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4.27.2024:

1/ST POST: Why Play Today? Saturday, April 27, 2024

By Xpressbet

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4.27.2024:

Jeff Siegel: What You Need to Know + Prime Plays Video - Santa Anita | Saturday, April 27, 2024

By Jeff Siegel

Specifically designed for the rolling exotic player, Jeff Siegel’s “What You Need to Know” isolates those horses that should be included in daily doubles, pick-3s, pick-4s, pick-5s, and the pick-6. * The selections are posted at 6:00 a.m. and updated later in the morning to reflect late scratches and changes (approximately 10:30 a.m.). For additional commentary, follow us on twitter @jsiegelracing. * * Grade Descriptions: Grade A=Highest degree of confidence; Grade B=Solid Play. Grade C=Least preferred or pass; Grade X=probable winner but likely at odds too short to play. View Jeff Siegel’s Prime Plays Video ______________________________________________________________________________ RACE 1: Post: 1:00 PT Grade: C+ Main Ticket: 5-Caribbean King. Backups/savers: 3-Hot Legs Romolo. Forecast: Caribbean King squandered a perfect trip when settling for second in a similar affair last time out so it’s hard to have a whole lot of confidence in the 8/5 morning line favorite. However, a repeat of that race probably lands him in the winner’s circle, so we’ll put him on top while recognizing that there won’t be much value to be found in a race lacking in depth. Tread lightly here. ______________________________________________________________________________ RACE 2: Post: 1:30 PT Grade: A Main Ticket: 1-Our Bucky Charm Backups/savers: none. Forecast: Our Bucky Charm has trained like an exceptional prospect for his racing debut and if he leaves cleanly from the rail the son of Munnings should graduate at first asking, though at 6/5 on the morning line there’s not a whole lot we can do with him. His local breezes have been accomplished with ease and power and in what appears to be a below par race for straight maiden state-bred runners he should take care of business and then go on to bigger and better things for trainer Mike Puype. ______________________________________________________________________________ RACE 3: Post: 2:00 PT Grade: B- Main Ticket: 5-Safa; Quick Kate; 6-Sneaker. Backups/savers: none. Forecast: Safa has been stuck on seconds of late and her overall record (one win, seven seconds/thirds) gives indication that she may lack a winning punch. Numbers-wise, she’s solid and consistent but not particular fast, so we’ll put her on top without singling her. Quick Kate stretches out again and it must be noted that she won her only prior two turn outing, a maiden affair in December over this course and distance. She finished behind Safa in two prior encounters, but both were in sprints. Sneaker may try gate-to-wire tactics again after using this strategy when breaking her maiden last month. She won’t have to improve much to be competitive despite the class hike. ______________________________________________________________________________ RACE 4: Post: 2:30 PT Grade: X Main Ticket: 4-The Chosen Vron Backups/savers: 1-Forbidden Kingdom. Forecast: The Chosen Vron returns to open company again, but it shouldn’t matter – remember, he took the Bing Crosby S.-G1 last summer at Del Mar – so we’ll expect the popular Cal-bred gelding to continue his winning ways in this non-graded sprint stakes. Perfect in four starts at this extended sprint distance, the son of Vronsky continues to train in sensational fashion and is a logical rolling exotic single, albeit at odds-on. ______________________________________________________________________________ RACE 5: Post: 3:04 PT Grade: B Main Ticket: 2-Anmer Hall. Backups/savers: 4-Lahaina Flavor. Forecast: Anmer Hall was forced to take the overland route when settling for second in a similar starter’s allowance event over this course and distance last month, but his speed figure was typically solid, so if he can manage to save some ground today from his comfortable inside draw the S. Knapp-trained gelding should return to winning form. At or near his morning line of 5/2, the son of Palace Malice offers solid value in the win pool and in the various rolling exotics. ______________________________________________________________________________ RACE 6: Post: 3:35 PT Grade: B- Main Ticket: 5-Top Gun Tommy; 8-Elector. Backups/savers: 2-Landsdowne (GB); 1-Johnny Drama. Forecast: Top Gun Tommy earned a career top speed figure when second in a hot $32,000 claiming sprint last month and returns on a one-level class drop for