SELECTIONS

last out, but winning trainer Jeremiah Englehart saw something he liked to claim him for $12,500. He has since worked four times at Palm Meadows, and if one excuses his latest, his form is somewhat appealing based on what he did in his maiden win by edging ALPHA ORIONIS. The latter, another recent claim, has twice run well in as many attempts in maiden claimers; possesses speed, though yet to face winners and coming off a victory by DQ. Probable favorite COURAGE

AND HONOR is dropped from $30,000 to $12,500 company and looks formidable. His three dirt starts have all been promising - a win, a second, and a third.

SEVENTH RACE

SON OF OAHU received a short freshening after a close fourth in an allowance, and now is back in the starter ranks. He ran well in starters last summer and in early fall, and has posted Beyers in the mid-80s in five of six races for this barn. DEXTER ROAD has been first or second in all three starts for his current stable, one of which came last out in a starter stake. Respect his form and how honest he is. While the top two race under today’s starter conditions, DRIVEN BY THUNDER is eligible by racing for a $25,000 claiming tag under the race’s dual conditions. He ran sixth in the Claiming Crown Emerald Dec. 1, and though out of action since, is a horse that is proven fresh. He also sports a fine seven-for-18 career record.

EIGHTH RACE

Frontrunning STARSHIP REINA faces an abundance of speed in this seven-furlong race, and will likely be forced to set a quick pace. Working in her favor, this starter contest is seemingly void of talented closers. So her sharp form and class may carry her. SILLY FACTOR is not one dimensional like the top choice, being a type that can win on the lead or rate in a stalking position. She seems likely to utilize off-the-pace tactics given the makeup of this race. She is a hard knocker, though her speed figures are modest - typically falling in the 70s. BODY HIGH ran a distant third Feb. 27 in her first start after being claim. Her current connections keep the faith by running her in another starter, rather than dip her back into the claiming ranks.

NINTH RACE

This upper-level allowance/optional claimer drew a number of speed horses and layoff runners, which makes it an opportune spot for the classy TICONDEROGA. Although he too is returning from a layoff, away since August, he goes for trainer Chad Brown, whose comebackers are regularly well prepped after periods of inactivity. His strongfinishing style looks well suited to all the pace in this turf contest. Beyond TICONDEROGA, this race looks like a scramble for the secondary prizes. Of the many that could be a part of the exotics,

MURAD KHAN and SAND DANCER look like ones that could sneak into the gimmicks at prices. Both are respectable finishers that would benefit from a pace meltdown.

TENTH RACE

Deep-closing RESTART is not fastest on Beyers in the nightcap, but his last-race Time form US rating of 80 is highest of these that come off grass races. At 6-1 morning-line odds in the nightcap, a maiden $20,000 contest, he gets a slight edge in what seems a contentious contest. CAPPY HOUR ran a much-improved second on Feb. 8 when moved to the grass, and was encouragingly claimed by a successful claiming outfit. Logical but 8-5 morning-line odds on him do not excite. SECOND GUESS adds blinkers for his third start and continues his decent within the maiden claiming ranks after previously running seventh for maiden $50,000 and fifth for maiden $35,000.