PICKS

Race 1:   1 - 4 - 5 - 2
Race 2:   5 - 7 - 2
Race 3:   3 - 1 - 4 - 9
Race 4:   1 - 5 - 6 - 2
Race 5:   1 - 4 - 5 - 6
Race 6:   7 - 11 - 2 - 4
Race 7:   1 - 3 - 2 - 7
Race 8:   3 - 6 - 1 - 7

PLAYS

(Guide - WIN: recommended win/key horse at fair odds; UPGRADE: value horses I picked underneath to consider upgrading in vertical/horizontal wagers; USE: runners to include in vertical exotic wagers with Win horse)

RACE 7: UNBRIDLED BOMBER (#1)

#3 Electability is clearly the one to beat as he tries winners for the first time following a fast maiden victory on the Gotham undercard last month. The final time of his maiden race was just 0.31 seconds slower than the Gotham and he accordingly got a 109 TimeformUS Speed Figure for the performance. A number like that needs some validation, so it was a good sign that fourth-place finisher Cathedral Beach returned to win his next start, improving his speed figure by 11 points. This horse really seemed to wake up as a new gelding last time, showing improved early speed in his first try over dirt. He’s obviously a deserving favorite, but he could be a very short price as he goes out for the hot Chad Brown barn. I think there are only a few viable alternatives. I’m somewhat against #7 Good Skate, who could be the second choice after reeling off two straight victories. I think he’s been beating weaker competition. #2 Eagle In Love is a little more appealing as he attempts to get back on track following a puzzling non-effort at Laurel last time. This horse actually defeated the same rival, Long Term, as Electability in his career debut and did so by a larger margin. Yet it’s hard to explain his lack of interest last time, so he needs to rebound. My top pick is #1 Unbridled Bomber. I’ve admittedly been a fan of this horse since his 2-year-old season, as he seemed to be developing steadily as he gained experience. I thought he ran well to break his maiden in November, albeit while getting a great trip. Yet he validated that performance in the Jerome, closing well over a speed-favoring track despite having to alter course in upper stretch. He failed to show up in the Withers last time, but he got the wrong trip that day. You wanted to avoid the rail at all costs on Feb. 5, and his rider stuck him right down on the inside path for much of his trip. Now he’s cutting back to a mile and adding Lasix for the first time. There’s also supposed to be some pace for him to close into with plenty of speed drawn to the outside.

WIN: #1 Unbridled Bomber, at 5-1 or greater
USE: 2,3

RACE 8: A BIT O’IRISH SASS (#3)

#6 Khali Magic makes plenty of sense as she tries to break through at this N2X level in her third attempt. She checked in third two back, and was second last time, so a win seems well within the realm of possibility on this occasion. She also appears to be in the best form of her career, having responded well to the stretch-out in distance in her recent starts. Her recent speed figures in the low 100s on the TimeformUS scale are slightly higher than those of her main rivals. I'm not against her, but I'll try to beat the favorite with #3 A Bit o’Irish Sass. This filly got a good prep under her belt last time when sprinting at this level in her first start back off a 6-month layoff. She only managed to finish eighth, but she subtly ran better than that result would indicate. She launched a mild bid on the far turn and only lost momentum when she encountered traffic in upper stretch. She’s much better going route distances, and she’d be a major player here if she could get back to the form that saw her win the New York Oaks last year. Beyond those two, I suppose #7 Ifihadachance could pick up a minor award, but I didn't see a reason why she was supposed to turn the tables on Khali Magic after losing to that one last time. The one bigger price that I might try to get into the exotics is #1 Shadolamo. She didn't run that badly behind a few of these common foes at the level two back, and last time was just going too short in the Videogenic. Her form has been on a subtle upward trajectory.

WIN: #3 A Bit o'Irish Sass, at 5-2 or greater
USE: 1,6,7