Race #1 |
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| # 2 LEONA KOSMOS | She was my top pick last out which made her second start in this series. She came from 5th to close willingly and almost got the win. Looks to be right in the thick of things again. |
| # 1 SUGAR AT NOON | Received the pocket trip and held sway in a tight photo with the top pick. This one has won 3 out of 7 starts this season and may be primed for this race. |
| # 6 CHARMINE | Is a front running sort that needs the race to shape up without any early pressure. She should have enough in the tank to gain a minor award. |
Race #2 |
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| # 1 BOBBY JOHN | Won with a first over move past the half as he made his first start in the Clapper barn. Ricky still thinks he has more in the tank and should not notice the rise in class. |
| # 6 JD’s PLAYMATE | Being on a two race win streak might cause for the public to over support him. He is racing near his lifetime best and should not be left out on your exotic tickets. |
| # 3 OLD NUMBER SEVEN | Uses his early speed to secure racing position near the front end types. His starting inside should almost assure his placing on the ticket. |
Race #3 |
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| # 4 EXTERN | Was bet down as the odds on favorite last time in this class. Looks to be the public’s stick again. This field looks soft enough to give him the top spot in the selection process. |
| # 2 ALIAS HANOVER | He was a terror in last year’s season but has fallen on tough times of late. I really can not see any physical difference from last year. I must attribute it to his age, but on occasion, these types can show flashes of their earlier performances. Looks to be about 8/1 at post time. |
| # 3 CLASSIC MYSTERY N | Was used hard last week and still performed well enough to get a check. Provisional driver/owner/trainer Don Schettig gets aboard to drive. Look for a conservative but productive steer tonight. |
| # 6 WHOLE HEARTED |
Raced well in his last race and may show signs of life this week. He prefers to be in the early hunt but best race performances have been on the late closing varieties. |
Race #4 |
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| # 1 AMOUR KOSMOS | Made a very nice late move in his first start of the year. Looks to improve with that race under his belt. Having the rail is an added plus. |
| # 2 LADY COMEOVER | Looks to be the one to beat but with her all ready securing a spot in the final, may be driven in manner less conducive to winning. In other words, why expend the energy this week when they go for the cash or final next week. |
| # 3 TOMMY GIRL | Is an attempt to add whatever value to the trifecta that may be available. This one has some speed and may be trying to close from mid pack. |
Race #5 |
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| # 3 MASTER OF ILLUSION | This is his first lifetime start with only having one qualifier on his card. He won that race with ease in 2:02:2. He looks able to pace in 1:59 without too much trouble. Please note that the trainer, William Gill is one of the best kept secrets of this track. He was part of Clint Galbreath’s stable and took care of Niatross during his race days. |
| # 1 HIDDEN DANGER | This three year old No Nukes colt looks to be on the improve and given his post, looks to be a lock at hitting the board. |
| # 6 GORGEOUS MISS | Made a first over move against one of those first time starting monsters of the Arledge operation. He managed to hold position and should show some improvement this time around. |
Race #6 |
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| # 3 RED MENACE | Is one strong trotter on the wet surface. He is his own worst enemy at times as he likes to dig them in on occasion. He has speed, heart and usually a nice gait. He also can be rated in a hole well. |
| # 6 RPS | Last week’s top pick failed in the lane with a break. He was out of gas as he tried to race against track bias. Looks to be driven conservatively this go round. |
| # 1 OVER EDIT | Drawing the rail is most important to some trotters and a curse to others. This trotter has very little gate speed and will benefit in racing position as he should be sitting mid pack. He simply LOVES the off going and the connections may be doing a rain dance in the barn. |
Race #7 |
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| # 2 SCALLYWAG | Put in a great effort last week only to come up a bit short. He should have little problem with this field tonight. |
| # 4 MAKE ME PROUD TY | Hails from the same barn that sent out the winner that defeated the top pick. This one is up in class following a win that he was used sparingly and won going away. I really do not think he can handle Scallywag but is as closer to it than any others entered. |
| # 3 WATCH YOURSELF | Is another one on the class rise. He has not won in 10 starts this year but has given some decent efforts. Wet track ability does exists in this one’s talents. |
