ANALYSIS

BEST BET: RACE 2, SILENT JET

FIRST RACE

ARTICULATE came from 10 lengths back over a speed-favoring track to finish three lengths in arrears last time for $10K. She’s back at the level at which she was claimed in her penultimate start in this $6.25K route. The former Maryland runner CAPUCINE figures to improve in her second try on the Tapeta, in the third race of her form cycle. LIGHT MY PATH is competing on short rest off a charging second going three-quarters.

SECOND RACE

SILENT JET led until deep stretch over an antispeed track when a lapped-on third following a six-month layoff Nov. 3. The Stronach Stable homebred has worked twice in the interim, and should take some beating with that tightener under his girth. ANDWHATDOESHEDO is by the good debut sire Signature Red, but his placed dam has been a poor producer. He worked a bullet five-eighths Nov. 25 for trainer Kevin Attard, who’s secured his go-to rider Da Silva. Longtime maiden DOWNY BOY is dropping back down to $40K off a third in a maiden special.

THIRD RACE

FAST NEGOTIATIONS came wide from mid-pack to topple NW2 OS/$40K opposition in an improved performance Nov. 24. He appears to be an excellent fit in this NW3 tilt, under regular rider Da Silva. CARMENOOTZ rallied wide from well off a hot pace to win a seven-furlong NW2 sprint Nov. 1. Three-quarters seems a bit short for him, but he should be along for a share with the leading bug Kimura retaining the mount. KAILI’S BIG BOY is dropping off a fade job in an N1X, and could be the dominant speed.

FOURTH RACE

TED W is back in action just a week after he mounted a wide bid for third over an insidefavoring track. The steady veteran could end a drought here with Da Silva riding him for the first time. Following a six-month layoff, BAYERD is a wild card on the plunge from optional-claiming company. Over the past two years, McKnight has a 44% strike-rate with runners dropping at least 50% in price, with a $2.09 ROI. AULT can pick up some of the pieces off the $16K claim by Ensom, a 20% angle. Save the turnbacker ARTHUR’S PASS for the lower rungs of the exotics.

FIFTH RACE

A SONG FOR ARTIE has worked well for a trainer who can have one ready. The $55K yearling purchase by 11% 2yo debut sire Artie Schiller is the second foal from a juvenile winner. PROPENSITY pressed the pace in the two-path before weakening to fourth over an inside-biased track in his recent opener. The expensive son of Twirling Candy should be much fitter for the experience. KEON is by an older 14% 2yo debut sire. His dam dropped the precocious stakes performers Beliveau and Super Colerosa. CERRADO is adding blinkers for his first non-turf start.

SIXTH RACE

WESTERN CURL won her seven-furlong debut on the grass with ease over two next-out maiden special winners. The daughter of classic winner Curlin is bred to run long, which is also the case with the other Chiefswood/Casse runner in the field, SCAT’S ROSE. The latter, by the late supersire Scat Daddy, rode a speed bias to a second-out maiden victory going three-quarters. Da Silva was named on both fillies. The third Casse entrant, the supplement HASTALAVISTABABY, changed barns following a sale after her impressive graduation on the grass Sept. 28. LADY AZALEA is adding Lasix off a distant second in the quick Princess Elizabeth Stakes.