a barn that actually has very good stats with this angle (though with moderate-to-weak stats with pretty much everything else). The veteran son of Mineshaft was more than five lengths clear of the others and a similar effort today should be more than good enough. Elector was green and lugging out in a restricted (nw-3) $32,000 when finishing unplaced but galloped out far in front in a self-caused troubled trip last time out. If he ever figures thing out, he’s at least as good if not better than these, but after 12 career starts who knows if the light switch will ever go on. He’s 8-1 on the morning line, so we’ll toss him in on the main ticket. ______________________________________________________________________________ RACE 7: Post: 4:07 PT Grade: B- Main Ticket: 8-Forgiving Spirit Backups/savers: 2-On the Whim; 7-Legislator; 9-Cali Bay. Forecast: Forgiving Spirit looks pretty solid in this first level allowance Hillside sprint and projects to be on or near the lead throughout. A four time winner over the Santa Anita lawn, the son of Shaman Ghost picks up leading rider J. Hernandez, so he may go lower than his 2-1 morning line. The main concern is the P. Miller barn, which has experienced an unusually slow year so far. ______________________________________________________________________________ RACE 8: Post: 4:38 PT Grade: B Main ticket: 8-L’Enfant Dit; 9-Lettheliquortalk. Backups/savers: 5-American Cat. Forecast: In his first start in 13 months, L’Enfant DitLettheliquortalk, removing blinkers and stretching out for the first time for the hot Mullins/Berrios combo, may not want to run this far but if he’s ever going to be successful over a distance of ground, it’ll most likely be in his first try. Use him somewhere. ______________________________________________________________________________ RACE 9: Post: 5:08 PT Grade: B- Main ticket: 1-Miss Lizzy; 3-Bellabel (Ire); 7-Uncorked (Aus). Backups/savers: 8-Stay and Scam. Forecast: This is a fairly wide open one mile turf stakes for older fillies and mares requiring a spread in rolling exotic play. Miss Lizzy has been sprinting well of late but she can handle two turns, too, and in a race with plenty of speed the daughter of Classic Empire may be able to lag early and tag the leaders close home. At or near her morning line of 6-1, she may be as good as any. Bellabel was flat as a pancake in the Buena Vista S.-G3 when a non-threatening fifth, but her race before last – a win in the Megahertz S. over this course and distance – earned a number that puts her right there. She’s always been a versatile type that can win on the lead or from off the pace, depending upon the race flow. Uncorked makes here local debut for new trainer P. D’Amato and her Eastern form makes her reasonably competitive at this level on this circuit. She’ll be doing her best work late. ______________________________________________________________________________ RACE 10: Post: 5:38 PT Grade: B+ Main ticket: 4-Faustin; 6-Ultimate Gamble Backups/savers: 1-Yellow Brick. Forecast: We loved the comeback outing by Faustin earlier this month and expect the B. Baffert colt, who had every right to be a bit rusty, to move forward considerably off that strong runner-up effort at this first level allowance condition. That race was on turf, but the son of Curlin actually should be more comfortable on dirt, and from where he’s drawn this lightly raced, stakes-placed 4-year-old should inherit an ideal pace stalking/pressing trip. Ultimate Gamble, a $1.75 million purchase as a 2-year-old, returns off a year layoff but has trained like he’s reasonably fit for high percentage connections. A bit of a one-paced grinding type based on his races from last year, the son of Medaglia d’Oro probably won’t show his best stuff until given more ground to work with, though he did graduate at this mile trip, so it’ll be interesting to see how he performs in his first race back. ______________________________________________________________________________ RACE 11: Post: 6:08 PT Grade: B+ Main ticket: 4-Sunset Glory (Ire) Backups/savers: 10-Runyon Canyon; 8-Baltic Fire. Forecast: Sunset Glory (Ire) lost far more ground than she was beaten by in an impressive second place finish in her U. S. debut 18 months ago but then disappeared. She returns after missing her entire sophomore campaign as a first time Lasix user and with a work pattern for trainer M. McCarthy that suggests that she is fit and ready. Listed at 4-1 on the morning line and offering excellent value at or near that price, the Irish-bred filly warrants strong consideration as a rolling exotic single.

