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DWYER S. (G2), 9TH-BEL, $200,000, 3YO, 1 1/8M, 5:17 P.M. EDT, 5-8

PP HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY WT
1 CARNIVORE DELOZIER JOSEPH III DOMINGUEZ R A 116
2 DROSSELMEYER MOTT WILLIAM I DESORMEAUX K J 116
3 TURF MELODY MOTION H GRAHAM MARAGH RAJIV 121
4 SOARING EMPIRE GAMBOLATI CAM CASTRO E 116
5 REMAND TERRANOVA JOHN P II VELAZQUEZ J R 116
6 CODOY HUBLEY MARK VELASQUEZ CORNE 116
7 FLY DOWN ZITO NICHOLAS P LEZCANO JOSE 116

Formerly held in July, Saturday's $200,000 Dwyer S. (G2) replaces the Peter Pan S. (G2), which is on a one-year hiatus, as a prep race for the June 5 Belmont S. (G1). FLY DOWN (Mineshaft) didn't run to expectations when making his stakes debut in the Louisiana Derby (G2), finishing ninth, but we'll look for him to rebound with a victory here for Nick Zito.

The lightly-raced chestnut broke his maiden when stretching out to two turns last fall at Churchill Downs and opened his three-year-old season with a commendable allowance score at Gulfstream Park on February 21, edging Blue Grass S. (G1) third-placer and Preakness S. (G1) hopeful First Dude (Stephen Got Even) by a head. He experienced a rough trip at the back of the pack in the Louisiana Derby last time but still made up some ground in the stretch, netting a 97 BRIS Late Pace number in a race that didn't favor closers. Fly Down figures to benefit immensely from the experience and is training forwardly for his third start of the year, posting a four-furlong bullet work on Monday at Churchill Downs. He'll look to run past his rivals in the long Belmont stretch.

DROSSELMEYER (Distorted Humor) is a formidable presence in this spot. Trained by Bill Mott, the chestnut colt established himself as an exciting Kentucky Derby (G1) prospect when opening 2010 with a sharp win at Gulfstream, netting a 105 BRIS Speed rating in a 1 1/8-mile allowance, but he couldn't secure enough graded earnings in his next two starts, recording a fourth in the Risen Star (G2) and a third in the Louisiana Derby. He caught a speed-favoring track in the former, with the top three finishers sustaining their spots throughout the race, and missed by only a length in the Louisiana Derby after being forced to steady along the rail in upper stretch. The stalker has the tactical speed to secure a perfect trip under Kent Desormeaux.

REMAND (Successful Appeal) offered a solid run for third following a slow start in the Bay Shore S. (G3) last time and was flattered when runner-up Hurricane Ike (Graeme Hall) came back to win the Derby Trial S. (G3) next out. The John Terranova trainee figures to show speed beneath John Velazquez and looms as a threat to wire his rivals, but we have our doubts about his ability at nine furlongs.

SOARING EMPIRE (Empire Maker) received some support in the Florida Derby (G1) off an allowance tally in his 2010 bow at Gulfstream, but he was in tight down along the rail and never fired. The one-run closer didn't beat much two starts back and probably won't have much pace to set up his rally on Saturday, but we won't be surprised to see this intriguing colt outperform our expectations.

CARNIVORE (Giant's Causeway) exits a decent second in a Pimlico allowance and should be forwardly placed from the rail with Ramon Dominguez. The Joe Delozier pupil has serious class concerns in this spot, but we give him a chance to hold for a minor award in a race without much pace. TURF MELODY (Maria's Mon) experienced trouble in the first turn of the Illinois Derby (G2) last time and owns plenty of stakes experience, but his BRIS numbers are too low for us to recommend his chances. CODOY (Bernstein) faces a difficult task at this level in his dirt bow.

1st-FLY DOWN
2nd-DROSSELMEYER
3rd-REMAND

MERVYN LEROY H. (G2), 5TH-HOL, $150,000, 3YO/UP, 1 1/16M, 3:04 P.M. PDT, 5-8

PP HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY WT
1 DAKOTA PHONE HOLLENDORFER JERRY BAZE T C 117
2 SANGAREE BAFFERT BOB PEDROZA M A 115
3 SLEW'S TIZNOW LLOYD JAMES ROSARIO JOEL 114
4 CIGAR MAN CERIN VLADIMIR TALAMO JOSEPH 114
5 TRES BORRACHOS GREELY C BEAU ESPINOZA V 114
6 RAIL TRIP ELLIS RONALD W BEJARANO R 121
7 ART CURRENCY MITCHELL MIKE SMITH M E 113

