Looking for some professional insight? Here are the Suffolk Downs handicapper's thoughts on the races as found in the official track program.
Race Date:
Wednesday, May 14
Handicapper:
Jessica Paquette
Race # 1
1.SWEET JAZZ 2. MICKS LAST DANCE 3. FANCY MUSIC
SWEET JAZZ showed brief speed in her East Boston debut last out and got a bit leg weary. It was her first start off of lengthy layoff and she ran like a filly in need of a race. Trainer does very well with horses making their second start off a layoff so expect this filly to come in sharper today and with the substantial drop in class she looks tough. MICKS LAST DANCE has been on the shelf since last fall but has had a handful of workouts in preparation for her seasonal debut for a high percentage jockey/trainer combination. Her best efforts have come on the front end and she looks to get the lead relatively unopposed. FANCY MUSIC had a couple of big closing efforts over the spring and her running style indicates she will relish the added distance today.
Race # 2
1. SHAKEN SHAYE 2. RASPBERRY GIRL 3. PICK UP THE ANGEL
SHAKEN SHAYE ships up from Maryland coming off a career best effort last month, a late running second behind Destiny's Pet facing better breaking from the 13-hole in only her second career start. She should have plenty to shoot at late looking to get it all in her Boston debut. RASPBERRY GIRL this gray daughter of Victory Gallop stopped after showing some early speed facing better at Laurel Park in her first race back from a nine-month shut down. Second time lasix today, she was bet down to even money against MSW company in her racing debut here last summer and will fit right in at this level. She is the one to fear. PICK UP THE ANGEL has been on the shelf the past two months since a terrible start cost her any chance when facing much better in her initial start in Florida. She is another one who fits right in with this kind and she shows a solid half-mile move here on 5/7. LITTLE WAYS is another one dropping into this price range for the first time looking to shake things up. She did show good early speed facing better here last summer and can't be overlooked.
Race # 3
1.I'M OUTSPOKEN 2. RUBIANO LAD 3. NORTH BEND
I'M OUTSPOKEN ran a solid race last out in his Suffolk debut and horses do tend to improve after having a race over the surface. Another encouraging note is that Tammi Piermarini rode both him and Sir Vinsky last out and remains aboard this son of Outflanker. This versatile colt is dangerous if he can shake loose on the lead but showed last time he can rate as well. RUBIANO LAD scratched out of Saturday's race in favor of this spot and has been working steadily for his seasonal debut. This son of Rubiano has five wins in East Boston to his credit and, in the event of a speed duel between I'm Outspoken and Armanni, he will be flying late to pick up the pieces. NORTH BEND is winless in 2008 but was not badly beaten last out in a field similar to what he faces today. A return to his successful 2007 form puts him right in the mix.
Race # 4
1. J. R.'S CHANCE 2. THE LION CLYDE 3. P. J.'S GROUNDCOVER
J. R.'S CHANCE this home-bred son of Cimarron Secret is a first time starter who has been training sharply for his initial start. He races with lasix in his debut and looks to have found a soft spot for a top effort. Check him out closely in the paddock and on the toteboard for any clues. THE LION CLYDE this Mass-bred has been on the sidelines the past seven months since running third behind Carson Camp back in early October after a disappointing effort when he was odds on to graduate two back. He has been working sharply for his return and could prove the one to catch with a top effort. P. J.'S GROUNDCOVER shows a sharp half-mile gate work on 4/28 returning from his six and a half month vacation. He has been in the money in six of eight starts over the main track here and should have plenty to run at through the lane, a major player if ready. MOOREHOUSE this son of 2-year-old Champ More Than Ready ships in from Tampa Bay coming off his best effort to date. He has shown improvement in each start and shows a sharp half-mile breeze here on 5/6, he will be coming late.
Race # 5
1.LOOKSLIKELIGHTNIN 2. EXCITING PAL 3. JUSTOUTOFTHEBOX
LOOKSLIKELIGHTNIN shortens back up today after a handful of speedy efforts at Tampa. She hasn't been able to carry that speed so far but the cut back in distance may help today. EXCITING PAL held her own against tougher at the beginning of the year at the competitive Gulfstream Park. The potential is clearly there and this filly does have two recorded workouts over the Suffolk Downs oval. JUSTOUTOFTHEBOX has been off the board in her 8 lifetime starts and is dropping down after showing little in her last couple in New York. Dana Popp and David Amiss hit at around 27% so this filly could offer value with some very live connections.
Race # 6
1. DUMPSTER DIVER 2. SOUTHERN TWISTER 3. SPECIAL AL
DUMPSTER DIVER circled horses on the turn and grabbed the lead in deep stretch but couldn't hold off fellow first timer DDT and Me when facing similar in a promising debut at Laurel Park last month. He shows a solid half-mile move for his top connections since shipping into town and is the one to fear with any improvement. SOUTHERN TWISTER this son of Stormy Atlantic is another one shipping up from Maryland coming off a solid third behind the two favorites Emperor Tiberius and Harmonicus when racing with better in his promising debut last month. He will only improve with that one under his belt and is the one to beat. SPECIAL AL is back on the main track after trying his luck on the lawn in his last couple in Tampa Bay. He did hold his own with similar in his previous two and he will be heard from early looking to pull off the upset. THE GRAY VAPOR failed to get the job done against cheaper in his last couple but he did hold his own with this kind here last summer and fall and can get a big piece of the Tri with a top effort.
