SEVENTH RACE

debut with Irad taking over. VINTAGE GIRL ran okay in two races vs. cheaper to kick off 2022 while only second-best both times; makes her turf debut following two improved efforts off the claim. CLARA BELLE improved when rallying for third two back while making her second start off the Maker claim, then showed improved speed last time when rained off to the main track; back to turf at the right level following a short layoff.

VIENNA CODE has improved considerably dating back to the end of last year, though her development might be masked somewhat by a series of wet tracks; has won her last two allowance starts over fast dirt, including a dominant win over this distance in December with a 76 Beyer. COURAGEOUS GIRL took a step forward when showing improved speed en route to easily clearing her N2X state-bred condition, then did her best to no avail in her next two starts vs. much better horses; has continued in good form since without winning; looks like a good fit here and should be involved from the start. JOIN THE DOTS looked good winning her debut over this track last October as the lone first-time starter in the field; back from another short layoff after losing two in a row at Gulfstream as an odds-on favorite.

EIGHTH RACE

ZOOMER was never going to win the Westchester last time, though one can see why his connections wanted to give him a shot in that race based on his improved form over the winter; steps back a bit and can factor strongly if holding his form on short rest. HIDDEN SCROLL has been an easy target while failing to pan out as a stakes horse despite showing flashes of real talent; can’t trust him but he has fired fresh every time thus far, including triple-digit Beyer wins kicking off his campaigns as both a 3-and-4yo; he also won easily off the layoff last year. CHESTERTOWN started out with some potential routing, but he had proven to be equally effective in shorter races since cutting back late last year; projects to have some pace in front of him here.

NINTH RACE

STARRYSTARRYKNIGHT ran well going a mile vs. a tougher field in his turf debut., then cut back to sprint last time at Aqueduct and was no match from up on the pace with a horse who improved suddenly out of a dismal debut; drops for the first time and catches a race that might be run at a moderate pace.

VOCALIZE got wired going five furlongs first time out then stretched out around two turns and maintained his form without factoring either time; drops and cuts back.

JIMMY THE BOOT also facing maiden claimers for the first time in this spot and doing so after three straight losses as the favorite vs. MSW rivals at Tampa; Clement has good numbers cutting back from route to sprint on turf, especially with maidens.