Belmont: Closer Looks for October 5, 2013
Race 1
| Jilted Tiara |
| Birdstone about 10% with debuters in a 218-runner sample, 3 for 91 with first-time turfers; sire took debut at 2, disappointed many when shocking Smarty Jones in the Belmont, never turfed; dam was unraced; several multiple race winners in the tree, and a couple won on grass; could need a race. |
| Causeways Friend |
| Giant's Causeway about 11% with firsters in an 622-horse sample, about 10% with first-time turfers in a 528-runner sample; sire won juvenile debut by 7 and took a Group 1 at 2, was a turf monster; dam was 0 for 5; top sibling Welcome Guest banked over $200K, but neither sibling tried grass; lean toward watching one. |
| Toy Land |
| Like this progression; she closed in the debut, showed speed last time in a race she had to need; dam won a stakes, earned over $100K, but lost only turf out; this is her first to race; blowout on Wednesday should have her on her toes. |
| Baragah |
| Awesome Again 16 for 113 with first-time turfers; sire did not race at 2, won in second start, earned $4.3 million, never turfed; dam won multiple Grade 1s on grass, banked over $1.6 million; both siblings double winners on grass, one banked about $170K; legit threat from behind. |
| Poster Girl |
| Freshened for this, the drill on the 25th screams off the page and she should sit a nice stalk and pounce trip; there is grass success in the family; should be right there when the smoke clears. |
| Atlantic Dream |
| Only a brief threat when hung outside; like the series of drills since the last race and the winner of the GP finale won at this level next out, lost next 5; she has a right to grow into her skin as kin to multiple turf stakes winner Icy Atlantic, who earned nearly a million; must find a way to rebound. |
| Pleasant Cat |
| She does seem improved since the freshening but she has to find that killer instinct; backers can point to the fact that all 3 siblings won on grass; another slice? |
| Callana |
| Youngster has fired in 3 of 4 and the show horse on 7/24 graduated in this league next out, then was 2nd a neck in a $35K optional; lone sibling failed to win on grass; the light is due to go on. |
| Lunar Surge |
| Shades, fresh Lasix and a best of 8 bullet in the resume today; the winner of the debut took a $25K optional in next, then was a well-beaten third in a Grade 1; winner two back repeated in a $25K optional with a 105 Beyer and the winner of last took an N1X at Laurel 9/19 with an 87 Beyer; 3 for 13 dam did win routing once; two of 3 sibs won, each cashed twice in the minor leagues; due to hit paydirt. By Brian Mulligan |
Race 2
| Go Canes Go |
| The rail may pose a problem for this lightly-raced sophomore yet his recent work tab suggests a sudden turnaround is not out of the question; caught a muddy track in his only local dirt attempt; likely to be overlooked by most bettors, he may round out a generous exotic payoff. |
| North Ocean |
| One of the more consistent performers in this field, he is a proven entity at the course and distance; can atone for the last transgression while the 9 to 5 favorite and should be within striking range from this comfortable slot; playable. |
| I Want You to Know |
| Canadian gelding has been training in excellent fashion at his Woodbine headquarters and is twice victorious at the one-turn mile (earned his personal best Beyer at this trip and over a next-out winner); may be able to middle move at the right moment. |
| Nevada Kid |
| When trying 2 turns for the first time a month ago, he set all the pace until the final furlong; best effort was 4 races back when scoring at the mile, despite early pace pressure; progressed several levels in the latest training track breeze; the selection. |
| Go Appeal |
| Big score at the shore in August for this colt who tries a route for the first time; the trainer involved has been on quite a roll since the tail end of the Saratoga meet; nicely bred for an off track, this runner should be able to handle the extension in distance. |
| Wayward Sailor |
| A six-time winner, this colt seems best suited for a career in grass racing; the most experienced horse in the field, he still can prove a major player because of the trainer's exceptional record in the turf-to-dirt category; could also help set the table for his mate Point Taken. |
| Reaching Out |
| Stopped on a dime when trying the green for the first time 5 months ago; rebounded of late with some strong half-mile breezes; statebred has some talent but may have difficulty defeating veteran open company such as this. |
| Yellow Mountain (IRE) |
| Goes back to blinkers, an experiment that did not work earlier in the year; won over a synthetic course in Great Britain, his only non-turf race, but seems out of his element today; cannot be endorsed as a serious contender against this lot. |
| Nevada |
| Right behind North Ocean while racing upstate but one of his best efforts was right here when beaten to the punch by Nevada Kid; should offer decent betting value now and a wet-fast surface would be ideal; worth inclusion in your exotic wagering approach if all the early speed types go to the post. |
| Point Taken |
