ANALYSIS

BEST BET: RACE 8, FROSTED INDIAN

FIRST RACE

First post is 12:40 ET. Remember 12% takeout on Pick 5 wagers. IMAGINE WINNING (962 lbs. on April 10; updated weights should be listed on the simulcast feed during the post parade) goes out for Claudio Gonzalez barn that is 7 for the last 14 (50%, $2.58 ROI) over this circuit. Stretches out, adds blinkers and should save valuable ground breaking from the inside post in this twoturn heat. Tracked inside over muddy going last time out, eased out into the stretch and couldn’t step with the two favorites in the lane. That race graded out pretty quick and he seems well-spotted here. MARTINI LANE (1,133 lbs. on April 8; +5 lbs. from prior start) isn’t the most trustworthy sort with a 1 for 24 record on his page, but the lone victory came around two turns and any of his last six Beyers would qualify as this race’s bestlast speed figure. Trainer Hugh McMahon is 5 for the last 8 (63%, $2.75 ROI) with older (3-yearolds and up) dirt routers dropping at least 50% in claiming price in low-level claimers. Speed didn’t hold very well at Laurel on April 8 and Martini Lane tried to take them all the way as the odds-on favorite. Good tactical speed has this one in the mix from the start. TALE OF DIXIE pushed Martini Lane in vain two weeks ago before faltering in the stretch. Steps out around two turns for the first time with improving Beyers on display. CLASSY SOLUTION (1,045 lbs. on Feb. 28) ran better than it looks on Feb. 28). He went very fast early over sloppy going, dispatched Lasting Image and finished best of the pace rivals in a race that went to closers. Think he’ll be aggressive from the get-go and might not have to go as quick to secure the lead this time. Listed as a vet scratch on April 8.

SECOND RACE

ABOVE THE LIMIT (1,084 lbs. on Feb. 28) gave a solid try considering it was her first start in 155 days. In a race run through a driving rainstorm, she cleared to set an uncontested pace while well off the inside and finished behind a rail-skimming winner after being late to change leads. Both of her lifetime Beyers are the two fastest numbers in the field and, barring a quick first-time starter, she should grab the early advantage. DIAMOND IN THE SUN returns from 137-day layoff with Lasix on, but must show better early speed than she displayed as a juvenile filly. Saved ground near the back in lone dirt start of 2020 and never threatened a decent field (Lambeau Lady returned to finish third in an entry-level allowance with a 62 Beyer while My My Girl came back to graduate in a waiver-maiden with a 66). HEY BABE gets a reboot sprinting for the first time as she comes back from a 175-day freshening. Outsprinted behind a fast pace in lone dirt start, she swung widest into the stretch and finished evenly without threatening. The runner-up from that heat returned to compile a 3-0-1-2 record with Beyers ranging from 43 to 56. Half-sister to Grade 2-winning dirt router Funny Proposition might be using this as a prep for longer-distance races. Acosta departs both Hey Babe and I Love

Magel for MOONROCK, a Malibu Moon filly out of a full sister to stakes-winning turf miler Miss Southern Miss, a debut winner going five furlongs on dirt. The second dam, Miss Atlantic City, was a multiple stakes-winner. EYE OF THE NEEDLE is by excellent debut stallion Great Notion out of stakes-winning dirt router I Can See. This is a half-sister to stakes-winning dirt sprinter Buff’s Eye View and Claiming Crown Iron Horse (1 1/16 miles) hero Yes I See.

THIRD RACE

RATIFY (1,065 lbs. on April 9; -74 lbs. from prior start) enjoyed perfect trip when finally earning diploma in first start for high-percentage Russell barn. Tracked the pace in the pocket, moved through along the inside to take over on the turn, was guided off the rail when in front in

upper stretch and kept to his business. Lots of questions to answer as that race was a one-turn mile over wet going and he’ll stretch out versus winners here. AND SEEK (1,170 lbs. on Feb. 21; raced out of town in subsequent start) drew a comfortable inside post after facing a solid field at Parx (the winner returned to finish second with a 70 Beyer while the runner-up came back to place with a 64). Saved ground in that spot, was under urging after being outpaced on the turn and finished evenly without threatening the top two. Only 1 for 25 lifetime, but brings competitive Beyers to the fray. MINE NOT MINE doesn’t have much early speed and that puts him at the mercy of pace and race luck. Fell far behind while four wide on the backstretch of most recent start, swung widest turning for home and was second to a very sharp horse (runaway Dinosaur Ben returned to win with an 81 Beyer). Claimed out of that race by red-hot Ness barn (28 for 56, 50% winners, $3.10 ROI over the past month) and should be running hard late. MIAMI MUMBLES was overmatched in New York (the winner of his last race returned to place twice against statebred entry-level allowance foes with Beyers of 85 and 81, respectively), but he’s done well over this circuit in the past and now stretches out to distance of lone win with good tactical speed. Barn is 3 for the last 4 (75%, $4.57 ROI) going second off the claim.

