RACE 4: CLAIM $7,500 (CONDITIONED), 3 YEARS AND OVER, 1 MILE
6-1A-8-2
#6 B Die (7-2) makes his first start for Hugh McMahon and his first start since the 4th of July (after recently being sick and recently being a “steward”). He ends up in class with the higher benefit company, but couldn’t make a dent against them, and should be much better off against these types. Yedsit Hazlewood, who is winning at an absurd 28% clip throughout the meet, gets the mount. #1A Mr. Hustle (3-2) has hit the board in each of his five starts since being claimed by Jamie Ness in mid-June, but has won just once in that period. He won his only start by completing a one-corner mile here in February 2023, and has a late punch that should take full advantage of the long stretch. #8 Passionate (5-1) drops in class and changes surfaces after a few grass attempts. He should be on the early pace and has shown he can fend off challenges on a one-turn mile both here and at Colonial.
RACE 5: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $16,000, 3 year olds and up, 1 1/16 MILES (GRAS)
4-10-2-13
#4 Dr. Hyde (2-1) ran a huge race first after Brittany Russell’s claim for last. He was sent off here as the slight favorite in a similar field, but gobbled up ground at a slow pace and narrowly missed out behind a gate-to-wire winner. He should run a bigger race at a better pace, which would make him hard to beat. #10 Othanite (15-1) won two in a row at today’s distance, then stretched to 1.5 miles against the better final out and faded after the pace was set. He should find today’s distance, field and pace scenario more acceptable. #2 Captain Dusty (9-2) came fifth behind Dr. Hyde last in his first start since joining Mike Trombetta. He and Dr. Hyde are the only two in the field to have run at least a 78 in each of their last three races.
RACE 6: GIRL CLAIMING $25,000, 2 YEAR OLDS, FIRMS, 6 FURLONGS
8-5-1-2
#8 Royalties Wealth (3-1) returns for a tag after showing little in her last two races against the first special weights. She just missed her first two attempts against this type, with a much better effort in the second time out. #5 Charming Princess (6-1) improved ten points to 67 in second place, pushing the pace to stay second behind the impressive Russell-trained winner Noble Status. She exhausted the early leader, but could not stop Noble Status’ attack. It remains at the $25,000 level today and should have another good run. #1 Pinky Zweer (30-1) closed decently for third on Timonium’s final out. She’s been working well since then and we’ll see how her kick plays on the bigger circuit.
RACE 7: SPECIAL WEIGHT GIRL, 2-YEAR-OLD, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)
4-12-14-10
Graham Motion has two new starters here. #4 You have to do it right (7-2) seems the better of the pair. He has a grass pedigree; Three of his half-siblings won or placed in races on grass. Motion named Jorge Ruiz on this, a telltale sign of who he thinks is the best. #12 Sargent (30-1) is the second promising scoop of the day for Madison Meyers. Weston Hamilton is in the saddle; they teamed up to win on October 4 with a two-year starter. #14 Smart Charlie (5-2) went away as favorite on his grass debut during the Meadowlands final out. He paced and finished third behind a New York shipper who went from gate to wire. He will try to set the pace from the outside.
RACE 8: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $25,000, 3 YEARS AND MORE, 6 FURLONGS
6-8-4-1
#6 Outdoor cat (8-5) was impressive on his local debut at this level last, going off the pace and kicking away to take as much of the best as possible. He faces a tougher field than he faced last time, but a repeat of that effort wins this out. #8 Mr. Bogan (3-1) has finished second in his first two starts since being claimed by Jamie Ness, including a close final out when he came onto the rail and lost by a nose. #4 Joe the Jet (10-1) was an easy gate-to-wire winner in these conditions on June 8 and now makes his first start after a four-month layoff. He has put up some big numbers in his short career and will struggle when he has his best race after such a long break.
RACE 9: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 3 year olds and up, 1 1/16 MILES (GRAS)
6-1-2-9
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