| Versatile pro is a .333 lifetime hitter and has the bonus today of his entrymate setting or pressing the pace; likes the track and distance and should obtain comfortable position before the turn for home; exacta recommendation, rain or shine. |
| Deadicated Deal |
| Maturing runner has been given a rest since breaking maiden in style at Saratoga; must spot vast experience at the distance and deal with an extreme outside slot for the first; that combination of factors may prove too demanding a task. By Jim Kachulis |
Race 3
| Insighting |
| Has yet to race back to the career debut Beyer speed figure Top which occurred nearly 1 year ago but on BEL Inner Turf at today's distance; rallied well in that event but lacked the finishing punch in latest; 1st-time Castellano piloting who yields 27% winners for the trainer since 2012; must show more. |
| Sayaprayerforme |
| Only exacta finish was accomplished at a shorter distance than this; posted 5 consecutive starts racing 1st at the 1st call he has Courageous Karen to beat out of the gate on turf; 1-for-23 turf-sprint trainer since 2012 does not help the cause; know him early but unsure about late. |
| Brandy's Big Guy |
| Has never raced this short of a distance; in the 5 show finishes during career he often raced evenly not showing a big-late punch; in latest he faded suggesting perhaps the new distance might help the cause; hopes to save ground then make 1 run; good sign rider Franco shows up here when seemignly having other options. |
| Chasintheblues |
| 18-point Beyer improvement 2nd-time out with a Z-pattern racing line sitting 2nd at the 1st call then dropping back and re-rallying to lose everything by under 3 lengths; great sign that he showed rallying ability especially in a race with Courageous Karen and Sayaprayerforme likely setting a hot pace; view as a major player with these. |
| Courageous Karen |
| Needed last start off the 58-day layoff; best Beyer was accomplished over a less-than-firm turf course; to win this speedster would likely have to outbreak Sayaprayerforme then have something left to hold off the closers; is back in just 6 days; view as a major pace presence. |
| Mel's Dream |
| 51-day absence for a 1-for-18-fresh trainer since 2012; the only race sent today's 6F distance was a fade and figures to press Courageous Karen and Sayaprayerforme wide; the runner-up finisher from last Beyered 64 in his next-out BEL-16K-maiden claiming win. |
| Seljuk |
| 14 chances already but looms with a big chance here off latest rally; he figures to be flying late into a hot pace flow here; the 3-back runner-up finisher Beyered 65 in his next-out SAR-MSW score; rider of latest career-best speed figure lands on Brandy's Big Guy. |
| Wood On the Fire |
| Wokeup some on grass from a Beyer standpoint but lacked stamina in latest and figures to chase a hot pace wide; is eligible to improve stamina 2nd time back off the 47-day layoff; the 3-back runner-up and show finishers Beyered 65-50 in next-out SAR-25K and FL-$12,500-maiden claiming wins. |
| Escape to the Moon |
| Field-best Beyer posted in the career debut and would be a dangerous rival if moves forward for start 2 like so many runners; Main Track Only speedster would have to outbreak Sayaprayerforme and Courageous Karen; posted an improved workout for this; try to catch me. By Art Gropper |
Race 5
| Tapit Express |
| Proven fresh in the maiden breaker, key off the tough beat in last and he fits the conditions to a T; don't fret about work pattern as Sheppard gets his runners fit in a unique way; the major concern is that he needs help on the front end and there is not a ton of speed in here; should still be rolling hard late. |
| Hailstone |
| Only one for 18 on the grass and that's a tough number to bet into; been a long time between drinks; the last win came in the 2011 opener at Gulfstream in an N1X with a 91 Beyer; needs very best. |
| Razorbill |
| Like the fact he beat a big field to break maiden; nice effort in the stateside debut as he looked to be on the way out, but then was only beaten a half length; show horse in the Sandown finale won twice back-to-back in the bushes of England; Prado got a chance to figure him out; respect. |
| Tiz Gianni |
| Even after the tough beat two back, fans didn't exactly go to the well at 7-1 and they were right on the money; he kicked off the year going all out in the Cotton Fitzsimmons but has not closed the deal since; clever barn due for a little luck, check out the 20 slices this meet. |
| Hothersal |
| He had to be off for about 9 months for a pretty serious reason; runner could have just been dead short in last as he had dead aim at the top of the lane but could not carry through with the momentum; he did break through the gate and that may have just knocked him way out of whack; expect better result here. |
| Thomas Hill |
| Runner has much more speed than he just flashed after the bobble at the start; key off the sprint three back when he was just a half-length off the lead and one could project him right there early on today; note runners in the company line were clear in last; legit threat right back. |
| Cheyenne Nation |
| Nice bit of training by former conditioner Catalano to have this runner in this good a shape after taking 2012 off; game in the last pair, he has seemed to improve since moving into this stable and could see him sitting a trip where he will be 6 or 7 off moderate splits early looking for racing room; threepeat well within the scope. |
