Analysis for Northfield Park
April 13, 2001


 

Race #1
#3 MISS ALISHA Made a strong bid by 3/4's going 3 wide for the lead only to hang a bit in the lane and flatten out. That was her first start in nearly 5 months and she likely needed that start. Schillaci's stable is as good as it has ever been and this one should be a bit tighter tonight. Slight edge in the opener.
#2 HOT COUNTRY LADY Was used too hard to make the top last week and she was without pace in the final 1/4. Prior to that Case had won 3 in a row with this one at this level. She should be able to make the lead and only needs one pressure free 1/4 to be right there at the end.
#1 KOCKTAIL KITTY Raced inside last week and was without a lot of room. She has done well for J. Lee and should stay close to the pace. May complete an inside trifecta.


 

Race #2
#2 HELLS FURY Looked simply awesome in her sophomore debut, blowing away the competition and going on to a very easy and very fast win. She should be able to make a similar move to the top and looks much the best in here. No price, but solid.
#6 LIFE ESTATE I'm a little leary of this one. Last week she made a soft lead and bore out in the turns. She goes very well straight, but I'm hoping Case suggested something to make her a bit straighter in the turns. If he did, she will be much better this week and figures highly.
#3 PLEASES FIRE Is a home bred that is now in the Schillaci stable. She did not fire from the outside post last week and could not close with the soft early fractions. I expect more aggressiveness from Schillaci tonight and she may be the value of the gimmick.


 

Race #3
#6 MS RAGUE TOP Was first time Lasix last week against much better and never really was in the flow. Tonight she gets her regular driver back and that is a huge change. She is loaded with speed and will likely be pointed for the top. If she makes the front in good shape and gets an easy 1/4 she will be hard to catch.
#2 ITALIAN ICE HR Made a big 3-wide move going to 3/4's last week and circled the field. That mile came on the heels of a break and they probably were a bit soft with her. She steps up in class tonight, but off the strength of that last win she can repeat.
#4 IZZY INC Was used at the gate last week and chased a tough winner. He form is not in doubt and she only needs a bit of a trip to be right there at the end.


 

Race #4
#4 SAND MY ROSES Some horse has to be put on top and this one looks as good as any and is one of the longer shots. She needed her last start and raced evenly from far back over an off oval. She comes from a barn that isn't the best and will likely take little money, but Hawk wins more of these than any other type of race and I'll give her the edge.
#1 GOLDEN AGE Wyers usually puts this one on the lead when she draws the rail and that may be enough in this totally soft field. Her recent efforts have been a bit short, but tonight's field is softer than most recent ones. It depends on how much pressure she receives, but look for her to be on the lead at 3/4's. A gimmick must in this field.
#2 GAME MARY L Has been taking trips and trying to close in recent months. From the inside she should be able to stay close and with some luck and some room she will be coming late.
#3 CAM LUV Has been closing better in recent starts and from the inside may be a good superfecta throw-in.


 

Race #5
#8 MELODYS DIAMOND Was bothered on the backside last time just as she was making her 3-wide move and Pantaleano had to check her. That was her first start since last September and she looked very good in that mile. I'm guessing she will be leaving tonight and if she gets a good early seat she will have the position to beat these. Good value tonight.
#5 MAE WESTERN Has done much better since joining the Belcher stable 3 races back. Last week was her first start on Lasix and she was a very solid 2nd against a monster. Hawk will have her leaving from the word go, but with other lead speed in side of her she may have to take a seat. Still she is a gimmick must in here.
#1 HEART OF A HERO Was used very hard in the first 1/4 last week and then still had enough pace in the lane to challenge for 2nd. That was a big mile and shows her readiness. With the rail the driver should be able to save a bit more ground and looks like she should share unless Mr. Franklin gets too aggressive.


 

Race #6
#1 HOOTER CAKES Drops tonight and draws the rail. She is without early foot and does not exactly love the turns her at Northfield. However, she is a gutsy mare that can really fly late. If Tharps can keep her close turning for home she should be able to out-kick these.
#6 SWEET SUGAR BABY Brushed the lead by 3/4's last week only to get caught in the final strides. That was an impressive effort and B. Miller sticks with this one. She will need to be a bit more crafty with the trip, but still merits consideration in here.
#7 BROOKLY BLOOMER Mr. Case knows this one the best and should have good value tonight. She can take a lot of air when she drives and may leave for a spot tonight. With any sort of luck she will definitely be the value in the gimmick.


 

Race #7
#5 M'S BRASS RING Gets much needed class relief tonigth after facing mcuh better for the past few months. Last time she raced inside and still was pacing evenly against better horses. Fisher is up tonight and he often wakes horses up when he gets a couple of starts with them. She will be flying late and may have the edge.
#2 IDYLWOOD CONCORDE Did not try with the outside post last week after putting in many solid efforts in a row. Tonight she draws in and will be given a shot to win. If she can avoid the killer first over trip she should be right there at the end.
#1 LALA LAND Moves up in class again after a sharp win. Ever since Tharps started driving her she has been remarkably good. Speed is her game and despite the class hike she can follow along and share.


