Race 1: Harbour Master was last seen finishing fourth behind the Big Score...that was first start stateside..could improve much more in the turn back in ground..glad to see Mike Smith stick...Red Lodge was well beaten in grade one event last time..prior to that ambitious run won first asking stateside going five and a half and will appreciate the cut back...Kitten's Cat is another who is turning back in ground after finishing third in Grade three Pilgrim behind Oscar Performance who came back to show brilliance..the seasoning from that race plus getting firmer grass will be advantageous to this one..Con Te Partico hails from the juvey whisperer Wesley Ward..fourth last time..won two back and broke maiden impressively.
Race 2: California Diamond could sparkle all the way to the winners' circle..made strong case against state breds and last time ventured into open company and did good work there as well...money will be short on this one but definitely the one to beat. Rinse And Repeat is an interesting player..one win from six starts but five in the money finishes..the Square Eddie colt needs to run quicker to threatened the top pick but will be there in the end...Milton Forever is another who only finished once out of the money from four starts..beat Rinse And Repeat last time..the son of Creative Cause will be finishing in the lane...California Clone broke maiden last out..will be up there trying to carry them around.
Race 3: Mehronissa attracts Dettori...finished second last time in group three contest..gets lasix for this cavalry charge that will be on full display in the lane...Fair Point is an improving filly..second last time to Miss Ella..prior to that won two in a row..good numbers coming into the race...Ortiz knows the filly very well and will have her in the right spot...Lady Shipman was a disappointment last time as the fave..ran a different type of race than what had previously worked...should revert back to old style and be more prominent from the opening bell...Acapulco has shown talent in her brief career..would I be surprised if she won this event?..absolutely not..she will take money and she will carry them around and play come catch me if you can.
Race 4: Daddys lil Darling endured a wide draw last time and almost pulled out the victory..won two events leading up to the grade one try..saddled with another wide draw again..should work out a trip under Lanerie...Noted and Quoted won grade one effort last time over today's surface...already answered the question about the distance and will sit close throughout...Jamyson N' Ginger ran a huge number breaking maiden..maybe the sloppy going aided that number but regardless love to see the improvement on the stretch out...another one that will sit up close to the pace and wait...Yellow Agate beat Jamyson N' Ginger in maiden win..showed grit in last start...won't have a problem with distance..no lasix in third straight start.
Race 5: Seventh Heaven is another combo of O'Brien and Moore..cuts back in ground..gets lasix..ran in four straight group one winning two out of four..will be sent roaring down the stretch...Queen's Trust has not won this year but the company line is strong..two back beaten by four..Seventh Heaven and Found were the culprits that day..enough said..gets lasix..Dettori rides with that North American flair and will be coming after them. Sea Calisi is another that will be coming from the rear hoping to catch them..four starts stateside and she can hold her head high for those efforts..happy to see Geroux here..after all he has ridden another in this event but sticks here.. Lady Eli..what a woman she is..if she was to take this I would gladly tip my hat and move on..she is brilliant..first start off layoff she was beaten but promptly came back to dispose of her rivals..she is a talented and wonderful filly..will be rooting for her while spending two bucks elsewhere.
Race 6: The Sprint has always been one of my favorite event to watch each year..this year I am a little disappointed with the depth.. I landed on Delta Bluesman who will offer great value along the price play spectrum..four wins this year and the venture outside of Gulfstream park added some spring to his leg..one out the money finish since leaving Gulfstream and one could make an excuse for that race..can rate or take them around and he will sit close while others set fire up front. Masochistic ran very big number last time...my only concern is that he came back from a long layoff and ran huge two times..loves the surface and distance...A.P. Indian showed grit and fight in last start at Keeneland..I thought he was beaten but he came back and edged it by a nose..hard to ignore the guts of this warrior but looking elsewhere for the win..Drefong has been impressive in four straight..undefeated this year..loves to dance upfront..last time defeated two runners who came back and showed good stuff..while that will be enough to land on this ride I still think others have an advantage here.
Race 7: Om could lure them in a trance..the son of Munnings likes to dance near the front..the cut back will only do his body good and Stevens is a smart rider who will have him in a good spot.. Alot finished second going a mile last time but three back showed strength and power in the lane..the pace will be scorching and I think Chad Brown will have this one ready to roll fourth time out of his barn...Undrafted makes fourth start since coming back from Ascot..I believe horses sometimes need a moment to regroup..he will be produced in the lane and if this old fella can turn it over like years past he will be stretching out his neck at the wire...Washington DC will probably be shown more love than our nation's capital today..two nice efforts in last two..O'Brien and Moore once again teaming up.
