RACE 1
WIN – BE CERTAIN arrives on a two-race win streak after taking a graded jump in his latest. Must pick up a few pounds off that effort, and this distance may be a tad short, but looks to be best for Voss/Whelan combo that took Wednesday’s ‘chase.
PLACE – BEE CHARMER unseated the rider early in his first attempt over the jumps, but returned to crush overmatched maidens by 20 lengths most recently. Faces winners for the first time.
SHOW – DR. BLOOMER ran fourth in this exact spot last year, so he does hold the advantage of having raced here before. Likely to be in front over the early fences.

RACE 2
WIN – Can’t overstate the importance of racing experience, and VALIANCY should improve significantly off a career debut in which he was slow into stride, advanced nicely along the inside around the turn, and then finished in full flight to gain second.
PLACE – TAPIT’S BREW sold for $280K earlier this year, and while McLaughlin runners typically require a race, they have been faring better first-out of late.
SHOW – KEEP’EM MOVIN DAN brought a healthy auction price here last summer, and has been training locally all year. Pletcher runners usually show a 5-furlong breeze further in advance than this guy does, so might not be fully cranked.

RACE 3
WIN – HATTA FORT was away last, but put in a good late run into a moderate pace to just miss in his last. Poised to improve and loom a menacing presence from the outside.
PLACE – REDEFINED actually nosed out the top choice most recently, but has yet to run well over the Spa turf with just a single third-place finish to show from four appearances.
SHOW – SIPHON THE KITTY ships in from Delaware and no doubt faces better, but has yet to finish off the board. If run on Main Track: 1. El Bandido Rojo; 2. Drift King; 3. Siphon the Kitty.

RACE 4
WIN – Wide-open affair as several appear well matched. KEY TRIP was favored versus better downstate in her last, and faded late while forcing a hot pace going seven furlongs. Takes a slight drop and a wise cut back.
PLACE – ISN’T THAT SPECIAL was likewise defeated as the chalk last out, and certainly figures in the mix. Likely to have pressure to her outside from Key Trip throughout.
SHOW – LOVELY WILDCAT adds blinkers after chasing home the second choice, and while she seems a cut below the top pair, she has hit the board in 5 of 6 starts, so likely to collect a check.

RACE 5
WIN – In a race where the favorite may be vulnerable, getting close to 6-1 on a pair of Linda Rice turf sprinters seems the more appealing way to go. BARBARA’SLUCKYSTAR showed much better early speed in her last, and OFCR. SHEILA T REX has been away since January.
PLACE – BETTER THAN SWISS has had absolutely no excuse in her last couple. Maybe the turn back to a sprint will help, but she just hasn’t shown any desire to win.
SHOW – LAURENS GO GO made a move to the front before tiring in her debut. That effort came just about one year ago, although she does show three works in the last nine days. If run on Main Track: 1. Galluscio entry; 2. Spa Princess; 3. Better Than Swiss.

RACE 6
WIN – STORMING OFF will be heavily backed at the windows from his 4/5 morning line as he exits a rousing allowance victory at Monmouth, and now drops in for a tag. Pletcher wins with 34 percent of his claimers, so tough to look past.
PLACE – Value will need to come in the exotics, and GALAXY TAX could prove the key. Was up against it in his last as the pace was slow to develop, but should receive a better setup today.
SHOW – OLDHAM rallied for second versus $50K claimers at Churchill in his last, making him a logical contender versus these. If run on Main Track: 1. Storming Off; 2. Oldham; 3. Contessa entry.

RACE 7
WIN – BROKERAGE HOUSE was taken out of his game by pedestrian fractions at Delaware Park most recently. Now third off the layoff and facing weaker, looks to be in a good spot with Prado.
PLACE – On paper, TRANSIT OF VENUS appears the one to beat after encountering traffic trouble in a narrow loss two back, and then cruising to victory under mild encouragement most recently at this level. Post could prove an inconvenience.
SHOW – ENCINAS didn’t impress in a trio of starts in this country last year, but this will be a much easier spot, and a strong breeze in early July suggests a rebound effort off the bench. If run on Main Track: 1. Irish Majesty; 2. Approved by Dylan; 3. Maker entry.

RACE 8
WIN – Trifecta looks to be loaded all towards the inside. LATEST SCOOP tried two turns on dirt at Churchill last fall, and found Haskell runner Cool Coal Man as she took on the boys. Set a vicious pace in her last, and from an inside post here, should open daylight early. If Leparoux can get her to relax, could be difficult to reel in.
PLACE – PIOUS ASHLEY wilted through the lane in the muddy Black Eyed Susan when last seen, so this entry-level allowance condition is a better fit.
SHOW – VANQUISHED has had her three races spaced out, but looked good when in complete command at odds-on in late June. Daughter of Empire Maker should have no worries about the distance.

RACE 9
WIN – Gotta love a horse that knows how to win, and FEROCIOUS FIRES certainly fits this bill having won 6 of 7 lifetime (one coming via DQ). Made his seasonal debut on turf – a popular angle for A. Dutrow – and should move forward.
PLACE – MARKET PSYCHOLOGY will be dictating the tempo, and fought hard when second to Stormin Normandy (won here Opening Day) last out. Broke maiden here last summer at first asking.
SHOW – STUNT MAN likely wants a shade farther having won the Albany here at nine furlongs. Will be closing late, and would certainly benefit from a battle early by the top pair.

RACE 10
WIN – Plenty of pace here, and LOGIC WAY figures to settle nicely in the second flight. Has produced a pair of solid showings since coming to Dutrow to begin the year.
PLACE – HANGINGBYATHREAD bested weaker last out, although wouldn’t be shocked to see another good effort. Will save all the ground from the rail.
SHOW – ADMIRAL BIRD always finds ways to lose, although he has yet to finish worse than second from four Spa turf starts. AKEBONO to cap the super. If run on Main Track: 1. Strummer; 2. North Country; 3. Thunder Minister.

BEST BET
Hatta Fort (Race 3)

PICK 4 PLAYS
Early: 1,4,8 with 8 with 2,3 with 2,5,8
Late: 6,9 with 1,4 with 2,5 with 8