Analysis for today’s first seven races was done pre-scratches.
Race 1 MSW 2YO 1:05 EST The morning line favorite, 8 Miracle Mike, finished second last month going the same distance on the dirt at Belmont and could be tough to beat today. I like the pedigree of the 4 Light Man. Nice works and Jose Ortiz rides today.
Picks: 8-4-7-9
Race 2 $25K Claiming 3YO Fillies 1:39 EST Trainer Danny Gargan and jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. hit at a 33% clip, which puts the 3 Leviosa on top for me. Many interesting horses underneath. I’ll go with the 2 Trinity Titoli who goes first time with the barn switch to Orlando Noda.
Picks: 3-2-5-6
Race 3 $25K Maiden Claiming NY-Bred Fillies & Mares 3YO+ 2:15 EST Not particularly interested in this group.
Picks: 3-10-2-8
Race 4 $50K Claiming 3YO+ 2:49 EST Competitive bunch here going 9 furlongs on the dirt. I’m going to try and beat the morning line favorite with a trio of horses going for a new barn today: the 1 War Stopper, the 4 Truculent, and the 7 Craft Daddy.
Picks: 1-7-4-6
Race 5 Allowance NW1 3YO+ 3:21 EST New York breds doing battle on the turf here. Can make a case for several. I’ll go with the 7 Sherriff Bianco out of Speightster with Irad aboard. Won last time out going 6 furlongs at Belmont. Want to get the 8 Neuro involved as he cuts back from 8.5 furlongs.
Picks: 7-5-8-1
Race 6 $14K Claiming NW3 3YO+ 3:55 EST Hate to be chalky, but I can’t pass up the gray 6 O’Trouble for trainer Kelly Breen and jockey Joel Rosario. Must like the way 11 Revnio has been working since coming over from Churchill Downs. Could strike at a price.
Picks: 6-11-4-2
Race 7 Allowance NW1 Fillies & Mares 3YO+ 4:29 EST I’m going to give trainer H. James Bond another shot with the 13 Gallina. Won at Aqueduct in February against similar. I’m not going to leave the Chad Brown entry 9 Russiarussiarussia off my ticket with Irad in the irons.
Picks: 13-9-3-5
Race 8 Quick Call Stakes 3YO 5:05 EST I like Irad to take the 4 Nobals to the front and wire the field here. Winner of four straight, he appears to be the lone speed horse here.
Picks: 4-3-8-7
Race 9 $80 AOC NW3 3YO+ 5:39 EST To back the Chad or to beat the Chad? That is the question. The best shot to beat him is either the 1 Supremacy or the 6 Three Two Zone with the betting public. I’ll go in a different direction with the Asmussen entry coming out of Churchill Downs in the 7 Gun It. What’s this I see, too? A Dale Romans sighting with the 2 Night Time and Joel Rosario on the mount? Might have to have him involved underneath.
Picks: 7-4-6-2
Race 10 $40K Maiden Claiming Fillies & Mares 3YO+ 6:13 EST Below-average bunch here in the finale. I'm not going to overthink this one too much. I’ll box these picks and hopefully the longshot comes in on top.
Picks: 10-7-5-2