Analysis for Northfield Park
April 4, 2001


 

Race #1
#3 CRAZY CONCUCK Gets a very slight edge in a weak opener. He had the 8 hole last week and was well out of position to challenge. Before that he left and chased a horse that has won 3 in a row and only lost by 1 length. He has decent gate speed and can close well in the final 1/4. The field is small and lacks any sort of depth so I'll give this one the "best of the bad" vote.
#6 VARSITY TYPE Is the only winners over $1000 last 5 in here and as such is given the outside post. Last time out he was used hard to the 1/4 battling a horse that came back huge Monday night and that battle took it out of this one. Before that he had 3 solid efforts in a row. He can race on the lead or from off pace; either way he is dangerous in here. He may make amends tonight.
#2 RADIANT CHIP Gets a positive driver change and is racing better in recent weeks than he was a few months ago. He may be the best of the rest.


 

Race #2
#1 INSPIRE ME AGAIN Flashed decent speed early and late last week in a slow mile. He rarely makes mistakes and often leaves well. Tharps is a decent trotter driver and from the rail he should have the striking position needed. This is another very weak field and who ever makes the front may last a long time. Slight edge.
#6 TRU BAR'S MESSAGE Left with a rush last time out and had to be taken up sharply in the first turn. The fact that he was able to stay on stride was quite amazing. From there he raced inside and was under a hard drive in the lane but could not gain, however, the 3 horses that beat him are all better than these. He can leave and get a spot and with Case he is dangerous in here.
#4 LAKOTA Has been a big disappointment in recent months, racing absolutely terribly. Tonight he faces the bottom of the bottom and may wake up.


 

Race #3
#4 POWER STROKE N Looks very good in here. Last time out he went right to the lead and went a big mile only to be beaten by a class dropper in the 2-hole. There is no one in here that can do that. He should go to the front and not look back. No value, but solid.
#3 HOGUE'S HAPPY BUCK Was used hard tot he opening 1/4 last week only to be tucked in a hole. He followed along and was free a bit late. He closed evenly in a fast last 1/4. All of his starts at this level have been good and he is a gimmick must tonight.
#1 SAND SEA VOYAGER Should stay close-up of the rail and based on his times alone looks best of the rest in here.


 

Race #4
#2 NIGHT'S CALL TYE Needed his last start, his first in over 6 months. In that race he left sharply and was even in the lane. He should be much tighter tonight. Last year he was an 11 time winner and was a much higher claimer. He obviously has physical problems so they will be going for all they can get in his limited starts. If left alone on the front he could be good value in here.
#9 WESTERN LOVER Left very quickly last week only to be put in a tight hole. He sat the rest of the mile until he was able to shake free on the final turn when he slid out and closed with LOTS of pace against a standout winner. That mile was simply awesome. His previous starts have been very good as well. The 2nd tier puts him at the #1's mercy, but his form is not in doubt and he is a must in any gimmick.
#1 RONEY IMAGE Was 3 wide on the last turn and still was able to close on a leader that was getting away. Case is back aboard and he should keep him closer to the front tonight. The trip is the key and if this one has a little racing luck he can be dangerous.
#7 SAND HIDDEN LAIR Would have been my top pick from the inside and still could pop. He has been super since coming to Northfield and has 2 impressive wins in a row. The post will help the price. Superfecta consideration.


 

Race #5
#5 LB SPEEDO Drops down to the level where he does his best racing. He is loaded with speed and will be pointed for the front. There isn't much speed in here so he may make the lead easily and if left alone he will last a long time.
#3 DECIDING FACTOR Went a big mile last time out 1st over to a killer winner. He has done very well in both local starts and from the inside should have the position needed to challenge. He could upset the top pick.
#1 WINGSWEPT BRASS Drops in class and gets a HUGE driver change. Two back he raced evenly against similar in a needed start with no driver. From the rail he may leave and look for the 2-hole or the lead. Either way he is good gimmick value.


 

Race #6
#9 CROW MAN Did not try last week at all. He raced in the back and going to 3/4's was gapping a bit. Then in the matter of a few strides he tightened up with no asking, only to find himself locked behind a wall of horses. In the lane he half-heartedly looked for room between horses with a ton of trot left only to run up on a wheel and break. This field is very soft for this level and he has a lot of ability. Big shot.
#3 WIREMONSTER Has 2 wins in a row and steps up for better tonight. Case sticks with this one over another he's had success with. He can race on the lead or from off pace, which makes him doubly dangerous. Good chance to share.
#7 MRS JANE Is a classy sort that can really turn it on late. Last time out she sat the 2-hole and went by a tough horse in the passing lane. She will need a little luck from out here, but with an honest pace she can pass a lot of these.


