Keeneland: Closer Looks for October 11, 2013

Race 1

Suits My Fancy

1/2 route SW Pure Class (139K, 1-3 at 2) by 15% 2yo sire; dam 2yo G3 SP (53K, 1-7 route) with 4 wnrs/5 rnrs (1-2 with 2yos, 3-4 routers); family G3 sprint SW Clocks Secret (405K, 1-4 at 2); barn 2-10, $1.87) pst 5 yrs 2yos turf-synth adding Lasix 31-60 day layoff; only even effort 9/3 after racing 3w 1T and widest turning for home; capable on best.

Golden Annie

30K yrlng, 60K RNA 2yo after 1F in 10.4; sire 10% 2yo; 1st starter from unraced dam; dam 1/2 SW Impending Bear (255K, 0-4 route), G3 SP Siphon Honey (129K, 0-4 route); barn 0-17 pst 5 yrs 2yos dirt-synth; 10/6 KEE Clocker notes she was outworked by Jannes Paul (FTS R5); exits key race (3 next-out MCL grads); perhaps more speed.

Hadarra

1/2 G3 SP Grizzled Robert (196K, 1-10 route) by 18% 2yo sire; sprint winner (51K, 1-7 at 2, 0-3 route) has 2 wnrs/3 rnrs (0-2 with 2yos, 2-2 routers); dam 1/2 sprint SP Lucky Sherman (38K, 1-6 at 2, 0-4 route); barn 2-13, $2.46 ROI) past 5 years 2yos turf-synthetic; yet to gain ground from stretch call to wire, but has some speed; seems well-spotted.

The Conception

20K weanling, 15K yearling, 24K 2yo after 1F work 10.4; sire 45-358 (13%) 2yos; 1st starter from 2yo sprint SP dam (38K, 1-5 at 2, 2-3 route); 2nd dam sprint SP Plume Poppy (76K); barn 1-1 (100%, $12.00 ROI) past 5 years 2yos dirt-synthetic; runner-up returned to graduate at IND 68 Beyer

Zeruiah

Sire 6-103 (6%) 2yos; unraced dam has 1 wnr/4 rnrs (0-2 with 2yos, 0-2 routers); dam 1/2 multiple SW Echo of Yesterday (437K, 1-2 route), G1 SW Pirate's Revenge (521K, 4-7 route), G2 SP Strive (287K, 0-2 at 2, 3-20 route); barn 21%, $6.79 pst 5 years turf-synth (0-2 with 2yos); not much thus far, but gets class relief.

Wonderful Miss Bea

12K RNA yrlng; sire 18% 2yos; 1st starter from 2yo turf winner (17K, 1-4 at 2, 0-2 route); dam 1/2 SW 2yo Moving Van (209K, 4-39 route), G2 route SP 2yo Waltz On By (141K), SP Music Magic (94K, 1-1 at 2, 0-2 route); barn 8%, $1.08 pst 5 yrs trf-synth (0-3 with 2yos); outsprinted in fast heat, but galloped out well after belated bid; not out of it.

Bluegrass Affair

13K RNA yrlng; sire 13% 2yos; unplaced dam (0-1 at 2) with 2 wnrs/4 rnrs (1-3 with 2yos, 0-1 router); dam 1/2 G3 turf SW River Deep (192K, 0-4 at 2), multiple SW Dreamer (326K, 2-6 at 2, 0-2 route), G3 SP Belgravia (230K, 1-4 at 2, 3-9 route); barn 0-5 past 5 years turf-synthetic; hopped onto left lead late while one-paced 9/3; slowly improving.

Silver Sunday

6K yrlng, 20K 2yo after 1F work 10.4; sire 15% 2yos; winning dam (26K, 0-4 at 2, 1-7 route) has 3 wnrs/5 rnrs (1-3 with 2yos, 0-1 router); dam 1/2 multiple G1 SW Pryka (Argentina); barn 12%, $0.97 pst 5 yrs dirt-synth (2-9 with 2yos); although pace was moderate 9/14, she took pressure from the chalk and hung in there; solid work 10/6; contender.

