FOURTEENTH RACE

S. MUFFIN last raced on 6/26, was purchased for $37,000 at auction on 7/11, was listed as a Laurel vet scratch on 4/21, and now returns from 307-day layoff. Drops into a claimer, and this one earned ultra-competitive Beyers while showing big speed before the layoff. Battled with 16-1 shot Love Minister (finished fourth; next-out 74 Beyer winner of a Monmouth maiden special) when placing ahead of two next-out winners in most recent start. Gets blinkers, is listed as a new gelding and makes first start for Russell barn that is 5 for the last 11 (45%, $3.40 ROI) adding blinkers after a trainer switch (includes Strong Finish off a 271-day layoff on 3/31). Should show speed.

GREAT CALL hasn’t done anything on dirt, but is a half to one turf winner, and deserves an opportunity on the grass for barn that sent out 16-1 winner Odinson in a maiden-claiming turf sprint at Laurel on 5/4. Broke from outside posts in key races over inside-friendly dirt tracks in both outings.

COVERT KAT might have been unlucky in recent two-turn try. Saved ground behind quick fractions, he split horses, and was in tight in between while remaining on his left lead. Trombetta barn won two here on Sunday. MISSION MAN, a halfbrother to Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint winner Caravel, loses blinkers and returns to preferred surface. Hung out four wide every step in most recent turf outing against two next-out 69-Beyer winners). Both of CERTAIN’s turf sprints are good, and he might have found a mile too steep against next-out winner Kalik (next-out 87 Beyer when winning first-level Belmont allowance). HIALEAH NATIVE switches to turf as a half to stakes-placed turf sprinter Expedited Vision (88 Beyer). Respect these connections.