Fourth Race – Post Time: 3:30 PT
5 – Rio Ocho (3-1)

Featured in a Black Book vignette (view segment) following his U.S. debut at Santa Anita in late May, this Irish-bred gelding gets a chance to correct a wrong in this maiden special weight middle distance turf event. By all rights, the lightly-raced 3-year-old shouldn’t still be a maiden – he was much the best when finishing fifth after a dreadful trip that cost him all chance – but the J. Mullins-trained gelding switches to the barn’s “go to” rider, lands a comfortable middle draw, and shows a steady, healthy recent work pattern to have him right on edge. At 3-1 on the morning line he’s a strong win play and rolling exotic single.


Tenth Race - Post Time 6:30 ET.
13 – Rockie Causeway

Displayed considerable promise in her recent debut, showing good early speed, dropping back midway, and then re-rallying into the lane to finish with good energy to be willing fourth without being knocked about. From a barn that has excellent stats with second-time starters and with F. Prat riding her back, the R. Baltas-trained daughter of Giant’s Causeway shows a bullet workout (5f, 1:00.1h, fastest of 24) at San Luis Rey Downs last week to have her right on edge. She’s stuck on the far outside in this mile grass affair and will need some luck to negotiate a good trip, but if she can drop over, get some cover and settle to the top of lane, the R. Baltas-trained filly should be along in plenty of time at while offering strong wagering value at or near her morning line of 3-1.