Mike's Race Analysis May 31, 2008

Race #1

1st - #5 Outofthesale | 2nd - #7 Woombroom Express | 3rd - #4 Laurel's Gold

COMMENTARY : The #5 OUTOFTHESALE surfaces here at Hastings at a reduced level after competing with far better in California; he's been fast in the a.m. but does seem to need recovery time in between workouts. He obviously isn't going as well as he was last year but he should still be good enough to dust off this bunch. The #7 WOOMBROOM EXPRESS has been given some tough assignments since breaking his maiden last August and should improve today as he gets a little class relief and Lasix for the first time. The #4 LAUREL'S GOLD was in tight at a couple of different points in his return to the races and come home an unlucky third place finisher; he's back in with a tad pricier but with his own age and I think he fits nicely in here and if the top one isn't a monster then he can win this dash.

Race #2

1st - #6 Sidaway | 2nd - #4 J D's Carson Copy | 3rd - #1 Entry

COMMENTARY : The #6 SIDAWAY isn't holding the strongest form of late but at this longer trip I give him a big chance; he has a fitness edge on them and if he breaks reasonably well he could be sitting right close to a slow pace so I like him to turn things around this afternoon. The #4 J D'S CARSON COPY is a better horse going a mile and a sixteenth and with a sprint run in him he should be ready for a good effort today. The #1 KING'S CAUSEWAY looks like the strong half of the #1 Entry and if apprentice Jason Pang can get him to flash the same kind of speed he showed in NoCal then he could be tough to catch; likely favourite so there'll probably be no value.

Race #3

1st - #5 Diamond Quest | 2nd - #4 Saratoga Attire | 3rd - #6 La Bikina

COMMENTARY : The #5 DIAMOND QUEST ran better than the form indicates in his debut; he was impeded on the rail going into the turn and checked and once a horse checks at this short trip it's almost impossible to recover; he's drawn outside so we could see him run to those very quick morning trials. The #4 SARATOGA ATTIRE had every shot to win his debut but was reeled in late in an average final time; he's the one to catch and a repeat performance could get him the money. The #6 LA BIKINA has some strong morning trials and is by a speed sire so she could be 'live' in her debut.

Race #4

1st - #5 Beautiful Breeze | 2nd - #4 Annie Laurie | 3rd - #1 Latina Look

COMMENTARY : The #5 BEAUTIFUL BREEZE ran extremely well to run third in her first start of the year which was against the boys; she gets in with the fillies today and likely just needs a similar effort to get the money. The #4 ANNIE LAURIE has two good runs with tougher competition this year and is the main threat to my top pick. The #1 LATINA LOOK didn't get the best of trips in her first run so with leading rider jumping on board and a decent work things could turn around for her.

Race #5

1st - #9 Lennylooksgood | 2nd - #7 Rainbow Dash | 3rd - #8 Buckarulmann

COMMENTARY : The #9 LENNYLOOKSGOOD exits a tough heat in which he finished fifth and was claimed; he'll add blinkers for his new connections and more importantly gets in with a far easier group of $8,000 maidens so I expect a good result today. The #7 RAINBOW DASH disappointed as the 4/5 favourite last time but broke awkwardly which cost him early position; better start should bring a better finish. The #8 BUCKARULMANN had some trouble on the final turn and would've been right there for the win with a clear trip on the rail so he fits with these as well.

Race #6

1st - #3 Lasting Friend | 2nd - #2 Lady Vitesse | 3rd - #6 Big Deal Lucille

COMMENTARY : The #3 LASTING FRIEND ran reasonably well with pricier non-two's and is bred to like the extra ground that is being offered today. This race didn't come up all that tough so I think she'll be a major factor. The #2 LADY VITESSE cruised to an easy maiden win three weeks back and if she can handle this new distance then she'll be tough in this spot. The #6 BIG DEAL LUCILLE has yet to miss the board at this distance and could parlay her experience at this trip into a victory over a group that is made up primarily of fillies trying a mile and a sixteenth for the first time in their career.

Race #7

1st - #1 Cagey Fox | 2nd - #3 Fisherman's Friend | 3rd - #5 Perignon

COMMENTARY : The #1 CAGEY FOX is reunited with the rider (Fernando Perez) that seems to get along with him best which is a big key with a temperamental horse like him. He's much better at this longer trip and should improve a lot today. The #3 FISHERMAN'S FRIEND might get to set a sensible pace in this heat and if the fractions are favourable for him he could lead them all the way. The #5 PERIGNON was far better in his second start after a big layoff getting third money; his record shows that he is better at this distance so he deserves respect as well. TOUGH RACE !! Take a few in the PICK-4.

Race #8

1st - #8 Lecturing Lynn | 2nd - #7 Infinite Wealth | 3rd - #4 Heaven On Hold

COMMENTARY : The #8 LECTURING LYNN was very impressive in her '08 debut winning in an excellent time (1:11.40) and looks like a filly that will be in stakes races soon after running through her allowance conditions. The #7 INFINITE WEALTH is back in at the same level where she won at 25-1 after a try with Dancing Allstar in the $53,000 Emerald Downs Stakes. The #4 HEAVEN ON HOLD is a newcomer that has good connections although she was a scratch here two weeks ago when entered for $75,000; her speed makes her a strong threat.

Race #9

1st - #6 Holy Nova | 2nd - #7 Yoorock Gal | 3rd - #3 Pat of Gold

COMMENTARY : The #6 HOLY NOVA is strictly the one to beat off of her comfortable score in the $50,000 Brighouse Belles last time out; her competition is similar and actually gets a better post for her style so she should be even better today. The #7 YOOROCK GAL got hung out wide on the first turn in her last but if she can clear early she'll be a much tougher opponent as she's easier to ride (tends to lug in) when she gets to the rail. The #3 PAT OF GOLD is once again teamed up with Alvarado who was in the saddle for both of her wins last year; Triactor threat.

Race #10

1st - #9 K P Timber | 2nd - #3 Cielo's Lad | 3rd - #2 Montello

COMMENTARY : The #9 K P TIMBER blew the start (four lengths) and then rushed up four wide and cruised to a big win in a very fast time; he hasn't been given a much tougher test so he has a good shot of repeating. The #3 CIELO'S LAD turned in a big effort at long odds in his latest and if he can shake loose early he could get the job done. The #2 MONTELLO has been in decent form so far this year and is reunited with Wilson who was aboard for both of his victories last year.

GOOD LUCK TO ALL AND HAVE A GREAT DAY !!