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4.27.2024:

Coast-to-Coast Pick 5 Selections: Nicoletti & Sielgel | Saturday, April 27, 2024

By Xpressbet

Saturday’s Coast-to-Coast Pick 5 selections are in for Gulfstream Park and Santa Anita. The $1 minimum wager has a low 15% takeout and we’ve got the selections of veteran local handicappers Ron Nicoletti at GP and Jeff Siegel at SA. Get 10X Wager Rewards Points when you bet the Coast-to-Coast Pick 5 with 1/ST BET and Xpressbet. Santa Anita Race 4 #4 The Chosen Vron Single, back-up #1 Forbidden Kingdom Gulfstream Race 10 #3 Yes I Am Free #11 Xy Speed #10 Karthari Santa Anita Race 5 #2 Amner Hall Single, back-up #4 Lahaina Flavor Gulfstream Race 11 #2 Hangin In There #9 Typhoon Fury #1 I See You Lookin Santa Anita Race 7 #8 Forgiving Spirit Single, back-ups #2 On the Whim, #7 Legislator, #9 Cali Boy

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4.27.2024:

Al Cimaglia: Woodbine Mohawk Park $214K Carryover /Mandatory Payout Jackpot Hi-5 Analysis | Saturday, April 27, 2024

By Al Cimaglia

There will be a forced payout at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Saturday night for the Jackpot Hi-5 which rolls in Race 12. The Hi-5 is a 0.20 base bet with a 15% takeout and the carryover is $214,595. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track. Race 12 (11:22 PM EST) 11-Uncle Shank A (5-1)-This is my key horse to use but not on top only underneath. Has been in the hunt and should fit, the issue will be getting a decent trip from the 2nd tier. Pilot Tyler Borth returns for his 2nd straight drive and might get away in decent shape as the two inside horses have some gate speed. Doesn't show a win in 5 races since coming off the bench on 3-16 but has been close. Hit the board in 3 races and didn't miss a check. This is a grinder who can stay close enough to be part of the ticket and my guess is the price will be better than the program odds. My suggested play is to use #11 in the 2-3-4-5 slots with the 5 horses listed below. There are so many variables, and the options are countless. Budget and risk reward evaluation will be your guide. 4-Cold Creek Queso (4-1)-Banked over $205k last year and now drops, gets post relief, and comes back in sequence. 5-Ron (3-1)-Recent form has been dull, drops and the last time in versus this kind went off at 3/2. Could wake up tonight. 7-Reactor Now A (6-1)-Wired the last field in a snappy 151.1 and now steps up. Has been trying hard and recent form is good. Doug McNair could have the pedal down and hope for the best. 8-American History (7/2)-This is another looking for a drop and pop outcome. The veteran does good work at Mohawk and should relish the company. Can grinds its way around and if the trip is favorable could do more than just hit the ticket. 10-Sometime Somewhere (8-1)-James MacDonald sticks with the Richard Moreau entry who has been facing Preferred company without much success. If the pace is hot, chances for a picture go up. Could be part of the ticket and would add some pop to the payout. This ticket below uses 11-Uncle Shank A (5-1) in the 2nd slot. To slide #11 from 2nd-5th would cost $96. 0.20 Jackpot Hi-5 4,5,7,8,10/11/4,5,7,8,10/4,5,7,8,10/4,5,7,8,10 Total Bet=$24 Check me out on Twitter!

