BEST BET:  BIG MAMBA – RACE 1

LONGSHOT – HARPER PM – RACE 10

 

RACE 1- 5 fur maiden optional

2-6-1-3

2 – BIG MAMBA – From the Francine Villeneuve stable that won  3 of first 4 of its starters in 2018 and was 11 for 37 (30%) during the year. Filly had chasing speed in key race first time out in November.

6 – BROOKIES BEAR – Blinkers on and sizzling workout on April 13 (47 2/5 breezing) for stable that can get one ready. Bred for the short distance.

1 – FOREST LASS – one of several older maidens in the field. Returns to former trainer Mike DePaulo and she is okay at 5 furlongs. Shows sharp prep times.

 

RACE 2- 5 fur. maiden claiming

3-4-2-5

3 – SOUPER WARRIOR – Slight nod to this 4yo who was winter raced like so many others. Trainer Gerry Brooks went 2 for 6 at Woodbine last fall.

4 VAUGHAN – He’s now 5-years-old but was doing well in Florida at short distances. He might just break through for John mattine and RCC Racing on opening day.

2 MIRIAM’S SKY – Bit of a flyer as a first time gelding, blinkers on; quick prep in Marc to begin his training this spring.

 

RACE 3-  5 1/2 fur.; allowance

2-4-1-5

2 FAST NEGOTIATIONS – He improved beautifully late last year for Robert Tiller and the Entourage Stable. Brings fast workout times and a winning streak in.

4 – MALIBU SECRET – We find Eurico da Silva on board this gelding who showed promise through his 3 and 4-year-old campaign but he has had trouble getting that 2nd win. Trained all winter at Sam-Son Farm in Ocala.

1 – UNDERCOVER CAT – Wow, he went 5 for 5 at Mahoning Valley on the dirt and is 6 for 12 on that surface overall. He’s an honest fellow and handles the Tapeta okay too.

 

RACE 4- 5 fu./3yo fillies, optional claiming

5-2-4-9

5 – NEVER SOBER – Hard trying filly is 5-1-3-1 in her career and ended her 2yo season on a high note. From the leading stable of 2018, Norm McKnight.

2 – FARFALLA – Winter raced and she won her maiden at this distance before she went to Florida. She is quick.

4 H IS JUST A NUMBER – Won her debut handily and is working quickly for Hall of Famer Robert Tiller.

 

RACE 5- 5 fur. maiden claiming

5-3-2-8

5 – FOREST FAIRY – Experienced filly had four top three placings at 2 and showed enough to be considered in this wide open race.

3 – MAGICAL JUSTICE – She is one of several in town for trainer Abby Larimer. Blinkers on and cuts back from 1 mile dirt races at Mahoning Valley. in her Jan. 2 debut she was 13 lengths clear of the 3rd horse and the winner that day has won a bunch of races since then.

2 MARY OF SCOTTS – Paul Buttigieg filly showed quickness 2nd time out in her career (November) and has to be considered a top three contender.

For the superfecta – DOUBLE CROSSED adds blinkers and comes from the Zelko Krcmar barn that had a career year in 2018 – 12 for 79.

 

RACE 6 – 5 fur., maiden allowance

6-8-5-4

6 – MISS BOBBIT – Had some racing practice in the Coward Trophy race at Aiken in March, showing good speed in a dash won by the good filly Roansmoke from Mike Keogh’s barn. Be interesting to see if she takes some betting support.

8 –LADY GRACE – $300,000 purchase has been 2nd as the favourite 3 times in her last 4 races; first try on Tapeta and she worked quickly on the surface Apr. 11.

5 MISS BEHAVE – Another first timer and she is by City Zip, has lured Eurico da Silva and she worked quickly at Keeneland on the 13th.

 

RACE 7 – 7 furlongs; starter

2-3-4-1

2 DON’T BE SO SALTY – He won the Display Stakes here 4 years ago and is 7 for 12 on an all weather track. In the care of his 8th trainer and he is speedy.

3 EMINENT FORCE – Hard trying 9-year-old is 2 for 4 at the distance, he is winter raced and dipping in class.

4 BOLD RALLY – Old timer is off the Kevin Attard claim and he likes all weather surfaces. He also worked quickly on Tapeta on the 13th. Winter raced but has to hurry.

 

RACE 8 – WHIMSICAL STAKES – GRADE 3

5-4-1-2

5-SHAKOPEE TOWN – It is her first try on Tapeta but she is an improving filly who had a barn burning workout at Woodbine on April 13 – 46 3/5 was fastest of 100 horses who worked that day at the distance.

4 – SLY BEAUTY – Long absence before recent, troubled run at Gulfstream. Won the Star Shoot Stakes last May here with Da Silva and is a very strong contender.

1- ALINAH – She is quick and trained in Florida over the winter. Must avoid duel with Tarawa.

 

RACE 9 – 5 fur.; allowance

1-6-2-5

1 – JACKS ESCARPMENT – Seven times he has raced against the mighty Pink Lloyd in his last 12 starts. Has changed trainers again and he wintered in Florida. Not sure about 5 furlongs but he is as good or better than these.

6 – CIRCLE OF FRIENDS – Hard working guy ran a career best 99 Beyer Figure last year but he was nabbed late by Pink Lloyd, his tough stablemate. He had an amazing season last year without winning.

2 – SPEIGHT SWIFTLY – Impeccably bred, $500,000 purchase but a 6-year-old with just 7 races. He did okay in his lone Woodbine race on tapeta. Offered for claiming for the first time.

 

RACE 10 – 5 fur.; optional claiming

4-2-8-3

4 – HARPER P.M. – Reaching a bit for today’s longshot selection but he was unlucky not to win at least 2 other races last year. He won 1st time out on the season in 2018, can go 44 and change for half a mile if needed.

2 – WATER POLO – He is a 50% in the money fellow who has had a deserved winter vacation. He likes short distances and is working quickly.

8 – STOLEN IDENTITY and 3 CRAWL FROM THE BAR are the quick guys. The former was winter trained and lures Da Silva while appearing to be a delicate type. The latter is from the Norm McKnight barn.