Today's Best Bets3-9. Winners in the 1st [$6.30], 6th [$7.90] and 9th [$4.50]. In the 3rd our top two flip-flopped for the exacta [$14.80/$2]. An A-C exacta in the 6th [$26.40]. Flip-flopped top two again in the 7th for the exacta [$7.70] with our fourth pick completing the tri [$28.00]. A B-C-A results in the 8th for the exacta $47.20] and tri [$125.00].
A solid crowd of 22,121 attended -- and, it's like a broken record but, it was yet another fine day weather-wise. Sunny and warm.
$500K guaranteed late P4.
FIRST RACE
Writingonthewall...Wired 'em here just last week. Scratched from West Point to await this spot. Looks like the controlling speed again.
Good Prospect...Nice stalking trip and a just-miss in the comeback last time. Should go well again.
Pretty Boy Freud...Also scratched from the West Point. Has run well twice since moving to grass.
Livin Large.
SECOND RACE
Curlinello...It's a Pletcher 2YO and bred to be a runner too.
Mucho Macho Man...Good-looking second in the debut at Calder in a full field of twelve. Should benefit from that experience and shows a bullet work on this track.
Charlies Swell...With Malibu Moon on top this one is bred to win early.
Brilliant Speed.
THIRD RACE
Elsie's Warrior...The question is the layoff - but trainer is OK in that area. If this one comes back and can repeat last year's numbers he's the one to beat.
Elsaroarin...Another that fired some decent efforts last year and now only needs be ready for the comeback.
We Needs VLTs...Cleverly-named Rice owned and trained debut runner would be no surprise.
Good to Be Me.
FOURTH RACE
Billy One Life...Ran away and hid his two times in for a tag. Drop raises red flags - but he's the one to beat if all wheels are on.
Callide Valley...Another taking a suspicious drop - but a potent drop if he comes out running.
Talk to Nick...First out of the barn from Rodriguez is a potent angle and this one fits at the level.
Retriever.
FIFTH RACE
Mad for Smarty...In what looks to be a wide-open event we'll lean towards 'The Chief' to get off the duck at the meet. Don't have super-confidence in the selection but the next two picks should provide some pace and perhaps this one can stalk and get first jump in his first two-turn try. We'll see...
Morning Line...Had trouble at the break last time which might have taken him out of his pace-setting game -still ran a good second.
African Diamond...Another with some speed and won convincingly this track and trip last year.
Heart Butte.
SIXTH RACE
Memory Motel...Red-hot trainer this year hasn't shown a lot in the way of firsters - but proved to be proficient in that arena on Wednesday winning with a debut runner here -- and one that wasn't showing many works and didn't sport much of a pedigree. So - in a field with no real standouts, we'll land here.
Igoturback...Still early but Bandini might be turning out to be a precocious sire.
Tall Tale Telller...Had trouble last time and should benefit from the education.
Seek to Destroy.
SEVENTH RACE
Into My Soul...Very lightly-raced 4YO. Been running some decent numbers this season - but drops in what looks like a move to find the proper level.
Dr Alex...Will be rolling late.
The Plot Thickens...Could be the one to catch.
City Sneakers.
Brad's My Hero.
EIGHTH RACE
Criminal Saga...Firster from More Than Ready on the turf. Should go well.
Beachcombing...And this guy is from Lemon Drop Kid - also likely to appreciate the grassy debut.
Mr Tribute...Jumped way up - despite trouble - when stretched to two turns last time.
Bluegrass Jet.
NINTH RACE
Zapster...Has shown some flashes of talent and they had the confidence to try some stakes last year. Drops but might just be looking for a winning spot.
Don Balcazio...Speed's been good on the turf and this one has it.
Mystic Fever...Ran well last two when dropping to this level in the maiden ranks - including the win last time which might signal that the light turned on with the class-relief.
Black Minotaur.
Love and Havoc.
TENTH RACE - Alabama G1 $500K
Devil May Care...Might have the edge with the experience over the track.
Blind Luck...always fires and don't ignore that she's undefeated on dirt.
Havre de Grace...Lightly-raced but always in the hunt - including a just-miss to Blind Luck last time.
Connie and Michael.
ELEVENTH RACE
Peat Bay...Just missed in comeback effort and fired a bullet in prep for this.
Well Suited...MSW to mdn clm'r.
Recharged...AE list. Decent debut.
Strolldownbroadway.
Scary Guy.
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