| Dangerous Lad |
| Freshened since the clever win upstate when he won despite taking the overland route; back in the day he did show speed so that option might be there; 7th finisher in last took a $25K optional next out, 9th finisher took an N2L allowance at KD and 10th finisher beat $15K optional foes at Delaware; best of 16 bullet locked and loaded on Monday; contention goes deep. |
| Shkspeare Shaliyah |
| Blinks added last time to no avail; he has been in some tough spots this year vs. stakes foes but was crushed when wide the last time in this league; not seeing it. |
| Border Song (FR) |
| Forced to alter course in last, with clear sailing today it could be a whole new ballgame; note this rider was up for the stateside debut and this guy may not have adored the rail in last; valid player right back. |
| Hardest Core |
| It took a few races for this guy to figure it out but since he graduated, he has been solid; he had a brief lead around the 16th pole in last and it's possible he didn't adore the yielding turf course; post should not hurt him; note last win came from slot 12; look out. |
| Blingo |
| The fact that he won at first asking gives him a chance to fire fresh; place horse in the 2012 closer took the Del Mar Derby next out; place horse in last took a $100K stakes next out with a 95 Beyer; can't fault those that give him another shot at glory. |
| Cease |
| When you pluck down $100K for a claim, the pressure is kind of on to win soon; hence the drop today; wide from the outside slot in last, he has the 2 races to draw from now and key off the tough beat in the Grade 2 last year and he fits; another contender in a good betting race. By Brian Mulligan |
Race 6
| Long Water | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Both-career races showed a trouble gate breaks; 2nd-time Long is often an improvement angle; the debut winner posted an 85 Beyer speed figure in his next-out Grade 1 SAR stakes victory; 26%-winning jockey-trainer combo hoping a better gate break will help him turn the tables on Master Lightning. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Village Warrior | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sire went 0-for-3 in dirt routes; dam posted a 1-for-8 dirt-route record (55K); 2 foals to race in dirt routes went 0-for-2; was screaming out for more distance in the debut and gets it here for a 37%-winning 2nd-start trainer while rider Castellano leaves Souper Lucky for this; wish the worktab for this was a bit snappier but has every chance to improve. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Souperfast | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sire won 8-of-12 dirt routes; dam took 1-for-3 races going long (35K) on dirt producing Grade 1 Uncle Mo (4-for-6 dirt routes 1.5M); the trainer rarely wins with 1sters so willing to dismiss the debut and has been working well for this. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Waco | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adds blinkers a 30%-win angle for the trainer; the first 3 finishers from last Beyered 81-70-63 in next-out SAR-Grade 2 stakes and CD-BEL MSW wins; the worktab for this does not bowl you over and was hoping to see improved morning drills with the new hood. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Franked | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sire is 14-for-114 with 2-year-old debut runners; is out of an 0-for-1 dam (2K) who produced 3 winners from 5 other foals to race including Tommys Luck (3-for-15, 100K); hard to ignore the trainer's 1-for-43 record with 1sters since 2012. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rare Eagle | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sire is 10-for-11 with 2-year-old debut runners; is out of a 3-for-15 dam (65K) who produced 1 winner from 3 other foals to race (Cutter 4-for-30, 109K); the 2-for-last-86 debut barn does not add to the appeal but does go to a 29%-winning BEL jockey-trainer combo. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Master Lightning | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Outran the 26-1 debut odds as the 2nd Pletcher-trainer runner in the field who wins 38% of the time with 2nd-time starters; wish the workouts for this were snappier but the 43%-winning BEL-jockey-trainer combo adds to the appeal. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tightly Bridled | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sire went 3-for-8 in dirt routes (1.2M) taking the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, Fla. Derby and Wood Memorial; is out of an unraced dam who's only other foal to race is 0-for-2 Winning Voucher; improved some 2nd-time out but is ranked as an outsider here. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Souper Lucky | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1st time racing at 1 Mile or longer represents a field-best Beyer when just missing; rider of last lands on Village Warrior; posted an improved workout for this; the 2-back winner repeated in a MTH-Grade 3 with a 77 Beyer; the debut runner-up notched a 61 Beyer in his next-out SAR-MSW score; 1-for-35 BEL jockey-trainer combo since 2012 is the lone concern.
