FOURTH RACE

PRINCE OF JERICHO (1,119 lbs. on 1/21; -7 from prior start) was ridden more aggressively in the Spectacular Bid, and that might have made the difference. Ranged up four wide through a solid second quarter of 23.50 to get within even terms, went better than Coffeewithchris turning into the stretch, and was on his way. Munnings colt owns the tactical speed to get close to the pace, and has the pedigree and body type to appreciate stretching out another furlong. Barn is 5 for the last 15 (33%, $2.11 ROI) moving sprint to route. Lots of changes for RICCIO (1,273 lbs. on 12/30; +44 from prior start) as he adds blinkers, stretches out in distance, and races as a new gelding. Worked out a decent midpack trip in the Heft behind a solid pace, seemed to be moving well, then got up for third. Hulking son of Cross Traffic looks and acts like the additional distance will be his friend. Runs on in the stretch. COFFEEWITHCHRIS (1,114 lbs. on 1/21; +10 from prior start) ran very well when upsetting Prince of Jericho in the Heft. Battled with 3-1 shot Full Moon Madness, put that one away, and was just too good. Never got a breather in the Spectacular Bid when a game second. First, he dealt with 33-1 shot Tiz No Clown (finished fifth), then was immediately set upon by the winner. Adds Lasix and might have an easier time of it up front for barn that went 4 for 11 (36%, $4.91 ROI) between 12/16 and 1/28.

FIFTH RACE

FREE SQUARE, listed as a Laurel vet scratch on 2/12, ran off on the lead going a one-turn mile two back, but relaxed a lot better when cutting back to a sprint. Broke a beat slow in the latter event, settled in midpack behind a quick and contested pace, advanced three wide to confront the dueling leaders, and was on his way. He seems pace adaptable and shouldn’t be too far off the lead. Butterfly lands here instead of Top Boss and Shoot Themessenger. MASAI MAN’s last four victories came in Ohio, and it’s fair to question who he was facing when winning a blanket finish at Mahoning Valley earlier in the month. Tracked three wide and in between, seemed outpaced, made a four-wide bid turning into the stretch, and grinded down the leaders just in the nick of time. Earned a respectable Beyer, however, and was an okay third at this level over course and distance during the fall. DIALING DIXIE (1,115 lbs. on 1/27; +9 from prior start; wears cheekpieces) has good speed, and might be rounding into his best for form for his third start following a short layoff. Put on a hard chase last time through a quick interior fraction of 22.55, he steadied in between in upper stretch when beginning to tire. Might not have to work as hard to get forward. Like horses cutting back to seven-eighths, and SHOOT THEMESSENGER (1,052 lbs. on 1/28; -9 from prior start) has won moving from route to sprint. Usually competitive at this level and runs on late. TOP BOSS gets some class relief after getting hooked up in a speed duel with 6-1 shot Alpha Chi Rho (dead-heated for third) in $12,000 starter. Might revert to rating tactics that worked well against dime starters two back. OUR HOISTED MAST (1,058 lbs. on 1/22; +11 from prior start) finished ahead of next-out winner Hot N Spicy Love (66 Beyer in nickel seller) when second best to runaway favored class-dropper Oxide. He has better tactical speed than shown in that race. JUMP SHOT’s last race is a throw-out as he tried to rally wide over a speed-favoring, sloppy Parx track in a race where they ran 1-2 all the way around. In good form before that heat.

SIXTH RACE

SHAKE EM LOOSE (1,151 lbs. on 6/15) likely gained needed fitness in return from 239-day layoff. Settled outside, advanced four wide to track on the backstretch, was placed on a hard chase to go after odds-on Zabracadabra, then bravely held second over American d’Oro (next-out allowance winner with 92 Beyer). Showed some quality here last year winning the Heft and Private Terms for barn that went 6 for 20 (30%, $4.20 ROI) between 2/3 and 2/12. TREASURE TROVE is in excellent form with three wins from his last four. Worked out an excellent trip to beat mate when entered for $80,000 at Aqueduct 16 days ago. Raced outside at the back, found a good spot by himself after a half-mile, wisely dropped into the pocket with two furlongs remaining, eased out to set sail after Southern District, and got the better of him. Halfbrother to Preakness winner Rombauer earned career-best 96 Beyer that afternoon. NIMITZ CLASS (1,144 lbs. on 12/30; +2 from prior start) bested four of these when grabbing the Manfuso. Didn’t break the best, then tracked three/four wide at back of the compact field. Advanced outside on the backstretch as the pace wasn’t very quick, eased out three wide under urging, then wore down the leaders. He has good tactical speed, has won both dirt routes, and might be reaching peak condition as a new 4-year-old. Barn is 5 for the past 19 (26%, $3.44 ROI) with last-out winners returning on dirt.

SEVENTH RACE

BUY THE BEST was the only one making up any ground in the Mrs. Claus Stakes at Parx, a race where they ran 1-2 all the way around. Saved ground in the pocket over that sealed, sloppy surface, gradually made her way to the four path and in the clear, and grinded her way up for third. She lugged 128 lbs. and now sheds eight lbs. for her route debut. Think there’s enough pedigree for her to get the two turns as the dam was Grade 2-placed at this distance over synthetic, and the second dam was a multiple stakes-placed router. Multiple stakes-winner can sit just off the leaders. AWARD WANTED (1,012 lbs. on 1/21; -9 from prior start) seeks third consecutive victory after perfect-trip score in the Geisha. Tracked the pace in the pocket, surged through an inviting opening turning into the long stretch, then extended her lead. She has excellent tactical speed and should be in the thick of things when the real racing begins. MOMA TIGER was too good for a weaker bunch at Charles Town when getting close to the pace over a speed-friendly track. There isn’t a ton of speed in this race, and she might attempt to find forward position after breaking from this advantageous inside post. Barn is 4 for the last 13 (31%, $3.68 ROI) with last-out winners returning on dirt. HYBRID ECLIPSE (991 lbs. on 12/30; +9 from prior start) should appreciate cutting back in distance. She received a nice setup when running them down in the Thirty Eight Go Go two back, then was forced to stay closer to the slower pace when wired by Malibu Beauty in the Carousel. She kicks hard in the stretch, and would really benefit from solid fractions.

EIGHTH RACE

UNION LAKE reportedly clipped heels ever so slightly while racing along the inside in the Grade 2 Raven Run, then quickly dropped out of contention. Returned from that race with a solid “second-level” allowance score at Aqueduct over next-out winner Rossa Veloce (91 Beyer at same level). Tracked a reasonable pace three wide and in between, went after the runner-up in earnest from the outside, then steadily drew clear. Outside post allows her to settle into a stalking rhythm while clear of traffic. Must prove she is as effective without Lasix (0 for 3) as she is with the anti-bleeding medication (3 for 3). Jockey-trainer combination scored with De Francis Memorial winner Killybegs Captain here in 2019. Also want to use PASS