It certainly appears trainer Robert Smith knew what he was doing by switching surfaces last time, sending out Asters d’Oro (9-2) out for her turf debut in the 3rd race FEB 26, the three-year-old filly showing instant improvement with a solid show finish.
It also would appear that Daniel Centeno liked the filly enough to stick with her a third time after she showed little in both of her dirt priors, bearing out in a quickly run 5-1/2 furlong sprint debut, in which the winner came back to repeat, and in her second go although showing improved early speed.
In her turf debut, Centeno took an attending position just off the lead, surged to command midway through the two-turner, but subsequently tired in what appeared to be the winning move which turned out to be premature instead.
Both Centeno and the filly are back for another try, knowing she should handle the same trip and is likely to use the filly’s tactical speed to say within hailing of the leader in a largely pace-less affair. He possibly can even control the tempo throughout given the favorable race-shape scenario and post draw.
And so we’re taking Asters d’Oro to win at 5-2 or greater, boxing an exacta with Lasix-improved Patsy’s Big (7-2), and are adding first-Lasix Red Pixie (10-1) with pole position and logical favorite Sayoh (5-2), an improving sort but one who may lack enough early gas to maintain her position early.
2 Responses
Just for the fun of it all, boxing the four of them in the SF. Could be the Final Four apropos for the day? Riders Up and NCAA hoops up as well!
Yes, must say that hoops are a distraction to my day job, but love the Tournament!