RAIL TRIP (Jump Start) returns to the races on Saturday in the $150,000 Mervyn LeRoy H. (G2) going 1 1/16 miles on Hollywood Park's Cushion Track. The Ron Ellis trainee begins his quest yet again to sweep the top three events at Hollywood for older horses. In last year's try, the bay gelding suffered his first career loss when running second in the Mervyn LeRoy, filled that same spot in the Californian S. (G2), then got back to his winning ways in the Hollywood Gold Cup (G1). He rounded out 2009 with a game third in the Pacific Classic (G1), and will be making his five-year-old bow in this spot under new rider Rafael Bejarano. Rail Trip has yet to finish worse than second in five tries at Hollywood and three attempts at the distance, and appears more than capable of take this one the second time around.

DAKOTA PHONE (Zavata) followed the same series last year and ended up running third behind Rail Trip in the first two legs. In the Californian, a head was all that separated the pair on the wire, but the Jerry Hollendorfer runner tailed off badly following that race. He could do no better than ninth in the Gold Cup, then closed out his four-year-old season with a pair of off-the-board runs. Since returning from a three-month break in January, the bay gelding has shown more life, just missing by a neck when third against allowance rivals. He followed that up with a head second in the San Antonio H. (G3) and was also third in the Santa Anita H. (G1) two back. Dakota Phone didn't take to the dirt in the Oaklawn H. (G2) last out, and could jump up in a big way while revisiting Hollywood's Cushion Track. Tyler Baze in the saddle also helps his chances at the win.

SLEW'S TIZNOW (Tiznow) captured his only start at Hollywood while going 8 1/2 furlongs in the War Chant S. in 2008. He didn't do so well in 2009 in only three starts, and was transferred from Doug O'Neill to James Lloyd. His five-year-old bow didn't offer much encouragement, but the dark bay has shown improvement since that February 17 start. An allowance win and a second in the Santana Mile H. proved Slew's Tiznow can still compete against stakes rivals, but he'll need to step up his game a bit to challenge in the top spot here. Therefore, we're simply tabbing for the bottom of the exotics at a good price under Joel Rosario.

Grade 2 winner TRES BORRACHOS (Ecton Park) was second in last year's Hollywood Gold Cup, but his best finish since then came as a third in a turf allowance in November, when he earned a 95 BRIS Speed rating. His last two races resulted in fourth-place grass runs, and the Beau Greely charge could show more while returning to the all-weather surface. The five-year-old gelding has run first or second in five of eight tries on the Cushion Track, and will keep Victor Espinoza aboard. CIGAR MAN (Drewman) has finished behind others in here in the past, but the dark bay five-year-old also has a tendency to run in the money at Hollywood while going this distance. He could grab a check with Joe Talamo in the irons.

SANGAREE (Awesome Again) is an inconsistent sort who appears to either win or finish fifth. Though he's due for a win based on previous races, and will be stretching out to a more favorable distance, we can't endorse the Bob Baffert runner for anything more than a gimmicks play. ART CURRENCY's (Street Cry [Ire]) first stakes try resulted in a fifth-place finish in the Santana Mile last out, and he just doesn't look fast enough to challenge against these. We'll take a stand against.

1st-RAIL TRIP
2nd-DAKOTA PHONE
3rd-SLEW'S TIZNOW

LONE STAR DERBY (G3), 9TH-LS, $200,000, 3YO, 1 1/16M, 5:19 P.M. CDT, 5-8

PP HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY WT
1 WANDO REDD LARA JORGE LANDEROS CHRIS 122
2 GILDED WOODMAN LOPEZ PEDRO GUZMAN JORGE 122
3 THATLLEAVEAMARK MILLIGAN ALLEN ESCOBAR M 122
4 GAME ON DUDE BAFFERT BOB GARCIA MARTIN 122
5 HENSHIN HERO CALHOUN WILLIAM BRET WALKER B J JR 122
6 CRIDER ASMUSSEN STEVEN M GRYDER A T 122

A lackluster field of six sophomores has been entered in Saturday's $200,000 Lone Star Derby (G3), and we're tabbing HENSHIN HERO (Dance Master) to come out on top. Trained by Bret Calhoun, the bay gelding captured three of his first four starts, with the only loss amongst those coming when he unseated his rider at Oaklawn Park in late January. Most recently he shipped to Keeneland and tried grass for the first time, winding up second, and will probably enjoy returning to the main track in this spot. The biggest question mark for the three-year-old is the 1 1/16-mile distance over Lone Star Park's oval, as he has never raced beyond six furlongs. If he can handle the stretch out, Henshin Hero looks capable of scoring in his first stakes try. Bobby Walker Jr. takes over the mount.

