With a field of 12 entered in Saturday’s Grade 3 Spiral Stakes at Turfway Park, and with many of the leading contenders being untested on Polytrack, the race fits the profile of a contest that could produce a longshot winner.

Race 1:

Thirsty Actor (#5)
Likely favorite Valhalla drops in class off the claim, suggesting he may be vulnerable.
Was involved in a fast pace that collapsed last time.
Has a pedigree that is more geared toward sprinting.
10-1 on ML
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Conquest Wildcat   
Trainer: Randy Morse   
Last race: March 17, 8th  
Finish: 1st by 2     
Beyer: 81
He attended a quick pace and shuttled clear in a visually appealing win over first-level-allowance sprint rivals. Earlier in his career, he won his debut over eventual multiple stakes winner Cool Arrow. Conquest Wildcat is a 3-year-old from the female family of Grade 1 winner Man From Wicklow and Grade 2 winner Wild Heart Dancing.

How does one keep centered when grinding out daily play and seeking opportunity? For me, the best way to keep focused and stay sharp is to be involved. You need to take your shots, but you also have to learn to create your best shots.

Holiday Disguise
Trainer: Linda Rice
Last race: March 18, 2nd
Finish: 4th by 5
Beyer: 57
Got nailed at the break to wind up at the back of the field early, and ran into traffic on the turn before racing on well late in useful debut. Figures to improve quickly for a trainer who excels with second-time starters.

Each week, TimeformUS Chief Figure Maker Craig Milkowski takes a look back at the weekend’s graded stakes and releases the TimeformUS Speed Figures for these races.

Oaklawn

Grade 2 Rebel Stakes

1/2    123

3/4    120

Fin    113

Top 3: Malagacy 115, Sonneteer 110, Untrapped 111

Note: Winner now 3 for 3 by a combined 24 lengths; Sonneteer still a maiden after nine starts but has improved TimeformUS Speed Figure every race

Grade 2 Azeri Stakes

1/2    115

CANDY RULER
Trainer: Mark Glatt
Last race: March 16, 4th
Finish: 3rd by 2
Beyer: 70
A first-timer by Twirling Candy out of a stakes winner, this 3-year-old broke slowly, made a middle move wide, and lost her punch in a solid debut vs. California-bred maiden fillies.

HAPPY VALLEY SELECTIONS
(Wednesday March 22, 2017)

March 18

Gulfstream

Inside Information (Race 11)

Race 2:

Old Upstart (#3)
Was shuffled back early and raced wide against an inside bias last time.
Should be fitter in his second start off the layoff.
Has run well at this one-mile distance in the past.
12-1 on ML
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