Race # 7
1.SEEKING REVENGE 2. HUBBARD 3. BEARZAVA
SEEKING REVENGE is from the first crop of G2 winner Seeking Daylight and has had two big wins down at Laurel since joining the Assimakopoulos barn. He has been keeping good company in Maryland and looks to fit well with this field. This race is loaded with speed and his ability to sit off the pace will be his biggest asset today. HUBBARD made a nice showing in his Suffolk debut on opening day and can only improve off of that race. It was a positive step forward after an inexplicably poor performance in March and it looks like this son of Alphabet Soup is back on track. BEARZAVA is from the first crop of two-year-old sensation Zavata. This colt did not beat a horse in his last race but his form prior to that was extremely solid so he gets the benefit of the doubt today. Loved how dead game he was back on March 13 and a repeat of that effort gets him a piece today.
Race # 8
1. ROYAL STYLIST 2. WATCHTOWER 3. PATCHED
ROYAL STYLIST was scratched out of a much tougher spot last Saturday afternoon in favor of this one. He hasn't been to the races in over six months but has been training forwardly and could prove the beneficiary late in this race loaded with early speed, watch out. WATCHTOWER this son of Dubai Millennium was very impressive beating up on weaker as the odds on choice on Opening Day in his first race since returning from western Florida and steps it up a notch in this one looking to repeat. He has won 4-of-5 in Boston and is strictly the one to beat with the right trip. PATCHED was forced to take up sharply from between horses on the clubhouse turn losing any chance when facing better in his first start off the claim. He was very impressive beating much like these in his previous two and will prove a threat throughout with smooth sailing. O'MALLEY this 9-year-old makes his 100th career appearance after a bad start cost him facing better at Philly Park last month. He has been in the $ in nearly half of his 36 starts in Boston and he will be coming late looking for his first victory since back in '06.
Race # 9
1.BONNIE AND ALBERT 2. BILLY'S WEE 3. SUNDANCE SHAMROCK
BONNIE AND ALBERT put forth a good effort last out despite a wide trip. By Albert the Great, she looks like the type to just get better as she gets older and looks to have a successful four-year-old campaign. She gets apprentice "Tommy" Chang in the irons who was off to a hot start, winning two races on Saturday. BILLY'S WEE is making her 2008 debut and has five wins at Suffolk to her credit. Her best efforts have come on the front end so expect her to make her presence known early. SUNDANCE SHAMROCK is another one making her first start of the year. This Mass-bred has had quite a career at Suffolk with six wins and fifteen other on the board finishes. She has a sharp turn of foot and should be running late to pick up the pieces.
Program Comments
Looking for some professional insight? Here are the Suffolk Downs handicapper's thoughts on the races as found in the official track program.
SWEET JAZZ showed brief speed in her East Boston debut last out and got a bit leg weary. It was her first start off of lengthy layoff and she ran like a filly in need of a race. Trainer does very well with horses making their second start off a layoff so expect this filly to come in sharper today and with the substantial drop in class she looks tough. MICKS LAST DANCE has been on the shelf since last fall but has had a handful of workouts in preparation for her seasonal debut for a high percentage jockey/trainer combination. Her best efforts have come on the front end and she looks to get the lead relatively unopposed. FANCY MUSIC had a couple of big closing efforts over the spring and her running style indicates she will relish the added distance today.
SHAKEN SHAYE ships up from Maryland coming off a career best effort last month, a late running second behind Destiny's Pet facing better breaking from the 13-hole in only her second career start. She should have plenty to shoot at late looking to get it all in her Boston debut. RASPBERRY GIRL this gray daughter of Victory Gallop stopped after showing some early speed facing better at Laurel Park in her first race back from a nine-month shut down. Second time lasix today, she was bet down to even money against MSW company in her racing debut here last summer and will fit right in at this level. She is the one to fear. PICK UP THE ANGEL has been on the shelf the past two months since a terrible start cost her any chance when facing much better in her initial start in Florida. She is another one who fits right in with this kind and she shows a solid half-mile move here on 5/7. LITTLE WAYS is another one dropping into this price range for the first time looking to shake things up. She did show good early speed facing better here last summer and can't be overlooked.
