Insights on the American Racing Scene for May 18

1st-BEL, $77K, Alw, NW1X, 3yo/up, 6 1/2f, 1:30 p.m. EDT
Shadwell Stable's MAWTHOOQ (Distorted Humor), a distant third after covering extra real estate in Gulfstream Park's Mucho Macho Man S. in January of 2015, cuts back in trip for this first allowance spin off a 16-month plus break from the Kiaran McLaughlin barn. Tabbed a 'TDN Rising Star' at second asking on the back of a 10 1/2-length romp in the slop at Aqueduct in November of 2014, the Kiaran McLaughlin charge was a debut second to subsequent GII Swale S. hero Ready for Rye (City Zip) a month prior. He is out of MGSW Ready's Gal (More Than Ready) and is a full-brother to 'TDN Rising Star' and GSW Machen. Nick Zito saddles My Meadowview Farm homebred Wave Warrior (Candy Ride {Arg}) to oppose. Tenth behind future MGSW Isotherm (Lonhro {Aus}) when unveiled routing over the Saratoga turf Aug. 22, the bay graduated by a neck going this trip at the Big A Apr. 8. He is a son of GI Acorn S. heroine Island Sand (Tabasco Cat). TJCIS PPs