Regarding Race 1 and why I like North Pacific.
He was claimed for 12.5K in January. Why? To try to understand we have to look what the connections do with him after. Most of the time, they claim him, re-enter at the same level hoping to cash a check and risk losing him. If you claim him for 12.5 and re-enter him for 12.5 and he wins, but is re-claimed, you get your 12.5 back plus purse - basically double up $.
This group gave the horse time and immediately put him into a stamina-training program - 4F, then 5F, then 6F twice. He ran faster and faster in each work.
Then, instead of entering him in a route for a similar tag, they bump him up in class. They don't want to lose this horse. He's definitely live.
Meanwhile, Thesheetsguy has been cruising and is eligible to race at a higher level, including allowance races. Why put him in for a tag? And why a lower one than last out? And, no workout since his last race? What's wrong with him?
In fact, I may look past the 4 and to the 5 Carlot Cowboy, who could fire a big one 3rd off the layoff.
This first race is a good one.