Race #1 |
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| #2 BENTON'S WISH | Went a huge mile last week, putting in a 29 second flat 3rd quarter while battling first over and then drawing clear under no urging for a final half of 58.2. Grismore does not return (he has his own horse in here) and that is a concern, but off that last mile this one should beat this field EASILY and looks tough in the final next week. |
| #5 CONOS FUTURE | Has strung together several nice efforts since going on Lasix. Last week he chased the top pick and was runner-up in a nice even effort. I do not think she is a match for the top pick, but could be the best of the rest and complete the exacta for the 2nd straight week. |
| #6 DON'T QUESTION ME | Raced inside and finished evenly; the week before he went a great first over mile. Case returns and that gives this one a slight edge over others for the 3rd spot. |
Race #2 |
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| #4 IM HOOKED | Made a big 3 wide move to collar the leader at 3/4's and then wore him down in the lane. He was under urging and looked to be all out, but this field is not that deep and another move like that should land him back in the winner's circle. Slight edge. |
| #6 SURVIVING THE GAME | Was the odds on choice last week and broke going to the 1/4. That cost him the race. However, the previous week's race saw this one use a strong brush by the 1/2 to score a going away victory. He will have to mind his manners to avoid the qualifiers, but a flat mile makes him very competitive in here. |
| #2 BRANDINO | Looks like hte only real speed in here. Last week he was used VERY hard in the first quarter to get the lead and that took it out of him. He should make the front in much better shape tonight and may even looked to get covered up. Either way, from the inside he looks like a good gimmick consideration. |
Race #3 |
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| #2 DANGLE | Is 2 for 2 since coming to Northfield and off last weeks powerful mile he looks like he should make it 3 in a row. Case will most likely relax this one early and then make a brush to the top by the 1/4. Despite the slight class hike, this well bred horse should win easily. |
| #6 TGTIF | Was too far back last week to a very tough winner, but still closed well with trot in the lane. He again draws poorly but he does have a very good late kick and with any sort of striking position he may complete the exacta. |
| # 1 BANK YOUR PROFIT | Has speed, the rail and B. Miller, all of which means he is competitive. He left from an outside post last week and just missed against a tough foe. He should be able to race up close and merits gimmick consideration. |
Race #4 |
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| #9 KOCKTAIL KITTY | Paced a very nice 59.3 final half to be the best of the rest. She was in no position to win that race and did very well to finish 3rd. From the 2nd tier she should be able to stay closer to the pace. B. Miller has been very hot as of late and this one looks to be a good superfecta key in here. |
| #2 FALLMIST | Went as fast as she could for as long as she could this past Friday and tired in the lane over and off track. The track should be fast tonight and this one looks to be the lone speed in this race. Lasix looks like it is helping and if left alone she may last a long time. |
| #6 CAM LUV | Ward seems to get along well with this one and he is back up tonight. Last week she was on the outside when the front pace lasted well. She has a good late kick and looks to be the best of the rest in here. |
| #3 SBRIG'S SHIRLEN | Was simply out of position last time out, but prior to that she took a ground saving trip and finished with some pace for a nice 3rd. A similar trip may see this one share. |
Race #5 |
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| #1 GAME PATRICK | Has a wicked late kick and against this short field should be in position to use it. Last week he came out at the half and got a bit rough, dropping back to last. Then, just after 3/4's he found his best stride and was moving very well 3 wide only to be knocked out by a horse bearing out. He regained his momentum and flew home for a very nice victory. If he can get out and rolling at 3/4's he should beat these again. |
| #2 SIGN OF THE OAK | Tired on the front end last week, but that was to a very strong winner. He looks to be the only speed in the race and should make the lead very easily. With a soft front half he may prove tough to catch. |
| #6 IDEALISTIC | Had road troubles for the 2nd straight week last time out. He was rolling very well on the final turn when the horse in front of him decided to drift around. B. Miller had to take this one up and then steer him to the outside for clearance. He finished very well with lots of pace and with a trouble free mile can share in here. |
Race #6 |
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| #2 FRENZIED GIANT | Closed well for 3rd last week despite the over land journey. He gets some class relief tonight and faced a VERY soft field. He should settle in early and come out and be able to wear these down. Looks tough in here. |
| #1 B L ROSE | Is another who gets class relief tonight. The trainer is scheduled to drive and that makes this one suspect. She has good gate speed and will be leaving from the word "go". This field is so soft that if she makes the front she will last a long time. However, if there is a late driver change this one becomes that much better. |
| #4 RINESTONE PAT | Gets a big driver change tonight and that may be enough to make this one best of the rest in here. |
Race #7 |
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| #6 PELHAM SHOCKER | Drops back to a level where he will be very competitive. Last week he was parked the mile against much better and tired. The week before (against this level) he battled gamely first over and finished a nice 2nd. He has good gate speed and should be able to get good early position. Big shot in here. |
| #1 FIRSTKIN | Was first over last week and did all the work, wearing down the leader only to get passed by a horse on his back. It was another in a series of good first over efforts, indicating this one is in top form. From the rail he should never be out of position and is a gimmick must. |
| #2 SL COMMAND | Drops in class for tonights test and gets the services of Sir Walter. He may be able to work out a perfect cover trip from the 1 and that will make this one dangerous at a price. |
Race #8 |
