SWERVE (4) drops slightly in class out of a very strong claiming event at Keeneland. It has been a while since he visited the winner’s circle, but he has won at Churchill and looks to be spotted well with the drop off the claim. ANTRIM COUNTY (7) was claimed by good hands when he was overmatched in his last start. Prior to that he was a winner of a conditioned claiming race today’s drop in class should suit him well. TALLY UP (5) and RAFFIE’S AIR (1) go for the Autrey stable, which has been a bit slow in getting off the mark this spring at Churchill. Either figures to be strong at the finish line on his best effort.
4-7-5
Race 2
SASSY STEPHANIE (4) finished not far behind Cactus Conie in her last two starts and appears ready for a big effort as she faces slightly lesser company today for a sharp stable. CRIMSON ORE (6) faltered badly against allowance foes as the favorite last time out. She has the speed to be dangerous from the outside today on the class drop. FIFTH AVENUE STYLE (5) can add to the pace here as well. She was sharp at big odds last out and rarely runs a poor effort.
4-6-5
Race 3
NATURALLY BOLD (6) goes for the powerful Asmussen stable, which has already won with four 2-year-olds starters during the meet. It’s impossible to pick against this one as she has a pedigree to be precocious and the connections to have her ready at first asking. SUGAR MOM (5) has been working well for her debut, but has the pedigree that suggests she may want more distance and, possibly, the turf. But the fact that she attracts Leparoux makes her enticing. YOYO (3) shows back-to-back “best of” workouts for her first start and is by top juvenile runner Yonaguska.
6-5-3
Race 4
TOUGH APPLES (4) takes the blinkers off today in an attempt to allow her to relax a bit better in the early part of her races. She also takes a step down in company and has to be considered off some of her prior turf efforts against better foes. CAT HOP (6) comes in off a win on Polytrack against slightly lesser competition, but has shown the ability to run well against better on the turf course. She will need a good pace set-up today. SLICKENSIDE (1A) is a dangerous Tampa Bay shipper who is taking a drop in class.
4-6-1A
Race 5
GRANDDAMSLAM (4) gets a tepid nod in this well-matched group of maiden claimers. Leading jockey Leparoux and top trainer Foley team up with this one and will try to get this colt to carry his speed a bit further today. GRUENEWALD (8) steps up in class a bit off his debut effort at Tampa. He adds Lasix for his second start and gets a better post which suggests he could have the biggest chance among horses in this group to move forward. STARBANK (5) adds blinkers and faces maiden claimers for the first time/ DARBOY (6) has fared well against better than he lines up against today.
4-8-5
Race 6
QUAKING ASP (1) adds blinkers today and drops into this conditioned claimer after running a good second against open claimers at Keeneland. BREAK SIXTY (8) will probably be a bit of a price in here as she was just defeated at River Downs. That setback came in an allowance race and she drops to face conditioned claimers today for trainer Drury, who places his horses very well. She must improve a bit but gets a chance in a suspect group. TAHKODHA KATE (5) was third at this level over this track and must be considered off that effort.
1-8-5
Race 7
MARCIELLA (3) adds blinkers and faces maiden claimers for the first time today. She has shown speed prior to this out and may forget to stop today as she drops in class. LIVELOVELAUGH (5) has been close in her last two races at this level and figures to be tough to handle today as she runs for the Asmussen stable. JUKIN ANNIE (8) gets hot rider Miguel Mena for her debut and has some decent morning drills.
3-5-8
Race 8
DANDY MANDY (10) steps up to face winners today off a maiden win on turf in her second start off a very long layoff. She has the tactical speed to be in a good position throughout and gets the tepid edge in a well-matched field. BALLYNOE (7) could provide the speed in here and could wire this field with the temporary rail out. She is out of a Dynaformer mare, which suggests the surface switch should only improve her chances. CHARITY QUEST (6) has shown glimpses of talent on the turf, but will likely be at the mercy of the early pace to set up her closing kick.
10-7-6
Race 9
PROPER PAUL (2) cuts his claiming price in half and has the speed to be effective from the start. A CHANCE TO WIN (5) makes his first start since his only race last June and is well spotted today by a sharp stable. He should be able to get good position out of the gate with Hebert up and looks to be training well. ALDERSGATE (1) just missed at this level last out. His gate speed should help him avoid navigating traffic from his insider draw.
2-5-1
Value Plays
Race 5
STARBANK (5) drops from the maiden special weight level to the maiden claiming ranks. This is a beautifully bred son of Fusaichi Pegasus trained by D. Wayne Lukas who has been running competitively at a higher level. If he runs back to his form he should be able to handle these with ease.
Let’s play Starbank (5) across the board at 3-1 or up. Suggest using Darboy (6), Granddamslam (4) and Beach Commander (7) in exotics.
Race 7
MARCIELLA (3) takes the plunge from maiden special weight races to the maiden claiming ranks. She has displayed good early speed in each of her starts and should be able to hold her advantage against a much softer group of fillies. She should also enjoy the slightly shorter distance.
Let’s play Marciella (3) across the board at 4-1 or up. Suggest using Livelovelaugh (5), Belle’s Dream (7) and Crazy Thing (11) in exotics.
Race 8
BALLYNOE (7) returns from a 2 ½-month layoff in this spot. She nearly won at this level last time out over the main track in a sprint race. She makes her first start over the turf course and is asked to go a route of ground for the first time. Her pedigree suggests that both circumstances should be to her liking.
Let’s play Ballynoe (7) across the board at 4-1 or up. Suggest using Dandy Mandy (10), Princess Westly (12) and Bobby’s Babe (9) in exotics. Play UNDER in the Over/Under pools.