FOURTH RACE

INJECT THE LIGHT (940 lbs. on March 14) might have hung just a bit when the beaten favorite. Outsprinted behind a hot pace outside, he swung four wide turning for home and just couldn’t get there in between horses. His good tactical speed should put him in a nice forward position, however, as he makes his third start of the form cycle. COSA MAS LINDA (1,151 lbs. on March 21) broke a beat slow, saved ground throughout and never threatened while failing to change leads. Think he’ll be fitter and more focused with the addition of blinkers and Lasix. Probably too early to give up on this pedigree as the dam was a multiple stakes-winning dirt router. Want to use CHARLIE POTATOES in multiple-race wagers as he ran into some tough fields last year. Finished ahead of three nextout winners when placing behind favored Natty Beau sprinting two back (fourth-place finisher Gaming Jack has since compiled a 4-2-0-0 record with Beyers ranging from 48 to 56). Ended up four and five wide on the backstretch in key race on Dec. 5 and understandably tired after being late to change leads. The runnerup from that race has come back to produce a 5-2-2-0 record with Beyers ranging from 38 to 64. Gets Lasix for the first time. ZIP THE LIP (998 lbs. on March 19; +14 lbs. from prior start) has plenty of angles as he drops with speed for the third start of the form cycle.

FIFTH RACE

GOLDEN MOON SHINE (937 lbs. on March 13) tries older fillies and mares for the first time, but she also halves in price to this “two-life” after facing a few multiple-race winners last month. Chased the winner’s fast fractions from the outside before faltering in that spot, but might benefit from a softer race flow here. Gomez departs for Seville Sangria. RAN CHAR was reclaimed and freshened after a bleeding episode 83 days ago. Blasted out to an early lead in a race where the two pace horses finished next-to-last and last, respectively. The runner-up from that spot came back to finish second twice for $16,000 (59 and 60 Beyers). Turning back to a sprint shouldn’t be a problem. TOMA is only 1 for 28 in her career, but her form is dotted with minor awards and she showed signs of life over sloppy going at Charles Town. Advanced three-wide to challenge the winner entering the second turn before faltering in the stretch. EMPERADORA (1,021 lbs. on Feb. 21) is expected to improve drastically in first start following the Gonzalez claim. Finished behind Car Lady in her most recent try and that one returned to win for $12,500 with a 71 Beyer before finishing third in a starter allowance with a 59. INFINITE REWARD tracked the pace before tiring against fellow sophomores. The fourthplace finisher returned to win for $16,000 with a 51 Beyer. Like Golden Moon Shine, she halves in price into a conditioned seller after facing a multiple-race winner.

SIXTH RACE

Like that CLAIRE’S DARLING (876 lbs. on March 5) was reclaimed by these connections after facing a runaway debut winner last month. Showed the way along the rail, but was beaten over two furlongs out and finished in a one-paced fashion along the inside. Think she’ll make the top once more. WRITTENBYTHESTARS (1,033 lbs. on March 19; -55 lbs. from prior start) tracked a quick pace in between rivals, made a three-wide bid on the turn and finished evenly after being very late to change leads. Drops down a notch and has some speed figures that would make her very competitive against these. Hiraldo departs both Writtenbythestars and Square Penny for Nikki’s Dream. AWESOME BUTTERFLY (1,205 lbs. on March 19; +31 lbs. from prior start) behaved better behind the gate, then almost pulled off a 90 to 1 upset when dropped to the bottom of the class ladder. Showed good speed and just failed to stave off odds-on Thunderinthevalley while losing her outer girth near the wire. The fifth-finisher from that race returned to finish second for $8,000 with a 36 Beyer. Daughter of stakes-placed turf miler Skating figures close to the pace again. JOYCE G (1,010 lbs. for debut) hustled up to prompt the runner-up, was outpaced on the turn, then finished evenly. Daughter of Grade 3-winning dirt miler Ruby Rubles was taken out of that race by Gorham barn that is 4 for the last 11 (36%, $2.38 ROI) off the claim. NIKKI’S DREAM should go better in second start following 219-day layoff. Makes first try for Gonzalez with some upside potential, but this might be a tougher spot. FRED’S SHEILA adds Lasix after a very tough trip in career debut. Daughter of multiple stakes-placed dirt sprinter Charlotte’s Di must deal with lengthy layoff.

SEVENTH RACE

Although INSTINCTIVE (917 lbs. on March 14; -50 lbs. from prior start) chased sharp oddson favorite Sammie Sunshine (returned to beat starter allowance foes by 6 1/4 lengths with a 71 Beyer) in vain, the consistent mare finished clear of the rest in a solid performance. Bullet workout over the surface 11 days ago allays fears of a bounce and the tactical lass can get close to the pace. Marquez lands here instead of Blue Sky Venezuela. SILENT FLUIDITY stalked three deep at the back behind a quick pace, swung widest turning for home and closed down two nextout winners at Delaware. Didn’t gallop out with much interest, however, has been away for 297 days and drops to the bottom of return to action. Right there with her best, but might need one off the bench. KEEPER IN SPITE seeks third straight after riding speed-friendly sloppy track to defeat conditioned sellers. Shook clear soon after the start and never gave them a chance in that race. Expect a “send” from the inside and likely will control the tempo once again. TAPETE CLAIRE broke out a bit, stalked three wide on the backstretch, moved four deep on the turn and finished with some interest against open claimers (Swirrlie Shirlie returned to finish second in a starter allowance with a 57 Beyer). Taken out of that race by the high-percentage Farrior barn, she should be moving late.

