Insights on the American Racing Scene for Mar. 17, 2018

2nd-AQU, $67K, Alw/OC, 3yo, 1m, 1:50 p.m.
GO GET THE MUNNY (Munnings) looks to double up after an impressive 7 1/4-length debut romp going a furlong shorter here Feb. 1 (video replay). Campaigned solely by Robert Masiello last time, the $95,000 OBSMAR graduate appears to have been bought into by frequent Masiello partner West Point Thoroughbreds since that unveiling. Gelded last summer, he was a $95,000 OBS March acquisition after a :10 1/5 breeze. Paul Pompa, Jr.'s Gleason (Algorithms) also seeks his second trip to the winner's circle from as many starts. Back down to even money at Tampa Jan. 20, the Todd Pletcher pupil aired by 5 1/2 lengths (video replay). A $220,000 KEESEP yearling, he is out of MGSW Trip (Lord at War {Arg}), making him a half to the dam of dual Grade I winner and top GI Kentucky Derby contender Bolt d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro). TJCIS PPs

8th-GP, $55K, Msw, 3yo, 6 1/2f, 3:31 p.m.
It seems like there's a stacked maiden special weight at Gulfstream every Saturday, and this one is no exception. SCRAPPER (Orb), a $100,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling turned $600,000 OBSMAR juvenile, settled for second behind subsequent two-time stakes winner Diamond Oops (Lookin At Lucky) on debut here way back in June. His half-sister Jennifer Lynnette (Elusive Quality) annexed Woodbine's GIII Royal North S. since the last time he was seen, and his second dam was MGISW Strategic Maneuver (Cryptoclearance). Central Command (Into Mischief) hails from the important Courtly Dee family that continues to churn out graded stakes winners and big sales prices. He's a $575,000 KEESEP yearling himself, and is out of an unraced half-sister to GISW Acoma (Empire Maker) and half to GISW and late sire Arch (Kris S.). First Commander (Medaglia d'Oro) is the first foal out of scrappy Grade I winner and $2,000 KEESEP yearling Emma's Encore (Congrats). He was a $475,000 KEENOV weanling, and his 2-year-old full-sister Bow cost $350,000 at Fasig-Tipton October. A weanling half-brother by Giant's Causeway went for $300,000 a month later at Keeneland November. TJCIS PPs

5th-FG, $40K, Alw/OC, 3yo, f, a5 1/2fT, 4:05 p.m.
SMART RESPONSE (Smart Strike), a $275,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling and $525,000 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic juvenile, will attempt to justify the 'TDN Rising Star' distinction she was granted first out when scoring by four over course and distance Feb. 9. The Joe Sharp trainee is out of SW Salty Response (Cozzene), who is a half to MGSW Salty Strike (Smart Strike). Klein homebred Golden Days (Country Day) was a 4 1/2-length first-up winner herself over the same course and distance. TJCIS PPs

—@BDiDonatoTDN