FIFTH RACE

CITY DAY didn’t show much speed in her debut, which was rained off the turf, but she made a nice four-wide run to contention around the turn in that race, before flattening out a bit late; adds lasix for switch to turf second time out, which has been a positive move for Clement from a limited sample (past five years, maiden, second start, first time turf, first time lasix: 4 for 10, $4.97 ROI). COFFEE CRUSH the first foal from Wasted Tears, who was excellent turf mare in the states a few years ago, winning several graded stakes and almost $1 million; Toner just 1 for his last 33 with first time starters, but he has had several run well at prices in that sample. RUSHING FALL a More Than Ready filly debuting for Chad, who tends to do better with his 2yos debuting in turf routes here than he does anywhere else (past five years, first time starter, turf route, Belmont: 13 for 37, 35%, $5.02 ROI, including a win here opening weekend at 4/1 odds).

SIXTH RACE

FISCAL DISCIPLINE received a perfect trip and ride before prevailing in her NY turf debut two starts back, but she didn’t exactly work out the best trip in the world when strongly rated in the early stages at Monmouth last time, and then finding some trouble getting to the clear in the stretch; would like to see her get up close early this time. JENNIFER’S LEGACY has improved since this trainer took over earlier in the year, and she is back to the right level here after stepping up and doing her best with a very good trip last time; good post. GOLD LACE may be the right kind of new face to this crew, and it helps that she is handled by one the better turf trainers in this game; didn’t love her most recent race at GP, but it is worth pointing out that she was always on the outside with the rails at 108 feet, and she did earn a new top figure for her trouble.

SEVENTH RACE

CERISE’S PRINCE is likely going to have to prove that he can sit a little with the speedy Black Tide also entered here, but think he may have shown a little bit of that versatility last time when not really sending from his outside post, and then getting stuck wide throughout on a day when you really wanted to be inside on the Saratoga turf, but still making a game run to contention before tiring; has some ability, and like this inside draw for him. ANNALS OF TIME making first start since explosive Grade 1 Hollywood Derby win, and he is clearly going to be hard on this field assuming he is set to fire right away; have to think there are plans for bigger races in his future, but he should have some pace to run at here, if nothing else. GIO’S CALLING getting the right cut back in distance after trying longer in his last two, and he caught a bit of traffic in the stretch of that last one; not his biggest fan, but this does appear to be a pretty good spot, and he has the right running style.

EIGHTH RACE

HAMMERIN AAMER has improved noticeably since breaking his maiden for a tag at the turn of the year, and he appears to be one who will really appreciate this turn back after fighting gamely in the stretch going a demanding two-turn route upstate last time; two for two ovre the one-turn mile, and he was a very good 2nd in his only other one-turn route on Belmont Stakes Day. FAJA didn’t earn much of a figure, and he was not visually impressive, either, en route to defeating a very weak field in his debut last December, but he is eligible to improve quickly, and Pletcher has unbelievable numbers in this situation (past five years, maiden win last start, 180+ day layoff, dirt: 13 for 22, 59%, $3.06 ROI). MEANTIME also turning back out of a nine-furlong route at Saratoga, where he failed to hold a stretch lead ndas a heavy favorite, though he has a prior win over that distance in his past; speed plays over this shorter trip, but his two best races have come over wet tracks and there is other pace in this race.

NINTH RACE

DEFIANT HONOR has to prove it over this distance, which may push her limits a bit, but she rebounded nicely to win that restricted stake last time, after failing to work out the right trip (and reportedly displacing) in the Lake George as the favorite; still think she is one of the better fillies in this division, and she should be forwardly-placed throughout in this race. VUE FANTASTIQUE a wildcard shipping in from France with group credentials, and there are no such distance concerns for her; managed only one win in France, but that came in a Group 3 race, and she is already Group 1-placed, as well. UNI rode a perfect trip to a Grade 1-placing in her stateside debut, but she wasn’t quite as lucky when having to swing wide before trying to close into a fast final fraction in the Lake Placid; figures tough if running as well right back.

TENTH RACE

TWENTY FOUR SEVEN returned from the layoff over a tough distance, and he couldn’t make a late impact in race that was wired by a long shot; found improved form for this trainer at the end of last year, and he should be sharper, and have more pace to run at, this time. PIONEER SPIRIT got to the front on the stretch out, and dug in gamely to hold in first start off the claim for Linda Rice; figure earned for that effort will give him a chance right back, and he should be going again from his inside draw. CLOUD CONTROL hasn’t come forward so far this year after finding improved form as a turf horse as a 3yo; drops in for the price after getting in a bit tight in the stretch going shorter last time.