Race 1: Downey Gap hasn't been able to hold speed but willing to give another shot at a price with Ortiz climbing aboard. Powerful Instinct loses Castellano but champion jockey Johnny V gets on for the ride...should be ready with time off. Empire Knight has put together two nice efforts and Castellano goes here. Los Borrachos needs to be in the game early.. if given that ride will be there for a piece.
Race 2: Awesome Union will be long gone if opening fractions are reasonable. Zayas is a nice upgrade. Brett Park knocked on the door last out but couldn't snatch victory. Level and distance is correct. Cort ran against Ocean Knight in debut but didn't pick up his feet. Time off..up for sale..will be too short a price for top spot.
Race 3: This race is a lovely maiden special weight with top outfits bringing some nice charges to the party. I love to price shop in this type of field and Mike Hushion has Japan whose preparation for debut is spot on..gets lasix and this pricey colt will be saying Sayonara when they turn for home. It wouldn't be a three year old event if Pletcher and Brown weren't invited. Pletcher brings Element who will be prominent from the one hole. Data Driven will be ready to do the takeover with his steady drills in the morning.
Race 4: Flutterby is a long shot in this field. He is a trier and his winning rider climbs back aboard. This is a step up in class but the daughter of Congrats will be ready to rumble. Thank You Marylou is a honest runner each time. Lone try at Gulfstream produced win..will love extra ground...the question to be asked is whether or not Rosario will find his winning form. Got Lucky was gutsy in comeback win which provided the foundation needed for this test. Grade three caliber is correct stomping ground for this daughter of AP Indy. Wedding Toast/House Rules may be logical choice but I have them reaping minor rewards in this spot.
Race 5: Tabreed will need some luck and then some but will be my top play here...ran a strong second to stablemate..jock switch..runs well at Gulfstream. Caroline Thomas comes off lengthy break..working well and will be honest. Irish Mission just held off stablemate last out and the exit from Grade one company may be the trick for this one. Riposte is coming off massive break and if she is ready then its game set match.
Race 6: C. Zee runs well when allowed to sit off the pace. This race will be loaded with speed up front and something has to give. I expect Zayas to rein in the colt just off the early gas and then fan him out in lane to take prize. Speechify will sit just right off Mean Season who will be off like a rocket...Lopez is a heady rider who will adjust his game according to the scenario dealt. What to do with Mean Season? Three starts equals three wins..all wins have been outstanding visually but was vanned off in last start effort. I need to see something before I endorse for anything other than minor rewards. Happy My Way has kept great company but probably a notch below.
Race 7: Good Deed is a fave of mine because she brings it all the time. First time out this year won by two plus lengths and start before that produced another stellar winning effort. Lanerie takes the call but he has ridden this mare before and should put her on the lead and play catch me if you can. Fascinante is a very consistent runner and appreciates the five furlong run each time. Will be tracking Good Deed and if top pick comes back this one will benefit. Catching Flies is another consistent sprinter who is stepping way up to this level. Maybe over her head but will get a piece. Jewel Of A Cat has done nothing wrong in last three other than win. Will come with good effort in lane.
Race 8: I have been waiting on Cavorting to come back since that miserable off the board run in the slop. I was ready to play in Breeders Cup if they went. I am back aboard for this comeback effort and I love that Ortiz sticks rather than going with winner from last out. Birdatthewire was a price play for me last time and the only reason she is the second spot is because I think Cavorting is really nice. She may be just as good and you have to love how she circled the field on Gulfstream's merry go round surface. Jacaranda is coming off break. First two starts were lovely and Hushion knows how to get them ready to rock and roll.
Race 9: I wish there was some creativity in this selection but Main Sequence is just a beast of a horse. Off since stellar performance in Breeders Cup..working beautifully..happy Motion gave back mount to Maragh who did all the dirty work on him before being sidelined. Its Go Time! If there is a hiccup in Main Sequence's return then Twilight Eclipse whom Main Sequence has owned will be there to reap the rewards. Divine Oath is Johnny V fall back mount which isn't too bad. He will be trying his best to beat the top pick.
Race 10: Excaper will be prominent for the start and the under appreciated Lezcano is so talented at riding any surface but the grass is where he makes bank. He will have this one going beautifully. Grand Tito was didn't produce against grade one company last out but will love the relief in this spot. Aripeka is just a consistent horse and a consistent horse is a fighter who will lay it down on the field. I expect this one to once again get a piece. Jack Milton steps down a bit and Castellano who is the best rider in America right now will have him ready to pounce.
Race 11: Frosted was my top pick last out and Upstart made a mockery of that race. If Upstart was to produce that type of win again we may start engraving his name on the trophy they give out in May. I expect Frosted to be more ready with second start off layoff. The barn is savvy and they will have him ready to fire. Gorgeous Bird was my pick last time out and he will love the extra ground. Will not surprise me in the least if he crosses wire first. Upstart...in the Holy Bull that had me saying wow...impressive performance and he has been nothing but a happy horse since...Itsaknockout broke maiden then went against winners on the stretch out and destroyed them. He will only improve being a son of Lemon Drop Kid.
Race 12: Danish Dynaformer should be ready to step forward second start of the year. Had some trouble in first start but with clean setup he will be on go. Dreaming Of Gold will take all the money and will be the one to beat in this spot. Tweet Kitten put in a rally in last effort as the fave...will be a better price this time around and could take the bank roll. Animal Kracker is one of my favorite snacks and this one could give me a nice treat with good effort.
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