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4.26.2024:

Eddie Olczyk: Gulfstream Mandatory Payout Rainbow 6 Hat Trick Best Bets | Saturday, April 27, 2024

By Eddie Olcyzk

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4.26.2024:

1/ST POST: Why Play Today? Friday, April 26, 2024

By Xpressbet

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4.26.2024:

Scott Shapiro: Churchill Downs Full-Card Analysis | Saturday, April 27, 2024

By Scott Shapiro

Saturday is Opening Night at Churchill Downs with just one week until the Kentucky Derby. Let’s get off to a strong start to the spring in Louisville! Grade Descriptions: Grade A=Highest degree of confidence; Grade B=Solid Play. Grade C=Least preferred or pass; Grade X=probable winner but likely at odds too short to play. Race 1: Grade: C Main Ticket: 1 Epimythium; 2 One for Richie Backups: 7 Leader of Men; 8- Shortlist Forecast: The pace should be honest in the opener given the presence of #3 Dreaming of Smarty and #5 Spycraft. This should set things up for a runner from off the pace. #7 Leader of Men and #8 Shortlist are the ones likeliest to take serious public support on the cutback to 1-turn, but neither are trustworthy at relatively short prices. #2 One for Richie should get a pocket trip and has tons of races to go back to, but has not won in ages. #1 Epimythium should also get a good trip on the turnback. He has not raced over a fast main track since 2021 and probably prefers turf or the all-weather, but the value should be there to take a shot. Race 2: Grade: C+ Main Ticket: 6 Barnaby Backups: 3 Beer With Ice Forecast: There is a serious lack of legitimate one-turn speed in this $10K conditional claimer at one mile. #3 Beer With Ice might have enough early zip to make the lead versus this bunch, but he does cutback from a two-turn event at Fair Grounds where he went off at 36-1 for the high percentage Chris Hartman barn. He is capable, but I prefer the class dropper #6 Barnaby. The Tom Amoss trainee attracts Tyler Gaffalione and should be right off the hip of Beer With Ice in the early going. The others are likely to have much to do late given the probable race shape. Race 3: Grade: B- Main Ticket: 5 Evie’s Encore Backups: 4 Classic Performer; 3 Thestral Forecast: #2 Little Blaze is listed as the 3-1-morning line favorite by oddsmaker Mike Battaglia, but she is worth taking a stand against. The daughter of Will Take Charge is unlikely to have things easy on the front end and has failed the public at odds-on in 2 of her last 3 tries. #5 Evie’s Encore is the one most likely to take advantage of a contentious pace. She has had things her way at Oaklawn in her last two starts, but I am not going to hold that against her too much. She appears to have turned a corner since being claimed by Chris Hartman. Race 4: Grade: B+ Main Ticket: 10 Smokin’ Jay Backups: 9 Outadore Forecast: Like many five-furlong turf dashes, this second-level allowance event has a plethora of runners that want to be on or near the lead. 7-5-favorite #9 Outadore is one of those that does his best running on the front end, but he does at least draw outside the other speeds giving Abel Cedillo some options out of the gate. The six-year-old gelding clearly has soundness issues, but is 8 for 16 in his career and 4 for 6 over the lawn. He is tough to toss, but #10 Smokin’ Jay is the better wager if he is anywhere near his 8-1-morning line offering. He ran second in his only start over this course and will appreciate a hot pace to run at. Race 5: Grade: C Main Ticket: 6 Chryso Alogo; 5 Crafted Backups: 1 Spanish Wells; 2 Bledsoe; 8 Saint Peter’s Bay Forecast: They move back to the main track for the start of the Derby City 6 where once again we should see a contentious early pace in this 6.5-furlong dash over the main track. That said, this could be a race where one of the speeds is able to take heat early and still get to the wire first. I am not creative and lack a strong opinion, but #6 Chryso Alogo has a huge chance dropping in class and cutting back for Jack Sisterson, as does #5 Crafted who gets serious class relief for North America’s all-time leading trainer. Race 6: Grade: C Main Ticket: 10 Falcon Quest; 1 Coal Boss Backups: 7 Cashmeup Forecast: #7 Cashmeup is the 3-1-morning line favorite off of a near miss as the public choice at Turfway Park in mid-February. He got off to a slow start and was caught wide on the far turn and into the lane giving him a legitimate excuse for coming up a bit short. However, he is hard to get excited about at his likely off odds. Same is true of the entire group, but I prefer #10 Falcon Quest who gets blinkers and drops massively in class for Mark Simms, Jr. and #1 Coal Boss who has had 15 