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Race 8
| War Dancer |
| He's two races removed from a G2 score over turf and like to see him getting back over turf after testing himself in the Travers in his latest start; he's ideally drawn in the rail post at this trip, and if he's ready to perform the way he did in the Virginia Derby, he'll be a tough one to keep out of the mix; winner from latest won next out at Prx on 9/21 going 1 1/8m in a G2 with a 105 Beyer. |
| Mills |
| He's going to need to be ready to show up with his best effort to date to get the better of this field, but he hasn't run a bad race to date, and he's lightly raced so the possibility of an improved performance isn't out of the question; nevertheless, others entice more. |
| Balance the Books |
| Don't want to ignore the presence of Castellano aboard another in here, but this multiple graded stakes winner sports some strong turf form; going to view him in the light of a contender, but when seeing what he's done in his two starts after a layoff, maybe he's a race away from a top try. |
| Admiral Kitten |
| He's the only one in here with a G1 win over turf and he earned that victory in the Secretariat at Arlington in his latest outing; he's coupled in the wagering with Get in Line and it looks like that one will ensure a fast early pace for this late running type; Napravnik has won with 42 of 150 (28%) mounts for this barn in 2013. |
| Jack Milton |
| He hasn't had much go his way with regard to racing luck in his two most recent races as a tough outside trip compromised him in the Secretariat, and he finished best after getting himself out of traffic in the Virginia Derby two starts ago; he has the look of a top contender. |
| Five Iron |
| Have to respect what he's done in his two most recent races and he enters this race fresh off of a G3 score; he's one of the main early speed types in here with Joha and Get in Line, and he'll have his share of appeal if he opts to run in this spot instead of the Hawthorne Derby. |
| Stormy Len |
| He has just a single victory racing over turf, but have to respect what he's done in those seven turf starts while facing strong competition, and he's earned back-to-back G1 stakes placings prior to this; feel that he's an interesting option to consider. |
| Joha |
| Respect the fact that he earned a G1 victory over the synthetic surface at Keeneland as a 2-year-old, but he's probably going to need to see the early speed of Five Iron and Get in Line scratch to have a chance at coming out on top in this spot. |
| Michael With Us |
| He's displayed good form this year and he has a stakes win to his credit, but he hasn't quite run a race that is strong enough to suggest that he can get the better of a field of this quality; prefer to look toward others. |
| Global Asset |
| He's basically improved with each passing start to this point in time, but he was claimed for 10k five starts ago in the middle of July, and this has to be considered a drastic step up in class for him; if he can get the job done, he'll be a bit of a shocker. |
| Get in Line |
| He's two for three racing over turf but it looks like his presence in here is designed to help give his late running entrymate a legitimate early pace to work off of; he's yet to prove that he belongs with competition of this caliber, so viewing him as an early pace factor only. |
| Up With the Birds |
| Multiple stakes winner might be slightly sharper racing over a synthetic surface than he is over turf, but he commands a good deal of respect in here based on what he's shown in his three turf starts, including a runner-up finish behind one of today's key rivals in Jack Milton. |
| Notacatbutallama |
| One of two signed on in here for the Pletcher barn, and can't help but be more intrigued with Jack Milton; it is interesting to see Castellano land aboard this runner with John V. out of town, and this colt has run some nice races over the Belmont Park turf; Castellano has won with 44 of 138 (32%) mounts for this barn in 2013. By Brian Pochman |
Race 9
| Sweet Reason |
| She couldn't have been more impressive in either of her 2 off the pace scores upstate, though they did come over wet tracks; G1 SW filly did return to work well over dry strips in recent local mornings and today's added panel figures to be right up her alley; she handled the inside draw first time out and there is some speed signed on to set things up for her run; they'll have her to beat. |
| Artemis Agrotera |
| The word was out on this statebred in her Saratoga debut heat and she didn't disappoint with the huge open lengths score; third place finisher from that heat returned to take a Finger Lakes stake with a 60 Beyer; filly's G2 SP, SW dam was a 5 time route winner so she certainly has a right to take to today's 8 panel trip and she's also been working like she's ready to roll; waters get much deeper in this G1 heat but she's certainly got some ability and should be gunning from the bell. |
| Tea Time |
| Recent graduate does have a local sprint score under her belt and she earned a field best dry strip number in that one; pedigree suggests she'll handle the added trip as well, but there's speed drawn to her inside so in order to impact here she'll likely have to prove she can track and finish and those tactics didn't work so well for her upstate, albeit from a wide spot at a much shorter trip than she'll tackle today. |
