This race did not draw a particularly strong field for the level, as almost every horse has been well beaten in their recent starts against maiden special weight foes. Ascender (7) appears to be the most likely candidate to take a step forward among those with turf experience, but I still think this filly is difficult to trust. Chad Brown first-time starters are typically well prepared and ready to run professional races in their debuts. That was not the case for Ascender last time, as she held up the start for a long time while refusing to load for several minutes. Once they actually got the race off, she broke slowly and was swishing her tail as she just appeared to be generally displeased with what was going on around her. She was spun very wide into the lane and ran on decently while never really threatening. Michelle Nevin takes over training duties for this filly’s second start, but she is just 1 for 30 ($0.35 ROI) off trainer switches on turf over the past five years. Danielle’s Pride (8) and Union Patriot (3) also have some halfway decent turf route form to build upon, but I instead ended up going with a new face.

HANDLE WITH CARE (6) seems like a filly well suited by this surface switch. She raced very wide around the turn in her dirt debut before fading while not appearing to get over the surface terribly well. Now, she switches to grass, and she’s bred to handle it since her dam was a four-time turf winner and Tapizar has actually been a decent turf influence. There is no speed in this race among those with experience, so I’m expecting Luis Saez to send her to the lead.

THE PLAY

Win/Place: 6
Exacta Key Box: 6 with 2,3,7,8