Race 1: STRONG PATRIOT showed improvement in last as she battled for the lead until the deep stretch before tiring late. Should gain confidence and fitness out of the race. FABLES LOVE AFFAIR has two wins and two seconds at this distance but the lack of early speed may diminish her patented late kick. CHEVERIE has a couple of wins in Nebraska this year but against much softer.
Race 2: RING LEADER was caught in a wicked speed duel in last but still managed to hold second. Stretches out to two-turns and is the lone speed. LADY ORCHID has won almost $300K but most of that was won in Oklahoma vs. state-breds. Have to wonder if Bravo has her fully cranked today. MONGOLIAN LOTUS won six-of-seven down south very easily and then took a suspicious two-month break. Made a nice move in her comeback race before tiring badly at 2/5. Will take a wait-and-see approach.
Race 3: SHAKES CREEK returns after being claimed last out by Broberg. Breeding suggests he should appreciate the surface and the distance. His tactical speed is a huge advantage on the turf. MITHQAAL ran some nice races on the lawn in southern California last year but has yet to regain that form. Maybe a switch to the Cappellucci barn will wake him up. IM A COWBOY TOO returns to his preferred surface after a dull effort in the slop in last. Expecting improvement.
Race 4: RUBY’S RED DEVIL raced greenly and extremely wide in the sloppy conditions in his career debut while still managing third. Full sister has three route wins so distance shouldn’t be an issue. DEVOTED TO YOU is the likely favorite off his last start and the top connections but has yet to finish a race strongly. ME AND ROSE showed some interest early in his first start before tiring badly but was supported at the windows.
Race 5: LA ROSA DRIVE was sandwiched between horses while dueling through extremely fast fractions in last. Drops in class, should get an easy lead and will relish the lawn. GIVEITSOMEWELLIE has run two competitive races on the lawn locally and was claimed last out. We’ll see if the barn change is the key. INDAWIN claimed out of last race by Stuart and takes the blinkers off after tiring in last.
Race 6: RASMUS romped by nine-plus lengths in last and was claimed by Broberg who is just hoping to keep this lightly raced gelding in good form. BLAME BISHOP showed surprising speed in last after cutting back in distance. If he can show that early foot again, it will help his chances immensely. AZUSA ST. is usually in the mix but hasn’t shown that killer instinct recently.
Race 7: ARIZONA SUN is in terrific form right now having won two straight fairly easily. Has never attempted the sod but is bred regally for it. Should sit just off the leaders and pass them in the stretch. LUVIN BULLIES has won over $200K at this distance including seven wins. Needs to time her run perfectly as she will be coming from the clouds. HARKING has speed but will most likely be pressured early so how long will she be able to last.
Race 8: STAY MY FAVORITE gets back on the dirt after trying the lawn in her last race. Has been showing speed and tiring but takes needed plunge in class. Should be alone up front. MUSKYMAN was in the mud last out and broke extremely slow. Drops to the claiming ranks and might improve second time out this year. CAUSEIMCHOCOLATE has shown nothing in four starts but three of those were on off-tracks. Will give top connections another shot.
