Today’s Best Plays:

Seventh Race (3:29 PT)
1–SHARP AZA TACK (12-1)

This speedy sophomore will be trying two turns for the first time, and if he’s ever going to get the trip it will most likely be in his first attempt. From his rail post position gate to wire tactics most likely will be employed, and if he can shake loose early without having to be sent hard the Doug O’Neill-trained colt could get very brave. This will be his second start off a layoff for a barn that has good stats with this angle, and after a sharp recent half mile breeze (:47 3/5, second fastest of 21) the son of Sharp Azteca appears set for a forward move. Additionally, he’s back with his own age group and catches a field without his kind of early speed, so this two-time turf winner should offer an excellent long shot gambling opportunity at or near his morning line of 12-1.

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Eighth Race (3:59 PT)
5-LONESOME STEW (5/2)

In just his third career start and his first since January, this sophomore gelding left his previous form far behind with an impressive, highly rated maiden $50,000 claiming sprint win at Santa Anita last month and today is protected in starter allowance company while stretching out to a mile. The raise in class and the added distance will make things more difficult today, but the Mark Glatt barn generally runs its stock where it belongs, so we’ll take the aggressive placement as a sign of confidence. Three easy breezes in the interim should tick him over nicely, and in a race that he projects as the controlling speed the son of Grazen looks quite capable of winning right back. We’ll take the 5/2 morning line odds if we can get it in both in the win pool and in the various rolling exotics.