 

Race #7
#2 BLUERIDGE RAIDER Broke leaving in his sophomore debut last week and had to re-qualify. In that qualifier he paced a final half of 58 flat! That type of speed looks very tough in here. All he has to do is mind his manners and he should score for fun in here.
#3 E T'S GRANDCAM Comes from a very good barn that often sends them out ready. He qualified on Lasix for the first time and closed very well in a final 1/4 of 29.2. He looks void of early foot but should be flying late. If he is tight enough and catches some racing luck he figures to complete the exacta.
#4 C A SUNDAY SUPRISE Has really turned around since adding Lasix 4 back. He was a terrible race horse before, but now is showing signs of life. He has good early speed and should race up close. Slight edge over others in here.


 

Race #8
#6 MAJESTIC ARROW Simply did not try last time out. He stayed in the back the entire mile and never fired a lick. Before that he flashed speed and chased tough winners. Pantaleano sticks with this one over the other contender and that gives him the edge. Should be good win value.
#2 CAR-LIN'S FOURLEAF Tried to go from last to first in a charging 1st quarter move only to be denied the lead. He remained parked the mile to a tough leader and didn't give up until late. That mile tells me this one is getting close to a win. He may be able to brush the lead in better shape tonight and he could last a long time.
#1 GRAY WATCH Draws the rail and could be the best of the rest in here.


 

Race #9
#6 TIMESTONE Drops back to the level where he won by more than 7 lengths. Last week he was in much tougher and raced evenly. He should leave tonight and look to wire this field. If he can make the lead in good shape they won't catch him.
#3 SELF IMPOSED Paid instant dividends for his new connections last time out with a nice pocket trip victory. In that race he left nicely and chased a good leader and just got up in the final strides. He may be better tonight and should be leaving again. The trip will tell the story, but with racing luck he will be right there.
#2 COSMIC REVOLUTION Will get the best of the rest in here with the inside post and Mr. Case. Last time out he was no match for the top 2 but was an even 3rd place finisher.


 

Race #10
#2 J C COCHRAN Has been great since joining the Schillaci stable. Last time out he went an AWESOME mile, battling first over to a very nice leader and wearing him down to draw clear in a very fast mile. I'm hoping that didn't take too much out of him. This is a field that can be beat and I'll give him the edge.
#7 BLINDSIGHT Comes in off a win in a tough series final. He is loaded with speed and B. Miller will have this one gunning for the front. He comes from a very good stable and merits a lot of consideration in here.
#6 WILD AMERICA Has a slight class edge over most of these. He was racing against NW6/15000cl and that level is well above this. He has a ton of ability and the price should make him worth the risk in gimmick play.


 

Race #11
#8 STAR PROSPECT It looks like Virgil has this one right now. He struggled with his head the first few starts, but off that powerful final half last week looks tough in here. The post will make the price rewarding.
#3 B G SCOOTER Steps up tonight after beating up on some lesser fields. He is obviously rounding into form, but the class hike may tell the story. However, off those two miles he merits some respect.
#1 RICH MAN POOR MAN Was out of position last time out and never really had room. Before that he didn't miss the board at this level in many starts. From the rail he should have the position to challenge and is a gimmick must.


 

Race #12
#5 WILLMANIA Drops from the top level into this series. He has faired very well at that top level and should find these much easier. He has good early speed which he hasn't flashed in recent weeks, but Tharps should have him pointed for the front tonight. With a trouble free lead he will be tough to catch.
#8 ONE FINAL TIME He comes back to Northfield after chasing the best in Indiana. His last few starts in Ohio were nothing short of great. He loves to take a trip and come on late and from the 2nd tier he will need to get carried up a bit. Fisher knows this one very well and he is a gimmick must.
#3 HEARTOFGOLD KOSMOS When you watch this one during the race you will think he's going to break. That is just the way this rough guy goes. He has a lot of talent and is usually right there when he draws well. He is as game as they come and is a good toss-in for 3rd.


 

Race #13
#8 BOB KING COTTON Debuted for Schillaci this past Saturday and responded with a super easy win in a very fast time. He steps up tonight and draws outside, however, this one has good early speed and could be pointed for the top. If he gets it he won't give it up. Post makes the price.
#7 CAM VOLO Drops a notch tonight and gets Case. He has good gate speed and should be leaving for a spot tonight. He has been right there despite rough trips in recent weeks and only needs a little luck to share at a big price.
#1 BEEDIS Gets B. Miller and that is the big key. When Hawk gets off Belcher's horses they seem to get a lot better. He has speed and the rail and should be forwardly placed. Shot to share if he's not short.


 

Race #14
#9 ULTERIOR MOTIVE Has looked like a different horse since Walter started driving him. Last time out he left off the gate, tucked in 3rd, backed up to let a horse in, made a 3 horse charge to the top past the quarter and then took up to let another go. He still paced evenly against better horses in the lane and in a fast time. I expect a 1/4 pole move from this one and once on top he will be tough to catch. Tons the best in here.
#2 RONSON Gets much needed class relief and post relief. Last time out he was driven by the trainer and never fired a shot in a fast mile. He tends to sit inside and hope for the best late, but this field is much softer than any he's seen in recent memories and from the 2 hole he should complete the exacta.
#5 T W HEIDER Has not shown his best since joining the J. Lee stable. He should be good enough to share against this group.
#7 ICY DEVIL Could be a decent superfecta throw-in here.