Free's preview: Training up a storm

JUVENILE PREVIEW

The only knock on race-1 favorite Desert Steel, 5-2, is that progeny of Desert Code are just 1 for 15 first time out. As if that matters.

The truth is, Desert Steel has been training super for her debut, and if the juvenile filly is as quick in the afternoon as she is in the morning then the outside post (8) will not bother her. Simon Callaghan trains Desert Steel, whose 3-year-old sibling Pathway to Yes (by Lucky J.H.) is a 3-for-5 allowance winner.

The second preference is Sea Mona, sired by top debut sire Tiz Wonderful (21 percent first out). Sea Mona is a sibling to stakes winner Let Em Shine. Like that good sprinter, Sea Mona also is trained by Adam Kitchingman.

The 3-1 second choice in the program is Kyankes, a Rockport Harbor filly that has worked well for trainer Richard Baltas. Edwin Maldonado has been aboard the filly in the morning.

Lookin for Money is the first runner sired by 2010 Preakness winner Lookin at Lucky to make it to the races. Doug O’Neill trains the filly, 4-1 in the program.

GOOD TURF SPRINT

If the N2X win on April 20 by South American import Safety Belt was as good as perceived, then the fourth-place finisher from that race should be tough running for a $50,000 claim tag in race 3.

A Toast to You, fourth to Safety Belt by only 2 3/4 lengths, drops in class for trainer Peter Miller and is listed at 2-1. A stakes winner on the downhill course, he is not a slam dunk. The turf sprint attracted just seven starters, and most are in with a chance.

Big Note and The Cleaners figure to contest the pace, with A Toast to You sitting third behind the speed. A Toast to You figures to get first run, and he can win if he holds off 13-for-42 veteran Luckarack, dropper Circa’sgoldengear, and one-run closer Royal FJ. Good race.

SHORT PRICE

Six-furlong sprints have been a gold mine for chalk, and race-4 favorite Cousin Ricky will try to keep the trend alive. He is even-money in the program, shortest price of the day, and the most probable winner according to this handicapper.

Cousin Ricky is the fastest horse on speed figures in the field of 3-year-old claimers running for a $12,500 tag. He is trained by Jeff Mullins and will be ridden by Tyler Baze. And, lately, it is good to be chalk. April 1 through May 4, favorites were 12 for 27 in six-furlong sprints.

SPOT PLAYS

Race 2

CACHE WANTED (#4, 4-1) ran better than the line shows in his debut. Not quick, not asked, green in the lane, he finished evenly and trained well since. He meets a fairly soft field of maiden-30s, and is qualified to spring an upset.

Race 6

PRINCESSKATIEBELLA (#2, 6-1) finished a deceptively good fourth in her debut after being blocked from the five-sixteenths to the three-sixteenths in a turf mile for statebred maiden fillies. With a race under her belt and a clean trip she should move up a ton.

Race 7

TIZ A KISS (#7, 5-2) should improve second start on the comeback trail in a one-mile turf route for California-bred allowance fillies. The lone knock is the turf course tends to favor tactical speed, and she has none.