| Stopchargingmaria |
| She's another whose Spa debut effort came as little surprise to those who backed her at 1-2 and though little match for today's rail drawn rival in it, her G1 Spinaway try wasn't bad; barn has won 3 of the past 8 runnings of this stakes heat and this gal is the first foal to race out of a route SW dam so the stretchout could help and a dry strip could prove to be the equalizer; main danger. |
| Ria Antonia |
| Canadian shipper makes her first start in this outfit's name after backing out of it late against the boys 6 weeks ago at Woodbine; new barn excels with this type first time out and though she hasn't run particularly fast yet on synthetic footing her morning moves suggest she'll take to dirt just fine; has a lot of moving forward to do, but the price should be very right as she gets back in with females. |
| Divided Attention |
| She's kin to a couple of good ones including a juvenile filly champion in local G1 SW and 945K earner Folklore and she ran to her pedigree when stretched out to this trip in her first spin over the track; though the number she earned in the score wasn't anything special, she's the lone member of the field to have run this far and the importance can't be overlooked; while she's another who will need to keep getting better to factor here she certainly has the bloodlines to do so. |
| Recepta |
| Took plenty of money in her first out score in the Saratoga slop and she did it quite convincingly from off the pace; she's been breezing well here for her initial stakes engagement and the outside draw should keep her out of trouble over a track that's seemed to even out some over the past week or so; though her pedigree suggests she may be better suited to sprinting or the lawn, she is kin to a route winner and in her unveiling did give every indication she'll take to more ground. By Steve Grabowski |
Race 10
| Casiguapo |
| Impressed in his second out maiden score in Florida and did rally to get second money behind a runaway winner who returns here as well in the sloppy G1 Hopeful upstate last time; colt draws inside after working a sharp half mile here last weekend in preparation for this and though he's not as quick as some of these early, with an alert break he may be able to secure a decent spot down inside on the stretchout; numbers are light in comparison to the bigger guys in here so the price should again be enticing and that's reason enough to give him an exotics look. |
| Ride On Curlin |
| Shipper makes his local debut with a bullet breeze in tow after being beaten as the chalk going long in his Churchill stakes debut last month; expect he'll be tighter with that one behind him and maybe this flat mile is more up his alley, but that big figure maiden sprint score did come on the engine and with plenty of speed drawn outside him today he'll have to work pretty hard if he wants a similar trip; prefer others on the win end. |
| Havana |
| His reputation preceded him when unveiled at odds on in his Saratoga sprint debut and he certainly ran to his 575K in training price tag earlier in the year; with his pilot at Keeneland to steer reigning Horse of the Year Wise Dan, he'll get a capable replacement who likely guns him from the bell in here; while the increase in distance is quite significant today he is kin to several route winners so he should handle the added ground and he did show a sharp turn of foot in his unveiling; they'll have to run him down. |
| Debt Ceiling |
| Exits the facile score at 1-10 over restricted stakes sprinters at Delaware and now he'll move back to the big time to face G1 runners; versatile colt did take 3 straight to begin his career and he's kin to 3 route winners so he should stretch out effectively, but he catches a tough bunch in his return to this circuit. |
| Honor Code |
| Colt was the most visually impressive upstate juvenile winner this summer and it's still tough to envision him winning from where he was on the turn in that sloppy heat; winner of that one returned to break his maiden here with an 85 Beyer last weekend; he'll take on a tougher bunch in this spot but he has returned to work well over a dry strip and we know that added furlong will post him little trouble; outfit usually takes its time with young runners so the fact they have him in a G1 stake in just his second career start is encouraging; he gets a switch to the circuit's top pilot in Castellano with Velazquez out of town today; with plenty of speed signed on they'll have him to fear in the lane. |
| Long On Value |
| Saw his 3 race winning streak come to an end in the muddy Hopeful early last month and some of the guys who defeated him handily return in here as well; he's got the early foot to lay close to the pacesetters and the barn does do a decent job on the stretchout so maybe this guy takes a step forward second time under their care. |
| Strong Mandate |
| Hopeful winner toyed with his rivals in that upstate heat and has looked like a different animal since being equipped with shades second time out; the son of a 2 time Breeders Cup Classic winner and a multiple G1 route SW dam, he's kin to no less than 5 route winners including G1 SP, G3 SW router and 677K earner Newfoundland, so he should adore the added real estate; some solid interim breezes suggest he's on his toes and set to secure a good tracking spot in this one as well; looks like he'll get first run on Havana and prove to be the one to beat from there. |
