ANALYSIS

FIRST RACE

HONOR UP is a standout in the opener, having established form on dirt and coming off a second to Audible, who returned to win an offthe-turf allowance comfortably on Wednesday. As for the minor awards, it’s anyone’s guess with a number of these being unknowns, either as first timers or going turf-to-dirt. Perhaps HONOR MISSION has the most upside, making his second start, adding Lasix, and coming off a bullet work at Belmont on dirt. IRON JOHNNY may also take to the dirt based on pedigree. He was a distant third on the turf Nov. 11 going a shorter distance.

SECOND RACE

Main-track only entrant DEVINE DENTAL rates on top if this scheduled turf race gets moved to the dirt - always a distinct possibility in December; respectable on-the-board finishes recently for this tag in scheduled dirt races, and off-thegrass contests are often easier. LONE TRADER and MANIFEST DESTINY are the preferred runners for the grass in what seems a wideopen race if run on the lawn. ‘TRADER is the value-based pick at 10-1 odds, entering this race with respectable form and getting blinkers off. MANIFEST DESTINY has speed and a superior record to ‘TRADER, but figures to be the shorter price and has already been run down a few times this year after getting away with soft splits.

THIRD RACE

Trainer David Jacobson has a powerful one-two punch in the third race, with first-after-claim runner J S BACH having back class and tactical speed, and late-running FOR GREATER GLORY moving back to his preferred surface on dirt after failing to threaten vs. classier when somewhat hampered in traffic last out. OLD UPSTART is the leading threat to the Jacobson pair, being 9 for 28 on dirt and having just edge J S BACH for the place in a $25,000 claimer last out. He has been popular at the claims box since the summer and now joins Asmussen.

FOURTH RACE

BLUE EYES didn’t show much first out when racing for this maiden $50,000 tag, but could experience a form turnaround for her second start. She races for winning connections and adds Lasix, plus comes off an above-average breeze at Belmont on the training track there. TIZ ANNA RAE is a first timer by speed sire Posse that was quick enough to breeze a half mile in 49 1/5 seconds over the training track at Belmont Nov. 24. Barn is dangerous with debuting runners and this one catches an unaccomplished group. CAOIMHE owns the top Beyer, a 38, posted in running fourth Nov. 3 in her second start. Still, that isn’t exactly a flashy figure, and having made two starts, compared to one for the top choice, seemingly less room to move forward.

FIFTH RACE

ARCHIVAL owns consistently the highest speed figures in the race, and has much improved form since joining trainer David Jacobson in the summer; managed a third Dec. 1 even falling farther off the pace than accustomed. REEDINI ran poorly first off the claim as the even money favorite Nov. 17, running sixth, but has back class and looks capable of challenging with a return to form. COMPETITIVENESS beat the top choice in a maiden race Oct. 13, but hasn’t started since, while ARCHIVAL has raced three times; infrequent works leading into this, one of which was very slow.

SIXTH RACE

MY BOY TATE enters this race off two straight blowout victories and looks poised to win another;

can go to the lead or press the pace as the outside speed. BRIMSTONE set the pace last out being giving way in the final furlong and fading to fourth; usually gets tired but keeps chugging along every so often. GIANT IN THE MOON LITE is regularly a factor but has exhibited bridesmaid tendencies this fall; likely to work out a useful stalking trip and get another slice.

SEVENTH RACE

MISSION COMMAND fits whether this race is run, as scheduled, on turf or moved to the dirt. He broke his maiden on dirt in September 2016 at Belmont, and now enters this race with good grass form; third at this level last out, only missing second in a photo. DISCRETIONARY MARQ was a half length behind the top choice when fourth Nov. 18; was farther off the pace than usual and finished decently, while outkicked by some of the others in here; likely to sit closer today under Carmouche. D’YER MAK’ER is just 1 for 14 and rates as the third pick as a result despite useful turf sprint form; fast breeze coming into this but has long been a quick work horse.

EIGHTH RACE

QUEZON is winless in six races this year - in part the result from facing demanding company running against mares such as Highway Star, By the Moon, Pretty N Cool; gets the edge based on her body of work and fine overall record of 16-5-6-2. MS LOCUST POINT figures to be tough in here if she goes, but seems more likely to run in a stake Saturday at Laurel; set to move forward after not the flashiest of comebacks at Parx. ABSATOOTLY upset the top choice in the Iroquois at Belmont Oct. 21 after finishing behind that rival in the Gallant Bloom and Union Avenue - races both mares lost; patient handling under Bravo and an inside rally provided the difference last time. Of the others, PICCO UNO is one to consider, having tactical speed in a race that may lose pace if MS LOCUST POINT is scratched.

NINTH RACE

MISSIMPAZI needs a scratch to draw in from the also eligible list but figures to be tough to catch if she gets a chance to run; speedy and would appreciate a slight cutback in distance from 6 1/2 to 6 furlongs. DANCING W TH DA FF OD LS is a first timer that surprisingly shows no published works since Nov. 14; would normally be cautious about such a runner, but in goods hands with trainer Linda Rice, who will likely have her ready. FOREVER DREAMS debuted with a runner-up finish at Finger Lakes but then struggled to keep up at Aqueduct against straight maidens after a somewhat awkward break; fittingly dropped in for a tag for the first time.