Race One:
Blue Collar Cat gets post position relief. He finally moves away from the disadvantageous rail (based on his running style) to the outside in this short-field maiden-special sprint. The Storm Cat-bred colt has a third and two fourths in three tries. Inhis first start, he was compromised by hitting the gate. The stretch-out to six and a-half panels should do wonders; it will give him time to use his closing speed. Trainer Jim Lawrence is good with dirt starts. Jose Lezcano retains the mount.
Also:
Thug Daddy...main threat, should be closing;
Testosterone is a first-time starter with a solid pedigree;
So Lonesome is another first-timer whom I'd prefer to see on a wet track.
Race Two:
Flores Island has been second three straight efforts. The Giant's Causeway-bred filly has hit the tote in five of six tries. Very sharp "bullet" work about a week ago says she's ready. Rosario-Mott combo.
Also:
Lunar Surge looks like the main threat. The roan Malibu Moon-bred has been third twice in two tries. She finished behind the top choice in her last. The red-hot Johnny Velazquez for George Weaver.
Sheer Drama finished fourth in her last in a maiden-special at Belmont going seven panels. The Tony Dutrow-trainee has a chance for part. Rosie Napravnik is in the irons.
Race Three:
Hot Stones won her last convincingly; that despite being bumped at the break. If the City Zip-bred filly gets the same trip, she should easily prevail. Joel Rosario for Bruce Levine.
Also:
Make the Moment hesitated in her last. A trouble-free, less eventful trip would put this A.P. Indy-bred in the thick of things.
Maxana could do nothing on the turf in a recent start. The switch back to the dirt should improve this filly's chances.
L B's Expression has been either first or second in three out of four of her outings. Has been off for several months. Could very well be "on the engine". Jose Lezcano.
Race Four
Hot Tempo may have been overmatched in allowance company in her last at Belmont. She now drops into the selling ranks where she can more
easily distinguish herself. Joel Rosario for Barclay Tagg.
Also:
Waltzing Cat is another horse who's dropping down. The mare had most recently raced in allowance company at Belmont.
Bozique was checked sharply in her last; deserves a chance to hit the tote.
Lemon Song has hit the board twice in four lifetime tries. Might get part.
Race Five:
Willet is my choice in the Union Ave for NY state-breds. The mare was second by a nose in her last, the Lotsa Talc. Joel Rosario for James Iselin.
Also:
Clear Pasaj has won two straight, including the Lotsa Talc;
Miss Valentine was third a head in the Lotsa Talc;
Cape Cod Carol can
be part (partly a pick, partly a hunch. My daughter's down the Cape this week). She was fourth in the Lotsa Talc.
Race Six:
An Imaginary Road broke his maiden in his last at Monmouth on the turf; he's capable of repeating. Luis Saez for Tim Hills.
Also:
Hard Rocker was third in his last against slightly weaker;
Logan Street has been away from the races for a few months; yet the
Shakespeare-bred gelding sports some solid morning works.
Eriugena
was third against slightly weaker at "The Spa". Switch to Joel Rosario for
trainer Mike Maker helps.
Race Seven
Joy Seeker broke her maiden convincingly in her last. Irad Ortiz, Jr. for John Terranova II.
Also:
Invading Humor was closing well in a sprint, may well be able to
handle the additional panels;
My Four Rewards is a long shot try.
The filly's stepping up in company but might just surprise;
Strike
Accord was closing well in his last on the opening weekend of the
meet. Can be part.
Race Eight:
Neolexia just missed breaking her maiden in her last. Javier Castellano for Jim Toner
Also:
Pleasant Cat was second in this company in her last;
Industrial Policy was third in the Pleasant Cat race;
Judy G was second at Belmont in a 50k claimer in her last.
Race Nine:
Lady of Gold was third in The My Princess on the opening weekend of the meet. Any slight improvement. John Velazquez
for Phil Serpe
Also:
Sustained has hit the tote in all five of her lifetime starts; four
of those have come on the turf.
Path of Dreams broke her maiden in
her last at Belmont;
Rock on Baby was another winner in her last effort against slightly weaker.
Race Ten:
Stock Fund should be driving from the outside. Javier Castellano for Carlos Martin
Also:
Utopian Wife draws in from the AEs; can hit the tote;
Hot Rendezvous has hit the tote in three of six lifetime turf tries.
Curlin n Twirlin is capable of getting part.