Race 8: Classic Empire disappointed backers at Saratoga when the rider got lost once the gates flew..came back after that mishap at Keeneland and won like something special..I truly believe this could be a classy colt when we swing into triple crown dialogue....Dismiss Three Rules at your own peril...you don't win like he did in five starts without having some top notch ability..like the top pick he has won at distance and the last two works suggest he is still full of himself...Not This Time is another who could be on top of the ticket..the son of Giant Causeway showed lovely giddy up in last two while winning them in stylish fashion..also owns a win at the distance...Gormley is the local runner who did nice work in last effort..will be prominent from the opening bell.
Race 9: I am like a kid in the candy store when I think of this race..Flintshire looks like a super horse with the few glimpses I have had this week..the horse caught yielding turf last time and got out kicked by the pace setter..firm ground today and he will be in the right spot throughout...Found is no slouch and will the main competitor to the top pick..the well traveled runner will try to gun down Flintshire....Highland Reel belongs in the same conversation as the top two picks..could sit close early and be the first to get a run at the pace setters...Money Multiplier was compromised by the surface last time thus I am throwing it out..he ran well two back competing with his star stablemate..Johnny V will have him right and ready to roll.
R10: Irish Jasper is the light bulb play in this spot..won last two and steps up in class but it isn't a scary class jump..three starts this year and won two..the lone defeat this year was on turf...I say watch out....By The Moon exits a nice runner up effort in the Ballerina...she will be traveling close up front and ready to pounce when given the go button..Wavell Avenue is one lady that holds a special place in my heart..she always seem to run and try..will get something to run at..is she still in this class?..today will answer the question...Paola Queen disliked the mud last time..two back she shocked the Saratoga crowd in the test..loves the distance..will be coming at them.
R11: Alice Springs could easily be my best bet..winner of her last two and while some may dismiss her because of her defeat when she traveled to the United States last year..different year..different filly...Limato gets lasix...nice three efforts in last three graded events...her running style suggest she will track the leaders and come at them...Ironicus...lost to Miss Temple City last time while rolling late..she will be produced down the lane and will give her backers a thrill..Photo Call owns a win over the surface while boasting two wins and three thirds from the distance..I expect her to carry them and slow it down as much as she can before trying to steal it.
R12: Last year Frosted disappointed me in the classic..he didn't bring his fight..the Met Mile win was so breathtaking many were gushing kingship upon him after that run..he came back with the Smooth Operator and won the grade two Whitney by two...the last effort was a bit puzzling to some but after the big run in Mile event this should be expected..Trainer won mile yesterday..flirted with the thought of putting Frosted there but opted for this one..I am opting for Frosted as well....California Chrome is a beast and he has done wonderful things to this game that so many of us love..loves the distance..loves the track..won't love the odds....Arrogate is looking tremendous while training and that is scary..the three year old showed brilliance in the Travers..just like Frosted I expect a regression...Effinex will be ridden with confidence from the start..I expect his name to be called often and late but just coming up short.
Race 2: California Diamond could sparkle all the way to the winners' circle..made strong case against state breds and last time ventured into open company and did good work there as well...money will be short on this one but definitely the one to beat. Rinse And Repeat is an interesting player..one win from six starts but five in the money finishes..the Square Eddie colt needs to run quicker to threatened the top pick but will be there in the end...Milton Forever is another who only finished once out of the money from four starts..beat Rinse And Repeat last time..the son of Creative Cause will be finishing in the lane...California Clone broke maiden last out..will be up there trying to carry them around.
Race 3: Mehronissa attracts Dettori...finished second last time in group three contest..gets lasix for this cavalry charge that will be on full display in the lane...Fair Point is an improving filly..second last time to Miss Ella..prior to that won two in a row..good numbers coming into the race...Ortiz knows the filly very well and will have her in the right spot...Lady Shipman was a disappointment last time as the fave..ran a different type of race than what had previously worked...should revert back to old style and be more prominent from the opening bell...Acapulco has shown talent in her brief career..would I be surprised if she won this event?..absolutely not..she will take money and she will carry them around and play come catch me if you can.
Race 4: Daddys lil Darling endured a wide draw last time and almost pulled out the victory..won two events leading up to the grade one try..saddled with another wide draw again..should work out a trip under Lanerie...Noted and Quoted won grade one effort last time over today's surface...already answered the question about the distance and will sit close throughout...Jamyson N' Ginger ran a huge number breaking maiden..maybe the sloppy going aided that number but regardless love to see the improvement on the stretch out...another one that will sit up close to the pace and wait...Yellow Agate beat Jamyson N' Ginger in maiden win..showed grit in last start...won't have a problem with distance..no lasix in third straight start.
Race 5: Seventh Heaven is another combo of O'Brien and Moore..cuts back in ground..gets lasix..ran in four straight group one winning two out of four..will be sent roaring down the stretch...Queen's Trust has not won this year but the company line is strong..two back beaten by four..Seventh Heaven and Found were the culprits that day..enough said..gets lasix..Dettori rides with that North American flair and will be coming after them. Sea Calisi is another that will be coming from the rear hoping to catch them..four starts stateside and she can hold her head high for those efforts..happy to see Geroux here..after all he has ridden another in this event but sticks here.. Lady Eli..what a woman she is..if she was to take this I would gladly tip my hat and move on..she is brilliant..first start off layoff she was beaten but promptly came back to dispose of her rivals..she is a talented and wonderful filly..will be rooting for her while spending two bucks elsewhere.