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| #2 XOTIC SCORE | Left and chased a tough winner last week, but still held a game 2nd. He has really turned it around with Wyers in the bike and the upswing may continue. He has good gate speed and should be able to work out a close-up trip and looks to be dangerous in the lane. |
| #4 SUPER FINALE | Made a BIG 3 wide move during the slow 3rd quarter last week and was headed by a horse that came back with a big win. The trainer drives and that is why this is my second pick. However, if there is a late driver change I would put this one on top. |
| #5 HERE COMES HAZEL | Left for position only to have to come first over after a brief rest. She hung pretty game in the lane and didn't get beat for 2nd that much. I look for Grismore to make one less move in the first half this week and with any sort of easier mile this one rates a big shot. |
Race #9 |
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| #1 STOWBRIDGE HANOVER | Left from the 8 hole and made the lead in a fast half and raced very gamely to the wire. He should be able to make an easy lead from the rail and based on this one's last 2 efforts looks to have a BIG edge over this field. The price will be short, but this one looks as solid as they come in this class. |
| #3 HI BIG GUY | Drops back to the level wher ehe belongs. Picks up Case tonight and that will only help. He has enough tactical speed to seek the 2 hole behind the top pick. If he gets it, he should be able to complete the exacta. |
| #4 CAM VOLO | Went a BRUTAL trip last week, very wide the entire mile. He only lost that FAST race by 3/4's of a length. Based on that last effort he is clearly in form and will be very dangerous with some racing luck. |
Race #10 |
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| #1 JERROD COY | Looked like a different horse last week (his second money start for Sturgeon and with hobbles). He left and grabbed a seat and then used a strong move by the 1/2 to clear the lead and go on to a very easy victory. He steps up tonight to face a bit better, but off that last mile he will be hard to beat. |
| #2 LB SPEEDO | Took a month off and came back to the races ready with a first and a second in 2 starts. Speed is his game and he will be leaving from the word "go". He should get a very good trip in here and is a gimmick must. |
| #3 TIMESTONE | Is another one that likes the front. He won his last very handily and steps up to face better. If he doesn't get into a speed dual with the top 2 picks he may complete a 1-2-3 trifecta. |
Race #11 |
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| #3 EQUITABILITY | Is loaded with speed and may be able to make the lead in good shape. This field is pretty soft and a lot of times in such races the horse that makes the front lasts a long time. Grismore's horses look to be coming around and that gives this one the slightest of edges. |
| #1 TYKHAN | Drops to face easier tonight and draws the rail. He's been leaving lately and racing well. 2 back he was parked the mile and still posted a time that is very competitive with these. Last week he chased 3 tough horses and was a best of the rest 4th. From the rail he is a gimmick consideration. |
| #2 BRIGHT DREAM A | Will be the likely post time favorite but has yet to prove his worthiness. He has been covered up in his first US starts but was empty when going 3 wide. He hails from a powerful stable and gets Case in the bike one more time, and that makes him dangerous. Hopefully it was the off track that made him disappoint last week. |
Race #12 |
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| #3 KICKALITTLE | Made a BIG 3 wide move from 3rd over last week to a tough leader. He was parked 3 wide the entire last turn and B. Miller just held him together. Then at the top of the lane he was asked for some pace and responded with a strong surge for an easy win. Looks tough in here again. |
| #2 GO GUMP GO | Draws the rail for the 2nd straigh week and may try to get a two hole trip this time around. He is best from off the pace and last week's front end effort was pretty good. He should be better value tonight and is a gimmick must. |
| #4 HEY GOOD LOOK'IN | Went an awesome mile last week from the 8 hole, parked the entire way first up and never quitting. Ward knows how to make this one go and he may try to brush the top. If he makes the front, with his guts and determination, he will be one tough customer. |
Race #13 |
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| #3 LIVE WIRE HANOVER | Returns to Northfield after facing a tough group in Michigan. This one has a big 2nd half move and figures to be 2nd over from this post. If the pace is honest up front this one can sweet them in a hurry. |
| #6 NOBLE KARISSA | Came to Northfield this past Friday and responded with a 2 move easy victory over an off surface. There is very suspect speed in this race and if this one can put in a 2nd half like she did this past weekend she will complete the exacta. |
| #5 SUGAR VALLEY ANGEL | Was 3 wide last Friday in the slop and could not clear. Tonight he gets Case and faces a weak bunch. The cover flow should be good and this one looks dangerous. |
Race #14 |
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| #7 NICE N ANXIOUS | Was too far back last time out and the inside horses advanced leaving this one hung out 3 wide. There seems to be questionable speed in this race and this one is in good enough shape to sweet a tired bunch. Some racing luck is needed tonight, but he could key a nice superfecta. |
| #4 MATANZA | Gets the benefit of a catch driver tonight and that will surely help. Toss out the last effort (post and driver) and this one merits serious consideration. He has good early speed and can also pass horses late. A must use in any gimmick play. |
| #9 BALA BAY | Is a great longshot in here. Not only does he get B. Miller in the bike, he had a big excuse last week. He was pacing along well when the horse in front of him decided to go backwards. He was totally trapped and shuffled to dead last. When he did get out he was asked for pace and he responded with a little kick up the inside. The price is going to be very good tonight and this one could really enhance the superfecta. |
| #6 SLAM THE DOOR | Is a horse with a lot of physical problems. He's been hinting serious lameness for quite a few weeks and last week it finally hit him harder. He loves to race up close but can't pace the turns too fast. There are other leavers in here and he draws farther outside than usual. He must be respected off his lines, but he will be well over bet and is a toss in at best for me. |