Race #1 |
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| #4 SURVIVING THE GAME | Has really turned things around since going on Lasix three races back. Last week he used a strong brush by the half to clear and then open it up down the backside. This field is not very deep and he should be able to use that big first over move to clear and go on to an easy victory. |
| #3 IM HOOKED | Followed the winner last week and was not able to stay with him and was a driven 3rd. Prior to that he was chasing much better than these and with Case in the sulky tonight he should be good enough for 2nd. |
| #5 ELEGANTLY NOBLE | Broke before they reached the start last time and spotted the field some 6 lengths. From there she raced in the live cover flow and was an even 5th. Merely best of the rest in here. |
Race #2 |
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| #4 IDEALISTIC | Was shuffled back last week only to find room on the last turn when he was completely run out of the race when the horse in front of him bore out sharply. He lost over 5 lengths because of that and did finish with good pace once back on course. The week prior he went a dead game first over mile. He always finishes well and the small field will help him. He doesn't win very often but he should be decent value in here. |
| #3 GAME PATRICK | The likely post time favorite has won 2 of his last 3. He always turns it on at 3/4's and can pass a lot of horses in a hurry. He will have to avoid a first over trip, but his form is good enough to share in here regardless of the trip. No surprise to see him on top. |
| #6 BRANDINO | Has been on Lasix in his last two and has responded with 2 better efforts. He tried the front end last week and was looking good until the backside when a horse that he should have been able to easily put away edged in front of him. He got a bit "runny" but did recover and hold a very game 2nd. I'm not sure why he was not able to win last week, but with a lack of early foot in this race he should be able to get an up close journey. Would be my top pick if I could explain the last a bit better. |
Race #3 |
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| #1 CONOS FUTURE | Left for position only to be shuffled in her last and then got free by the 3/4's and finished strongly. She has faced better all year and should do very well in this series. Look for a 2 hole trip and then a passing lane move. Should get her picture taken tonight. |
| #4 SIGN OF THE OAK | Is the only real speed in here and as such should make an easy lead. He was used early and often last week and never completely folded, despite a lot of pressure. If he can keep some distance between himself and the top pick he could prove the upsetter. |
| #3 BENTON'S WISH | Needed her last start after taking a couple months off. Grismore gets the call tonight and that is a plus. She will likely take an early trip and then hope for the best late, but looks like the best value underneath. |
Race #4 |
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| #4 BLACKWELL | Missed a month prior to last week and came back first time Lasix with a big win. She has good tactical speed (when she minds her manners) and should be able to stay close. This field is very soft and she should be able to make it 2 in a row. |
| #2 LITTLE MS RHUBARB | Was scratched sick last week and that is a concern. She loves the front and there is a lack of early foot in here. Stamina has been a problem lately, but she may just be fast enough to outlast a lot of these. |
| #5 KOCKTAIL KITTY | Has been with John Lee only 4 starts now and seems to be getting better. She was simply out of position last week and was a decent front end winner the week before. She may try to leave with the top 2 picks or else she may be too far back. Either way, with Lee and Miller doing the work she needs to be respect in here. |
| #9 SAND MY PANACHE | Gets major changes on both the trainer and driver end. She shows nothing and has no back class, but will wake up soon. |
Race #5 |
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| #5 J C COCHRAN | Was forced first over in his Northfield debut and never quit. He was raced timed a full second faster than any horse in here has gone in recent memory despite the rough journey. There will be no price on him, but they will have a hard time handling him. Looks solid. |
| #1 SCOTTY G DARN | Only has 4 lifetime starts and seems to be getting a bit better each time out. He draws the rail and in a field like this that may be enough to keep him close. No real threat to win, but he could complete the exacta. |
| #6 SAND CRUSIN JACK | Has been well backed at the windows only to miss. He seems to find his share of trouble during the mile, but if he can stay clear he may complete a very chalky exacta. |
Race #6 |
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| #6 BOOKEM DEBO | Came from Florida to the Belcher stable in January only to be bet way down and tire badly in 2 starts. He has taken a month or so off and qualified well. He has good gate speed and may be set for a big mile against this weak bunch. |
| #1 V ANNAS FIVE EIGHT | Was leaving last week only to be run into and that cost him any chance. Before that he broke behind the gate. He has a ton of speed and will be rolling early. This field is VERY soft and a lot of times those on the lead in weak trot races last a long time. That may be this one's fate. |
| #7 LAKOTA | Would be the top pick with a better post, but does draw outside of other speed. He is a beaten favorite and may be over looked tonight. A must use in any gimmick play. |
Race #7 |
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| #1 FUTURE POODLE | Has really turned things around since being privately purchased in late January. Last week he was totally back out by the #4 and had no room at all. That race should be completely discounted. Before that he was first over and very game against better. He will be leaving for the lead or the 2 hole and looks to be GREAT value. |
| #6 CAMBAA N | He too has turned it around since being privately purchased. Blessed with early foot, he should make the lead or 2 hole in good shape. He was no match for last week's winner, but still was a nice 2nd. The interesting thing is that the week before he raced with the top pick and was only 3/4's of a length better. He will be the favorite and likely over bet in here on the win end. No surprise to see him win, but I'm looking for more value. |
| #3 CONTORTIONIST | Is a gutsy race horse that does it on heart, not physical soundness. He will come out all taped up and braced for the pains of racing. He went a BIG mile last week, first up and merits serious consideration off that mile. Last years record speaks for itself against these as well. |