chances, but gets Tyler Gaffalione and blinkers back on for Greg Foley. Race 7: Grade: B+ Main Ticket: 9 Killshave Beauty; 3 La Pachanga; 10 Robin Sage Backups: None Forecast: I am looking forward to trying to beat #4 Hola Gata in the horizontals in this first-level allowance event over the sod. The Chad Brown filly is likely to take a lot of money coming in off of 3 straight runner-up efforts and should get a favorable race shape for high profile connections. She is highly likely to hit the board, but has proven to be a bit camera shy losing four photos by a neck or less. I also am willing to toss #2 Tituba who is going to have to work early with other speed signed on and #8 Hay Stack who also has shown an affinity for running second. #9 Killshave Beauty has not raced since a wire-to-wire debut score last October, but comes in off a long series of drills at Keeneland and did not appear to be a need the lead type. She has the most upside in the field. #3 La Pachanga has failed to run fast enough yet to beat this group and has not lived up to her $450,000 price tag, but comes in fresh and might try new tactics with Joel Rosario aboard for the initial time. They will both be on my late Pick 4 ticket, as well as longshot #10 Robin Sage who makes her first start of the year for Robby Medina. Race 8: Grade: C+ Main Ticket: 8 Queen of the Rodeo; 11 Foreseen Backups: 1 Just Basking Forecast: These 1 � miles maiden races at Churchill often prove to be staggerfests to the wire. That certainly could be the case here where #4 Heart Headed Woman and #5 Mystical Chant should keep each other honest in the early going after both having several chances going shorter against similar competition. #1 Just Basking has shown the ability to finish in both of her first two tries, but got a favorable setup last out and is all but certain to get over bet with a pair of in the money efforts to commence her career. #8 Queen of the Rodeo is one I will definitely include. She has not raced since her debut over a year ago, but got off to a poor start in that lone try and really had no shot in a race where the front runners dominated things from start-to-finish. #11 Foreseen makes sense as well on the stretch out for Rusty Arnold after finishing second at Keeneland just ten days ago. I take it as a positive that the veteran conditioner is willing to wheel this filly back quickly. Race 9: Grade: A- Main Ticket: 4 Positano Sunset; 10 Condensation Backups: 3 Speedy Traveler; 5 Zeitlos Forecast: The first stakes race of the year in Louisville is a fun one with several ways to go. #6 Dazzling Blue makes her initial start as a four-year-old for the Brad Cox barn. The Into Mischief filly rattled off 3 consecutive victories to kick off her career before putting forth a lifetime best effort in defeat to Maple Leaf Mel in the Victory Ride. She was not the same in her two starts after the huge performance in New York. She can win, but it will be at a price I am not willing to take. #3 Speedy Traveler is one of those with early gas to her inside and enters the Roxelana a perfect 3 for 3 for Phil Bauer. This barn won at a ridiculous clip at Churchill in 2023 and is hard to completely toss despite drawing between the other potential speeds. #5 Zeitlos put in a clunker in the Matron at Oaklawn, but has done little wrong outside of that and should benefit from the likely race shape. #8 Condensation is a must use. The Frosted filly has been freshened up after a third-place finish in a non-graded stake in Arkansas. She is 3 for 4 over this surface and can spring the upset if able to get back to her September 17th, 2023 performance where she got a similar trip as I expect her to in here. #4 Positano Sunset is the one I am most intrigued by. The Ian Wilkes trainee finished off her three-year-old campaign with a pair of victories and should be rolling late at a big price under Julien Leparoux. At 8-1 or higher, I will running to the window. Race 10: Grade: Main Ticket: 5 Galadini; 4 Tammy’s Cruiser Backups: 3 Starcourt; 9 Rubia; 10 Argan Forecast: #3 Starcourt was caught wide in her debut at Turfway Park on Ruby Day, but did not show all that much either. Expect the Enticed filly to take a lot of public support with Luis Saez riding for Cherie DeVaux. If she gets bet down below 7-2, I will toss, but horizontally speaking she is probably worth including. #4 Tammy’s Cruiser rode a good rail in her first try on dirt at Keeneland over a speed favoring racetrack. She has every right to move forward on the drop. #5 Galadini moves up in class in her first start off the claim for Chris Hartman who clicks at 27% over a recent 164 start sample size. #9 Rubia and #10 Argan get some class relief and would not surprise. Good luck!