Race 6: The Sprint has always been one of my favorite event to watch each year..this year I am a little disappointed with the depth.. I landed on Delta Bluesman who will offer great value along the price play spectrum..four wins this year and the venture outside of Gulfstream park added some spring to his leg..one out the money finish since leaving Gulfstream and one could make an excuse for that race..can rate or take them around and he will sit close while others set fire up front. Masochistic ran very big number last time...my only concern is that he came back from a long layoff and ran huge two times..loves the surface and distance...A.P. Indian showed grit and fight in last start at Keeneland..I thought he was beaten but he came back and edged it by a nose..hard to ignore the guts of this warrior but looking elsewhere for the win..Drefong has been impressive in four straight..undefeated this year..loves to dance upfront..last time defeated two runners who came back and showed good stuff..while that will be enough to land on this ride I still think others have an advantage here.
Race 7: Om could lure them in a trance..the son of Munnings likes to dance near the front..the cut back will only do his body good and Stevens is a smart rider who will have him in a good spot.. Alot finished second going a mile last time but three back showed strength and power in the lane..the pace will be scorching and I think Chad Brown will have this one ready to roll fourth time out of his barn...Undrafted makes fourth start since coming back from Ascot..I believe horses sometimes need a moment to regroup..he will be produced in the lane and if this old fella can turn it over like years past he will be stretching out his neck at the wire...Washington DC will probably be shown more love than our nation's capital today..two nice efforts in last two..O'Brien and Moore once again teaming up.
Race 8: Classic Empire disappointed backers at Saratoga when the rider got lost once the gates flew..came back after that mishap at Keeneland and won like something special..I truly believe this could be a classy colt when we swing into triple crown dialogue....Dismiss Three Rules at your own peril...you don't win like he did in five starts without having some top notch ability..like the top pick he has won at distance and the last two works suggest he is still full of himself...Not This Time is another who could be on top of the ticket..the son of Giant Causeway showed lovely giddy up in last two while winning them in stylish fashion..also owns a win at the distance...Gormley is the local runner who did nice work in last effort..will be prominent from the opening bell.
Race 9: I am like a kid in the candy store when I think of this race..Flintshire looks like a super horse with the few glimpses I have had this week..the horse caught yielding turf last time and got out kicked by the pace setter..firm ground today and he will be in the right spot throughout...Found is no slouch and will the main competitor to the top pick..the well traveled runner will try to gun down Flintshire....Highland Reel belongs in the same conversation as the top two picks..could sit close early and be the first to get a run at the pace setters...Money Multiplier was compromised by the surface last time thus I am throwing it out..he ran well two back competing with his star stablemate..Johnny V will have him right and ready to roll.
R10: Irish Jasper is the light bulb play in this spot..won last two and steps up in class but it isn't a scary class jump..three starts this year and won two..the lone defeat this year was on turf...I say watch out....By The Moon exits a nice runner up effort in the Ballerina...she will be traveling close up front and ready to pounce when given the go button..Wavell Avenue is one lady that holds a special place in my heart..she always seem to run and try..will get something to run at..is she still in this class?..today will answer the question...Paola Queen disliked the mud last time..two back she shocked the Saratoga crowd in the test..loves the distance..will be coming at them.
R11: Alice Springs could easily be my best bet..winner of her last two and while some may dismiss her because of her defeat when she traveled to the United States last year..different year..different filly...Limato gets lasix...nice three efforts in last three graded events...her running style suggest she will track the leaders and come at them...Ironicus...lost to Miss Temple City last time while rolling late..she will be produced down the lane and will give her backers a thrill..Photo Call owns a win over the surface while boasting two wins and three thirds from the distance..I expect her to carry them and slow it down as much as she can before trying to steal it.
R12: Last year Frosted disappointed me in the classic..he didn't bring his fight..the Met Mile win was so breathtaking many were gushing kingship upon him after that run..he came back with the Smooth Operator and won the grade two Whitney by two...the last effort was a bit puzzling to some but after the big run in Mile event this should be expected..Trainer won mile yesterday..flirted with the thought of putting Frosted there but opted for this one..I am opting for Frosted as well....California Chrome is a beast and he has done wonderful things to this game that so many of us love..loves the distance..loves the track..won't love the odds....Arrogate is looking tremendous while training and that is scary..the three year old showed brilliance in the Travers..just like Frosted I expect a regression...Effinex will be ridden with confidence from the start..I expect his name to be called often and late but just coming up short.
