Be Better tries to outdo himself in Polynesian

Be Better seeks his fourth consecutive victory in Sunday’s $100,000 Polynesian for 3-year-olds and up traveling 1 1/16 miles at Pimlico.

The Polynesian joins the $100,000 Sensible Lady Turf Dash for fillies and mares at five furlongs on turf and the $75,000 Challedon for 3-year-olds and up at six furlongs on dirt on the program

Trained by Brittany Russell, long-striding Be Better overcame a moderate pace to best three others in the Deputed Testamony on July 29 at Laurel Park.

“When I tipped him out at the top of the stretch, my guy was running,” jockey Sheldon Russell said after the Deputed Testamony. “Maybe he’s just getting good at the right time.”

If the pace is on the slow side again, Ournationonparade might utilize his tactical speed to make the lead. The gelding has hit the board in his last 12 starts and finished third behind Be Better in the Deputed Testamony.

Trainer Jamie Ness expects a good effort from Ournationonparade, with the long-term goal being Laurel’s $175,000 Maryland Million Classic on Oct. 14. Ournationonparade captured the Classic a year ago.

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Zabracadabra has cracked the exacta in all five starts this year, including a 100-Beyer Speed Figure win in his seasonal debut and two recent allowance victories. Zabracadabra was freshened after his last race on July 7 and has had four Delaware breezes in the interim.

Trainer Linda Rice was undecided on Thursday morning as to Un Ojo’s participation.

Grade 2 winner Double Crown returns to dirt after a disappointing run on turf six days ago.

Sensible Lady

All That Magic has been superb in four consecutive victories, including the Incredible Revenge on Aug. 6 at Monmouth Park, since being switched to turf by trainer Kate DeMasi.

“She had a little turf pedigree behind her,” DeMasi said about the decision to switch to grass. “It was really more of an experiment, and it was a fruitful experiment.”

In the Incredible Revenge, All That Magic set the pace, was confronted in deep stretch, then gamely prevailed by a nose.

“She was a little tired as she should be running back in nine days,” DeMasi added. “Other than that, she looked good. [The Sensible Lady] is a good next step.”

Goin’ Good was stakes-placed in her last two for trainer Brad Cox, and boasts competitive Beyers. She has a versatile running style and might work out a trip from just off the pace.

Wesley Ward sends out Spicy Marg and 3-year-old Daring Do. The former has big speed, and Ward told track publicity earlier this week that “If the conditions are fast and firm, she’ll be leading them right down to the dirty dollar.”

Conversely, Daring Do, an Into Mischief filly out of a half-sister to Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf winner Hootenanny, should rally as she did when capturing Ellis Park’s Pea Patch on July 16.

Stakes winner Can’t Buy Love will likely rally from far back. She’s hit the board in her last seven, including a troubled-trip third in this race last year.

Sweet Temperament, Alla Breve, Whiskey and Rye, Self Isolation, Sassy Beast, Shoshanah, and Angel Art also are entered.

Challedon

After two defeats out of town, Borracho returned to Maryland with a flourish, winning a $40,000 optional-claiming race in gate-to-wire fashion. It was his third consecutive win in the state sandwiched around two off-the-board efforts at Delaware Park.

“He doesn’t fire much at Delaware,” Ness said. “I ran him a couple of times here and he’s done nothing. I sent him to Laurel and he ran a big race again.”

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Borracho has speed, and Ness mentioned some concern about the possibility of a duel with Pirate Rick after breaking from the rail.

If those two horses hook up, Al Loves Josie and Swill might benefit. The former wheels back in two weeks after winning a high-level allowance at Timonium. Al Loves Josie has the versatility to lead or rate.

Swill returned from a lengthy layoff in good form. A second-level allowance winner July 20 at Colonial Downs, Swill breezed a bullet on Aug. 11.

Onlygodcanjudgeme also is entered.

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