbs. from prior start) in good form and her tactical speed allows her to obtain excellent position.

NINTH RACE

GUNS BLAZING drops significantly in class and distance, and each of her last two Beyers would qualify as this race’s best-last speed figure. Ran well sprinting in her second start and the addition of blinkers might sharpen her speed enough to get close to the expected moderate pace. INSIGHTFUL (1,041 lbs. on March 19) also drops in class after faltering in two starts for $62,500. Lightly-raced with upside potential, she has the early speed to find good position and should be in the thick of things when they turn for home. KEEPYOURSKATESON (922 lbs. on March 13; -49 lbs. from prior start), beaten favorite in first start against winners, fell far behind a quick pace set by a sharp winner and came with a solid run to pass some tired ones in the lane. Liked her maiden win two back as she raced four deep all the way around the track and still burst clear. Crispin lands here instead of Glory March. SHACKABOOM (1202 lbs. on March 14) looms the speed nearest the rail and is the only three-time winner of the group.