I'M OUTSPOKEN ran a solid race last out in his Suffolk debut and horses do tend to improve after having a race over the surface. Another encouraging note is that Tammi Piermarini rode both him and Sir Vinsky last out and remains aboard this son of Outflanker. This versatile colt is dangerous if he can shake loose on the lead but showed last time he can rate as well. RUBIANO LAD scratched out of Saturday's race in favor of this spot and has been working steadily for his seasonal debut. This son of Rubiano has five wins in East Boston to his credit and, in the event of a speed duel between I'm Outspoken and Armanni, he will be flying late to pick up the pieces. NORTH BEND is winless in 2008 but was not badly beaten last out in a field similar to what he faces today. A return to his successful 2007 form puts him right in the mix.
J. R.'S CHANCE this home-bred son of Cimarron Secret is a first time starter who has been training sharply for his initial start. He races with lasix in his debut and looks to have found a soft spot for a top effort. Check him out closely in the paddock and on the toteboard for any clues. THE LION CLYDE this Mass-bred has been on the sidelines the past seven months since running third behind Carson Camp back in early October after a disappointing effort when he was odds on to graduate two back. He has been working sharply for his return and could prove the one to catch with a top effort. P. J.'S GROUNDCOVER shows a sharp half-mile gate work on 4/28 returning from his six and a half month vacation. He has been in the money in six of eight starts over the main track here and should have plenty to run at through the lane, a major player if ready. MOOREHOUSE this son of 2-year-old Champ More Than Ready ships in from Tampa Bay coming off his best effort to date. He has shown improvement in each start and shows a sharp half-mile breeze here on 5/6, he will be coming late.
LOOKSLIKELIGHTNIN shortens back up today after a handful of speedy efforts at Tampa. She hasn't been able to carry that speed so far but the cut back in distance may help today. EXCITING PAL held her own against tougher at the beginning of the year at the competitive Gulfstream Park. The potential is clearly there and this filly does have two recorded workouts over the Suffolk Downs oval. JUSTOUTOFTHEBOX has been off the board in her 8 lifetime starts and is dropping down after showing little in her last couple in New York. Dana Popp and David Amiss hit at around 27% so this filly could offer value with some very live connections.
DUMPSTER DIVER circled horses on the turn and grabbed the lead in deep stretch but couldn't hold off fellow first timer DDT and Me when facing similar in a promising debut at Laurel Park last month. He shows a solid half-mile move for his top connections since shipping into town and is the one to fear with any improvement. SOUTHERN TWISTER this son of Stormy Atlantic is another one shipping up from Maryland coming off a solid third behind the two favorites Emperor Tiberius and Harmonicus when racing with better in his promising debut last month. He will only improve with that one under his belt and is the one to beat. SPECIAL AL is back on the main track after trying his luck on the lawn in his last couple in Tampa Bay. He did hold his own with similar in his previous two and he will be heard from early looking to pull off the upset. THE GRAY VAPOR failed to get the job done against cheaper in his last couple but he did hold his own with this kind here last summer and fall and can get a big piece of the Tri with a top effort.
SEEKING REVENGE is from the first crop of G2 winner Seeking Daylight and has had two big wins down at Laurel since joining the Assimakopoulos barn. He has been keeping good company in Maryland and looks to fit well with this field. This race is loaded with speed and his ability to sit off the pace will be his biggest asset today. HUBBARD made a nice showing in his Suffolk debut on opening day and can only improve off of that race. It was a positive step forward after an inexplicably poor performance in March and it looks like this son of Alphabet Soup is back on track. BEARZAVA is from the first crop of two-year-old sensation Zavata. This colt did not beat a horse in his last race but his form prior to that was extremely solid so he gets the benefit of the doubt today. Loved how dead game he was back on March 13 and a repeat of that effort gets him a piece today.
ROYAL STYLIST was scratched out of a much tougher spot last Saturday afternoon in favor of this one. He hasn't been to the races in over six months but has been training forwardly and could prove the beneficiary late in this race loaded with early speed, watch out. WATCHTOWER this son of Dubai Millennium was very impressive beating up on weaker as the odds on choice on Opening Day in his first race since returning from western Florida and steps it up a notch in this one looking to repeat. He has won 4-of-5 in Boston and is strictly the one to beat with the right trip. PATCHED was forced to take up sharply from between horses on the clubhouse turn losing any chance when facing better in his first start off the claim. He was very impressive beating much like these in his previous two and will prove a threat throughout with smooth sailing. O'MALLEY this 9-year-old makes his 100th career appearance after a bad start cost him facing better at Philly Park last month. He has been in the $ in nearly half of his 36 starts in Boston and he will be coming late looking for his first victory since back in '06.
BONNIE AND ALBERT put forth a good effort last out despite a wide trip. By Albert the Great, she looks like the type to just get better as she gets older and looks to have a successful four-year-old campaign. She gets apprentice "Tommy" Chang in the irons who was off to a hot start, winning two races on Saturday. BILLY'S WEE is making her 2008 debut and has five wins at Suffolk to her credit. Her best efforts have come on the front end so expect her to make her presence known early. SUNDANCE SHAMROCK is another one making her first start of the year. This Mass-bred has had quite a career at Suffolk with six wins and fifteen other on the board finishes. She has a sharp turn of foot and should be running late to pick up the pieces.