ANALYSIS

BEST BET: RACE 11, MARCH X PRESS

FIRST RACE

BALLYLIN turned in game effort in defeat after dueling odds on winner throughout when dropped for this tag off the claim. Need only avoid similar battle to earn her own diploma returning vs. same kind. THREE QUESTIONS was hung wide, was a game second putting shades on for the first time earlier this month and well drawn inside this time around. GIBSON GIRL getting plenty of class relief, lures Ortiz for local bow.

SECOND RACE

MILBRA checked at the break, did not have the best of trips thereafter when facing far better than she encounters on drop to this level. Classes up nicely in this spot. THREAT also logical on the drop returning to the main off a couple of even tries on grass. One to catch. INDOMINUS stays put off the claim, ran well vs. same kind last time.

THIRD RACE

NOTHINS FREE drops off the claim, puts blinkers back on, worked well with Castellano up earlier in the week. Not facing much while aggressively placed by her new connections. SWEET INSPIRATION also getting ample class relief for first try on dirt and like the fact Saez signs on again. SOUNDS LIKE MUSIC a beaten favorite in each of her last three starts but still could prove competitive in this weak spot.

FOURTH RACE

IZZY THE WARRIOR plunges to winning spot off dull effort last time. Need only repeat that solid try behind hard knocking Borlini two back to tally here. TEA AND CRICKET jumped up with huge effort last time, must demand respect if able to repeat that try from a Beyer standpoint on the hike to this tougher level. GRAND NENE looks like he should be able to come running late to pick up some pieces in this spot.

FIFTH RACE

Since the experienced ones very suspect, just taking a stab at a couple of the new faces in the lineup, GRAN MALBEC and WIZARD JAK. Former has shown some speed in the a.m., big question if how he’ll break from the gate after ducking out sharply from the barrier in final schooling move last Friday. Wizard Jak has shown some early gas of his own, just a question of whether he can carry it six furlongs off what he’s shown at the end of recent morning trials. UNCLE YOLANDA flashed speed going a mile, held for third behind runaway winner, could be legged up for even better showing turning back to three-quarter’s for a barn that has woken up a bit the past week.

SIXTH RACE

FAST EDDIE E poorly posted last time, still finished mid-pack when dropped to this level for the first time, now turns back to a sprint, need only keep within hailing distance early to run down this gang under Irad. GIFT BANDA obviously a big question mark making U.S. bow. Horse who ran second to him in that maiden race in Ireland last time still a maiden as of this writing. Has been gelded, gets Lasix, barn owns high percentage mark here

over the past year. Plenty to like. WILDCAT SAINT chased 5/2 Smart Dude(bet down from 20-1 ML) before fading late last time while regressing a tad off career best showing four weeks earlier. May ultimately prove one to catch.

SEVENTH RACE

FIRST DISTINCTION got pinched back from inside, chased Coquivacoa to no avail when pair met under $6,250 tags earlier in the meet, might be able to reverse that outcome if away running in the rematch. In form mare looks capable of handling the jump to this relatively weak state bred optional claimer. FORTY’S SWEETHEART ran down same kind two back in lone try on dirt, may get similarly sweet pace set up again. COQUIVACOA another in sharp form at the present time but must avoid potential duel with preferred one today.

EIGHTH RACE

GOT STORMY showed improvement at second asking in 2yo finale, has changed barns, continues to train well subsequent to that outing. Third could be the charm. JASMINE’S GEM turned in game second vs. same kind two back, repeat of that outing could be good enough to graduate in this slightly softer looking spot. SMARTY SMART holding form well enough of late but stepping up with open company today.

NINTH RACE

SWAN OF THE NILE broke from tough inside gate for beginners, was not disgraced launching career against a solid bunch in key race on 1/14 from which both the runner-up and also ran Sean’s Idea returned to win MSW races. Figures to improve from the experience. Gets nod in field loaded with first time starters. MO SMART and OX EYED DAISY debut for Pletcher, both having brought six figures at Fasig Tipton 2016 summer yearling sales. Work reports just okay on these two but must respect the connections while tabbing tote for further clues.

TENTH RACE

SET ME UP neck by suddenly red hot Could Be after making two moves last time, the latter coming big to win an open $16K on turf off the effort. Need only repeat same try to win this condition as the likely favorite. FAST FACT ran bang up race despite losing 4-5 lengths when taken up sharply on far turn. Lures Saez while drawn inside this time around. MR. PAPILLON had some traffic issues himself while a game second(in dead heat) vs. same kind four weeks earlier. Barn red hot at the present time.

ELEVENTH RACE

MARCH X PRESS, the day’s best, the lone stakes winner in this field and getting high marks in recent a.m. trials. Should be along in time with a clean run off what figures to be a contested early pace. PICARA back to what appears her favorite surface and note sharp half mile main track drill on 2/10. MRS. RAMONA G. defeated Picara when pair met on a “good” main track in their 3yo bows but obviously a proven commodity on the turf.

TWELFTH RACE

FUEL THE BERN a tepid nod in a field loaded with contenders trying straight claimers for the first time since earning high marks last fall in N Y on graduation day. SNAG also dropping back to selling ranks, seems to be bit of a hanging sort but numbers say he’s the one to beat at his best. LEVIATHAN drops, could be the sleeper off series of decent works this winter at the training center.

THIRTEENTH RACE

FIGARELLA’S QUEEN suffered tough setback after doing all the dirty work up front when switched to the lawn for the first time in her 3yo bow and unless one of the new faces really good should be able to carry her speed the distance in finale. GIANNA SCHICCHI may be best of the many debuting types in here. By War Front out of a two time turf winning mare and kin to multiple G1 winner Shareta. MOCKERY continues to improve, must prove mettle switching to the grass. Too Cool to Dance sporting top J/T connections and a Kitten’s Joy out of an Unbridled’s Song mare. Works just average but must respect in her bow.