ANALYSIS

BEST BET: RACE 3, STOLEN IDENTITY

FIRST RACE

MARTINI SUE was squeezed at the break before pressing the pace while quite wide throughout en route to a neck score over $10K maidens in her latest. She could put away the other speed and keep on going in this bottom NW2 tilt, with a hot Stein subbing for the sidelined bug Alderson. FINE LADY rallied wide from a trailing seventh to beat $4.5K maidens on the Fort Erie turf most recently under Pinto. She’s arguably at her best on the Tapeta. MUNCH AND CRUNCH was shuffled back along the inside heading into the far turn before landing on the edges in a recent $10K inner turf tilt.

SECOND RACE

HEART RUSH closed from off slow fractions to finish a half-length back in second in a recent $10K dash. She could have these bottom $5K claimers over a barrel with leading rider Hernandez back in the saddle. MY CANTATA is coming off a flat fourth as the favorite in a slow-paced $7.5K contest. The 10-time winner picks up Stein for the drop and cutback in distance. BEAU’S BEAUTY wired $5K NW3 rivals Aug. 13, but the speedy RED ROLLIN could run her into the ground this time.

THIRD RACE

STOLEN IDENTITY is shortening up a furlong off a very speedy third going five-eighths, while dropping from $7.5K to the basement in this $5K dash. Wilson replaces the injured bug Alderson on the flashy son of Old Forester. RAVEN’S CRY rode a golden rail to a fast (77 Beyer) off-the-place score two back in a five-furlong tilt for $7.5K NW3 stock. Throw out his last race around two turns on the inner turf. HARDY CANDY looks next best off a slow-starting second behind RAVEN’S CRY.

FOURTH RACE

LINDA LOVES LACE showed promise in her first two outings, but her last two tries at the OS/$40K maiden level were dismal. The drop to $15K should enable her to get back on track here with Civaci taking over. EIGHT SPEED has changed trainers to

30% Vito Armata since ending up third in a key $7.5K contest July 30. DEA DEL CIELO weakened to fourth after a pace-pressing trip in her $25K opener. BYE BYE I’M GONE is a half-sister to a pair of $100K+ winners.

FIFTH RACE

ICE CHALLENGE began slowly before a non-threatening sixth the last time he saw action vs. $25K NW2 opposition June 18. He’s adding blinkers for the drop to $10K, and has probably found his proper place in the scheme of things. VICTOR’S DESTINY placed in each of his last two outings against similar on turf and the Tapeta. KINLEE’S SONG is returning to the local scene following a layoff, during which he worked regularly on the Tapeta at Presque Isle Downs.

SIXTH RACE

BIG MAMBA won her penultimate race comfortably against $15K NW2 types on the Tapeta. She raced three-wide throughout most recently when fourth vs. NW3 rivals around two turns on the inner turf. ROSE RING brings improving form to this event, and regular rider Kimura is 6 for 26 at the meet for the barn. SNIPPY set soft fractions and never looked back while thumping NW2 foes in her latest.

SEVENTH RACE

CHIRICAHUA SIGNAL is winless since taking his 2019 seasonal bow off a layoff in an N1X turf sprint on the main turf. The veteran has been working right along on the training track, and can obviously fire while fresh. CANMORE is dropping a notch off a stalking third in a tough $25K tilt on the inner course. Note that the son of Ghostzapper’s last victory came on the main turf. MARTEN RIVER figures to lead the way into the lane, and BE VEWY VEWY QUIET could wake up in his third start off the bench.

EIGHTH RACE

GIVE ME AN EYE rallied for third at first asking on the Tapeta, and a slow start before a troubled trip led to his downfall last time on the grass. He could rebound off the claim here with blinkers off and Hoyte taking over. HANDSOME GUY should be favored due to the drop in class off a flat fourth vs. OS/$40K maidens. Lasix is added and Stein is sticking with him. BORN TO BE KING placed while favored in each of his last two excursions at this class. He’s a must-use underneath in the exotics, along with TALL WATER.