Race Analysis - Friday, May 21

Analysis by Randy Goulding

RACE ONE: SEE EYE TO EYE came back with an easy half-mile move following her win over next out winner McGill and it wouldn’t be surprising to see her take a big step forward in her second start back. She has good tactical speed, and unless INFINITE WEALTH leaves there running she could be the one they're chasing. Her best races have been going longer so the added sixteenth figures to work in her favor. INFINITE WEALTH couldn't keep up to tougher in her first two starts this year and should appreciate the class relief. She won the last time she ran for this price, although there were conditions involved. TICK ME OFF broke a few steps slow in her latest and just had too much to do after spotting the field quite a few lengths at the start. She came back with a sharp half-mile move and could make some noise at what should be a decent price.

RACE TWO: EPIC MELODY went wide the whole way and still just missed in a similar spot May 8. She moves closer to the rail and should be able to save some valuable ground. NORTHERN LASS hung in there a long time in her first start of the year and she figures to take a big step forward for her trainer who was named to the Canadian Hall of Fame this week. Sharp work since she ran and it would be no surprise if she forgot to stop today. INTIMATE DANCER is stepping up to face winners but there is a lot of speed signed on and it could set up nicely for her. She also looked pretty sharp in her bullet 2-furlong move Tuesday and the barn is on quite a roll right now. GO SWEETLY also figures to move forward in her second start this year and she'll appreciate the class relief. Consider using her in the exotics.

RACE THREE: BIG BERTHA should be set to go after a strong effort at Emerald in her first start of the year. She was competitive with much tougher in Southern California and she really hasn't run a bad race in almost a year. The horse that won her race the last time she was here looked pretty good winning a $50K optional race on Sunday. DESTINY'S HOME runs well fresh, has been working well enough, and could be dangerous coming off the bench. YOOROCK GAL has been a bit win shy lately but she could be ready for a big effort in the third start of her current form cycle and the barn's main rider takes over for the injured Friesen. CRY CRY CRY came back with a sharp half-mile move and might be good enough to stand the hike into open company. MONTERO is another one that can fire fresh and she has looked pretty sharp in her recent workouts.

RACE FOUR: CHILECITO showed good speed when she faced a tough field of maidens at Santa Anita in Dec. and she also ran well in her second start on the turf at Turf Paradise. The horse that finished third in her debut is now a Grade 3 winner and the horse that won the race has placed in three graded races including a close third behind Kentucky Oaks winner Blind Luck in the Grade 1 Las Virgenes. Last years leading rider is attracted and she is certainly going to appreciate the class relief. MY BAILOUT has had a couple of strong works since she tired to finish second versus cheaper. She is doubling her price but she easily has the best last race Beyer Speed Figure and Taylor rarely runs them out of line. CANDLEINTHEWINDOW tired late in her initial outing this year, drops in price and has had a solid interim work.

RACE FIVE: HUFFMAN had to go 3-wide around the first turn and was still able to finish full of run in his win for this price May 8. He moves inside where he should be able to save some ground this time and from the looks of his easy half-mile breeze May 16 it looks like he'll come back with another strong effort. COLONEL COURTNEY forced an honest pace before tiring versus tougher and with all of the potential speed in the field he could be dangerous coming from slightly off the pace. FULL POWER AHEAD closed strongly to get up for second behind HUFFMAN and should get a similar trip here. The extra sixteenth can only help and the only concern is that he could have a hard time weaving his way through this large field.

RACE SIX: SIR GALLANT goes for his fifth win in a row and it looks like he has enough speed to control the race right from the start. He can also win from a stalking position if CARDINAL ZIN breaks on top and beats him to the first turn, but it sure looks like he's the one they will be trying to catch. POP ARTIST steps up in class following a sharp win to start his 4-year-old season and he was almost good enough to win a stakes race last year so he should be able to stand the hike. He'll benefit the most if an all out duel develops up front. I WANNA GO FAST stumbled coming out of the gate and then made a late move in SIR GALLANT'S race. He should be a lot closer with a clean break and if he can post the same kind of Beyer Speed Figures that he posted in California he should be right there. CARDINAL ZIN just missed to the top pick and certainly rates a look. He once again drew an outside post, however, and could either get hung out wide or have to work pretty hard if he wants to get involved early.

RACE SEVEN: ROUTE NINETY SEVEN drops to bottom following a decent effort in her first start this year and the horse that won the race, Epic Melody, came back to almost beat winners - she's in the second race today. This gal looked very sharp in her bullet 5-furlong move May 14 and she appears to be ready for a big effort. HASSLE received a lot of support when she debuted for $20K but she broke poorly and that was pretty much that going this distance. She's had a decent work since she ran and she figures to show a lot more in her second start. MIDNIGHT VICTRESS drops to a new low after she forced the pace and then faded in her first try going around two turns. She should appreciate both the shorter distance and easier company. POWER MISS fired a bullet in her 2-furlong move May 16 and her mother was a decent sprinter. Her sire is just 1 for 27 with first time starters, though.