Angel in Disguise

Sire 149-1373 (11%) 2yo sire; winning dam (54K, 0-2 at 2, 1-12 route) has 4 winners from 7 runners (0-5 with 2yos, 3-6 with routers); female family 2yo SP Vennie Redberry (115K); barn 0-1 past 5 years turf-synthetic; tracked pacesetting winner to no avail 9/2; can do better vs. these.

Race 2

Positive Side

He came up empty in the stretch in a stakes race at Kentucky Downs in his latest but it was still a decent effort and the winner came back to finish fifth in the washed off Grade 1 Shadwell Turf Mile; not sure the shape of the race will work in his favor and he is going to have to deal with Ol Army who finished in front of him last time; he usually finds a way to work himself into the mix, though, and should be considered for the exotics.

Key to Power

4-year-old son of A. P Indy has improved quite a bit lately and he is coming off another solid effort when he moved up to this level in his latest at Churchill; the winner had things his own way and this guy made a nice move but couldn't catch him; his Beyer Speed Figures have improved each start this year and if the trend continues he should be right there; dam won three Grade 1's' two as a 6-year-old and maybe he's just getting the hang of it; big shot.

Admiral Perry

He's been a major factor in five of his last six races but it has been over a year since he won and once again he had every chance to win his latest at Delaware; horse that finished second in his race at Saratoga two back won Key to Power's race in his next start at Churchill; hard to love him on top but no surprise if he's part of the picture.

Humble and Hungry

He regressed quite a bit after finishing second in the Grade Dixie at Pimlico last year but he has improved lately and could be coming up to a big effort in the third start of his current form cycle; winner of his latest finished sixth as the chalk in the same race Admiral Perry exits, though; prefer others.

Dreaming Blue

That was a good effort in his first start back and he probably would have won the race with a clean trip; it was just his third start on turf and he just missed in his previous try at Churchill; horse that won his latest is a Grade 3 winner with over $415K in earnings; second start for Borel who claimed him two back could be a good one; the pick.

Ol Army

He didn't look that comfortable when they tried to rate him in his latest and he ended up going pretty wide around the stretch turn so it was a better race than it looks on paper; not a lot of speed here and we're going to assume Bridgmohan will be letting him roll right from the start; winner of his race July 19 won his next two at Remington including a $100 stakes with a 94 Beyer; contender.

Race 4

Dream Commander

April, 2012, was the last time he raced this short of a distance so getting up in time today may be an issue; best races are when sitting mid-pack then making one run; should save every inch of ground behind a good pace then hopes to have enough yardage to rally past the speed in his 1st-ever KEE attempt,

Orientate Express

Ran well winning 1st off the claim but then his next 3 starts were lacking; wants to be on or near the lead and clearly seems to have the best early foot from the inside; was outfinished at longer by lesser in last which doesn't bode well for this; the 2-back show runner Beyered 86 in a next-out HAW-14K claiming win; the 2-back runner-up Beyered 83 in a HOO-starter handicap victory.

Zavill

62 days idle for a 4%-winning fresh trainer since 2012; late runner hopes the speed falls apart in deep stretch; the 3-back runner-up finisher Beyered 73 in his next-out FP-5K-claiming victory; good sign that he wokeup 2-back to a career-best Beyer when placed back on a synthetic surface but today will be taking a wait and see approach.

Bayland

Not much in 2013 with all 5 starts finishing off the board; is winless since 23 races ago sitting just off the early speed to take a 5K claimer on PID-synthetic at 6.5F; the 3-back runner-up and show finishers Beyered 66-61 in next-out IND-6K-claiming wins; must show more.

Daddyspentdamoney

Exits his lowest Beyer since April noting front wraps came back on 2 starts ago; late runner's last win occurred from 15 lengths back at the 1st call; the 2-back winner repeated with a 79 Beyer capturing an AP alw.; the winner and runner-up finishers 2-back Beyered 88-81 in next-out AP alw. and starter alw. wins.