CRIDER (Closing Argument) was fourth in the Smarty Jones S. in his first race against stakes company, then returned to finish fifth, placed fourth via disqualification, in the Southwest S. (G3), both at Oaklawn. The Steven Asmussen-conditioned bay earned a nice 95 BRIS Speed rating for that latter effort, and stretched out to 8 1/2 furlongs when second in his most recent start, an allowance/optional claimer. Crider has a shot against this field under Aaron Gryder.

GAME ON DUDE (Awesome Again) was well-beaten in his two stakes attempts, the Florida Derby (G1) and Derby Trial S. (G3), but those came against top class rivals. The dark bay won't be facing anywhere near that caliber of horse here, and earned 100 BRIS Late Pace ratings for his initial two starts, including a three-length maiden win going a mile at Gulfstream Park. Trainer Bob Baffert is adding blinkers for this start, and Game on Dude could improve enough with the equipment change and drop in class to threaten for it all. Martin Garcia will be in the irons.

WANDO REDD (Wando) was a 6 1/2-length maiden winner in his third try at Evangeline Downs last out. The chestnut colt garnered a 93 Speed figure for his initial score, but might not be able to keep up with our top three. We can only recommend in the bottom of the gimmicks.

THATLLEAVEAMARK (Marked Tree) has spent the majority of his career running against maiden claimers. He finally managed to breakthrough at the $15,000 level to take his first win, but even against these appears out of his class. GILDED WOODMAN (Gilded) will be getting the addition of first-time Lasix and trying dirt for the first time, but still doesn't appear fast enough to stay in touch with his rivals here.

1st-HENSHIN HERO
2nd-CRIDER
3rd-GAME ON DUDE

Arlington Park (1st) Tar Heel Thrill, 5-1
(6th) Dooney Rock, 5-1

Belmont Park (7th) Mind Boggling, 7-2
(10th) Ezzy, 6-1

Calder (4th) Sunday Geisha, 5-1
(8th) Vanishing Buck, 8-1

Charles Town (3rd) Antietam Bay, 3-1
(6th) Some Say, 3-1

Churchill Downs (7th) Regal Soul, 7-2
(9th) Knockout Bertie, 4-1

Delaware Park (5th) Regents Ridge, 6-1
(7th) Pyramyst, 6-1

Emerald Downs (7th) Dirty Shirt, 5-1
(9th) Jazzoom, 10-1

Evangeline Downs (1st) Savannah Brook, 9-2
(2nd) Devilishem, 5-1

Finger Lakes (1st) Castle Harbour, 6-1
(9th) Has Squoken, 7-2

Golden Gate Fields (1st) Sand Harbour, 6-1
(6th) Old College Try, 6-1

Hastings Park (5th) Dharma Queen, 3-1
(6th) Classic Alley Kat, 3-1

Hollywood Park (2nd) Gold Star Status, 6-1
(3rd) Dynamic Host, 4-1

Indiana Downs (3rd) Airo Magic, 6-1
(6th) Tamed Trouble, 5-1

Lone Star Park (1st) Playgirl Prospect, 9-2
(4th) Colby's Holiday, 8-1

Louisiana Downs (5th) Wonderlic, 4-1
(9th) Grey Papillon, 7-2

Mountaineer Park (2nd) Scooby, 8-1
(10th) Nicole's Law, 5-1

Penn National (1st) Boffo, 6-1
(4th) Alexandra's Due, 5-1

Philadelphia Park (6th) Oscarson, 9-2
(10th) Smoken Dreams, 4-1

Pimlico (3rd) Dave's Duchess, 7-2
(4th) Bobbi O., 5-1

Prairie Meadows (5th) The Real Story, 5-1
(7th) Dunscombe, 9-2

Presque Isle Downs (3rd) Happy Wac, 7-2
(6th) Dazzling Derek, 10-1

River Downs (5th) Final Quest, 5-1
(11th) Sunset Summer, 7-2

Thistledown (10th) Asp, 9-2
(12th) Biferno, 8-1

Woodbine (5th) Trend, 8-1
(6th) Just Call Me Roger, 6-1

Courtesy of Mike Dempsey

Here is today's opening race from Belmont Park to get our day off to a good start:

BEL Race 1 Clm $15,000N2L (1:00 ET)

#3 Bridge to Nowhere 3/1
#9 Full Tilt Noogie 12/1
#8 Never Give Up 8/1
#6 Shotgun Bandit 6/1

Analysis: #3 Bridge to Nowhere raced wide much of the trip going long last out at Pimlico, checking in a non threatening fourth against $20K non winners of two. Two back going a one turn mile this guy was a game second, beaten just 3/4 of a length for the top spot. He goes from one sharp barn to another while facing a weak looking group, and this guy will appreciate facing NY breds again.