| Grand Arrival |
| Zito colt was an impressive second out winner in the slop upstate but that heat was a full second slower than the other division won by today's foe Honor Code; waters get deeper here, but he did finish in front of Strong Mandate first time out and he has some solid positional foot as well; kin to a couple of route winners and breezing quickly of late, he'll be a much better price in here. |
| Intense Holiday |
| Monmouth graduate catches a significantly tougher bunch in his local debut; he's the lone member of the field with an 8 panel score, though his did come at a 2 turn configuration; pilot comes with him and does own a score from just a few local mounts, but this guy will need to run faster to contend for even a minor share. By Steve Grabowski |
Race 11
| Barnards Galaxy |
| He's capable of stepping up with an effort that is strong enough to get him into the mix against these, and he's eligible to be ready to deliver a sharp try while making his second start back from a layoff; leaning toward others for the top spot, but he deserves consideration underneath in the exotics. |
| Mike and Rob |
| He's won two of his last three starts and he enters this race after earning a career best Beyer Speed Figure in his latest start; however, he earned that figure against 16k claimers, and this looks like it might be a tough step up in class for him after a claim. |
| Sonnyandpally |
| He needed 16 wins to get to his first career win and he hasn't been able to get much going in two starts against winners; Napravnik was aboard for the upset win three back, but it's tough to give this gelding a favorable push in this spot. |
| Orino |
| Stakes placed gelding might have to worry about getting involved in a contested early pace, but his turf form has been strong enough to label him a contender against these; as long as horses like Carson Bandit and Grahamandwithers don't get too aggressive early on, he figures to be involved in the running throughout. |
| Make a Decision |
| New York-bred has proven to be a decent 75k claim out of Florida and like the idea of him stretching out in distance for his second start after a layoff; he commands his share of respect in this competitive affair while going out for a barn and rider that win a lot of races together. |
| Carson Bandit |
| He might be able to prove to be the dominant early speed in this race, and even though he's seeking his first turf win, he's been a consistent performer in his seven turf attempts; that said, you do have to go back to October 2011 to find his only victory. |
| With Exultation |
| Lightly raced 3-year-old has a strong pedigree for turf and his only poor performance was followed by a layoff; like the effort he showed up with after a layoff in his latest outing and he was up against it that day while trying to overcome a slow early pace; must consider. |
| Face the Race |
| Like to see another top rider accept the assignment aboard this gelding, but he broke his maiden in a favorable spot two races ago, and he was beaten by a few of these in his first attempt against winners in his latest outing; others entice more. |
| Grahamandwithers |
| He figures to be involved in the running through the opening stages, and he sports the best last race Beyer Speed Figure in here, but he earned that figure under ideal circumstances and he hasn't always shown up with that level of performance. |
| Trainingforsuccess |
| If he can reproduce his latest performance, he might be able to sneak his way into a spot underneath in the exotics, but if he shows up with his usual level of performance, he'll likely be left behind through the lane. |
| Northern Tripp |
| Maybe if he can get an ideal early pace scenario, he can make a little bit of noise through the stretch, but looking as this as being a tough group of N1X rivals for him to be meeting up with; he looks like more of an outsider. |
| James Jingle |
| It's fair to question the dirt form in the main body of this race, especially when considering today's distance, and even though this wouldn't be a bad spot for this runner to land in, he might have a tough time dealing with the horses lined up outside of him. |
| Petrocelli |
| Like to see what this stakes placed New York-bred did in his latest outing when getting back over dirt, and the third place finisher from that race returned to win next out at Del on 9/23 going 1 1/16m over turf vs. 30-20k N2L claimers with a 75 Beyer. |
| Alcolite |
| He's run well enough over dirt to suggest that he can produce a competitive performance against the likes of these, and his two most recent races have been a couple of his better efforts; have to resepct his chances if he gets to go in this spot. |
| Bernardo |
| He put together a solid run to earn his first career win in his latest outing and this would be a realistic assignment for his first start against winners; his ability to adapt to any early pace scenario helps give him extra appeal and he's eligible to prove to be a tough one to keep out of the mix. By Brian Pochman |