Eddie Set Go

KEE 2012 synthetic win occured at much longer; exits one of the worst Beyer performances of career in last; the 2-back winner repeated in a PID alw. with an 85 Beyer; defeated the 3-back show runner a 73 Beyer PID-5K-claiming next-out winner.

Evacuation Route

Winless in 17 straight starts dating back to January, 2012, a 5.5F-FG turf win in an optional claimer when stalking the pace from 3rd; shown zero gate speed in recent defeats; the 3-back runner-up finisher Beyered 85 taking an MNR-optional claimer next out.

Suyeta

0-for-6 since claimed off a KEE win; versatile sort can win right on the lead or from just off the pace; exits his lowest Beyer since November and would need a massive bounce-back effort to land a share here; the 2-back winner Beyered 67 in a next-out MNR starter alw. victory.

Truly Amazing

Great sign that he ran so well when returning on KEE synthetic posting his best 2013 Beyer; last 2 wins when sititng midpack then rallying from a few lengths back; the 2-back winner repeated in a PID-$12,500 claimer with a 77 Beyer.

Biker Boy

1st race ever on a synthetic surface with a field-best Beyer on fast dirt; trainer is 1-for-14 since 2012 with synthetic starters; this mid-pack closer cuts back in distance in a big way so getting up in time is an issue; won a key race beating the 5th and 6th-place finishers next-out 74-70 Beyer winners taking CD-starter alw. and $7,500-claiming wins.

Storm Make'n

Is the one to catch here noting his only synthetic-surface score was at 1F shorter than this; outdueled the frontrunners in last and will need a vast improvement on the only other KEE-synthetic start which was a 52 Beyer performance.

Fast and Frugal

Seeks his 1st-synthetic exacta finish with very light Beyers in 4 other attempts on this type of oval; figures to press Storm Make'n and Orientate Express wide for the lead while losing ground breaking widest; view as a pace presence for part.

Race 6

Seal Six

1/2 G3 SP Caroline's Gold (156K, 1-4 at 2, 2-7 sprint); full multiple G1 route SW Colonel John (1.7M, 2-4 at 2, 1-3 sprint), G1 route SP Mr. Hot Stuff (349K, 0-3 at 2, 0-2 sprint); by 7% 2yo FTS sire; winning dam (66K, 0-3 at 2, 0-7 sprint) has 9 wnrs/9 rnrs (2-5 with 2yos, 4-9 sprinters); barn 0-45 pst 5 yrs 2yo FTS MSW synthetic sprint.

Vicar's in Trouble

8K yrlng, 80K 2yo after 1F work 10.2; sire 15% 2yo FTS; sprint winner (149K, 1-5 at 2) has 1 wnnr/3 rnnrs (1-2 with 2yos, 1-3 sprinters); dam 1/2 G3 SP 2yo router Williamthenchanted (211K, won debut, 0-1 sprint), G3 sprint SW True Direction (348K); barn 7%, $1.02 pst 5 yrs 2yo FTS MSW synth sprint; shows good local works; interesting.

Hesinfront

Sire 6-85 (7%) 2yo FTS; 1st starter from unplaced dam (1K); dam 1/2 multiple G1 turf SW Tapitsfly (1.4M, 3-7 at 2, 1-4 sprint); barn 0-17 past 5 years 2yo FTS MSW synthetic sprint; 9/9, 9/16 works match Gina's Kitten (4th FTS MSW turf 49 Beyer 9/22 CD)

Major Darby

1/2 G3 SP Go Robin (192K, 0-3 sprint) by multiple turf SW (481K, 3-3 at 2, 0-17 with 2yo FTS); winning dam (9K, 0-6 at 2, 2-20 sprint) has 7 wnrs/11 rnrs (1-5 with 2yos, 3-10 sprinters); 2nd dam 2yo sprint SW Casereae (111K); barn 1-11, $0.83 pst 5 yrs 2yo FTS synth sprint); 10/5 work match Takepointsandrun (73 turf Beyer, in Thurs. R6)

Ranger Regiment

82K shrt yrlng, 180K yrlng; 1/2 sprint SW Gary D (135K, 0-2 at 2) by multiple turf SW (481K, 3-3 at 2, 2-31 with 2yos); sprint winner (60K, 1-3 at 2) has 3 wnrs/4 rnrs (1-3 with 2yos, 3-3 sprinters); dam 1/2 sprint SP Justawalkinthepark (71K, 1-3 at 2); barn 16%, $1.97 pst 5 yrs, turf-synth (0-1 with 2yos); chased pace 3w before tiring; expecting better.

