FIFTH RACE

MR. PETE appeared to be well-meant for debut when getting bet into a Pletcher favorite, but he proceeded to badly compromise his chances at the start, before finishing up well all through the stretch to make some ground; needs some help to get in, but he may be tough to down if he has learned some lessons from that first one. PANAMA ED debuted in that same race while taking no money, and he lacked any early speed before racing on with some late interest; Lasix on for second start if he can draw in. MORNING BREEZ a first time starter by Grade 1 miler-type Morning Line, and the first five foals to race from this dam are all winners; trainer capable with a firster. THIS CAT CAN FLY doesn’t have much pedigree, but brought $80k last year, and debuts for a solid trainer. In guessing game like this, at least in the main body, can do worse that just trusting trainers, which leads directly to SINGAPORE TRADER (Pletcher) and FIVE STAR BUNT (Rudy).

SIXTH RACE

ZEALOUS SCHOLAR had no trouble making the lead vs. a weak field for the level last time, but she had plenty of trouble with that route distance, and it seemed like even the seven was too far for her two starts back after looking home free past midstretch; turns back with speed, and her first three starts over this distance were all good efforts. MIZZEN MAX stayed gamely to deny favored Tiznow’s Smile over a tough distance on debut, and she went equally well last time when putting away a couple of pace rivals before settling for secondbest; Nevin solid off the trainer change with dirt sprinters (past five years, 12-for-54, 22%, $2.62 ROI). SATIN SHEETS has enough pedigree for that surface switch last time to make sense, but she is clearly better on dirt, at least for now; debut win was more game that anything else, but it earned her a competitive figure. Not sure PALLADIAN BRIDGE classes up, if that even means anything anymore, but she has run all of the fastest races in this field; 83 Beyer earned for easy win two back would handle this field with little fuss.

SEVENTH RACE

PIRELLONE has enough pedigree for turf, and managed to get a win when switched over last year, but still prefer him on the main track, and like him switching back for his second start of the year; hasn’t made a start on fast dirt since last August at Saratoga vs. much better horses, and he ran better than it looks there after losing position through the turn, getting bumped in the stretch, and then just being allowed to finish up on his own. AT GUARD dropping quickly after dueling the pace with an odds-on favorite off the layoff; not sure that’s a great sign, but his two wins over this distance last year make him tough. TIZ SHEA D improved somewhat on turf recently, but there are still lingering questions as to whether he can still run; he is a graded stakes winner routing on dirt, but have always wanted him back sprinting after that impressive debut win, and he’s only tried it once, off a 406 day layoff at Saratoga.

EIGHTH RACE

RUNAWAY POSSE just 3-for-22 lifetime, with seven 2nds, but all three of the wins have come sprinting on turf, and all seven runnerup efforts have come in routes; acknowledge that he was entered for $25k here on Sunday in a race that was moved to the main track, and that came after he failed to produce a finish in his return to NY back in April, but will give him one more chance sprinting on grass. SEIZE disappointed a bit as a 3yo, going 1-for-5 while short on the board right along, but he is still lightly-raced, and his speed can play in this field; wouldn’t take a short price on him. LORD OF LOVE makes 8yo debut with 3-for-44 mark, and he has a bit of hang in him, but he held solid form throughout 0-11 2016 campaign, and he is effective over sprint distances. GREY FOX has been 2nd or 3rd in seven straight since maiden win off the trainer change last May; one of those runnerup efforts came at Belmont last October, but that is not a race I cared for overall.

NINTH RACE

REAL CREEL has flashed big speed on turf, including that debut win in lone attempt sprinting; drops a bit and cuts back after running away on a fast pace over a mile last time. STORMIN MACLEAN found a tough spot in debut on turf vs. the talented Big Handsome, then switched over to dirt on a class drop and was just up as the favorite; back to turf off the claim for a dangerous trainer, and one who is lights out off the claim on turf (past five years: 13-for-40, 33%, $2.70 ROI, including 3-for-5 in turf sprints at Belmont, $5.30 ROI). HELDATGUNPOINT ran to his pedigree when dominating maidens while switching to turf here last month; that was the time to have him, but he is not over his head vs. this field.