Holland's North American Racing Picks for May 21

by Tim Holland

Churchill Downs

Race 1

#5 Prettyhappy (15-1) will be the first runner for highly-anticipated new sire Runhappy. 2-year-old is out of a speedy stakes-winning mare who has produced two winners and works include a sharp 3-furlong move in :36 from the gate nine days ago. Same connections as Runhappy are undoubtedly keen to get their stallion off to a good start, and filly may be live with Beschizza in the irons.

Race 3

Trainer Drury wins with 29% of his second-time starters and saddles #11 Beauty Day (8-1), who took some betting action but who just managed belated progress when fifth in her debut at Turfway in early March. Daughter of Paynter is out of a mare by Indian Charlie and trainer Drury wins with 24% of his runners that have not raced for 46-90 days. Dark bay should be suited by the longer distance and can be along from off the pace with Hernandez taking the mount.

Race 7

Sprinters on turf include #6 Devant (4-1), who cuts back in distance after closing to finish fifth at Gulfstream in late January. Chestnut won the Prix Miesque (G3) in France as a juvenile before joining trainer Motion, who wins with 18% of his runners that have not raced for 90+ days and with 17% of his starters in allowance events. 4-year-old has been working forwardly and should find a solid pace to close into with Velazquez up.

Race 9

#9 Mr Dumas (9-2) flattened out when unplaced in both of two latest starts at Gulfstream, most recently in the Appleton (G3) at this distance in late March. Son of Majesticperfection is unbeaten in two previous starts on this turf and posted a sharp 4-furlong work in :46 3/5 eight days ago for trainer Maker, who wins with 17% of his runners that have not raced for 46-90 days. Colt can be in good early position in a competitive event under Martin Garcia.

Gulfstream Park

Race 4

Conditioner Lynch wins with a solid 18% of his second-time starters and saddles #5 Casseys’s Girl (9-2), who faded to finish unplaced after chasing the early pace over 6 furlongs on the main track in her debut here in mid-February. Chestnut has a speedy pedigree being by Tale of the Cat and out of a mare by Montbrook and has been working well on grass for Lynch, who has won with 15% of his starters at this meet. Filly can be forwardly placed throughout with Saez riding.

Race 8

#7 Tide Storm (8-1) tries claiming company for the first time off a closing fifth place finish over 5 furlongs last month in her first outing since November. Trainer Matz has won with 14% of his starters since the beginning of the year and daughter of 15% grass sire Stormy Atlantic has won one of six starts on turf. Chestnut may be tough at this level and distance with Saez taking the mount.

Race 9

Sprinters on the main track include #1 Wentz (5-1), who has not been seen since weakening to finish fifth after pressing the early pace over 6 furlongs in the Tom Fool (G3) at Aqueduct in early March. Son of Super Saver has won four of 11 career outings and recent works include a 3-furlong move in :35 4/5 for trainer Servis, who wins with 19% of his runners that have not raced for 90+ days. 5-year-old figures to be sent early under Saez, who won with both of his last two rides for this barn.

Charles Town

Race 5

#1 Major Medallist (5-2) has a decent record of 13-4-3-2 and was passed late when second after leading from the start in his latest over 7 furlongs in February. Dark bay has won one of three starts at this distance and makes his second outing since being claimed by Ronney Brown, who wins with 15% of his runners that have not raced for 46-90 days. Gelding can be tough to catch with Trotman retaining the mount.

Golden Gates Fields

Race 5

Maidens on the all-weather Tapeta surface include #6 Cyber (8-1), who makes his first start for trainer Mathis and who has not been seen since showing little in his debut facing better on turf at Santa Anita nearly a year ago. Gray is a half-brother to one winner and has been working forwardly for Mathis, who wins with 16% of his runners that have not raced for 90+ days. Gelding can be expected to show improvement with Pena in the irons.

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