ANALYSIS

BEST BET: RACE 3, LION IN WAIT

FIRST RACE

ACORN STREET had no excuses after good trips in her first two starts at this level last year, though she was facing some pretty good horses in those races, before dropping a level to cut the pace in a race that was won by her entrymate from off the pace in her 2yo finale; claimed by a dangerous trainer out of that last one and starts back in a spot where she can easily contend with some expected improvement. SUPERCOMMITTEE appeared to need that race sprinting on debut, but she had much-improved speed when stretched out in her second start, before drifting off the turn and proving to be no match for a more experienced winner late; appears to have the most early speed in this field. EQUAL RIGHTS earned a competitive figure in her Gulfstream debut for Chad Brown, though she never looked like she had enough to win that race; can easily improve enough to get there. BLOOMING debuts for a good trainer and she has a lot of turf on the dam-side of her pedigree (she’s a half-sister to two stakes winners on grass, including Red Rifle), but Graydar has not been an effective turf influence.

SECOND RACE

GO BIG OR GO HOME has improved noticeably since switched over to dirt and he has continued in good form for Diodoro despite not winning in three starts since being claimed; drops. BATTLE READY broke his maiden with a competitive figure when cut back to sprint off the claim for these connections last September and he ran well in his next start, as well, before having a no-chance trip in his final start of 2017; has to be ready off the layoff but this is likely the right level for him. TRULY A MOON SHOT making 20th career start while still eligible for this two-life condition, but he has occasionally run a race that would make him tough here, and he has been in solid form lately; goes off the claim for Rudy.

THIRD RACE

LION IN WAIT was a bit dressed up off pair of wins with soft trips off the claim for this trainer last year, but she acquitted herself well while up in class in her final start of 2017, and she lost all chance in that last one when jammed up in traffic and failing to come clear in the stretch. QUEENOFTHECHANNEL hasn’t won a race since claimed by these connections at the end of 2016 but she will occasionally show up with a race that would give her a look in this kind of field; had no kick after a good trip when back to turf off the short layoff last time, but that was a better field than this one. TIZ A KITTEN had made seven straight starts on dirt to no avail, including three for this trainer at Parx, but she is better on this surface and she has some speed.

FOURTH RACE

INFINITY SQUARED was an easy winner on debut at Saratoga before shipping out off the claim and facing better with some success earlier this year; tough if bringing that form back to NY vs. this field for his new trainer. FIVE STAR BUNT faced some tough NY-bred maidens early on before dropping to past a clear-cut win last October; was no match for Stallion Series foes when last seen, but he’s a better fit here with a chance to improve as a 3yo. PANAMA ED has improved with new-found tactical speed in his last two starts, and he ran down favored HARD WAY WINNER on the square off the layoff; steps up looking for three in a row.

FIFTH RACE

CAMORRA was an easy winner despite not getting bet hard for Pletcher in her career debut, and she ran well again despite settling for second-best to a much improved Orchid Party in her second start; will take her upside, along with her speed, in this

field, though she will need her best. MY ROXY

GIRL is no star, but she shows up and runs every time, no matter the level of competition of the pace scenario; isn’t all that scary as the favorite, but she’s the horse to beat. FROSTY GAL never really panned out after a somewhat promising beginning, but she’s okay and like her turning back after going her best vs. an over-bet favorite over a mile last time. Hard to tell how good TAYLER’S THE BOSS actually is, as excuses could be made for her two losses - though she didn’t run that well either time - and she was an easy winner over maidens in her only other start; can see taking a positive view as she makes her 3yo debut off the layoff. I LIKE YOUR STYLE had speed to contest the pace before weakening in her debut, then chased a fast pace before giving way in her second start; switches to turf with some pedigree in an openlooking race for a trainer who has had success with first-time turfers. ANDRETTA showed enough in four starts as a 2yo to be taken seriously as she starts back on the drop; would be nice to see that slight filly has grown up a bit during her downtime. ELEGANT JEM also dropping for the first time after tiring going long in her first start as a 3yo; cuts back from a tough post. AUSSIE AHVEE has a strong pedigree for sprinting on turf, though her trainer has not had much success with firsters sprinting on grass lately (past five years, 5 for 57, 9%, $0.84 ROI).

SEVENTH RACE

LA MONEDA lightly-raced as she makes her 5yo debut, but she showed some real ability despite the late start to her career last summer, including a pair of impressive wins at Belmont, before finishing gamely for 2nd behind the talented Tizzelle; tough if ready off the bench while switching back to the trainer she started out with last year. WAR

CANOE got good late last year while racing at lower levels, but she picked up right where she left off to win off the layoff over a shorter trip; closer needs some pace. TABLE FOR SIX an infrequent winner but she’s consistent and she adapted her running style to keep closer to the pace while posting her lone win last year.

EIGHTH RACE

SAL THE TURTLE was something of a surprise while turning out to be competitive in stakes company early on in his career and he was returning from a long layoff when tiring in a fast race last month, in a race he appeared to need while wide and trying to race on into the upper-stretch; threat if he can step forward with that one out of the way. MIGHTY ZEALOUS has struggled at times in his career, but he has never been better than he is right now following back to back strong performances at good prices, including that runner-up effort to Long Haul Bay (98 Beyer) last time; good post. RECTIFY is at his best when able to be part of the pace, which could complicate things for him in this race, but his good race is going to make him tough in here as he returns to the level of the claim.

NINTH RACE

RIPE dropping and cutting back off the claim for a dangerous trainer after catching wet tracks in his last two starts at Oaklawn; best race is going to make him tough in this spot, especially if he can find the early speed he has at the beginning of his career. TAKE CHARGE JAKE a half to five winners from his graded-stakes winning dam, and he is by a sire who is off to a good start at stud; Rudy underrated with first-time starters. HIDDEN BAMBOO, like the top one, is making his first start for Diodoro while shipping in from Oaklawn, where he caught wet tracks in his last two starts; showed improved speed on the cut back last time.