ANALYSIS

BEST BET: RACE 6, TRAPPS STAR

FIRST RACE

The abbreviated Jersey Shore race week ends Sunday with a 10-race card (post, 12:50 ET) during which trainer Jorge Navarro once again is a focal point with entries in 5 races, all of them seemingly live. ZANDAR is the first of those; 6yo gelding suddenly awoke on the July 4 turn-back and now comes favorably drawn in the outside post in the first of 6 Sunday races scheduled for grass; reverting to his best form makes him a solid threat. Both JOHNNY U and DEREK’S SMILE are last-out winners breaking from outer posts and are sure to take deserved play in seeking repeats.

SECOND RACE

Quite possible that DON’T TELL VANESSA will be the most heavily backed of the Navarro quintet today as the daughter of the late The Green Monkey was fortunate this ‘beaten’ nickel filled to begin with; just 6 filly-mare sprinters, and none in sparkling form; everything’s relative, and those decent recent efforts from ‘Vanessa make her a veritable bingo ‘free space’ for your early multi’s. Just to her inside, BLUEGRASS GOLD comes the chief threat; brings a smidg of class and the highest turn of early foot to this table. GLOTONA AGAIN, on a nominal drop, can be along for part.

THIRD RACE

Drop from the tougher alw. ranks makes QUEEN OF THE PARTY a viable consideration in this open $16k turf route, and it’ll be up to the ever-capable Gallardo to get the O’Connell ‘house horse’ to settle into a nice early rhythm; her consistent form over the Tampa turf earlier in the year speaks to her potential when pitted against this kind. SKRADIN wheels back less than 3 weeks after running a decent second as the favorite in $10k company; good as any here, really. SHES DYNOMITE, the Navarro flag-bearer, pulled a mild upset over Skradin when returning from a 6-month layoff in the key July 4 race; not so sure, however, whether Ferrer will be allowed to ‘walk the dog’ in such brazen fashion this time around.

FOURTH RACE

The much-improved effort by EVIL TAKES CHARGE in her 2nd start came over turf, so there’s still no assurance she’ll improve over that awful Dec. career bow on dirt; Cibelli wasting little time in sending this gal to the Jersey bottom, where she finds a rather uninspiring set of opponents; default type of pick. On the fence, MISSION GOOD KARMA takes an intriguing stretchout following a lifetime of sprints; likely takes ‘em a long spell out front. GO BLACK BETTY earned a life-high Beyer (43) when outrunning her odds last out, so there’s that.

FIFTH RACE

This $36k MSW turf sprint for newbies has Wesley Ward’s fingerprints all over it, as the ubiquitous ex-jock sends forth a dangerous duo; looking at CYCLICAL, 3rd as a well-backed fave vs. tougher in her career bow last month at Belmont, as the most likely to emerge victorious when being sent by Jimenez from her rail slot while the other Ward filly, ABACO DREAM, maintains pursuit following a highly respectable debut here just 2 weeks ago. RETRO STREET and SUNDRENCHED both have the credentials to make favorable impressions as wellprepped first-timers.

SIXTH RACE

Looks like TRAPPS STAR found a great spot to make her first start for new connections. Haltered just two Sundays ago for this same $7,500, she jams back as the obvious outside speed, which should afford Ferrer the trip he wants; should reap immediate dividends. ROVE, on a pronounced

turn-back, appears eligible to slug up for a decent share after the top pick gets her way with the rail speed, QUEEN FANTABULOUS.

SEVENTH RACE

At long last, it looks like the globe-trotting Benson lad and his hired gun, one D. Ryan, have found the right spot for the cleverly named NOTACATBUTACARD, who adds blinks today while dropping smartly in class; to date, the homebred gelding has managed to seek out some pretty rugged opposition while putting forth respectable efforts; now in easily his softest spot yet, he’ll be prominent from the opening bell as his owner-breeder watches via simo from the southern hemisphere. TREASURE MINE, bred strictly for grass, comes realistically spotted by the underrated Dini for his debut; won’t have to be a whole lot. INDIGO HEART is one of two (with RED MIST) for Kingsley making the always-interesting re-entry to flat racing after spending time in the air.

EIGHTH RACE

Lots of asterisks on the page of INDIAN CHASER to remind fans she’s quite the popular one as surely they’ll be going back to that well again today; finds a comfy spot in this short lineup of starter mares in looking to pad the Navarro stats; must catch her to beat her. CHEDDAR CHUB is noticeably lacking in early gas but eventually comes around; should help to fill out the verticals in one way or another. CASINO KING looks like the only rival who can keep ‘Chaser honest up top.

NINTH RACE

Unabashed front-running tactics are on order for WHAT THE CHUB, the 8yo stalwart who has really come back around this year; surely will have Ferrer out there winging before looking to hold off the likes of GADGET MAN, a $355k earner who makes an interesting transition from main-track miles upon his return to the Jay-bird ranks. LIGHT’S GONE WILD, BROTHER CHUB, and I AM THE MAN make for an interesting heat.

TENTH RACE

In case you didn’t get enough Navarro chalk in the earlier races, here’s YAY YOU to send you home fully satiated; speedy gelding just went thru his N2L condition on July 4 when sprinting on turf, and now he’ll be well-backed here to do the same on the token raise in class. CHASINTHEBLUES has been dismissed at boxcar odds in his last two, but that’s when the NY-bred was facing considerably tougher while compiling solid Beyers; clean rail trip required. SALT MINE most likely will need one, but his freshness and outer post could keep him closer than might be expected.