ANALYSIS

BEST BET: RACE 3, BRIO IS AWESOME

FIRST RACE

FATHER O’FLAHERTY scratched from a similar maiden-20 Friday at 5.5 furlongs to run in this 5f race instead. He remains the one to beat. An eightstart maiden with five in-the-money finishes, he makes his 2021 debut with decent speed figures and a solid work pattern for trainer Steve Miyadi. The past five years, Miyadi is 7-for-18 (38 pct) with maiden-claiming comebackers off six months or more. UNION BLISS drops to the bottom level for his first start in nearly three months. He was a vet scratch from a maiden-50 on May 21, he resumed working a week later. Based on the fractions he chased last out on turf, he is quick enough to establish position from the rail. However, Los Alamitos posts 1-2 at this abbreviated distance are only about half as productive as posts 2-6. SQUARE ROOT breaks from post 2, dropping from Cal-bred special-weight to rock bottom. He has speed, but previous starts on dirt were subpar.

SECOND RACE

Nine-time winner BRILLIANT BIRD might be the “class” of this $8k claiming starter allowance; she ran well against better this winter at Santa Anita and finished a close fourth last out in a nighttime race on this track (different track configuration). The in-form mare has speed to press, she does not require the lead. Five of her nine wins were rallying from behind. Furthermore, trainer Rosemary Trela is 9-for-34 in her career in LRC daytime races. STRADARI is speed, all three starts this year have been solid, she can survive pace duels. Longshot candidate BACK BEAUTY goes third start back from a layoff, to a track on which she outran her 9-1 odds in December at this level. That was a runner-up finish with a wide trip. Expect her to be running late.

THIRD RACE

BRIO IS AWESOME looks tough to beat in this maiden-30 sprint, assuming her last-out turf debacle against better is disregarded. Runner-up both previous starts on dirt, speed for an up-front trip from the outside post, she has been based at LRC throughout her career. The seven-start maiden might be a standout. However, comebacker I’M THE BOSS OF ME showed ability last year as a 2yo; she is appropriately spotted for her comeback and quick enough to make the lead. She looks well-meant first start back. MAMMA RAMA ran well in her comeback two starts ago, then raced wide and completely misfired last out. Murky form, but other than the top pair this field is relatively shallow. ‘RAMA should be rolling late.

FOURTH RACE

The fastest in the field can be long gone in this one-mile Cal-bred stakes race. That assumes SCARY FAST SMILE can stay two turns; all seven starts were sprints. His last two were runaway wins (8 lengths last out, 7.75 lengths race before). His recent improvement coincides with recovery from a nagging foot issue; both romps occurred after the problem was resolved. The speed of the field can lead gate to wire. Meanwhile, BRANDOTHEBARTENDER

faces no uncertainty regarding distance. He can do it all: sprint, route, turf or dirt. He has won five races and $468k from 27 starts since he was claimed for $40k three summers ago; he won on this track (night configuration) in December and finished third in this race a year ago. He has speed to keep the leaders in his sights. Minor concern: back in 14 days after finishing second at Golden Gate. DESMOND DOSS is somewhat trouble-prone, but his last three dirt routes include two allowance wins and a runner-up finish by a head in a Cal-bred route stakes similar to this. He finished a head in front of rival BRANDOTHEBARTENDER in that race. LUVLUV, a late supplement, will rally late. TOM’S SURPRISE stretches out and could influence the pace.

FIFTH RACE

Comeback dropper ALLIE’S PAL gets the nod in this maiden-20 at five furlongs. It is her first start at the bottom class level, and her first start since

November. She runs well fresh (debut runner-up). Obvious choice, albeit marginal wagering value.

RED PANTY NIGHT debuts with a series of blackletter works over the LRC track including multiple gate works that suggest she is quick. She and the top choice may duel early. RATTRAPANTE flashed speed and cracked last out against tougher, while making her first start in two months. She drops again, retains the five-pound apprentice, and should be forwardly placed.

SIXTH RACE

MSW for 2yo fillies, first-time starter ELM DRIVE gets the call. She has been working well over the LRC track for a hot stable, first-crop stallion Mohaymen already has four 2yo winners (two won debut). Furthermore, ‘DRIVE is a sibling to three multiple winners; two won stakes including debut winner Mother of Dragons. WE ALL AGREE made the Daily Racing Form “horses to watch” list after her forgettable debut. She had trained fast and was well-backed, but threw a wingding at the gate, was taken out and re-loaded, bumped at the break, pressed and cracked. The whole thing was a debacle. Draw a line through it. A sibling to race-5 contender Red Panty Night, WE ALL AGREE should improve if she minds her manners going to post. LIAM’S DOVE also appears to have worked well for her debut. Although Liam’s Map is not known as a top sire of 2yo firsters (7 percent wins, debut juveniles), the dam of ‘DRIVE produce two debut winners. VERY SCARY debuts with fast works at San Luis Rey Downs.

SEVENTH RACE

STIR THE POT, a 13-start maiden, could race gate to wire. She set a blistering pace last time at 6.5 furlongs, but got collared on the wire. She shortens in distance to 5.5, and looks like the speed of the speed. The class hike from maiden-20 to Cal-bred maiden-50 is not too severe. REVISIONIST enters with an upset chance in the third start of his career. His debut was a better-than-looked fourth, he also finished fourth next out in a race dominated by speed. If the top choice falters, this race might unfold in favor of the closing rally of REVISIONIST. GLENDORA MINECAT broke slowly, pulled, and finished next to last at long odds in his debut. This group is easier, improvement likely with a race under his belt. POSEIDON’S KID also is eligible to improve second time out after a modest runner-up debut.

EIGHTH RACE

This competitive N1X/optional claiming route could go a number of ways. The tepid choice is the speed of the speed. He is MAJOR CABBIE, who seems to be rounding back into form based on his last-out third at this level. He set the pace, hung tough to midstretch, then got run over by Desmond Doss, a contender in the Bertrando Stakes (race 4). Although ‘CABBIE faces other front-runners, his improving form suggests this start might be the best of his cycle. MONGOLIAN LEGEND also perked up last out, runner-up after he set the pace. He does not require the lead, and could tuck into a cozy trip just off the speed. He likes this track, runner-up as a maiden in 2019 and runner-up at 33-1 in an allowance last summer. MARGOT’S BOY returns from a three-month layoff. He could get a trip similar to ‘LEGEND, positioned just off the speed. ROYAL INSIDER chased and faded last out, he might be better rallying from off the pace.

NINTH RACE

Close call in this Cal-bred allowance sprint between TOO LATE and PERFECTIONISTIC, second and first last time out in a Cal-bred sprint on turf. TOO LATE pressed the pace, had it won late, but got collared by his rival. The difference this time is TOO LATE is proven on dirt, and there is less speed in this field. He figures for a pressing trip, and will get first run. He must hold off the rally of PERFECTIONISTIC, who nailed him by a nose last out. The latter is two-for-three on turf, the LRC surface is usually kind to turf horses switching surfaces. PERFECTIONISTIC is the field’s fastest finisher. HAMMERING LEMON has run races that put him in the hunt, while ALPINE THUNDER won his only start here by four lengths.