Race 6: First-time-starter Sharpe and Ready (3) figures to be live here after he was bet down to favoritism in a maiden race in early December but had to be scratched when he flipped in the gate. I’ll use him with value play in the race, St. Augustine (2), who should really appreciate getting back to a sprint distance. Fellow turnback Home Run Maker (6) and Pletcher debuter Tilt (10) are the backups.
Race 7: My top pick is We Did (4), who figures to benefit from a contested pace up front. He’s been effective as a closer and I’m hopeful he can get back to his better efforts off the trainer switch to Chris Englehart. My primary backups are Giantinthemoonlite (3), who always runs well but rarely wins, and D’Funnything (8), who has a right to improve off the claim by Danny Gargan.
Race 8: The Interborough is one of the trickiest races in this sequence. I’m somewhat skeptical of Come Dancing (6) off her easy allowance win last time and think this is a spot to take a shot against the favorite. My top pick is Divine Miss Grey (4), who has simply run fast races recently and possesses a versatile running style that should allow her to work out a great trip. I also want to use the logical closer Going for Broke (1), as well as longshot Kalabaka (10), who has had excuses recently and should like getting back on a fast track.
Race 9: Both runners coming out of the first race on Dec. 3 look dangerous, as Guick (2) and Delta Outlaw (8) each get positive trainer changes off the claim. At a better price, I also want to use Toohottoevenspeak (3) as he drops in class off the claim by Robertino Diodoro.