Litfin's review: Best footing off rail on sloppy track

Sloppy to muddy

The main track was sloppy to start out and “upgraded” to muddy for the last two races of the day. As was the case Thursday, the best footing was off the rail, anywhere from the two path to farther out, and there were no apparent trends in terms of effective running style.

Races 2, 6, and 9 were taken off the turf. Race 3 remained on the Widener course as scheduled, while race 7 was moved to the inner turf.

Batting .500

Chad Brown has come out loaded for bear. He sent out Upgrade (race 3, $5.90) to win a high-end optional claimer at seven furlongs on the Widener – the same real estate the 7-year-old gelding covered in winning the 2012 Jaipur Stakes.

Brown also got the late pick four rolling with first-time starter Saucon Valley (race 6, $5.00) in the first division an off-the-turf maiden special for New York-bred fillies. The daughter of City Zip is out of the mare First to Come Home, who notched her only career victory in the mud at Belmont.

After ending the day with a runner-up finish with Loomin’ Lori (race 9) in the second division, Brown is off to a 7-3-0 start with his first 14 runners, including a 5-for-7 mark on the grass.

The I’s have it

The “I Team” of Irsaal (race 8, $6.90) and Isabelle linked for a $ 13.20 late double and capped off a chalky late pick four of favorites and second choices worth $179, as well as a $7,121 pick six.

Irsaal, idle since winning a second-level allowance condition Feb. 22 for Kiaran McLaughlin, returned for the $80,000 optional claiming tag (no takers) and held off a late run from Don Dulce.

Isabelle ran away and hid from off-the-turf maidens for Lisa Lewis, graduating by better than a dozen lengths in her second start of the year.

Horses to watch

SANDY’Z SLEW
Trainer: Richard Schosberg
Last race: May 9, 2nd
Finish: 2nd by 2
Beyer: 85

The versatile New York-bred was no match for even-money Dighton in an allowance for open company but finished willingly for second in first outing since New Year’s Day, recording a new top Beyer; won on turf and dirt last year.