#9 Full Tilt Noogie dueled for the early lead and faded to finish seventh last out on the turf going long. The colt has failed to land in the money in four trips over the weeds and the switch back to the main track and the cut back to one turn will suit this guy.

Wagering

WIN: #3 to win at 9/5 or better.
EX: 3,9 / 3,6,8,9
TRI: 3,9 / 3,6,8,9 / 1,3,6,8,9

Today's Featured Race of the Day from Belmont Park:

BEL Race 9 Dwyer G2 (5:17 ET)

#2 Drosselmeyer 2/1
#4 Soaring Empire 5/1
#5 Remand 3/1
#7 Fly Down 7/2

Analysis: #2 Drosselmeyer could not crack the top twenty in graded earnings and had to skip the Kentucky Derby after a third place finish in the Louisiana Derby (G2) in his last start. Desormeaux had to wait for some running room entering the stretch last out and when clear just was not quite good enough in a third place finish, beaten just a length for the top spot. The colt has not been able to finish in his last couple of starts, but his last pair of speed figs are tops in here, and with a clean trip he is going to be tough to beat here. The colt is out of the stakes winner Golden Ballet ($732K) who has also dropped a nice runner in Stage Luck (3 for 7, $155K). If he wins this, he is likely bound for the Belmont Stakes, unless Super Saver wins the Preakness. Both are owned by WinStar.

#4 Soaring Empire makes his first start since a eighth place finish in the Florida Derby. The colt was bumped around early and was caught in tight in the traffic while weakening. The colt was a good looking Alw-1 winner two back going seven furlongs. He deserves another shot at nine furlongs as he certainly is bred to handle the distance. He is by Empire Maker out of an A.P. Indy mare.

#5 Remand may have then most upside potential in the field, the John Terranova trainee making just his fourth career start here. The colt was third last out in the Bay Shore (G3), having to check at the break, was outrun early, caught some traffic on the far turn, came with a four wide bid and was no match for the top pair. The runner up in the race was Hurricane Ike, who came back to win the Derby Trial (G3) in his next outing on April 24.

Wagering

WIN: #2 to win at 8/5 or better.
EX: 2,4 / 2,4,5,7
TRI: 2,4 / 2,4,5,7 / 2,4,5,6,7

Today's Featured Race of the Day from Churchill Downs:


CD Race 9 Unbridled Sidney (4:59 ET)

#5 Selva 5/2
#6 Trusty Temper 10/1
#8 Candy Cane 3/1
#2 Knockout Bertie 4/1

Analysis: #5 Selva checked in a decent second last out in the Bienville, which was off a 4 1/2 month layoff. The winner of the race was West Ocean, who came back to win the Giant's Causeway in her next outing on April 17 at Keeneland. The third place finisher Seeking Ms Shelley also won next out, taking the Telllike at Evangeline Downs on May 1. She makes her second start off the bench and this is just her third career start on turf. She won the Mardi Gras at Fair Grounds last February in her turf debut.

#6 Trusty Temper did not fire her best last out in the Leggio, but that was coming off a seven month layoff. Her first start on turf was an impressive maiden win at Ellis way back in the summer of '08. The blinkers come off today and the Weaver runner looks like she could be live at a decent price in this spot.


Wagering

WIN: #5 to win at 2/1 or better.
EX: 5,6 / 2,5,6,8
TRI: 5,6 / 2,5,6,8 / 1,2,5,6,8

Live Longshots:

These are price plays for exotic players looking to find a couple of extra contenders to use in their trifecta and superfecta wagers. Or for those with smaller bankrolls, you might want to get in a small win-place wager.

