The Michael Dubb entry makes for a formidable pair. The one likely to attract the bulk of the support is Samara (1), who makes her first start off the claim for Jason Servis. This barn is one of the best claiming outfits in the country, especially with its turf sprinters, and this filly had already run well enough to win this race when previously in the barn of Tom Albertrani. It’s a good sign that she showed some life on the dirt last time, and she looms as the most likely winner of this race. I’m not much of a fan of her running mate Hoponthebusgus (1A), but she, too, has run races that would make her competitive. While I respect the entry, these types of couplings usually go off at very short prices, so I’d rather look elsewhere.

DREAM PASSAGE (6) looks like the right alternative to me. It took her a long time to break out of the maiden ranks, but she actually ran a number of races that would make her a player in this spot. She registered a decisive win over a respectable group of males on July 7. She was flattered when that race’s runner-up, Ghost Giant, returned to win his next start, validating the speed figure that she earned. She was claimed by Brad Cox out of that race, but she got rained off the turf in her first start for this new barn last time out. Nevertheless, that performance was encouraging, as she actually put in a solid late run over a surface that she doesn’t relish. Now she gets back on turf, where she figures to take a step forward.

At a bigger price, I also want to throw Diamond Jen Brady (2) into the mix, as she actually has some pedigree to handle grass. However, her trainer has a poor record in this situation.