A mostly cloudy day for the 11-race all-Tapeta card.
G3 turf stakes winner Xenobia, the 5-2 morning line favorite in the G2 Bessarabian, seems vulnerable in her first start on synthetics. The seven-furlong event is wide open, and one could make a case for all three Josie Carroll trainees--Painting, Heavenly Hill, and Gamble's Candy, who could wire the large field. Carroll won this stakes in each of the past two years.
Special Relativity placed in both of her two last starts behind a sharp Jean Elizabeth, including the G3 Ontario Fashion. Her outside draw could be a liability if the track is inside-biased, but her trainer, Norm McKnight, has been on a recent roll. Amalfi Coast is hard to gauge while shortening up off consecutive turf stakes scores in restricted 3yo filly company.
Off a fast (82 Beyer) debut victory, Elusive Knight will try to double up in the sixth, a first-level allowance for 2yos. Trainer Mark Casse sends out Finalist and Champit in the seven-furlong sprint.
Both Jackpot wagers have a carryover of around $5K.
The changes can be found at http://pro.drf.com/entries