Belmont Park

R1: #9 Full Tilt Noogie 12/1
R1: #8 Never Give Up 8/1
R2: #3 Tiffany Rock 8/1
R4: #5 Alltiffedoff 8/1
R5: #7 Glory Chaser 8/1
R6: #4 Geroni 12/1
R6: #7 Kiln Creek 20/1
R8: #11 Golly Day 15/1
R10: #4 Strategic Move 8/1
R10: #10 L.C. Bulgari 12/1

Good luck today!

BEL 2nd (1:32)

1 Mile | Fillies and Mares | 3 Year Olds And Up Claiming ($7,500) | Purse: $21,000

Prg. # PP Horse Jockey Trainer Wt. Claim $ Equip. Med. ML
1 1 Decorated Court Maragh R Persaud Randi 120 $7,500 L 15-1
2 2 East Coaster Studart M Chatterpaul N 120 $7,500 L 12-1
3 3 Tiffany Rock Coa E M Toscano John T Jr 120 $7,500 L 8-1
4 4 Lilly of Paradise Chavez J F Schettino Dominick A 120 $7,500 L 4-1
5 5 Diva's Gold Jara F Giglio, Jr. D 120 $7,500 L 6-1
6 6 The Mules Sister Lopez A Lalman Dennis 113 7 $7,500 L 20-1
7 7 Crafty Shocked Dominguez R A Dutrow Sydney 120 $7,500 L 6-1
8 8 Fantastic Lisa Velazquez J R Walder Peter R 120 $7,500 L 4-1
9 9 Diva in Training Prado E S Rodriguez Rudy R 121 $7,500 L 3-1

Exacta, Quinella, Trifecta, Super (.10), Pick 3 Races (2-4) Pick 4 Races (2-5), Daily Double Wagers

Brian Blessing's Pick's 9-4-7

Diva In Training looks like a major player. She has been racing wide of late and draws an outside post. She looks good enough to overcome that impost.

CDX 3rd (1:49)

1 1/8 Miles (Turf) | Fillies and Mares | 3 Year Olds And Up Claiming ($30,000 - $25,000) | Purse: $22,000

Prg. # PP Horse Jockey Trainer Wt. Claim $ Equip. Med. ML
1 1 Jill's Kitten Villasana C Ward Wesley A 106 7 $25,000 L 10-1
2 2 Winter's Circle Shaw R D Bugge Robert J 120 $25,000 LA 50-1
3 3 Slumpbuster McKee J Grego Donald R 120 $25,000 L 8-1
4 4 Catfish Hook Farina T Richardson Tim 113 $25,000 LA 12-1
5 5 Aunt Del Borel C H Wiggins Lon 115 $30,000 Blk-Off LA 8-1
6 6 G Mom Solis A Reinstedler A L 122 $30,000 LA 3-1
7 7 Moments Away Lanerie C J Kaelin Forrest 115 $30,000 L 5-2
8 8 Adelina Rose Leparoux J R Kenneally Eddie 122 $30,000 LA 2-1

Daily Double / Exacta / Trifecta / Superfecta / Pick 3 (Races 3-4-5)

Brian Blessing's Pick's 5-6-7

#5 Aunt Del- Should get a good price on this filly who is dropping in for a tag. She won her debut and finished up close in an allowance at KEE. She is bred for the turf and looks like one of the best plays of the day.

HOLLY 4th (2:34)

1 1/16 Miles (Turf) | Open | 3 Year Olds And Up Maiden Special Weight | Purse: $42,000

Prg. # PP Horse Jockey Trainer Wt. Claim $ Equip. Med. ML
1 1 Megastar Rosario J Ellis Ronald W 124 L 3-1
2 2 Coastal Smarty Baze T C Sise Clifford Jr 116 L 4-1
3 3 Uzziah Talamo J Ascanio Humberto 116 L 5-1
4 4 Ducane Smith M E Fanning Jerry 124 L 15-1
5 5 Bodark Quinonez A Mandella Gary 116 L 20-1
6 6 Distorted Economy Bejarano R Drysdale Neil 116 L 7-2
7 7 Southern Victory Flores D R Mandella Gary 116 L 20-1
8 8 One French Kiss Espinoza V Gallagher Patrick 116 L 6-1
9 9 Juniper Pass Blanc B Bell Thomas R II 116 L 6-1

$1 Exacta / $2 Quinella / $1 Trifecta $1 Superfecta (10-cent min.) / $2 Double / $1 Pick 3 $2 Pick 6 (Races 4-9)

Battagliaspicks 2-1-6

#2 Coastal Smarty- made the lead but failed to hold on in his first turf try around two turns. He needed that race and should take them all the way as our best bet.