Ruslana

45K RNA yrlng, 50K RNA yrlng, 80K RNA 2yo after 1F work in 10.0; sire 18% 2yos; SP dam (108K, 0-3 at 2, 0-5 sprint) has 0 wnrs/2 rnrs (0-1 with 2yos, 0-1 sprinter); barn 1-10, $0.41 pst 5 yrs 2yos turf-synth 31-60 day layoff; 10/5 KEE Clocker notes "continues train well, head up with Finura"; filly exits key race (3 grads with 70+ Beyers); pace factor.

Me Commanche

6K wnlng, 15K yrlng; sire 15% 2yos; 1st starter from unraced dam; dam 1/2 sprint SP 2yo Angel Island (67K), multiple SP Fabulous Babe (208K, 1-1 at 2, 4-14 sprint); barn 2-13, $1.22 pst 5 yrs 2nd-out 2yo dirt-synth sprints (0-6 MSW); battled with favored winner and hung in there to the wire; listed on overnight as 1st-time gelding; contender.

Hampden Fiveone

27K yrlng, 55K 2yo after 2F work 21.2; 1/2 G3 turf SP 2yo Marcello (133K, 1-3 sprint) by 6% 2yo FTS sire; unraced dam has 4 wnrs/4 rnrs (3-4 with 2yos, 3-4 sprinters); dam 1/2 G2 route SP Level Red (187K, 1-3 at 2, 2-6 sprint); barn 15%, $4.20 pst 5 yrs 2yo FTS (2-7 synth); 3 works match Pentathlon (7th FTS MSW 53 Beyer 9/14 KD)

Son of Dixie

1/2 SW Going to Kikaro (173K, 2-3 sprint), SP Ten K Cat (83K, 1-7 at 2, 0-4 sprint) by 16% 2yo sire; sprint winner (49K, 0-3 at 2) has 3 wnrs/4 rnrs (2-3 with 2yos, 2-4 sprint); dam 1/2 multiple SP Beautiful Gem (155K, 3-13 sprint), multiple sprint SW Roman Treasure (259K); barn 16%, $1.27 pst 5 yrs 2yo synth; chased runaway; not out of this.

Boom Boom Vroom

1/2 G3 SW Sindy With an S (330K, 3-8 sprint) by G1 sprint SW (669K, 0-1 at 2, 2-8 with 2yo FTS, 6-45 with 2yos); winning dam (67K, 0-3 sprint) has 7 wnrs/8 rnrs (4-6 with 2yos, 5-6 sprinters); barn 1-11, $0.92 pst 5 yrs 2nd-out dirt-synth sprint; grappled with runner-up early before tiring against top filly Sweet Reason; working well; expect speed.

Brewing

By G1 sprint SP 2yo (62K, 0-10 with 2yos); unraced dam has 2 wnrs/3 rnrs (0-2 with 2yos, 2-3 sprinters); dam 1/2 sprint SP Minkredible (160K, 1-3 at 2), sprint SW Purging the Stone (85K, 1-3 at 2); barn 3%, $0.41 pst 5 yrs 2yos dirt-synth (1-5 second-out); set very fast splits and got better of pace foe in race dominated by closers; exotics threat.

