ANALYSIS

BEST BET: RACE 7, EL TORMENTA FIRST RACE

SNIPER is essentially halving in price to an inviting level. The win-shy closer has some speed to chase in this $12.5K contest. FORESTER’S FORUM figures to take this field a long way if able to shake loose early from the other speed. UNDERCOVER CAT placed in each of his last four outings, most recently in a starter on the dirt at Fort Erie.

SECOND RACE

MONEY TALKS was competitive in two recent $10K turf miles. All three of his victories came on synthetics, so he should be prominent in this rock bottom $5K sprint on the Tapeta. CADILLAC RED was eased late in his latest, but could rebound under the bug Kimura, who was aboard for his June 17 triumph. JIMMIES TRUCK came up empty last time on the dirt at Fort Erie, but was previously second in a similar spot as this one.

THIRD RACE

FOXXY BELLE had worked well prior to her dull opener against tougher. Perhaps she’ll show a lot more with that race under her girth. HURRICANE EMILY placed in each of her last two outings, going three-quarters on turf and the Tapeta. Six and a half furlongs might be a little farther than her optimum distance. The debuting MACHO BOURBON is out of a turf stakes winner.

FOURTH RACE

WRITTEN just missed while beating three next-out winners when turning back from a route to seveneighths in her latest. She was previously an easy winner over $8K maidens under the bug Fukumoto. LAKE MANITOU came close to winning her second race when moving to this class Aug. 18. OCEAN COURT is picking up the hot bug Kumura, while getting some class relief. Use MEET YOU AT HOME in the tri and super.

FIFTH RACE

COOL GIZMO was blocked on the turn and early in the stretch last time before ending up second in a lesser seven-furlong maiden claimer. With more forward progress, he could graduate in this his third trip postward. IN VIEW pressed the pace en route to finishing a lapped-on second in a shorter sprint at this price a month ago. DANCE FOR PAPA is switching from turf to the Tapeta, and should be included in the gimmicks, along with ZEPHAN.

SIXTH RACE

SILENT CONTEMPT crushed $6.25K NW2 rivals in front-running style Aug. 17. His trainer has impressive numbers with horses exiting a victory, and he could make all the running in this $10K B sprint. TALE OF RONIN is dropping from $20K B company to where he probably belongs, while switching from turf to the Tapeta. LEO THE RABBIT seems likely for a minor award with blinkers off. FRANKOFALLTRADES is better than his last dismal effort would indicate.

SEVENTH RACE

EL TORMENTA is hard to go past in this N1X off back-to-back seconds in the Charlie Barley Stakes and an N1X. The winner of the former event (Ride a Comet) returned to take the G2 Del Mar Derby, and the winner of the latter (Mr. Ritz) subsequently romped in a $200K stakes at Indiana. CHILL has been knocking on the door at this level, and should be in the hunt with his tactical speed. JARETH is back on the local scene after running competi-

tively in N1X company at Laurel. He crossed the wire on top against maidens on this course twice last year. Use him underneath in the exotics, along with GASCONADE.

EIGHTH RACE

SHAMROCK ROSE crushed Pennsylvania-bred stakes opposition last time on the Tapeta at Presque Isle Downs. Her two races over this surface at 2 were also good, and she could do some damage at a square price in this wide open event. LADIES NIGHT won an N1X Tapeta route two back in front-running fashion, and is coming off a leading third in the G3 Ontario Colleen on turf. She could make most of the running with Contreras taking over from Boulanger, who’s sticking with AVIE’S MINESHAFT. The latter rallied strongly Aug. 12 to upset Dixie Moon in the restricted Wonder Where Stakes on the grass. A. A. AZULA’S ARCH is a longshot possibility for the exotics. The unbeaten shipper CASCANUECES is a wild card in her first start on synthetics.

NINTH RACE

FORESTER’S DESTINY comes off a respectable third on turf in a tough optional starter won by last year’s champion female grasser Starship Jubilee. He was previously victorious in a $25K route on the main track. DECISION DAY was competitive in optional starters on the Tapeta this summer. He should be effective while attending the pace. SECOND STREET is shortening up while experimenting on a synthetic surface for the first time. Boulanger is 7 for 14 at the meet for the powerful McKnight barn.

TENTH RACE

CELTIC SINGER is halving in value, while changing surfaces from Tapeta to the grass, and may have found a field that she can handle. A hot Moran will ride her again for his main man Doyle. GEORGIA SWEETS brings solid form to this contest, and was only beaten a head in her last turf engagement. BEL TEMPO ran hot and cold in her last few against tougher. Put her on the bottom of vertical bets, along with EASY BID.

ELEVENTH RACE

TISHINA stalked a fast pace before flattening out a little when third while earning a career high 74 Beyer in his latest venture. Note that Wilson was aboard for his best performances. HONIG faded after getting outrun for his preferred position on the lead in a recent open maiden special. His speed could be more effective against these. MONASTRELL rallied from a dozen lengths back to edge out the top pick for second Aug. 12. He could be along for all the spoils if there’s a contested pace. Use REDOUTE’S LIGHT in the exotics.

SCRATCH BOARD

Here are the horses entered today who have been scratched in the last 45 days and have not raced since the scratch. Definitions: Off the turf: Turf race switched to main track. Trainer: Any scratch made by a trainer, including ones for weather, medical issues, a decision not to run in a stakes race, a horse entered back the next racing day, or a conditional entry (i.e., main track only for a turf race). Vet: Injury or illness. Steward: Administrative issues like medication and eligibility.