5-4-1-6
#5 Watch me shine (9-5) has already crossed the wire first. She did this two starts ago with an impressive score of 77, but was disqualified for causing disruption in the course. She has had some time off since finishing in third place behind a runaway winner on opening weekend. Yedsit Hazlewood, who rode her in that double-backed effort, gets back on board. #4 Yau Majesty (8-1) was of little consequence after a final break of 156 days, but did run a 69, the best final mark at any point. She will try to take a step forward in a largely uninspired company. #1 Image of grace (9-2) improved ten points to a 68-second timeout in the final out of Gulfstream Park. She has had one local workout since joining Todd Beattie’s barn about a month ago, having previously raced for Riley Mott. She has a high ceiling and has a great chance of making her local debut, albeit at a possibly too low price.
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RACE 5: CLAIMING $12,500 (N/W3L), 4 year olds and up, 5 1/2 furlongs
4-2-3-5
#4 Ecumencial (5-2) eliminated his two-condition non-winners last, beating longshot leader D Hopper to win as the 3-2 choice. He has shown that he can run well both on and off pace. At its best, #2 City Panda (9-2) has a strong finishing punch that is difficult to keep off if he can stay close to the pace. However, he has been slowly broken in his last few races, and he needs to get away better to beat this one. #3 World on fire (5-1) easily defeated Ecumenical two starts ago and are looking for a rebound after a flat effort following a wide trip last out.
RACE 6: CLAIM $7,500, 4 year olds and up, 1 1/16 MILES
4-5-6-1
#4 Catatumbo (6-1) And #5 Mystical curling (5-2) dead-heated for the penultimate out in a similar field. Catatumbo closed well in the middle of the track, while Mistical Curlin rode the rail during his rally. That’s why I’m giving Catatumbo a slight edge, but both deserve respect in a wide open race. #6 Be better (5-1) engineered a ground-saving trip of his own to finish second-to-last against States United, who returned yesterday to finish third against Better. He has plenty of back class and great late pace numbers, so he will be heard from if he can save some ground.
RACE 7: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIM (N/W2X), 4 YEARS AND OLDER, 1 1/8 MILES
3-2-7-5
As long as #3 Certified Loverboy (1-1) gets an undisputed lead, he is almost impossible to beat. He showed off his speed and crossed the wire in the first two starts, but was disqualified due to gate interference. Finally, against a better field, he was forced to perform faster fractions and retained third place. Indy Charges On, who won that race, came back Friday to finish second in a third-tier race. He has by far the dominant speed in this race, so he should get his ideal ride. #2 Hagrid’s Flame (3-1) showed little in his last two out-of-town starts but won in these conditions at this track in mid-November and is reunited with Martin Chuan for his local return. #7 Make the promise (6-1) was in sharp form at Penn National last spring and has shown he can run well from moderate fractions. The resignation is the biggest question; he hasn’t raced in 247 days.
RACE 8: GIRL CLAIMING $12,500, 4-6 YEARS, FIRMS AND MARIES, 1 1/16 MILES
2-1-3-4
#2 Tea Rose (3-1) has had a lot of chances and hasn’t capitalized, but has made a big second start in her last two-turn start. She will stretch six furlongs in her second race after a 49-day break. #1 Zen dreams (1-2) has been winning for shares in her last few starts, including a third last out at Parx, where she ran the best final mark of the race, a 56. However, she will have to stay closer to the pace than normal to pose a serious threat, and based on her morning line, she almost certainly won’t be leaving for a bet. #3 Herb Girl (9-2) ran close to the pace at Penn National last and finished third behind Mega Charger, who came back to win as the favorite at that track last Friday. This one might be able to take control of a largely tempoless affair.
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