by Dick Powell
Race One:
1st: (1) KOTYLOS – improved some at the end of last season when blinkers were added. He returned this year with a good third off the layoff and now comes back three weeks later with Lasix added for the first time.
2nd: (4) COLONEL POPPY – ran well against state-bred maidens here last year. Son of Speightster prepped for this with a dull effort on the dirty at Tampa Bay Downs with blinkers and Lasix but improved with a close second here.
3rd: (6) ON AN ISLAND – raced on the dirt at Penn National this winter but was an improved fourth in his Tapeta debut last out.
Race Two:
1st: (7) SHAMMAH – speedball broke his maiden here second time out then beat allowance foes easily. He tired in a stakes race to finish up the season and now returns for Tim Hamm off a series of decent workouts. Pablo Morales rides back.
2nd: (2) GOLDEN SODA – doesn’t have the back class of some of these but his recent form has been solid. He raced on the Tapeta at Gulfstream Park during the winter and moves up in class in his second start off the claim.
3rd: (4) BRADITUDE – after being soundly beaten to finish up last season, he went gate to wire to win easily here last out.
Race Three:
1st: (3) JUST WATCH ME NOW – had a strong background on the Tapeta at Golden Gate before shipping here and beatthis claiming class rather easily. Mike Pappada wins 28% first start after a win and Erin Walker rides back.
2nd: (8) SCIENCE TO WIN – not a horse for the course based on only 1 win in 28 starts but he has 10 other placings. He was a good second off the long layoff against this class last out and Antonio Gallardo rides back.
3rd: (1) JAMA DILLON – has some back class here but clearly needed his last race against these. Maybe blinkers helps today.
Race Four:
1st: (2) ENJOY THE MUSIC – well-spotted gelding from Larry Rivelli who won three in a row on the Tapeta at Turfway this winter. Freshened up for three months, he beat this starter allowance level last out and only picks up two pounds.
2nd: (1) KENTUCKY COOL – speedball won by 10 lengths going two turns then came back and won by five lengths in faster time. He was a game third when moved way up in class and now drops back down for his PID debut.
3rd: (8) GRAINGER COUNTY – rallied from just off the pace to miss by a length here against this class level.
Race Five:
1st: (2) QUICK QUICK WHIT – improved when Lasix was added second time out then ran poorly. He did little in his turf debut but improved on the Tapeta at Gulfstream Park last out when blinkers were added for the first time.
2nd: (9) ROENICK – has been facing much tougher maidens on Tapeta and turf in Kentucky and now drops down to a more realistic class level. Jimmy Corrigan wins 13% with his synthetic-track starters and gets Scott Spieth in the irons.
3rd: (6) WHISKEYMAC – opened up a clear lead in the deep stretch before being caught so the blinkers come off.
Race Six:
1st: (4) KING OF THE RING – has run well here in the past then spent the winter at Mahoning Valley with some solid efforts on the dirt. He returns off a brief freshening for Mike Pappada who wins 19% off short rest and 16% with this surface switch.
2nd: (5) PEMAQUID PETE – horse for the course tired badly on the dirt two starts back at Tampa Bay Downs then showed good speed there on the turf. He drops down in class and Mike Allen should be able to utilize his pace advantage.
3rd: (7) LORD REVELSTOKE – hasn’t seen the winner’s circle in nearly a year but only missed by a length last out on turf.
Race Seven:
1st: (9) CLOSETHEGAME SUGAR – rallied from off the pace to win going away in a turf sprint at Saratoga in his only career start. He’s training well for this and will be flying late for Jose Ortiz who has been red-hot at Belmont lately.
2nd: (3) WHERE IS MIKE – speedball went gate to wire in his first three career starts at Charlestown. He raced evenly last out at Laurel when he did not make the lead from post one and now shows up for Brittany Russell – 30% first start off the claim.
3rd: (1) BUSHIDO – romped in his first two career starts going five furlongs on the turf then tired last out.
Race Eight:
1st: (2) COURT AND SPARK – good turf sprinter from Penn National last year made his Tapeta debut here at the age of 7 and missed by a lengths. He should get a similar set up here for Erin McClellan who wins 20% second start off the layoff.
2nd: (1) GRAND TORTUGON – horse for the course showed speed for a half-mile before tiring in his first start in almost seven months. Alice Beckman does well with speedy types so if she can break him on top, he’ll be tough to catch.
3rd: (10) MILITARY DRILL – moves up in class but already has two wins here for Adam Rice. Jose Ortiz picks up the mount.
IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW HAS A GAMBLING PROBLEM, HELP IS AVAILABLE. CALL 1-800-GAMBLER.