Buck Magic

Sire 38-333 (11%) 2yo FTS; 1st starter from sprint winner (60K, 2-3 sprint); dam 1/2 multiple turf SW Soonerette (201K, 2-6 at 2, 0-2 sprint); barn 0-5 all starters past 5 years; according to 10/4 Keeneland Clocker Report, he "started 2-3 lengths back of Forfeit and was a length in front at the finish, Graham up"

Race 7

Swift Artist

Must prove it on grass but she has a right to flash more speed on the stretch out; stakes placed thrice, miss got a boost when the show horse on 7/28 cashed next out at this very level with an 85 Beyer; she has a right to take to grass as kin Spring Venture won over $300K and cashed on grass twice; don't ignore.

Charming She Is

Mare did win in a return situation before but it was in a $15K conditioned claimer; proven locally but she can be her own worst enemy at times with no speed; could need softer to shine.

Nashindy

Considering the layoff, the stakes debut was not all that bad and the race came back okay as the place horse took a $25K Philly starter next out and 5th finisher took a $25K optional there; place horse in the PID finale cashed next out in an N3L allowance and was also 2nd beaten over 6 in a $43.7K NC allowance; nothing wrong with 2 for 1 action.

Dame Marie

Inching toward the winner in a race she had to need; note she won in the second off the layoff run in April; a bit more keen to to run in the drill on the 1st and note this rider is 24% for this barn in the last year or so; the 5/27 winner repeated in the Grade 3 Chicago at Arlington with an 89 Beyer; she has some work to do to match top kin, Group 1 winner and over $1.3 million earner Rule of Law; must hurry.

Pavla

She has gone wide several times this year and was forced to steady in last; miss had dead aim the last time in town but could not close the deal; look for her late if at all.

Ski Holiday

Clever connections thought enough of this miss to put her into the stakes in only the 3rd out; she may have hated the yielding course in the 2012 closer and the place horse in last cashed 10 days ago in Philly in a $25K starter; sharp and dangerous.

Lily the Pink

Proven locally when she looped the field, she has been more into the bit of late; nearly 3 clear in last and note place horse 8/17 cashed next out in a $100K LAD stakes with an 84 Beyer; note 4 times as many slices as wins.

Namaskara

Miss kicked off the year with a win, had to hit the pine for 2 months and has been on a stakes diet since; place horse in the shore finale cashed in a $150K stakes next out, then was 2nd beaten a head in the G1 First Lady when posting a 98 Beyer; winner of the Eatontown 3 back has won 3 in a row since, a G2 and a pair of G1s; rates upset glance.

Sea Island

Well over a year since she has seen a cameraman, miss has never been a win machine, check out the 8 slices; she got away with the pedestrian splits three back and still could not close the deal; winner 8/9 repeated in a $111K CD stakes, then was 4th beaten 6 in the G1 Zenyatta; key off her Gazelle 2nd last year and you can build a case for success; value should be there.

Run a Risk

Her tacitcal speed could be her best asset; nice effort in the SAR win but there were only 6 foes that day and this race comes up like a top of the line stakes; not sold on chances.

Bodacious Barb

Look for rider to gun hard at the sound of the bell and hope for the best; a theft attempt is probably her best shot but she has never won on grass; she only beat 5 last time and she has never put wins together; brief factor at least.

Indian Pond

Did that last win knock the starch out of her?; could be, she ran once, then had to take 7 months off and has not been able to close the deal since; could be compromised by the post today; can't endorse.

Race 8

Pagets

Returns from lengthy vacation after flashing some prompting speed in his debut; his sire won a G1 stakes and 591K while the dam, a G2 winner, banked 276K; among the winning siblings is 113K earner Imperial Pippin; difficult call.

Gifted Ruler

Encouraged by the latest gate breeze; the grey's sire was a multiple G1 router who amassed 1.61 million (offspring of Brother Derek have won 7 of 41 initial starts); the dam was unraced; winning siblings include 343K earner Yankee Fourtune.

Jorts

His sire was a G1 turf specialist who notched 1.49 million; progeny of Johar have won nearly 10 percent of their first races; the dam never competed; there are no winning siblings to highlight.