EIGHTH RACE

FROSTED INDIAN makes first start on the circuit for owner-trainer combination that scored with Aqueduct invader Cause to Dream here on April 8. Gonzalez is 3 for the last 7 (43%, $3.57 ROI) with 3-year-old dirt performers making first

start following a trainer change. Drops into a claimer for the first time after even effort sprinting at Aqueduct. Tracked the quick pace from the pocket, split horses on the turn and finished in a one-paced manner. Son of multiple stakeswinning turf miler Sea Road should be forward from the opening bell. CAROLINA CHROME (1,154 lbs. on March 19) took step forward in second lifetime start and now steps up after being claimed by Salzman barn. He’d appreciate a bit of pace up front. DENNARD, a son of stakes-placed turf router Seemingly, finished ahead of nextout 61-Beyer performer He’s a Shooter (finished third in $25,000 maiden claimer at Parx on April 5) in career debut and seems well-spotted at this level for circuit debut. Russell departs both Dennard and Crowned count cris to for Billingsgate. INDEFATIGABLE (1,178 lbs. on March 21), half-brother to multiple stakes-winning sprinter Seeking the Sherif, drops in for a tag for the first time.

NINTH RACE

RETURN THE RING chased a fast pace inside, eased out into the stretch and finished with mild interest to grab a minor award in recent entry-level allowance at Aqueduct (the lastplace finisher from that race returned to finish second in a “two-life” allowance at Keeneland with a 78 Beyer). Makes third start of the form cycle for underrated New York-based barn and has the speed to obtain good early position. FLAT OUT FLYING (1,017 lbs. on Feb. 12) turns back to a comfortable distance after a rallying second going a one-turn mile. As usual, he broke poorly and fell far back off the early leaders before swinging widest into the straight. Just missed to the favorite while finishing ahead of two next-out winners (the winner of that heat returned to finish second in a “two-other-than” with a 84 Beyer). Listed as a vet scratch on April 9. ABUELO PAPS (1,198 lbs. on March 13) broke a beat slow in the Not For Love Stakes, stalked three and four wide and finished evenly against a strong field. Although he overperformed in that race, the 1 for 16 colt tends to the run to the level of his competition. FAST BREAK (1,135 lbs. on March 21) is capable of better making second start following 385-day layoff. Expect speed from the start. SELF AWARENESS (1,064 lbs. on March 21) is another that can move forward in second start off long freshening. Pushed reasonable fractions last time out while three wide and tired late behind next-out winner Whiskey and You (came back to win a “two-other-than” with an 85 Beyer).

TENTH RACE

FEATURE ACT (1,180 lbs. on March 19; +23 lbs. from prior start) likely found the seven panels a bit too sharp for him, but he rallied for a piece in the faster division of $5,000 “beaten” claimers (the runner-up returned to finish second in a starter allowance with a 72 Beyer). Saved ground on the turn, eased out turning for home and was running on at the finish. Steps up to face open foes, but like him stretching back out to a route of ground. INVEST (963 lbs. on April 11; -46 lbs. from prior start) deserves a mulligan for last two starts. Two back, he was in too steep against entry-level allowance foes over sloppy going. Last time, he broke poorly in a race that was dominated by the top-two finishers, rushed up five wide on the backstretch and understandably tired. With an alert break, he can make the lead going into the first turn. Marquez departs for Southside Warrior. WHIRLIN CURLIN (1,290 lbs. on April 8; +80 lbs. from prior start) drops a notch after being pacecompromised around two turns at Laurel. Saved ground and could only muster up a mild finish. Fits well for the nickel. Keep an eye on ITGOT GRANDMA, who looks “dirtied-up” after several losses over the quirky Charles Town surface. Ran well over this circuit in the past and seemingly has enough speed to stay close to the pace. SOUTHSIDE WARRIOR (1,177 lbs. on April 8) didn’t have the easiest go of it chasing a slow pace while outside. Nine-time winner has the back class to contend on his best.

Hayward and Winner Avenues Baltimore, MD 21215

(410) 542-9400

Main track: One Mile, oval.

Distance from last turn to finish line: 1152 Feet.

Turf course: Seven Furlongs

TAKEOUT INFORMATION

■ Win, place, and show: 18%

■ Daily Double and Exacta wagering: 21%

■ Trifecta, Superfecta, Super-High 5, Pick 3, Pick 4 wagering: 25.75%

■ Pick 5: 12%

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