ANDALUSIAN: Hard knocking eight-year-old has enjoyed a nice season thus far, never failing to show up, no matter the surface. Note, faced slightly tougher in latest.
BAY OF WICKLOW: Finally broke through in ninth career start with a grassy maiden claiming win, then stepped up with a third-place finish in an allowance off-the-turfer at 19-1. Love what we’re seeing out of this guy right now.
BROWN DIRT COWBOY: Toss July 24 effort in the slop, and he’s run well at double-digits in his last three attempts. Nearly pulled it off at 10-1 in latest; the time to play is now.
CASH US NOW: Ran well to place third in a maiden claiming off-the-turfer in his debut, but never threatened when stepped up to a maiden special weight on grass. Get involved if back with maiden claimers.
SMART KIDDO: Three straight in-the-money finishes versus allowance company since switching hands for $16k. Nice claim.
SPEED ANGEL: Not a bad first attempt versus winners, finishing a well-beaten fourth at 14-1 after hitting the gate at the start. Should be able to build off that one.
4 STAR SPECIAL: MUSICAL ROMANCE: Clearly prefers racing on the green stuff, but still managed to hit the board in last two in rained-off affairs. Rain, rain go away…
LONGSHOT: DOUBLE HOLIDAY: Hard luck second at 22-1 while making only his second start of the season. Very playable versus $12.5k maiden claimers.
GOLDEN GATE
ADVANCE TICKET: Five straight second-place finishes, but by no means a bridesmaid. A solid win/place bet is a must.
COUSIN BRUNO: Was starting to figure it out late last season before hitting the sidelines. On the comeback trail for Steve Specht barn.
DEFEND LIBERTY: Back-to-back game second-place finishes after early speed duels. Hard not to like this lightly raced gelding.
FIRST TAKIN: Five respectable efforts at prices without getting his picture taken since kicking off his season in May. His time is coming.
SMART MOVER: Recent form is dismal, but may wake-up with a return to Golden Gate’s all-weather, the site of his runaway maiden win. Far from impossible.
SNUFFY SMITH: Capable of much better than he’s produced in his last two efforts. Can turn it around at a hefty number.
STATELY APPEAL: Has completed the trifecta in a pair of attempts since returning from the bench in August. Primed for best.
STRATE OFF THEBLOC: Just hasn’t looked the same in his last two tries over dirt surfaces at PLN. Gets back on track at Golden Gate for top barn.
VIA ZAVATA: Two solid efforts since resurfacing from October layoff. Was good enough to graduate at Del Mar last summer; very dangerous when right.
4 STAR SPECIAL: SIDEPOCKET LOU: Has reeled off two straight since exiting SoCal off the William Morey claim. Keeps rolling versus cheap claimers.
LONGSHOT: SINGLE N WILD: Lightly raced Singletary filly needed one off the layoff, and was also squeezed at the start. Can improve at a big price.
