Daily Racing Form National Digital Edition
BELMONT AT THE BIG A
favoring track); back with Potts again off the claim looking for some pace to attack. COLONEL VARGO lost his undefeated Aqueduct record last time while making his first start off the claim, though he actually ran pretty well in that race while facing a much tougher field; good fit here, and his tactical speed plays.
SIXTH RACE
LA SALVADORENA made a very promising debut at Keeneland while finishing up well into a frontrunning winner after catching some traffic; outside post the main drawback. RISK THRESHOLD totally blew the start of his debut before doing well to get third; was much better from the gate in his second start, but pulled a bit on the lead and weakened late; figuring it out as he goes and cutting back might allow him to settle better in the early stages. IZZY SWEET GIRL rallied at a price to finish a gaining fourth behind three experienced rivals in the Gulfstream debut; chased a fast pace and weakened late as that race went to closers last time; can easily improve again.
SEVENTH RACE
SLAPINTHEFACE gained valuable experience while looking green throughout his career debut as a 2yo at the end of 2022; put that experience to use while improving as a 3yo, despite not always getting the best of trips; managed to avoid getting stopped along the inside in that 3yo finale and won easily over a troubled BETTRLUCKYTHANGOOD, but gives away recency to that one this time. BETTRLUCKYTHANGOOD did not get a great trip when third behind the top one last November; worked a clean rail trip off the layoff last time and won convincingly while showing off another strong finish; dangerous right back in his first start for the underrated Duggan. IMAGE OF QUALITY looked good while overcoming real trouble to win his debut on synthetic; has struggled to keep up with faster paces in his two turf starts sprinting and might appreciate stretching out for this, though he has a tough post to overcome.
EIGHTH RACE
BROWN DON’T STOP tried a wide run around the turn and flattened out late when behind a couple of these same rivals in that last one; prior efforts don’t stand out, but he was in tougher in those races; can make it closer with a better trip and will be a fair price. COOL OPERATOR has yet to race over fast dirt after four starts; earned a competitive figure while breaking through with class relief last time and was claimed. ERIC FROM MIAMI received needed class relief two back and won easily over MAMA’S DREAM while heavily favored; had an overall good trip at this level last time and was only second-best; looks like a contender right back.
NINTH RACE
BARNSTORMING COLLECT FROM IKE ICE ROAD