Churchill Downs – 7th race – Tapless (7/2)
Ran very well in her only outing as a two-year-old, pressing the pace throughout, disposing of the odds-on favorite inside the furlong pole but then paying the price late and winding up second in good race for the level last summer at Belmont Park. Was stopped on soon after but returns with a good series of workouts in her first start since being transferred to the Steve Asmussen barn and should be a stronger, more mature, and better type this time around. Has enough early speed to be in a good stalking position throughout and have every chance to earn her diploma in this one-turn mile main track affair. At 3-1 on the morning line she’s a straight play and rolling exotic single.
Santa Anita – 8th race – 5-Madam Mousse (10-1)
Rapidly-developing daughter of The Pamplemousse moves up in class in her first try vs. stakes foes and certainly will need to produce another forward move, but in her initial attempt around two turns in a field with plenty of early speed to compliment her late-running style, this Mike Machowsky-trained four-year-old could be up to the task. Certainly bred to run long (out of a mare by Lemon Drop Kid), this athletic, good-moving filly is worth a gamble at anywhere near her morning line of 10-1 both in the straight pool and in rolling exotic play.
