Race Analysis for August 7

By Randy Goulding

RACE ONE: KENTUCKY CLIPPER ran an even race when he debuted going 3 1/2 furlongs July 18 and could take a big step forward with the addition of Lasix. His trainer is also having a big meet and over the past 5 years he is 21 percent with second time starters - the figure drops to 10 percent with babies, however. Nonetheless, this guy is a half-brother to Cabron who won his debut at two and placed in a three stakes including the $107K Jack Diamond Futurity. DRINKINGONTHEJOB displayed some talent in his debut for this price but then beat one when he jumped up to try maiden special weight company in his second start after being claimed. Strong jockey-trainer combo here and he had a decent five-furlong move Aug. 1 so a better performance is expected. I'MARAINBOWRIDER ran evenly when he debuted in the same race DRINKINGONTHEJOB exits and he should appreciate the easier company in his second start.

RACE TWO: GRAND HUNTER has been right there in both of his races going around three-turns and he made a strong move into a slow pace to just miss in his latest. There doesn't appear to be a lot of speed signed on here he probably won't be as far off the pace with Alvarado taking over. LORD CARLTON comes out of the same race. He wasn't as far back during the early stages but then hung a bit after making his move. It was just his first time going long and it is easy to see him taking a big step forward here. AQUISTADORE has run evenly in his last three routes and sheds 9-pounds with Pacheco taking the call. Consider using him in the exotics.

RACE THREE: MY BLACK PEARL hasn't been worse than third in any of her routes and maybe the 7-pound break in the weight she gets here with Pacheco taking the call will help get her over the top. She also figures to get a nice trip from just off of what will likely be a moderate pace. SASSY CASEY and MY BLACK PEARL have taken turns finishing in front of each other the last four times they met and Sassy got the best of her rival in her latest. Sassy Casey has been finishing strongly in all of her races so it is possible the added distance will work in her favor. MAYBINEE improved dramatically when she stretched out for the first time in her latest and she was facing males. She is back with her own sex and the move to the rail should help her get involved without having to work too hard.

RACE FOUR: DARK VADER ended up going pretty wide when he tried to close into a very slow pace when he finished a close fourth as the heavy chalk in a similar race July 10. He was claimed out of the race by a trainer that won two races with him after he claimed him last year. He had a solid work on July 25 and if he brings his best stuff he'll be tough to beat. FORCEFUL INTENTION should appreciate the move back to a sprint after forcing the pace and tiring in his latest. He is also dropping to a new low in his career and he certainly won't mind the easier company. TOUGH TORQUE hasn't been off the board in any of his races this year and once again figures to be involved right from the start. No surprise if he's the winner in what appears to be a competitive race.

RACE FIVE: AND ALL THAT JAZZ has been posting decent Beyer Speed Figures while picking up minor awards and should be able to clear early and take them all the way with the drop. Blinkers come off after he ran okay with them in his latest and he is certainly due to win his first race since he won the B.C. Cup Sprint in 2008. BRIARTIC COUNTY should get a similar stalking trip that he had while finishing second at this level on July 10. It turned out to be a key race and the winner stepped up to win a $17,500 claimer with a 75 Beyer Speed Figure. SNOW MOON forced the issue and tired to finish third in the same race County exits and if he tries to run with AND ALL THAT JAZZ early he'll likely suffer the same fate. He won for this price three back and if Perez can get him to settle early he could be a factor late.

RACE SIX: Not sure where the big race from GRANNIE GREENE came from in her latest but she is lightly raced and she just might be starting to get the hang of it. Whatever the cause, it was a much improved performance and if she moves forward off of the positive experience she might be able to handle a weak group of winners first time. J J'S ORCHID is also coming of her maiden win and she really hasn't run a bad race all year. She was right there in both of her two-turn sprints so the added distance shouldn't be an issue. NITE TIME NEWS is usually in the mix somewhere and once again figures to make a late move that will probably come up a bit short. Her lone win came when she was cutting back to a sprint so maybe she'll get her second score here, but more than likely she'll be a minor part of the exotics.

RACE SEVEN: KWIK was a very impressive winner over Trick of the North who came back to upset Spaghetti Mouse in the B.C. Cup Classic last Monday and he sure acts like a horse that won't mind the additional sixteenth. He'll need some help up front and he could get it BEALE STREET stretching out off of a couple of sprints. MEAUX POWER comes out of the same barn and he looks like the main threat. He finished third to Kwik in his latest but it was just his third start of the year and his first time going long at the meet. Depending on how the race unfolds, he could have an advantage with his good tactical speed. He also ran a decent race when he finished third to Ganbei in an open allowance race at this distance in his final start last year. BEALE STREET almost beat Kwik the last time he went long and it looks like he is going to be the one they have to catch.

RACE EIGHT: YOLLA LAD didn't break that sharply but he put in a good late run when he debuted for this price and could be dangerous if he leaves there running in his second start. OVERTIME MAGIC and KANONKULE finished a half-length apart in the same race and we'll give the edge to OVERTIME MAGIC because he moves closer to the rail while KANONKULE drew the outside post. OVERTIME MAGIC had to go pretty wide around the stretch turn and KANONKULE had to steady coming out of the turn so they both had excuses. ZEKES' BEST TRICK is stepping up but that was a decent effort in just his second start and he could move forward enough to make an impact in a race where the ones that are dropping have been pretty dull lately.