Cherokee Tri

Descendants of Cherokee Run, who won the Breeders' Cup Sprint and 1.53 million, have scored in 56 out of 640 initial races; the mom won 9 of 30 and 198K; winning siblings include 71K earner Taisteal Colle.

Justfollowmylead

Far back in his only start while high odds; his sire won multiple G2s and 2.24 million; the dam scored in 4 of 16 appearances earning 88K; among the winning siblings is 37K earner Tango Fever.

To the Stars

Respectable showing on the turf nearly 2 months ago; more important is the fine placing he achieved here in his only start during the sprint meet; should be a strong late factor today if receiving the proper pace set-up.

Nordiste

Newcomer hails from Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Johannesburg who captured 1.01 million and whose offspring have won 46 out of 487 debuts; the dam did not race; among the winning siblings is 106K earner Moon Prospect.

Alshujaa

A clear-cut second in his maiden voyage at Arlington, at today's distance; his sire won a G1 and 616K while the dam was without victory in 6 attempts; sib to 35K bankroller Abigails' Gold; breezed well here only 7 days ago; a true contender.

P T L George

Adds blinkers after showing no firepower first time out but was only 6 to 1 that day in large field; his sire won multiple G1s and 5.15 million; the dam went 3 for 13 earning 123K; sib to 203K earner Lucky Copy; can rebound at a price.

Silent Courage

Has yet to hit the board regardless of the distance or surface involved; very hard to recommend until he shows much more in the way of rallying ability; will go to post at generous odds once again.

Fight the Tide

That was a fine effort at Indiana last time out, his sole start of the year; subsequent breezes are fair and the extra distance today should work in his favor; familiarity with breaking from a wide post also helps matters.

Sneaky Blowout

Makes first start for the new connections after rallying after the fact at Saratoga while odds-on; just missed the place in that sharp effort and notice the performance back on 6/8 at Belmont where he had the misfortune of running into the talented Moreno.

Race 9

Magical Moon

She's Grade 1 stakes placed racing over the main track here, something consider if this race has to be taken off the turf, and have to respect the form that she's displayed sprinting over turf lately; not wild about the rail post at this trip, but she commands respect as a top contender.

Sweet Cassiopeia

Multiple stakes winner looks like she'll appreciate getting back over turf after a couple of dirt starts, and she's another who will merit respect whether this race is run over turf or the main track; note that her career best Beyer Speed Figure was earned in winning a turf dash here in the Spring.

Making Waves

She's going to need to step it up along the Beyer Speed Figure scale to get the job done against these, but she's one-for-one over turf and she has a good deal of quality to her pedigree; her dam was a multiple graded stakes winner while winning 18 of 34 starts for $1.1 million, including 4 of 7 turf starts for 255k; runner up from latest won next out at Tim on 9/2 going 4f vs. alw. rivals with a 93 Beyer.

Ms Anna Destiny

Stakes winning mare shows up for a high win percentage barn, but she sports a top Beyer Speed Figure of 77 from 10 turf starts, and that figure isn't anywhere near strong enough to help give her a competitive look in this spot; this might prove to be a tough assignment for her.

Lignite

She's run well in two of her three starts sprinting over turf but it is worth noting that she was beaten by one of today's key rivals in a stakes run two starts back at Saratoga; respect her connections, but she might have a tough time of it in here when seeing how much early speed she's up against.

Facey's Spirit

Multiple stakes winner brings some early zip with her, but her one turf start was a poor performance, even if it was over a yielding turf course, and this isn't a soft spot for her to be giving turf another try; prefer to lean toward those with established form sprinting over turf.

Silverette

She's another in here carrying multiple stakes winning credentials with her and this Pompa-owned miss goes out for a trainer and rider that win their share of races together; she's stepped up her game nicely since being placed over turf two starts back, and she merits top contender status based on those performances.

Madame Giry

She's racked up some stakes scores sprinting over turf and her latest effort is a sign that she's back on top of her game; she's won half of her 14 turf starts, including 1-for-1 over the Keeneland turf, and her best effort makes her a legitimate threat; must consider.