Race #8 |
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| #1 ARNIE'S KING | Left and raced well last week and now gets major post relief. Pantaleano opted off this one for the #9, however, Tharps is a very talented trotter driver and should have this one in good striking position. The price will be very "right" and this race is WIDE open. |
| #5 HERE COMES HAZEL | Gets class relief and a driver change tonight, both of which may wake this one up. She does her best racing from off pace and from the 5 hole should be able to work out a good cover trip. If in the mix turning for home she may pass them all. |
| #6 FRENZIED GIANT | Broke last week and that cost him any chance. His first start over the track was very good, coming a final half in just over a minute. He may follow the #5's every move and use that late kick to get a big check. Good longshot. |
Race #9 |
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| #4 SPARK'S RAIDER | Just missed on the front end last week and will likely be headed there again tonight. This trainer's horses have been racing much better in recent weeks after starting out very slowly this year. He won a lot of races last year and based on the lack of "winners" in here, he gets the nod. |
| #3 GOVERNOR BEN | Has lacked any form over the past 4 months, but seems to be getting a bit better. Has been raced very aggressively in recent weeks and should be up close tonight. No one in this field looks like they are really interested in winning, and with a two-hole trip this one may surprise. |
| #7 CADILLAC SAM | Needed his last start and appeared short. Brett Miller gets the call tonight and with that last start under his belt he could surprise. Being a 7 time winner last year helps. |
Race #10 |
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| #4 FRENCH TUNE | Is Pantaleano's choice of 4 in here. He has been lightly raced over the course of the past few years and that is cause for concern. He changed tactics last week and raced off pace and looked good doing such. That may have improved his confidence and if left alone on the front end he may be hard to catch. Edge in a tough trot. |
| #2 EXECUTIVE MACHO | Looks to have found a nice spot. He drops back to a level where he last won and draws in to boot. Grismore should keep this one close and look to make a big move at 3/4's. If the pace is hot, he may be in the right place at the right time to pounce at a price. |
| #1 SPEEDY DANCER | Has missed a start and that may be problematic. The rail should keep this one close and Lee/Miller are always worthy of consideration in the gimmick. |
Race #11 |
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| #8 NICE N ANXIOUS | Is back down to the level where he won and was claimed. After two rough trips against much better he should find these to his liking, and despite the post will be tough. The price should be good and he rates the one to beat. |
| #6 FIVE POCKET | Came first up last week and still held on gamely to finish 3rd. He has been a model of consistency this year in terms of getting checks and can race either up front of from the back. That versitility gives him a big shot to share. |
| #7 FUR FUN | Has not faced a field this weak in a long time. He lacks any current form and has missed a week, however, he has good early foot and may get awfully brave against this soft field. |
Race #12 |
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| #1 GO GUMP GO | Took advantage of a good trip behind battling leaders and rolled by them all in the lane for a nice score. He meets the same group he beat last week and from the rail he should be able to work out a similar trip. The price won't be as good, but it still should have some value. |
| #5 KICKALITTLE | Tasted defeat for the first time after a four race win streak. He was locked in behind a tiring leader and did hit the passing lane with good trot. There is other speed in this race and that is a problem, but the form is good enough to give this one a big shot. |
| #8 HEY GOOD LOOK'IN | Has been the victim of terrible racing luck in recent starts. Last week he was leaving well, only to have a horse break and take up right in front of him. He was pushed so wide the starting car had to actually get out of his way. Ward knows this one the best and is up tonight. From the inside he would have been my top pick, but he has to deal with other early speed. He will be great value tonight and with some racing luck could end up in the winner's circle. |
Race #13 |
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| #6 TIMEFORMETOFLY | Went a simply HUGE mile last week. He left under a big pull last week and had to be throttled back to let a horse in. Then he came charging first up battling a horse that was not interested in letting him go. They tipped out 3 and 4 wide to go by him at 3/4's but he held firm between horses. Then in the lane he found new life and actually passed the leader, only to have a horse that was on the outside get by him. That was a big effort and with any sort of cover trip he will win in here and at a price to boot. |
| #2 SQUARE IT | Should be able to make the front in good shape tonight. His form is not in question and if left alone on the front end he will last a long time. |
| #4 FIRSTKIN | Is another one that is in top form. Last week he took advantage of the top two picks dual and responded with a big 3 wide win. He likes to win races and if the top two picks go at it again he may win again. |
Race #14 |
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| #5 DECORUM SOCIETY | She had to rough it first up last week and was looking pretty good turning for home when she started to bear in and Fisher had to take her up sharply to avoid locking wheels with the leader. That killed her momentum and any hopes of a win. She gets another class drop and should be in position to challenge late. Likely to be good value as the second choice and an edge in the finale. |
| #3 SPIRIT SAHBRA | Has been racing very well since John Lee bought her. She has no early foot but can really turn it on late. If she isn't too far back she should be able to pass a lot of these. I am just worried the price will be too low. |
| #2 O DREAM OF ERIN | Comes to us from Michigan where she has been keeping much better company. Last week she had to battle first over against horses with more than twice the price tag of these. The driver is young and inexperienced and that is a concern. Horse for horse she rates a big shot to share. |
| #1 TOWNER'S LADYWINDY | Is winless in the last two years, but draws the rail and has good early speed. She seems to be recing better of late and it will be hard to back her completely out of the superfecta. |