Race #1 |
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| #1 ROCK MAPLE | Drops in class tonight, draws the rail and gets Case, all of which give this one a big shot. Last week he was completely shuffled out of contention and did tip 3 wide on the final turn and closed very quickly in the lane with lots of pace. He has enough gate speed to get good position and with any sort of trip he rates a big shot. |
| #8 JESSICA'S SCOOTER | Is back to a level where he was VERY competitive early in the year. He's been racing inside against much better in recent weeks and with the big drop in class Tharps will have this one rolling much harder earlier. He needs some racing luck from out here, but he is much the class and is a gimmick must. |
| #2 NUKE THE BUNNY | Has been off form for a long time, showing no punch at any point in any of his last 10 miles. Last week he raced close up behind a hot pace and did not back out, so maybe he is getting closer to the form that saw him win nearly 50K last year. If the upswing continues he could be dangerous. |
Race #2 |
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| #5 PATRICIAN | Drops into a VERY sweet spot. Two weeks ago he was caught in a blind switch between horses and was running them all over. He finally got free just before the wire and what looked like a lot of pace was a lot as he exploded by many. Last week he had to come first over to some of the best pacers on the grounds and didn't tire too badly. There isn't much early speed in here and this one used to love the front end and I bet Pantaleano has him pointed there tonight. Looks tough to beat. |
| #4 MAJOR MISSLE | Was simply great 10 days ago when he was forced 1st over to a horse that is in form and better than these right now. He battled gamely and held on for a very nice 2nd. He may try to leave with the top pick or try to flush cover. Either way he is a gimmick must. |
| #3 SCOTT'S TROUBLE | Looks to be a toss in for 3rd. He has a decent post and can close well. |
Race #3 |
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| #5 NEW BUCKS | Dropped to this level last week after getting roughed up pretty hard the week before and responded with an easy win. He has a lot of physical problems and that is a concern, however, this one's class should see him win again. |
| #1 GRAY FLYER | Was too far back to the top pick last week but did finish well. He used to have very good gate speed and I think Grismore will try to get the 2 hole tonight. He could finish the exacta. |
| #4 ABNORMAL | Steps up in class tonight but finished well in a fast mile 10 days ago. He will stay inside and chase the speed and may have the best pace in the lane in a "best of the rest" role. |
Race #4 |
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| #8 GOLDEN CZAR A | Going out on a bit of a limb for this one. Last week he raced huge leaving hard and briefly tucking in a hole only to come immediately back out first over. He was battling a classy horse on the front end and despite the rough trip NEVER gave up, and in fact was finding new life at the wire. He will need a bit of luck to work out a trip, but he is in form and can surprise these. |
| #1 MR PRESTON | Used the rail to his advantage last week and will likely do the same tonight. He has to avoid using himself too hard early trying to protect the 2 hole. If he can get the good trip and not spend all his energy he can suck along for 2nd. |
| #6 BAHAMA BUNNY | Needed his last start after a 5 month layoff. He is one class pacer and should be tighter this week. B. Miller opted for this one over a horse he won with last week. If he's ready he will be tough. |
| #3 PARK LANE CAM | Was following good cover last week and tipped off that cover and didn't have much of a response. He will be over bet again this week, but based on Case/Morgan he is a superfecta consideration. |
Race #5 |
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| #2 SCRIPT OHIO | Is near perfect with Case in the bike and he is back up tonight. Last week he sprinted to the front and opened up to the 1/4 as if to say "no one's getting by tonight". He fullfilled that promise with a driven but handy win. Tonight I see him getting a 2 hole trip behind the top pick and that mile may be easier for him. Big shot to win again. |
| #1 EVERON | Loves the front end and was unable to get there last week from the 2nd tier. He was forced 1st over to a very hot pace and went a big mile. From here he should be on the front end and without hounding pressure he will last a long time. |
| #4 KEHMU BELIEVEHIM |
Finished best of the rest in the same race as the top two last week and may do that again tonight. |
Race #6 |
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| #6 MISS GIGI D | Was my top pick last week and Sturgeon tried to leave with her and she made a gate break. She has never had much early speed and needs to just settle in early. She has responded to the trotting hobbles well and figures to enjoy a good pace up front. The price will be right and she can close with the best in her. |
| #5 WIREMONSTER | Belcher's horses have done EXTREMELY well when Hawk has been off in recent weeks, and tonight Case gets the call. He has shown he can race on the lead or from just off the pace as well. Case will likely keep him close and he may wake this one up a lot. |
| #4 INQUISITIVE | Was racing conservatively last week until the final turn when he tipped out 3 wide only to be run up the track by a breaker. After losing momentum and about 4 lengths he got back in line and finished with good trot. I look for a lot of action up front and he may be closing well in the lane. |
Race #7 |
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| #3 NAPOLEON SAHBRA | Did not even really try last week, sitting in last and tipping out 3 and then 4 wide in the lane, finishing full of pace. The week before he was 1st over to the Bandit and that is never easy. B. Miller is going to be a bit more aggressive tonight and the value will be right. |
| #4 CUTTING IN | Was without room for the entire mile last week and looked to be full of pace. He will be over looked at the window and with a good trip is as good as any in here. |
| #5 RONEY RETURNS | Has parlayed two hole trips into wins the past 2 weeks and has won 5 of his last 6. He is in super shape, but I think the trip may be a bit tougher tonight. Still a must use. |
Race #8 |
