#5 SMILE N WILDCAT (5/2) Julio Canani is primarily known for training higher quality turf horses and good Cal breds, but over the last few years he's also posted a great win percentage with horses he's claimed. This popular 7yo has been claimed from 7 of his last 9 starts and has been freshened since taken by Canani from a rare bad performance Jan 25. That 8th place finish allows Canani to run him back for the same tag with a lesser chance of having him claimed away. Smile N Wildcat can lead, press, or stalk the pace and also loves wet tracks. His best-of-72 5F work over this track Feb 21 suggests that he's doing great in the Canani barn, and I expect him to rebound with one of his better performances today.

Wagering Strategy:
A win bet on (5)SMILE N WILDCAT;
Exactas 5-2, 5-3, reverse each for half as much;
Smaller exacta 5-4, small reverse.