Ellis Park – 4th race: 10-Normandy Hero (5-1). Post time: 1:13 CT

At first glance this appears to be a fairly competitive straight maiden sprint for juveniles but given a closer look the field really doesn’t look all that strong. Morning line favorite Top of the Street (3-1) has raced twice, most recently finishing second while earning a Beyer speed figure of 56, which is 12 points lower than par for the level. So, let’s examine the newcomers. Of the eight runners that are making their debuts, Normandy Hero clearly has the best credentials. From the first crop of the promising War Front stallion Omaha Beach, this colt shows a series of excellent workouts that should have him fit and ready for a barn that does extremely well with newcomers, and from a cozy outside draw under Flavian Prat and with a recent bullet workout at Keeneland (4f, :47.4b, fastest of 68) he appears cranked up and ready to win right now. At 5-1 on the morning line, the Rodolphe Brisset-trained homebred is worth a gamble in the win pool and in the various rolling exotics.

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Laurel Park – 5th race: 6-Freeze the Fire (8/5). Post time: 2:29 ET

He somehow managed to get away at 14-1 in his debut but won like an odds-on favorite in a fast, highly rated maiden special weight sprint at Pimlico last month, doing so like a colt that can win on the raise and then go on to bigger and better things. By Army Mule’s sire Friesan Fire, this quick sophomore made the lead, held sway, and then galloped out full of run while leaving next out winner Dillinger in his wake. The Cathal Lynch-trained sophomore returned to breeze seven furlongs in 1:27 flat, so today’s extra furlong shouldn’t be an issue. At 8/5 on the morning line, we’ll make him a confident rolling exotic single.

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Belmont Park – 5th race: 4-Northern Invader (6-1). Post time: 3:09 ET

Shows the classic two-sprints-and-a-stretch pattern that always catches our eye, and that coupled with several other positive factors makes this maiden sophomore colt an excellent wagering proposition in this mile maiden event. Bred to move up considerably on grass (Collected, by City Zip) and with speed figures in his first two outings that are far superior to anything in this field, he seems certain to improve over a distance of ground for a trainer that excels (24%) with the stretch out angle. With Johnny V. taking the call in a race that projects to have moderate early splits, the Cherie DeVaux-trained colt should be able draft into a comfortable stalking position and then go on with it when given his cue. At 6-1 on the morning line, he’s a strong play in the win pool and in the various rolling exotics.