#3 DEALER BEWARE has a substantial speed figure edge, the meet’s top jockey, top trainer and a good post position. There are no knocks on the 6-5 favorite. #2 FOREST CRUISER gets a double cure for fading late, turning back in distance and adding Lasix. #7 A CHANGE OF HEART was a beaten favorite in his off the turf debut. He’ll get grass today and has every right to improve in his second lifetime start. #5 WON AFFAIR shows some nice works and attracts one of the leading riders for his debut. #4 SONG OF LOVE was a good second at this level last time and may move forward in his second race off a six-month layoff.
Suggested bet: Daily Double – 2,3 w/ 2,4
#4 BEACHCOMBER seems to have turned the corner with two straight dominating wins by a combined 9¼ lengths. This is a big step up but the lightly raced 3yo seems eminently capable of handling it. #2 TREASURE MAP ran well to beat starter allowance foes last time and looks awfully tough here as he dips into claiming company for the first time. #6 WE’RE SAILING should be freewheeling on the lead once again today and may just forget to stop. #5 CRYPTOGRAM got back on track with a n2L win last time. #7 PLEASANT BEAU was flying late to get third against tougher last time. He should be motoring in the stretch again today.
Suggested bet: Win - 4
#5 YIELD TO NO ONE looks well positioned to start what could be a huge day for trainer Carlos Garcia. Yield to No One was a good second at this level two back and returns to her best distance today. #3 DDTAXWATUWANT could rebound today at a big price. She signaled improvement with a big win on dirt - not her preferred surface - two races ago. She was shuffled back early last time and understandably couldn’t close into a slow pace. She should get a much better setup today. #7 STIRRUP CUP steps back up into 1x company after a good high-priced claiming win here last time. #8 OCALA GATOR already has a good win at the meet. #6 KISSEMILIE finally gets turf again after two off-the-turf races and will be dangerous if allowed an easy lead.
Suggested Bet: Exacta box – 3 w/ 5,6,7,8
The early pick-3 ends and the pick-4 starts with the most difficult race of the day, arguably the best baby race of the meet. #1A ROCKIN’ JOE is a very well-bred first time starter. He’s by a Breeders’ Cup Turf winner and is a half-brother to Sindy With an S, a graded stakes winner who prevailed in her debut. #1 HEART OF A KING completes a promising entry for leading owner David A. Ross. #11 SLICK TALKING is another blue-blooded firster. He’s the first foal out of a 2yo stakes winner from a good female family. #9 HALLELUJAH ran very well first time out, rushing up to duel with a very fast winner and holding on well to save second. #4 IKE set a pressured pace in his debut before succumbing to some solid horses. He could easily move forward with Lasix added and the switch to turf for his second start.
Suggested bet: Win – 1
#7 VICAR’S TUNE overcame a long layoff to win a 1x here last month and should be even tougher today with added fitness and the stretch-out to two turns. #3 MINNAMANA just missed at his level and should be even tougher today with a more pace to set up the 10-time winner’s powerful late kick. #2
Suggested bet: Exacta box – 2,3,7
#4 POPLAR GROVE ran his best race at this one-mile distance. He can be forgiven for tiring a bit after wide trips going longer and projects to a great trip today from post 4. #2 COUNT TOLSTOY may have been best in his debut, finishing strongly despite a glacial pace and having to wait for room. #5 RAJASTHAN should also appreciate the cutback after tiring in deep stretch last time. #6 BLENDED WHISKEY moved way up on turf to get second in a high price maiden claimer last time. He steps up to straight maidens but has plenty of upside in his 3rd lifetime start. #3 BALTIMORE CLASSIC is good enough if he can transfer his dirt form to the turf.
Suggested bet: Exacta box – 4 w/ 2,5,6
#7 BALLAST deserves to be the heavy favorite here. He’s a legitimate graded stakes horse with dominant speed figures. The long layoff shouldn’t be much of a problem since he’s been working strongly for trainer Graham Motion, who is hitting with 28% of his returnees. #1 MIDWATCH proved he’s still going strong at age 9 with a dominant win the Old Nelson. He loves this track and ought to get a beautiful trip from the rail under Edgar Prado today, whether he gets the lead again or stalks in second. #2 MINT SLEWLEP proved he could handle turf with a gritty win in the Da Hoss two weeks ago. He’ll have to step up to beat the favorite but that long, sustained run he made in the Da Hoss should put him right back in the mix today.
Suggested bet: Pick-3 – 7 w/ 2,7,9,10 w/ 7,8
#10 I LOST MY CHOO has won more races, earned more money, and earned better speed figures than her rivals. It all adds up to a legitimate 9-5 favorite even if she always makes it close, having never won by more than three-quarters of a length. #7 NAMASTE’S WISH hasn’t quite lived up to the promise she showed as a 2yo but she should be closing late today and would be no surprise. #2 JULIA TUTTLE looked fantastic in both of her wins here. The speed figures are weak compared to the favorites today but it’s worth noting that she beat Holy Grace by 4¼ lengths while I Lost My Choo only beat her by three-quarters of a length. #9 CHEROKEE QUEEN could be any kind. She’s done nothing wrong in her three starts to date so it shouldn’t surprise anyone if she passes her class test today.
Suggested bet: Exacta box – 10 w/ 2,7,9
#8 SAILOR’S CAP was astonishingly good in the Colonial Turf Cup. He went from 9½ lengths behind to 3½ in front in less than a quarter of mile to score to a truly convincing victory. It’s somewhat tempting to label him a soft turf specialist but he did win impressively on firm turf as a 2yo. He’s probably a star on any footing. #7 GIO PONTI is an extremely talented horse with seemingly unlimited upside. He’s stretching out a whole quarter-mile today but is a half to Fisher Pond, who was a stakes winner at 1½ miles. #2 OLD MAN BUCK was a very good 2yo. He flattened out a bit after making a menacing move in his 3yo debut but should finish stronger today with a race under his belt. #1 YOUR ROUND outran his odds to get third with an impressive finish in the Colonial Turf Cup. He was never going to catch Sailor’s Cap but there’s little doubt he’ll handle the
Suggested bet: Trifecta – 7,8 w/ 1,2,7,8 w/ 1,2,7,8
#6 TATJANA’S SALUTE was a good second to Elchase, who came back to win a 1x Tuesday at Colonial. She should get plenty of pace to set up her potent late kick. #9 ACT LIKE A QUEEN ran huge to get third after some early trouble last time. She’ll also be flying late and certainly has the pedigree to keep improving. #11
Suggested bet: Exacta box – 6,9
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