RACE 1
WIN – YELT was beaten as part of a favored entry last out to a horse that came back to run off the board here opening day, but should step forward second off the Anthony Dutrow claim. Owns the most career wins of anybody in this field.
PLACE – READY IN THE MORN has a tendency to settle for the place as he boasts six runner-up finishes to just a single victory. Logical to continue that trend.
SHOW – GIMMEAROUTINE was close to a very hot pace last out and paid the price through the lane. Jock switch today should find him closing late at a nice price.

RACE 2
WIN – Tagg wins with three of the five juveniles he debuted here last summer, so TALL POPPI gets the call sporting a very strong work tab at Monmouth.
PLACE – Trip handicappers are licking their chops to see CRIBNOTE return after he was sawed off up the backside of this debut, yet still managed to finish full of run and earn fourth. Meets state-bred today.
SHOW – STAY ALITTLE WHILE should be a big price for low-key connections, but this guy does show a few strong drills, including a pair from the gate. Could outrun odds at first asking.

RACE 3
WIN – Prohibitive favorite in here as CITY ROAR has run her two best races leading to this. Was outgamed by odds-on Casey’s Tribe last out while finishing well clear of third. Anything close to that effort will prove plenty good enough.
PLACE – KEVAZINGA was a decisive maiden winner when last running off a break, and now returns from a lengthy rest for Rice. Training forwardly, and will be picking up the pieces late for a share.
SHOW – CRITICAL CATHY is likely to be cooked by early pressure from City Roar to her outside, but may be able to hang on for a minor award.

RACE 4
WIN – Tricky race as those that are fastest aren’t very consistent. Take a flyer with DEMOCRAT, who has been a fan favorite at Finger Lakes of late. Has yet to impress in a trio of races at the Spa, but has been training well and will be worth a shot at double-digit odds.
PLACE – Once upon a time, BILL PLACE won the Grade 3 Bay Shore. Since then, he has taken the necessary drops down the claiming ladder, and looms a serious threat. Always gives an honest try.
SHOW – ACCLIMATE was scratched from Wednesday’s finale, a race his entrymate won. Finished just behind Bill Place when they last met in mid-May.

RACE 5
WIN – Spent an inordinate amount of time with this race, only to come up with morning-line choice SURVIVED. On paper, she is simply faster than these, and takes a meaningful drop in class for Contessa and Velazquez – a pairing you don’t often see. Wanted to go elsewhere, but just couldn’t decide where.
PLACE – SPIRITED SEACAT ships in from Calder for Henry Collazo, yet attracts Desormeaux. Could arrive late on the scene and surprise.
SHOW – INTER GALACTIC is a tough read as she returned from a six-month break to win going shorter in May, but went right back on the shelf. Dangerous if able to return in that form. If run on Main Track: 1. Fort Carillon; 2. Winning Move entry; 3. Reyana’s Jet.

RACE 6
WIN – WAR ECHO debuts for Asmussen and Bridgmohan, and like the fact that this girl has been with the main stable throughout, training at Keeneland, then Churchill and now here. Worked a strong five-eighths over one month ago, suggesting she should be plenty ready.
PLACE – PEARL OF VALOR will be overbet after checking in behind eventual Schuylerville winner Jardin in her debut. Tough to ignore, and best of those with experience.
SHOW – RIDE WITH THE HERD closed willingly through a pokey final furlong in her debut downstate, although a local half-mile drill suggests impending improvement.

RACE 7
WIN – DOSE OF REALITY has steadily improved, and now stretches back out to the distance at which she scored to end her juvenile campaign. Should move forward off the useful comeback race.
PLACE – BELLA ATTRICE won over this course last summer, and notched her only other career win with Desormeaux up three starts back. Gets the best of both worlds today.
SHOW – FAST LEARNER jumped up and looked good versus cheaper last out. Both career wins have come over firm turf. If run on Main Track: 1. Hanginonaprayer; 2. Ommadon’s Frenzy; 3. Madam Commander.

RACE 8
WIN – PRETTY CARINA showed enough promise in her debut last fall to warrant the call today. No worries about the recent pedestrian work as Frankel-runner Loving Vindication showed something similar before romping here on Thursday.
PLACE – DISPERSE was clearly second-best in her only prior start while making a nice move around horses off the turn. Wilkes runners typically fare better after getting a race.
SHOW – Love the training pattern on COURTING ELAINE, and expect her to give a good showing despite the fact debuting juveniles is not the strongest part of Levine’s game.

RACE 9
WIN – While Zito will saddle his stakes-winning 3-year-old 33 minutes later, CHRIS GOT EVEN is getting very good and may also prove a legitimate runner for the Travers. Stalked a 9/5 front-runner in his last before disposing of him easily.
PLACE – MAMBO IN SEATTLE is the main danger for Howard. A winner of his last two, he has been pointed to this since with the intentions of prepping for Aug. 23.
SHOW – COSMIC closed like a wild horse when debuting on the turf here last year. Back on dirt, he will be finishing well, but needs to really step up to best the top pair.

RACE 10
WIN – Traditional prep for the Mid-Summer Derby, PYRO looked like his old self in the Northern Dancer, winning comfortably while not being shaken up till late. Needs Da’ Tara to keep Mint Lane occupied early.
PLACE – Should Da’ Tara opt to rate, MINT LANE could assume command early. Clearly stepped up in his last three, but will his high cruising velocity prove as effective at the Spa as it has been up the eternal backside of Belmont?
SHOW – DA’ TARA won’t have things his own way on the front end like he did in the Belmont, and considering both wins have come in gate-to-wire fashion, he will need to show a new dimension to pass this test.

RACE 11
WIN – GIVEITYOURBESTSHOT takes a hefty plunge from allowance company to restricted claimers in a wide-open finale. Just missed here last summer.
PLACE – INTUITION MAGIC has plenty of early zip, and will be a force if able to produce the same type of performance as he did last summer.
SHOW – THE ZIPSTER is back in the Linda Rice barn in a turf sprint, so he merits respect. UNBRIDLED REFRAIN ran down similar two back and can charge late for the exotics. If run on Main Track: 1. Intuition Magic; 2. Come Close; 3. Vaunt.

BEST BET
City Roar (Race 3)