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4.26.2024:

Jeff Siegel: What You Need to Know + Prime Plays Video - Santa Anita | Friday, April 26, 2024

By Jeff Siegel

Specifically designed for the rolling exotic player, Jeff Siegel’s “What You Need to Know” isolates those horses that should be included in daily doubles, pick-3s, pick-4s, pick-5s, and the pick-6. * The selections are posted at 6:00 a.m. and updated later in the morning to reflect late scratches and changes (approximately 10:30 a.m.). For additional commentary, follow us on twitter @jsiegelracing. * * Grade Descriptions: Grade A=Highest degree of confidence; Grade B=Solid Play. Grade C=Least preferred or pass; Grade X=probable winner but likely at odds too short to play. View Jeff Siegel’s Prime Plays Videos ______________________________________________________________________________ RACE 1: Post: 1:00 PT Grade: B Main Ticket: 3-Moment’s Pleasure; 4-I’llhaveanotherkiss Backups/savers: 1-Marinas Tina. Forecast: Moment’s Pleasure was a bit green early but found extra energy in the final furlong before graduating in game style sprinting over the local lawn in her first outing since August. She galloped out well to provide expectation that today’s added distance can be within her range, and with any kind of forward move the daughter of Clubhouse Ride should be capable of successfully standing this raise in class. Her numbers are rising, and the pace projection says she might be able to inherit a good pace pressing trip. Illhaveanotherkiss stretches out again after finishing a solid runner-up in a Hillside dash facing first level allowance ranks. She’s entered for $50,000, suspiciously so, but on pure numbers she’s competitive, though a mile so far has proven to be a bit out of her range. ______________________________________________________________________________ RACE 2: Post: 1:30 PT Grade: A- Main Ticket: 5-Mr. Leasure Backups/savers: none. Forecast: Mr. Leasure has been away since November but returns in a $50,000 maiden claimer as a first time Lasix user and a first time gelding for a barn that has solid stats with layoff runners, so in a modest affair we’re expecting the son of Distorted Humor to have no difficulty handling this assignment. The Doug O’Neill-trained sophomore has looked quite good in his recent comeback drills and in a field lacking speed he should find himself on or near the lead throughout. ______________________________________________________________________________ RACE 3: Post: 2:03 PT Grade: B Main Ticket: 8-Belly Up Backups/savers: 5-Forty Niner Gold; 7-Please Focus. Forecast: Belly Up is a sharp Bay Area invader fresh from a career top effort when second in a fast, productive first level allowance sprint in early January. A recent healthy work tab should have him fit and ready for his high percentage outfit. The son of Into Mischief is unproven on grass but his good Tapeta form at Golden Gate Fields gives hope that the surface switch won’t be an issue. ______________________________________________________________________________ RACE 4: Post: 2:33 PT Grade: B+ Main Ticket: 2-Dorita Rose Backups/savers: none. Forecast: Donita Rose improved her Beyer speed figure by 20 points in her second career start but had to settle second behind razor sharp runaway next out winner Whimsical Heir while well clear of next out winner Ryder’s Candy in a fast, highly rated and productive race at this level. She gets a major jockey switch to Juan Hernandez, shows three easy breezes at San Lis Rey Downs to tick her over, and is a logical rolling exotic single. ______________________________________________________________________________ RACE 5: Post: 3:04 PT Grade: B Main Ticket: 4-Rostovsky Backups/savers: 7-Uncle Reg. Forecast: The first timer Rostovsky caught the eye in company with recent debut maiden special weight