Race 1: GIVEITSOMEWELLIE has been close this meet with two seconds/two thirds on the grass. Should work a perfect trip behind the speed horses and get first run ahead of the closers. THAT’STHEWAYTODOIT is the “other” Rengstorf and should be forwardly placed. Appears to be other speed in here, so how long can she last? DEPUTY DORA drops in class and comes from way out of it. Will need a strong early pace.
Race 2: MAJESTIC STRIDE was bet down in her debut last fall before something went amiss. Is a full-sister to $423K earner Majestic Pride and there isn’t much in here. FIREMAN’S LIL SIS drops from special weights to bottom level claimers. Granted, she only has one competitive race out of five but class relief will help. CHARMING FURY showed some interest in last two but has backed badly up in the stretch in both.
Race 3: I’M AN EIGHT has been facing some nice ones recently including multiple next out winners. Gets Quinonez aboard and has tactical speed to work a nice trip. IMA HARLEY TOO has a win going to two-turns on the sod this meet. Gets a good post and has a versatile running style. COPPER FIDDLE doesn’t like soft turf as his last three starts on soft going have been disastrous. Needs a firm course today to see his best.
Race 4: OLD INDIAN TRICK drops in class and returns to the dirt after two local tries on the turf. Has not won in almost three years but Diodoro thrives with this type. KIERKEGAARD won once in his first 16 career starts and has now won two-in-a-row. Can he keep his form after switching barns? GOT EVEN SMARTER adored the slop last time out winning easily but that effort may have been off-track aided.
Race 5: GO FOR A RIDE is bred to like routing on the turf and has tactical speed. Both turf starts locally were against better so will welcome the class relief. JOHAN ZOFFANI won last on the turf getting a perfect trip. Diodoro wins at 30% with last out winners but needs pace to help his closing style. J P’S PRIDE has had some success on the Canterbury lawn hitting the board in all six starts but hasn’t won in 21 months.
Race 6: HADDY UP looks to be controlling speed and the Berndt barn strikes at 31% with a 50% drop in claiming price. Eikleberry remaining aboard adds to the appeal. AKSARBEN SUMMER won two-in-a-row sprinting before trying the turf unsuccessfully and then getting checked hard in her last. Needs to break alertly. ALOTTA SOUL won two in a row back in 2019 but is winless at this level in last 10 starts. Her speed figures are competitive.
Race 7: HOLD THE SPICE will be coming from last so don’t worry when he’s way back early. A hot pace should develop in front of him, setting up for his late kick. JUNIOR BUG ran nice speed figures on the lawn down at the fairgrounds this winter but has been off since March. Might need a prep before we see his best. WILLTOBELUCKY drops in class and son/father team up as jockey/trainer, so it could be a family photo-op in the winner’s circle.
Race 8: BRAD’S TIME could be a nice one. Has two wins and a second sprinting but stretches out today and is bred to run all day. His tactical speed gives him options. A ROSE FOR RAVEN has won two in a row but both of those were on the grass. If he can transfer that good form to the dirt, he should be in the mix. TAPAGE has speed figures to compete but is pace dependent so will be begging for a hot pace up front.
Race 9: KARALINKA is third off the layoff and is bred to excel in turf sprints. Raced wide the entire race in last and switches to Eikleberry. FORTHELOVEOFLYDIA has speed and isn’t afraid to use it but has backed up in the stretch in all five of her turf sprints. If she’s loose, she could be tough. LADY CHURCHILL ran well in first turf sprint last out but was a little green in the stretch. Could improve with added experience.