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| #2 EICARLS HOMETOWN | Two weeks ago this one exploded between horses in the very deep stretch for a sparkling victory. Then, last week, this one was claimed by the driver's top stable. Hmm. Last week he had to come first over to a horse that was not going to be denied. The only reason this horse is not a "lock" is he stays at the same level he was claimed at. Virgil has done that many times and won, but when he "finds" one he always moves them up. Still the one to beat. |
| #1 ROSCOE P COLTRAIN | Has been great for Schillaci since arriving from Dover. He has good early speed and can close well too. He will use that speed to secure early position and rates as an exacta must. |
| #4 TERRI'S COLT | Had to go a rough mile last wee and didn't fold in the lane. The trip doesn't look any easier tonight, but his form is solid and he looks the best of the rest. |
Race #9 |
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| #6 MARLOW HANOVER | Is the latest in the Virgil Morgan Jr Northfield Park Invitation Contestants. Most of the previous ones (Weezie, Rocket, Surge, etc.) have dominated this level and this one looks to do the same. He was a terror in Ohio last year at this level and is loaded with speed. They will try and test him early, but Case will get way more than Sears did out of this one and he should go down the road. |
| #3 SANTA ANNA SAM | Raced inside against a tough winner and was able to find room up the passing lane deep stretch. He finished well despite the lack of effort and is the only other one in here that has been facing only the best. |
| #2 SAND AHOY | Proved that he belonged at this level last week when he was going to be 2nd until he ran out of room last week. Tharps had to strangle this one back to prevent him from running over the winner. Had he gotten through he would have been an easy 2nd. My only concern is Hawk. Belcher's horses do more for anyone other than Hawk. |
Race #10 |
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| #4 JAZZ STEP | Is the BEST of the night! Last week he was simply full of pace between horses only to be pinched back. Grismore had to strangle this one to last on the final turn. When he did get out (5 wide) he flew home with a ton of pace. He was an easy winner last week had he gotten room on the turn. Now, he gets Case in his first start off the claim and faces a field that is very beatable. I see this one off at about 5-2 and that would be a gift. |
| #2 MISTER GENDER | Returns to the level he was claimed at in January. He was facing much better since that claim and appeared out classed. He should find these more to his liking and I expect a wake up mile tonight. |
| #1 BINGO GRAM | Steps up off a sharp 2 hole effort. He has the rail and should be able to protect the inside to his advantage. With any sort of trip he is a gimmick must. |
Race #11 |
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| #6 AMERICAN SCOOTER | Was claimed by Belcher mid-January and had a real nice first over start before taking a break. He came back last week in a needed start and responded with a solid effort. There looks to be a lot of speed in here and this one may settle just off the early pace and be in the right spot at the right time turning for home. |
| #2 LETSGO FASTER | Was leaving hard last week when he broke stride. From there he was out the mile and lost all hope. He knows the Flying Turns very well and Case will likely keep him flat tonight. He may make amends for the 1-2 promise last week. |
| #1 VINCENT PAN GO | Gets the benefit of the rail tonight and may just follow the hot pace and get minor spoils. |
Race #12 |
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| #3 GRAMRUN FLYER | Was claimed by Virgil specifically for this series. He left last week and impeeded a horse while dropping in a hole. Sam knew that and never really drove this one after that. One concern is that Virgil has not had success with horses taken from Schillaci in recent months, but I see this as one that fits his barn. |
| #2 RAYDIO | Made a big 3 wide move going to 3/4's last week only to be pushed out on the final turn and hang 3 wide the rest of the way. He flattened out in the lane and tired for 4th. He hasn't been much in Ohio but He should be able to get a shorter trip tonight and may show more at the wire. |
| #5 HY GENIUS | Always seems to give his best and is no stranger to sharing. Looks to be the best of the rest in here. |
Race #13 |
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| #1 SLIPPERY SAMMY | Was put on Lasix 4 races ago and showed steady improvement. Last week he went down the road for a easy win in a lifetime best. B. Miller will try the same tonight and he looks tough to catch. No price this week, but solid. |
| #5 DIESEL DUKE | Hails from the Oliverio barn that is really heating up lately. He was without room last week and looked to have some extra pace. He gets Case tonight and fits this level perfectly. He could prove an upsetter if the top pick left it all out there last week. |
| #6 FOOLISH COURAGE | Was in a dead cover flow last week and tipped 3 wide the last turn and the leader got away from him. However, in the lane this one exploded with a lot of pace and ran away from the pack. He will need good cover tonight to threaten, but he is in form and may be the horse with the most late. |
Race #14 |
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| #1 DOOZER | May finish the night on a big note. He needed his last start after nearly 3 months off. He did not try very much, sitting in the back and hoping for the best late. He never found any room and was pulling Fisher who was asking for nothing. He has wired better in the recent past here at Northfield and may be set to go down the road tonight. Tab the tote. |
| #4 HI CLASS BUNNY | Is a horse with lots of speed, but lots of problems. He threw in dozens of extra steps last week but B. Miller held him together. He will be leaving hard in here and if he can keep together he will be right there at the end. |
| #3 ALBA LOBELL N | Was claimed back by Belcher last week and remains at the same level. He hasn't won in a long time, but he does fit this class and loves to get checks. A gimmick must. |
| #6 FRISKY LOBELL | Was first up to a hot pace last week and held on for a game 2nd. He beat an easier field before that and looks to be getting better. There is other speed in here and he may have to come from the back. With some racing luck he can share. |