RACE 1
WIN – Kick off the closing day card on the turf. BARTLETTS ran entirely too well to lose last out, forcing the issue into a quick pace over boggy going, and after winning that early battle, was just nailed in the last jump. Cuts back a sixteenth.
PLACE – COUNTERSPY found traffic right out of the gate, but did manage to improve his position slightly after that last out. Drops in for a tag for The Chief.
SHOW – ALL THE WAY HOME ran a career best in his only other time on grass, so a big effort is possible at big odds. Duggan has enjoyed a wonderful meet.

RACE 2
WIN – Would use several in multi-race plays, but give top billing to TAXADAME, who debuts for Galluscio. Works are strong, she attracts Prado, and like the fact she was cross-entered in the Lady Fingers Stakes at the Flakes today.
PLACE – GEM FOR HOOK chased the promising Mother Russia throughout in mid-August. After a slow start, Kimmel has caught fire.
SHOW – VINTAGE TOUGH ships in from Finger Lakes for high-percentage outfit, and the recent works at longer than today’s distance have been sensational. BY THE SKY has been working well for Tagg.

RACE 3
WIN – Thought DISCREET TREASURE raced very well in defeat last out. Dr. Pleasure ran huge that day, and this guy was only trying two turns for the first time. Potential remains very high for this sibling to Discreet Cat.
PLACE – TEND came back in his 3-year-old return and ran faster than he had at age 2, a very good sign. Looms the biggest threat.
SHOW – STEVIL rides a 7-race losing skid into this, and now sheds blinkers in hopes of a form-reversal. Eligible to complete exotics, but don’t like him anywhere near as much as top pair.

RACE 4
WIN – Very contentious state-bred affair. Willing to excuse STUNT MAN from his last as he was brought back on short rest. Last year’s Albany winner is capable of better.
PLACE – JOHNIE BYE NIGHT is extremely dangerous in this spot as seemingly the lone speed. His only prior tries at this distance were a win and runner-up finish to Funny Cide.
SHOW – STUD MUFFIN didn’t get the best trip in the Solomon Northrup from Prado, yet still battled well for second, just behind the razor-sharp DR. D. F. C., who was scratched from the Woodward for this. Good choice.

RACE 5
WIN – Didn’t have any strong feeling in this turf sprint, so went with Linda Rice and OFCR. SHEILA T REX. Has produced her two best efforts in her two latest outings. Entry gets even stronger if SWEET BAMA BREEZE draws in.
PLACE – LEADER OF THE LITE is intriguing as the works are sharp for the debut, and Ken Streicher (1-for-28 here the last five years) has convinced Johnny V. to ride.
SHOW – MEESE ROCKS drew the tough rail post for the debut, yet still held well for fourth. Logical contender.

RACE 6
WIN – COBBLESTONE WAY raced well when tackling the boys last out, beaten less than a length. Should have things her own way on the front end here, and will be tough to catch.
PLACE – MEGA has improved dramatically in all three starts, and although last was washed to the main track, she dominated. Back on intended surface today for Pletcher.
SHOW – WHIRLING AGATHA, off a win in her latest, gets a rider switch from Sanchez to Cornelio. Big-time long shot threat to spice up the trifectas.

RACE 7
WIN – BAR CITY looked like a horse that needed a race when she wilted in the final furlong here on Aug. 2. Training superbly since, and should move forward.
PLACE – IRON CURTAIN encountered traffic trouble in his last, but usually does find ways to lose. Will be right there, and if Velazquez can work out a clean trip from the hedge, no reason he can’t make amends.
SHOW – DON’T FOOLI HOULI chased Unity in his last, and eventually overtook that rival while fending off late challenges from the closers. Like the rider switch today.

RACE 8
WIN – DYNAFORCE has lost heart-breaking close races to Mauralakana and Forever Together in her last two, but at this distance and versus a weaker group, should score and provide some consolation to Bill Mott for a tough meet.
PLACE – HOSTESS was considered for the Sword Dancer, but opted against when the turf came up soft. Finished in close attendance to the top pick in the New York.
SHOW – Big gap between the top pair and the rest, but will give PALMILLA a look as she upset last year’s winner of this race Rosinka in the RG Dick.

RACE 9
WIN – Incredibly tough race as the top contenders all return from lengthy layoffs. Garcia opted to stay here to ride for his jockey title, and in opting off a McLaughlin runner, assume that STEEL LIGHT is sitting on ‘go’ for Clement.
PLACE – Like the top pick, ENGLISH COLONY has been away since September. Won here last summer, and is a perfect 4-for-4 at distance under one mile.
SHOW – RALLYING CRY has a recency edge on the top pair, and just missed in a similar spot at Belmont two starts back.

RACE 10
WIN – DESERT PARTY showed he can overcome some traffic and race inside when he was able to spurt through a narrow opening along the rail and win the Sanford early in the meet. Imagine the added ground will be to his advantage.
PLACE – MUNNINGS ran well in winning his career debut, although with a price tag of $1.7 million, these are the races he was bought to win. World of potential, but does face winners for the first time.
SHOW – COGNITO is a big gray that got hooked in four-pronged duel for the lead into the far turn on Opening Day, but managed to kick away and hold sway through the lane. Should appreciate drawing off the rail this time.

RACE 11
WIN – In the meet finale, SKYWIRE returns from a break for new connections while in for a tag for the first time. Debut effort wasn’t bad, and Weaver horses ran well this meet.
PLACE – PAISANO CREEK has been away since December, although Clement is good with these types.
SHOW – BUDDHA POWER goes out for Chad Brown, who took the first race of the meet and now has a chance to add the last. JUST A WARNING could cap the super.

BEST BET
Discreet Treasure (Race 3)