Looking at Friday from a Thursday Perspective

[Tavasco]

Belmont Thursday

Race #1
The TG Analysis was upset by the the here-to-date unaccomplished #1 by dropping back farther than usual and running down the early pace setter. Cudo\'s to George Weaver and Irad Ortiz for their winning strategy. Insignificant ground loss for winner. Crowd favored 1st time Clement starter which made some sense but 8/5 more a failing of the competition than a vote for the firster.

Race #2
Featured another pace duel which eliminated Overawe (the analysis choice) who got caught wide too bad the big price was there. Once again the winner came from far off the pace and probably ran another new top. Visually impressive Irad held on for a pricey place & exacta. Nobody Move and his new found early pace c/b one to watch next out.

Race #3
Once again the winner comes from far off the pace. This time losing some ground while bobbing and weaved to the wire.

After three (3) races and no suspicion of an inside speed bias.

Race #4
In an unfortunate photo Flower Valley at a generous 12/1 got nosed at the wire for second by a first time Gio Ponte filly trained by M. Dickinson. A turf race and this filly appeared to lose plenty of ground. After being rather disappointed with Gio Ponti\'s crop to date this one looked pretty good. In typical Dickinson style not that easy to see Giovanna Blues coming. I do not see any entries for him Fri or Sat. Good analysis bad luck.

Race #5
In the nearly 2 mile turf race the Euro import looked like Flintshire and dusted another well intended George Weaver trainee. It could just be me, but seems the euro invaders improve with distance. Is the Manhattan too short? G.W. sends out Saratoga Two Step @ m/l 15/1 in Friday\'s Tremont. Quick and from the rail.

Race 6
The analysis liked Adirondack\'s price. How the place horse Candid Desire got to be 86/1 is good example of being under the radar and rats jumping ship. Two bad races and you become a leper. Again the exacta participants came from quite a ways back and lost noticeable ground. I think I\'d say this race was blown up by some optimistic front runners.

Race #7
Not many more chances and in this race the Analysis likes Bodes Dream knowing he is fastest. But @ 3/1+, a couple of scratches and the player is left to call an audible with a post time price of only 2/1. The pace cappers looked at this race and thought they can\'t all lead the race? Like father like daughter and a winner for those opting in.

Race #8
Finally analysis players get some money back. Better late than never and after at least one tough beat they come in the correct order and with an OK $48 exacta should save the day for most. But I really hope you had the $222 trifecta.

Race #9
In going for the Hat Trick Don Julio ran well and disappointed more than a couple getting caught by the favorite. Somewhere RickB cursing.

Chad Brown sure is on everybody\'s radar. As someone posted earlier this week it may be a little early for him and too hard to get a price anyway. Brown-Euro\'s going in the 2nd and 9th races.

I doubt many entrants are here to fill races. Seminars already touted to be the bomb. Hard to get an exacta without an Ortiz and Rosario winning again.

I\'m on the Thorograph Board and an expert only in my own story. Looking forward to two great days of safe racing. As a spot player reminded I only need to find one good winner to make my day. I\'m off to search for one.