winner Jane Austin in a gate drill March 25 and more than held his own while stride-for-stride throughout. The Liam’s Map gelding is realistically spotted by a barn that strikes at 23% with a considerable flat bet profit with debut runners, so in an open grass grab bag for maiden $50,000 turf sprinters the M. Glatt-trained sophomore should be a very live item. ______________________________________________________________________________ RACE 6: Post: 3:35 PT Grade: B Main Ticket: 6-Parenting; 10-Santarena. Backups/savers: none. Forecast: Here’s a salty maiden special weight sprint with several highly promising entrants, and it should take a very good colt to win it. Parenting, a first time starter by Justify, breezed in :10 flat before bringing $750,000 through the ring at the 2023 OBS April sale but it’s taken a year for the B. Baffert-trained colt to make it to the races. Recent workouts indicate he is loaded with talent and should have him plenty fit for a top effort first crack out of the box. A bullet :59 flat gate work (fastest of 47) was accomplished without company and sans urging, so this looks like an excellent prospect capable of winning at first asking. Santarena displayed plenty of speed in his first two outings, both of which earned stronger than par speed figures. Second in his most recent outing while well clear of the rest, the son of Omaha Beach has an experience edge over our top pick that could make a winning difference. ______________________________________________________________________________ RACE 7: Post: 4:06 PT Grade: B Main Ticket: 2-Lunar Impact Backups/savers: 4-Speed Lane; 5-Leisurewear (Ire). Forecast: Lunar Impact stayed on gamely when a close fourth in the much tougher Wishing Well Stakes down the Hillside Course last time out and stretches out again today to a distance she’s proven she can handle. Against this considerably lesser field, the English-bred filly projects to enjoy an ideal pace stalking/pressing trip and then have every chance when the pressure is turned on from the quarter pole home. She is reunited with “win rider” L. Dettori and is solid in the speed figurer department. ______________________________________________________________________________ RACE 8: Post: 4:37 PT Grade: B Main ticket: 6-Sugar Fish; 2-Fayette Fox. Backups/savers: none. Forecast: Sugar Fish demolished a modest field in a high priced maiden claiming extended sprint last month while earning a career top speed figure and today stretches out around two turns for the first time to a distance she’s certainly bred to handle. We’re expecting the J. Mullins-trained sophomore filly to settle early and tag the leaders late. Fayette Fox was a bit rusty when a steady third sprinting at this level in her first outing in more than a year. She’s proven to be effective routing, so with that tightener under her belt the V. Cerin-trained filly should be primed for a significant forward move. Top pilot J. Hernandez rides her back and should have her in an ideal, second flight early position, ready to pounce. ______________________________________________________________________________ RACE 9: Post: 5:08 PT Grade: B+ Main ticket: 4-Zafiro Anejo Backups/savers: none. Forecast: Zafiro Anejo was given a very easy run in his first start since his debut in the spring of 2022 in Kentucky and didn’t run badly at all in a turf sprint at this level, settling off the pace and then winding up third, beaten less than five lengths without being knocked about. We’re expecting a much more serious effort today from the son of Kantharos, who continues to train like a decent type and one that should enjoy the stretch out in trip. Low percentage connections notwithstanding, there’s a good gamble available in a what looks to be a below average field for maiden $50,000.

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