Litfin's preview: Beyers point out Dawly

Dropping out of a respectable fourth in the Grade 3 Excelsior Stakes, Dawly is the one to beat in the $71,000 optional-claiming feature (race 8) with third-level allowance conditions. Not that Dawly needs any help after three consecutive 95-plus Beyer Speed Figures, but he is part of a Rudy Rodriguez-trained entry with North Ocean, who steps up a notch while seeking his third straight victory.

David Jacobson, who beat Rodriguez-trained runners in photos with Reserved Quality on Wednesday and Very Cherry on Thursday, thereby widening his lead over R-Rod to 16-11, counters with the uncoupled pair of Aussi Austin, just claimed from Rodriguez, and Stormin Monarcho, a private purchase following a runner-up finish March 2 at Gulfstream Park.

Don Dulce, claimed away from Jacobson Jan. 30 by Mitch Friedman, is in for the $100,000 tag, as is Irsaal.

Summer Sunset, who has won or placed in eight of his last nine starts dating back to April 2012, makes his seasonal debut for Bruce Levine.

Christophe Clement, who upped his meet record to 3 for 6 when Lubash prevailed off a five-month layoff Thursday, brings back Belly of the Whale in race 5, an optional claimer with preliminary allowance conditions and the first of three scheduled turf races. Idle since a runner-up finish in an off-the-grass race at Keeneland last fall, Belly of the Whale, who was a sharp debut winner sprinting at Saratoga, will be first-time Lasix after a slate of recent workouts at Payson Park.

Other contenders include Balderdash, Camden Street, J to the Croft, Mental Iceberg, and Steve.