Race 7

Maiden Special Weight (3yo): Nine Furlongs - TURF

Top Contenders (post position order):
The most wide-open, contentious, and puzzling race on the card - I'll freely admit that your guess is as good as mine here! 2-Silver Dagger was 40/1 in his debut, but moves to the turf with an interesting jockey switch.  4-Shadow Rider should show improvement today.  5-Number One showed sudden improved early speed in his second start last time.  6-Fiveotwo is as good as any and has run well on dirt.  8-Honorable Duty gets Javier Castellano for his debut.  9-Strike Em Down was a good second last time out.  10-Lava was also second, well clear of the show runner AND gets a five pound weight break with an apprentice rider.  12-Weekend Express led from gate to deep stretch as the runner-up (ahead of #7 Good and Proper) in just his second trip over the turf last time out.

All Day Sucker Makes his first start today off a series of three very sharp workouts over the turf.  For years trainer Kelly Breen and jockey Joe Bravo have dominated Monmouth Park, but both have seen their numbers slip in recent years and Bravo in particular is struggling at this winter's Gulfstream meet.  The rail draw is less than ideal for a young horse.

Pookie Delicious This son of Lemon Drop Kid debuts for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott who is in Dubai today with his star handicap runner, Lea, for the $6 Million Dubai World Cup.  While Pookie may well develop into a star, Mott is really weak with his first time starters having won with only five of the last NINETY-NINE!

Silver Dagger Ran to his 40/1 odds in his dirt sprint debut when finishing 13th over twenty lengths behind the winner.  May improve with a stretch in distance over the turf.  Curious that regular rider Corey Lanerie is off for trainer Dale Romans and the second leading rider at the meet, Luis Saez, is on today.

Shadow Rider The son of champion Eskendereya is well bred for the inner course, but was sent out on the dirt for his initial start.  He broke slowly and had a wide trip to finish sixth by double-digit lengths.  Should show more today for trainer George Weaver and aggressive rider Paco Lopez.

Number One He's been out on the turf course for two starts already, and was beaten seven lengths in both, and sent off at nearly identical odds around 40/1.  He did show remarkable improved early speed for a half mile last time out.

Fiveotwo The second of two Dale Romans-trained colts in here.  He has run well in all three starts finishing second, third, and fourth....all on dirt.  His bloodlines scream turf route.  Should run well today and is a win consideration.

Good and Proper He has the best form in the field with a debut third, on the turf HERE.  The problem is he goes for a barn that is 1-for-43 that is 0-for-12 with second time maidens.  As Lloyd in "Dumb and Dumber" would say when told he had a one-in-a-million shot at the girl, "....so you're saying I have a chance...."

Honorable Duty Sends mixed signals.  You have to REALLY like that top rider Javier Castellano signs on and that this colt is sent out by the powerful Juddmonte Farms ownership.  He's bred beautifully for turf routing as well.  But, he's trained by Bill Mott, who as I mentioned above is only 5-for-99 with first time starters.  Probably going to be well bet to go along with those poor statistics, making him under-valued.

Strike Em Down Already an 0-for-9 maiden but did run second when beaten less than a length in his most recent.

Lava This colt debuted over the turf at 14/1 odds and was second beaten three lengths, but three clear of the show horse.  Ridden by an apprentice rider who has done well this winter.

Caprock Kid In his fourth start last time out he went this nine furlong distance over the turf and was a credible 6th, beaten only 5 3/4 lengths.  Maybe.

Weekend Express Set the pace in his most recent, his fourth career start but only second on the turf.  He led gate to deep stretch before finishing second - in front of Good and Proper who has to be considered a win candidate.  This guy is a wire threat if able to clear from the far outside post.

MAIN TRACK ONLY:  Our Commodore Comes from the Todd Pletcher barn and if this race is moved to the dirt he would be ridden by Javier Castellano.  Those facts would point him out as a race favorite, but the chances of this going to the dirt seem to be slim and none.