Bounding Bi

Have to be concerned when seeing her recent form hasn't been her best and she needs a top try to get herself into the mix against these; she does exit a productive race and the 1-2-3 finishers from that race returned to win with Beyer Speed Figuires of 87, 77 and 81.

Dene Court

She's only finished worse than second once from seven starts, and that race was followed by a long layoff; she deserves a lot of credit for the way that she performed in her latest outing when considering the time off, but this can prove to be a tough test for her.

Queen's Award

Her better Beyer Speed Figures have been earned racing over synthetic surfaces, and from 14 turf starts, she's yet to run a race that is fast enough to suggest that she can compete with the top contenders in here; willing to upgrade her chances if this race gets moved to the main track.

Jan's Perfect Star

She's clearly capable of a sharp performance on her best day, as evidence by her run at Saratoga just two races back, but she's unproven over turf and it would have been nice to have seen more out of her in her turf debut in her latest outing.

Trippin' Along

Respect the fact that she nearly got the job done in a stakes sprinting over turf at Tampa Bay Downs two races ago, but this looks like a very tough spot for her first start since February; she looks like more of an outsider.

Mosaicist (IRE)

She's been a consistent performer but her best effort appears to be short of the mark of what it will take to win this and she was beaten by today's rival Silvertte in her latest outing; she figures to find this to be a tough spot to land in if she draws in.

Race 10

Feet's Afire

Lost significant ground recently in his first venture; the gelding's sire won a G2 and 388K while the dam scored in 6 of 22 appearances earning 84K; among the winning siblings is 71K earner Frisco Exsective.

Third Commandment

Scheduled to add blinkers after gaining some conditioning in that turf comeback; his sire won multiple G2s and 1.13 million while the dam won 2 of 13 attempts and 69K; winning sibs include 324K earner Smoke Smoke Smoke.

Red Dirt Racer

Can move forward in this spot following a tightening race at Presque Isle; has important prior experience at this oval but recent workout activity is on the modest side; mixed signals for this gelding today.

Windhook

Upgraded in the latest half-mile breeze from the gate; his sire won multiple G2s and 769K; offspring of Distorted Humor have fared well first time out, winning 119 out of 725K; the dam won 1 of 2 and 12K; among the winning sibs is 163K earner Court Seattle.

Twill Be

Makes first start in many a moon but note he was only 7 to 2 in that debut of long ago; his sire twice won the Breeders' Cup Classic and 6.42 million; the dam won 3 of 14 and 143K; there are no winning siblings to mention.

Life At Sea

Notice the improvement to the latest in a series of breezes at five-eighths; his sire won multiple Group 1s and 2.76 million in total; progeny of Henrythenavigator have scored in 4 of 35 debuts; the dam won 1 of 4 and 13K: sib to 688K earner Boys at Tosconova.

Hero's Wager

Best performances have been on the turf and this is his 16th maiden attempt; has shown a bit of early speed in the past but remains a difficult runner to endorse with this surface switch; double-digit odds assured.

Smile Daddy

Although fading to fourth in his latest run, he did middle move into a fair pace that day; nice blowout of a week ago adds to his appeal and he lost by a narrow margin in his last appearance at this oval; worth some exotic wagering inclusion.

Trend Setter

Chicago invader looks like a good fit on the Beyer scale and the blinker addition can help him progress further; exits a key affair and was likely compromised by the rail slot in his first 2 career efforts; obvious true contender.

Warrior's Image

Pressed a sharp early pace in his debut effort of a month ago; should be on or near softer fractions today; his sire won a G1 and 239K while the dam involved was unraced; winning siblings include 298K earner Bizzee Mizzee; interesting item.

Above the Bar

Ran into a solid group at Tampa when trying a route for the first time; see the previous runner in this field for information about the same sire; the dam did not compete; winning siblings include 27K earner Lil Miss Jones.

Magtime

Had his number taken down at Mountaineer after setting all the tempo; if he can put away Warrior's Image in the opening strides today, his task will be easier; did not break well in his only appearance at this track and can be forgiven that wide effort.