ANALYSIS

BEST BET: RACE 9, IMPACT PLAYER

FIRST RACE

Lots of contenders in opener but looking for a potential duel between Starship Wildcat and Dubai Bob to perhaps set up CHESTNUT JOHNNY or SHADOW ROCK from just off the pace. Former beaten just over a length by Successful Native making local bow, the latter flattering the effort Beyering 100 with his easy win in the recent Janus Stakes. Shadow Rock finished just a length or so off Sir Navigator and Oak Bluffs here last month, that pair exiting big tries behind world class turf sprinter Pay the Price on opening day. STARSHIP WILDCAT freshened since being hard used on the lead behind Shadow Rock in key race this summer at Spa, chased home Pay the Price over this course earlier in the year and back in familiar hands for ‘18 bow.

SECOND RACE

BELLA BAILAR dons shades, gets key rider switch to Castellano, might get loose with these if aggressively ridden from utset. Ran best race of career when able to control things up front earlier in career at Keeneland. LUZ MIMI the logical choice chipping locally after holding own with faster in all recent tries in N Y. THREE ILLUSIONS comes off best yet but stepping up against tougher today.

THIRD RACE

LEOPARDSHILL ROAD hard used on the lead before fading to third behind 3/5 stable mate Flying Girl in 2017 finale. Not facing that kind in this spot. Dangerous if able to relax at all on the front end. A J’S AMEX caught class dropping Luna Lunita, finished a well beaten second dropping to this level for the first time on 12/28 and staying put off the claim. Must prove she can win at one turn since both her previous career tallies around two at PEnn Nat. and Parx. WHITE MOON showed improved speedt adding blinkers while obviously taking to the dirt just fine in local debut. Figures to chase preferred one from the outset.

FOURTH RACE

GREAT LOU a giant question mark on the drop after collapsing past wire in the Claiming Crown Express. Does show several recorded works on resume’ since the incident, owns decided class edge, could be long gone if able to run away early from Trev. PRUDHOE BAY another old class runner now down for this tag. In dangerous hands off the claim and lures Irad for the assignment. FUNDY’S TIDE also figures forwardly placed from the outset, must gain some respect dropping in for this tag.

FIFTH RACE

TRAPPED AT SEA turns back to a sprint after stamina enhancing two turn try earlier in the meet. Took the worst of the trips when finishing in front of UNCLE JUNIOR in their previous meeting. The latter freshened since improved showing in turf bow, comes up tagged for dangerous barn. Daughter of Artie Schiller strictly the one to fear. SUPER WITCH hard to fault off a couple of decent showings to launch career. Figures forwardly throughout. Giovanna’s Magic flashed some speed in company with multiple winner to Joe in recent gate work but breeding just average at best for the grass.

SIXTH RACE

ZEFIRO gets shaky call in another wide open turf event coming off arguably a career best effort behind Baltic Art, who has won five times and would be the horse to beat in this spot. REFLECTED STAR obviously a huge question mark showing up for this tag off an extended vacation and with only two recorded works on resume’. Tough call. The sme holds true for CONQUEST SANDMAN who drops below level for which he was claimed this summer at the Spa but exiting a well graded dirt work at PM on 1/4.

SEVENTH RACE

SINATRA as good as any in another turf head scratcher. Has won five of last six, his lone setback during that span in the Emerald in which he ran into some traffic on a couple of occasions trying to rally through the stretch. Can be along again with clean sailing from rail. D’CRAZINESS another exiting the Emerald, which has become a key race producing trio of next out winners including Durocher, whyo upset the Tropical Park Derby earlier this month. May prove controlling speed if handled properly from the outset. BINGO KITTEN readily outfinished preferred choice in the Emerald and always can be counted on to be coming late with this caliber.

EIGHTH RACE

FASHIONABLY WILD gets shaky nod with Jose O taking the reins after turning in good showing despite slow start and losing considerable ground from outside post around the turn vs similar three weeks earlier. QUALITY TIME raced in some traffic early, drifted a bit late while not badly beaten in that same contest and has the look of one sitting on best yet with a trip. ANAIS beat many of these last time when overcoming slow start and traffic to miss a neck under similar conditions on 12/26. Jumby Bay training well for return to turf, part of early mix with Secret Defence and April Rose.

NINTH RACE

The addition of blinkers appeared to make a world of different for IMPACT PLAYER in local bow who earned high marks on graduation day. Continues to train forwardly for hike to winner’s level, should stand some catching again if away running from inside. SEPTIMIUS SEVERUS changed hands via private purchase after impressive debut win over a horse who came back to run second behind monstrous Strike Power earlier in this meet. One to beat. MISTER BISTER outran his odds in debut win at Tampa, might be best of the others with another forward move.

TENTH RACE

RATE OF RETURN’s Beyer fig nothing to write home about in career bow but that effort came at 7 1/2 furlongs and all the way back in July of her 2yo campaign. Runner-up from that contest now stakes placed. Could be a bit of a sleeper showing up for a tag in 3yo bow. MAHVELOUS KITTEN another getting some class relief after stopping badly following early duel vs. much better on opening day. BLAZING LADY has shown promise in the a.m. and with enough breeding to suggest she could be dangerous launching career for this tag.