Check out our race-by-race verdicts and nap selection for Tuesday's meeting at Will Rogers Downs.
Race 1 - 19.15
DELTA SURPRISE has been well beaten at Oaklawn in three starts this year but drops in class today and this is a pretty weak contest. He may prove good enough ahead of Shawn Again, who finished in front of Okie Buck, Gruffandtough and Sazerac Remedy when runner-up on a sloppy track here last month though still failed to trouble the winner. Oklahoma City is a newcomer to note.
Race 2 - 19.45
It was a muddy track when Honest N Lucky scored here last month and connections will be hoping for similar underfoot conditions. Right On By could bounce back at anytime representing the meets leading yard and Sidepocket Bet has a shout if rediscovering her best. But DIAMOND LEGACY also has the past form to go close and with a recent outing in a much tougher contest here under her belt, she gets a tentative vote.
Race 3 - 20.15
Morhawk’s placed efforts in allowance company at Houston came on Turf and he’s yet to score on the main track. SEDARIS is preferred given he went close over track and trip last time with Big Game Hunter and Dak Da Man behind and is taken to go one better in this. The latter is capable of better though hard to predict and Lord Stratton has a bit to find with a couple of the above.
Race 4 - 20.45
Abstract Paynter finished in the money here recently but has had 21 starts without success so far and was behind runner-up Concrete Finisher last time. Both finished ahead of EVIE’S PRINCE (NAP) but the latter was making his racecourse debut and with improvement likely representing Robertino Diodoro’s leading yard, the Animal Kingdom colt gets the vote. Danzig River and stablemate Gone Dancing have more to find if they are to figure.
Race 5 - 21.15
Several have been competing in allowance races and drop in class including Cairo King though the latter’s best efforts have been on Turf so far. Its Yes returned a losing favourite at Mahoning Valley last time and is preferred to Sonic Jet and the recent maiden winners Don’t Tell Nobody and Native River but SHELL FIRE makes most appeal. He could have been luckier with the draw today but was beaten less than a length at Houston the last time he raced in a claimer and a bold bid is expected.
Race 6 - 21.45
Burbach finished runner-up here when dropped down to this level last month but had earlier finished behind WOODS OF CONGAREE in a more valuable maiden race. The latter tries his luck at this lower level today and may prove the one to side with. Poppy’s Oats was placed at Houston earlier in the year though a wide draw has done him no favours while In The Nic Of Time hasn’t raced since last summer though has placed here before.
Race 7 - 22.15
Lady Laura has placed in tougher maiden races than this at Houston but drops down to 6f for the first time today and has a wide draw to contend with. QUICK CALISIA is preferred as she found only one too good in both starts here last month and may prove good enough on this occasion with any further progress. Hallies Dream showed a big improvement last time having finished behind the selection on her earlier debut while Pussycat Pussycat is a newcomer worthy of a second glance for Scott Young’s yard.
Race 8 - 22.45
Box Seat finished runner-up on his first visit to this venue and has a shout. He finished in front of Whiskey Factor on that occasion, who was beaten further by Just Ask Joel at Houston before that. But the latter has an unfavourable draw today and stable companion TAPSOLUTION is preferred. Steve Asmussen’s colt never threatened when fourth at Houston on his debut but that was in a 50K maiden race and he should find life easier at this lower level with normal progress.
Race 9 - 23.15
Sugoi’s maiden success at Turf Paradise came in a tougher contest than March West won here last month. Lindante won an optional claimer here earlier in the month though Gospel Abe was less than a length behind while Mr Midtown is another successful in claiming company last time though stablemate MOMMA’S BABY BOY has the stronger form. The latter won at Del Mar in November before finishing runner-up in an allowance race at Houston on his reappearance and can go one better in this. Kirk Of Diamonds also has the form to figure at this level though has to overcome an outside draw.
Race 10 - 23.45
Oh No Wata and Hushed arrive on the back of success in maiden company but Letter Rip was beaten only a neck in this grade when clear of Who's Fooling Who with Whimsical Tale further behind. The latter’s stable companion NURSE LIST has to contend with a wide draw but was beaten only a length on her claiming debut and Floyd Wethey’s presence suggests she’s the yard’s first choice. Keanna finished well behind the selection last time though will be sharper for the outing.
