ANALYSIS

FIRST RACE

DRA. PADILLA makes third start of form cycle and looks like the controlling speed if handled aggressively enough on the stretch. May not look back if able to relax on the front end with these. CUCCIOLO gets much needed class relief for local bow and Saez up. Could prove good fit in this spot. LIL BAY CORVETTE improved at second asking, may be ready for even better today at a mile.

SECOND RACE

COSMIC THUNDER ran a sneaky good fourth second off the long layoff when four wide much of the trip and six wide turning for home. Could prove a bit of a sleeper although will undoubtedly have to beat CARBON DATA who gets full makeover, blinkers and Lasix for return to south Fla. Will try to avoid the beaten favorite hat trick today. SNAG lost all chance at the break when haltered for slightly higher tag out of Ky. finale. Best previous tries makes him too good for these.

THIRD RACE

RUNNING TRAPPES has been away since relatively well graded bottom level maiden tally and training nicely for his return. May offer some value in another wide open mix of low level conditioned claimers. ILLUSTRIOUS SON takes big plunge to weakest level yet after chasing fast pace in ‘17 finale. Class of the field if close to his best. ZACH’S IMAGE no match for 4/5, runaway winner in latest after chasing very quick pace, looks loose here and eligible for improvement at a price making third start of current form cycle. Could hold on for a share at big balloons.

FOURTH RACE

CHEEKY CHERUB ran well in her debut only to catch a real good one in Cicatrix and may not be facing that kind in 3yo bow. Gets nod over ALTER MOON who also ran bang up second at first asking and the one to catch if away running from the rail. BESTINTHEBUSINESS a well bred sort by Ghostzapper who gets Lasix for debut. Could prove best of the new faces. Great Glory only brought $20K at the sale but has shown some promise in the a.m., might be a bit of a sleeper off the bench for hot barn.

FIFTH RACE

VENTINA figures with or even better perhaps on the pace if using her speed to its best example on the drop to bottom level claimers for the first time, as good as any in this one. RORAIMA a pretty consistent sort of late with this kind of open $6,250 company. Hard to ignore. I’M REALLY SUMTHIN didn’t appear to be prepared for start losing all chance over speed favoring strip here a couple of weeks ago. Reunites with Batista, beat this same kind on several occasions in ‘17.

SIXTH RACE

BATTLE FLAG, the day’s best, appears to be working forwardly for her U.S. bow and first start with Lasix and for Chad Brown barn. Not facing any killers here. MONEY FACTOR comes off another big effort on sod, knocking on the door with this kind. POUNDS TO PENNIES a logical choice off another near miss in the category but a hanging sort who is tough to totally trust at a short price again.

SEVENTH RACE

HELIODORO and WHOOP TI DO drop out of much tougher company when no match for the wire to wire 6/5 Promete to close out their 2017

campaigns. Former back with Juarez who guided him to maiden tally here a year ago while latter also getting favorable rider switch for first try for this tag. LITTLE MATT ran far and away his career best on dirt, just a matter of whether he can repeat returning in less than 4 weeks vs. stronger.

EIGHTH RACE

Lots of ways to go in this one so looking for a price with SMASHING SERENA who figures to move well up switching to turf and with the addition of Lasix to boot. The face she’s kin to 3 time graded SW Doubles Partner adds to the allure. REVERSETHEDECISION one of many new faces in this lineup but from top connections and by above average grass sire Scat Daddy out of a Dynaformer mare. Lots to like. KATHY’S CLOWN ran okay in a pretty well graded MSW on the turf here several weeks ago and lures Rosario for the assignment. Jasmine’s Gem showed big improvement at second asking but must not bounce coming back in 3 weeks off such a gut wrenching effort.

NINTH RACE

SONGEUR overcame a pretty eventful trip to beat much this same kind to close out a breif but successful 4yo campaign. Need only secure clean sailing, repeat the performance to take another. FAVORITE HEIR got hung out wide the entire trip when unable to keep pace late with preferred choice in their previous encounter now draws inside and lures top rider for the rematch.TEXAS ZIP not badly beaten by Songeur despite trouble of his own last time. Figures part of the mix at the end.

TENTH RACE

LIFES REWARD gets shakiest of nods in totally wide open bottom level, two turn claimer. Beat this same caliber at a mile last fall but more than capable at the distance and well posted near the inside to come running late if able to negotiate a clean run in bulky lineup. POWERLINE outlasted similar a couple of weeks ago at a mile and has won at the distance on turf. One to catch again if able to repeat the try wheeling back on short rest. TURNCOAT has beaten this kind before and another who could benefit from an inside post, come running late should this one collapse behind Powerline at the end. BAma Bound and Summer Scamp both contenders but facing the prospect of a tough run breaking on extreme outside at today’s distance.

ELEVENTH RACE

AMERICAN HALO back to what appears her preferred surface and down low enough for return to sod to get her diploma with any racing luck. MICHELLE’Z LAUGH and COSITA RICA come off decent tries vs. similar and getting major rider chances with the Ortiz boys taking the calls.