Race 1: SHINNY has been unbeatable at Canterbury. Has won five in a row including two on the turf. He’s obviously feeling good as illustrated by his speed figure in last. FULLBRIDLEDPHANTOM was farther back than normal in latest and had too much to do. Maybe it was the soft footing, should be closer today. KINETIC SWAGGER has been involved in all his local starts. Gets Quinonez aboard and has tactical speed.
Race 2: LUVIN BULLIES comes in here with seven career victories at this specialty distance. Needs a quick pace, which seems probable and the switch to Wade is a bonus. LADY GOLDSTART could be the speed of the speed but not sure she’ll like turf. Her one try on the surface was a stakes race at Kentucky Downs so hard to gauge. TORENO sure likes the distance with two wins in three starts, all at Canterbury. Makes her fourth straight start with a different barn.
Race 3: MOREISBETTER is third off the layoff for Diodoro. Both of those local starts were in turf sprints but returns to dirt today. Should be forwardly placed. EREBUNI is the “other” Diodoro and drops in class after a lackluster performance in her local debut. Jockey/trainer win at a 24% rate. JAGGED ARROW showed speed against better on the turf in last but has a propensity to back up in the stretch.
Race 4: HUNTER’S MAGIC raced on the dirt in the last two but looks to prefer turf. A three-year-old with only four races, she has upside. NOTE PAD encountered trouble in the stretch in last. Might be pace dependent. CLAIRE SAILING debuted in a washed off turf sprint but is bred to like long on the turf.
Race 5: NOBLE PURSUIT loves the turf, having won five of seven, and loves the jockey as Lopez has won on him four of five times. Appears to be enough pace for his late kick. DRAMA CHORUS has early speed and if Butler can get him to relax, he could be tough. CREATIVE PLAN has a three-race win streak but faces tougher.
Race 6: BOOTLEGGIN POSSE was bet down in debut when facing special weights and didn’t have the cleanest trip. Drops in class and Bravo wins at 20% in second start. HUNTER JUMPER showed early speed in career debut before tiring and then broke slowly and raced wide in last. Expect better effort with a clean break. DON’T BOX ME IN is a firster for Berndt who win at 23% with newbies. Nice pattern of workouts.
Race 7: CANDY COVE has been facing better including many next-out winners. OFF SIXES won last two since being claimed by Broberg but those were at the bottom level. BOURBON WISDOM has started five times on the turf this meet with no wins. Drops in class.
Race 8: SUPER SILVER won last out at Monmouth in June after a 16-month layoff, then ships in to race in a low-level claimer, which is suspect but Diodoro wins 24% first start for the barn. OWN THE TOWN has tactical speed and his speed figures are competitive. IRISH CHARLIE likes to hit the board with 17 seconds/thirds.
Race 9: NATURAL CHILL drops in class from special weights to claiming, takes the blinkers off and gets an outside post. DEPUTY LAW has sharp early speed and drops in class. KOVACS had a nice second place at this level in career debut then tried the turf. Returns to more comfortable spot.