Race #8 |
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| # 7 PRIX D’NORMANDY | Gets the long shot of the day connotation. He loves to close from the parking lot and is making his second start at this level. He finds a field where his speed is adequate enough to compete for the major prize. |
| # 3 CALL THE LADY | His propensity for making breaks is his downfall but his front end speed can be controlling. I feel he will be driven cautiously but effectively. |
| # 2 WISHUWELL | Having all the ability in the world and having your head screwed on too tight might make for some interesting conversation but in a trotter is a migraine head ache. This one is a very tough competitor but his head strong nature leads to things like last week’s disappointing loss. He broke before the start of the race and was a non-factor. I really do not know which personality will show up but I will have a few tickets with him on the exotic ticket. |
Race #9 |
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| # 2 CHARGING SAHBRA | CS was claimed three races back and raced his jail term at Northfield. Many tracks do not permit one to claim one of their horses racing at their track to leave and race elsewhere. I believe the term is 30 days that the racing authorities hold the eligibility papers. This one looks to be have driven very aggressively over the flying turns oval. Having the stable work from their own neck of the woods should make for a more rested animal and driver. |
| # 4 MEDICINE MAN | Makes a drop in class while seemingly improving his closing speed. Looks to add value to all the exotics. He might have had better days but something in my crawl drives me to this entrant. |
| # 5 AMITY CHIP | Is one nice closing animal that too has seen his better days. This 12 year old Amity Chip stallion still can race when classified correctly. He should benefit greatly from the drop in class. |
Race #10 |
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| # 2 VICTORY HAVEN | Is one tough trotter that does not mind the off going. He has competed in the open classification last year and looks to be worth the claiming tag of $25,000. I feel he would be better suited for a larger size track as he is a grinder by nature and beats up on himself in these turns. |
| # 4 GLENN’S PARADISE | Having finished last three races in the place position makes him an automatic use on all exotic tickets. He is as good on fast tracks as wet and now is racing for a tag. |
| # 1 SUN KING | Won with one closing trip over a wet surface. Looks to be a little short with the rise in class. |
Race #11 |
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| # 1 SHEPS M-J | Has been very quiet of late and finds a spot where his early speed might be very effective. This field is not loaded with any controlling speed types which should give this one great racing position. I would not mind if he tried to cut it out on the lead. |
| # 3 TICE TABOR | Has made most of his money by racing for position in the early part of the mile and play a wait and see attitude. If the front end gets challenged, he is primed and ready to try the passing lane. If the front end gets loose, the leader carries him to the lane with ease and gives him a shot late in the mile. |
| # 8 PINE HILL YANKEE | Is very adept to the off going and having Dave Palone to steer can only help. This one did win in the slop last year with Dave driving. |
Race #12 |
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| # 4 PRESIDENT RYAN | Seems to have bad racing luck but is a very fast and long winded animal. He and driver Dave Palone might put themselves on the engine and play hide and seek with the field. |
| # 5 MISTER SMILIN JACK | Has all the tools to be very strong against these. Driver Don Rothfuss refuses to leave with him and try a field circling move. It might look impressive when done correctly but racing at the Meadows one needs to be more forwardly placed to have a legitimate shot. |
| # 3 IRISH TOOTER | Moves up in class but gets inside post. Trainer Rich Gillock has him in great conditioning and may be the one to go first over at the half. |
Race #13 |
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| # 8 MOTTS | Starting his second time at this low level scares me. He broke last out as my top pick but managed to recover himself to finish a very strong 5th losing by only 1 3/4 lengths. He must remain on stride in this contest. |
| # 3 AMERICAN PRIDE | Seems to have enough gate speed to secure a spot near the front end types. His stamina seems to be on the improvement trail. |
| # 2 HADA GOAL |
Just missed last out at huge odds. Looks like he will benefit from inside post. |
| # 4 COULTER | Is a speedy trotter with little heart. He loves to follow other horses and seldom passes the ones at the wire. His record last year was 42 starts, 3 wins, 10 seconds and 3 thirds. If he had more heart, he could of won at least half of those 10 placings. |