 

Race #8
#3 CENTSAVER Needed her last start and didn't race too badly. She is the class of this field and retains Pantaleano. She is much the best in here and can fly by them in a hurry. If the pace is at all quick she looks much the best.
#4 SINFUL BEAUTY Tried the front end last week from the rail and almost lasted. The horse that beat her looks like she is going to be a good one, so that makes this one's mile even more impressive. There is not a lot of speed in here and if she makes the top in good shape she will be tough to catch.
#2 SUGAR VALLEY ANGEL Has a decent last 1/4 and always seems to try. If Grismore can avoid the first over trip and still have room turning for home she will be right there.


 

Race #9
#2 CG FIRE Lets see...she went to Ward from Hawk and responded with easy, fast wins...can anyone say JENDEH? She moves up to face the best, but she spent most of last year racing at the top level and doing so with great success. From this post she should be able to make the lead and can win again.
#1 EMPRESS OSBORNE Is a tired mare that is simply not 1/2 the horse she used to be. She gets the rail tonight and that should allow her to get a 2-hole trip. I'm hoping she is still good enough to follow for 2nd.
#6 BEACH BINGE Will win this race if R. Tharps forgets to read a program and sees that he has little shot of making the lead without a HUGE battle. She is a mare that can fly late when the race is set up for her, and if the #3 leaves in search of the top and the #2 doesn't want to give it to her, this is the one that will by flying late.


 

Race #10
#3 BLACKWELL Has been a different mare since adding Lasix and teaming up with Ward. She has 2 wins, a 2nd and a 3rd in the 4 starts. She moves up in class again, but faces a field of misfits. Last time out she closed very well and passed a nice horse in the lane. She will need a bit of a trip and will be good win value tonight.
#6 ROMANTIC MELODY Had to come first over last week and was unable to gain on the leader. She lacked any sort of quick speed in that mile and that bothers me. This field is not any tougher than the last field and she is still a gimmick must.
#5 HELLA Is going very well right now and may have a slight class edge over all others in here. She loses her regular driver but still should be given a look.


 

Race #11
#8 BAY STREET GOLD Was purchased by Belcher and got Case in the bike and look what he has done. He is a speedball that can cut awesome fractions. This is his stiffest test to date and with plenty of speed inside of him he may have to change tactics. Case will give him a shot and may prove the upsetter with some luck.
#2 CROW MAN Tried the top level this past Monday and found them too tough. His last win came with a strong first over mile against lesser. He is still learning his game and will be a top level trotter for someone before it is all over. From the inside Hawk should get a trip he wants and this is the one to beat.
#9 GRACEFUL ACTION Comes to Northfield off a big win at the top level in Toledo. He starts behind a speed horse and gets Pantaleano. Big things could be in the cards for this one. Shot to share.


 

Race #12
#4 SWEET POTATO CHIPS Needed her last start and actually showed good late speed. She was heavily staked at 2 and 3, and now looks to become a race mare in her older years. She will be tighter tonight and re-unites with Mr. Grismore. She can leave or come from off the pace, making her a double threat. Edge in here.
#2 SEASIN Was claimed out of her last start by arguably the hottest stable on the grounds. This one fits the Schillaci outfit like a glove...SPEED! She steps up tonight but has seen this level before. If they have her ready she may be able to last in here.
#6 ASHLEYS PENNY Is a late rusher that has done much better since the addition of Lasix. From out here she will need a bit of luck, but with any sort of hot pace up front she will by flying late.


 

Race #13
#9 SAND MY STRIKE Has been very good since coming to Northfield from Lebanon in late February. She battled in a tough series and had 4 straight 3rd place finishes to a tough mare. She crushed first time Case last week with a powerful move by the 1/2. She was taken by Oliverio out of that race but remains in the same class. Case should have a similar position tonight and may win again.
#1 TUCSON BRIDGET Left last week and was pushed back a bit after the 1/2 when the leader was cleared. She got out and chased the top pick home. She was no match but may be good enought of finish out the exacta once again.
#2 LADY SCOOT OSBORNE Is another that was claimed last week but this one moves up a notch. Belcher's horses have done much better of late with Hawk not doing all the driving. However, Hawk is down on this one. She should have position, but may not be a match for the top pick. Still, give her a look.


 

Race #14
#1 RANDILYNNE DAYLYN Changes stables this week and drops in class. Add to that the luck of the draw and this one has a slight edge in a tough finale. She was without room last week and had pace, and prior to that she was too far back to threaten. There isn't much early speed in here, and this one has been known to cut the mile. If she's ready for the new trainer she can win going away.
#3 WAKESHIRE WILLOW Raced very evenly as the favorite when dropped to this level last week. Tonight she gets the services of Mr. Brett Miller. She may leave for a trip and if she gets the trip she will be tough. A gimmick must.
#9 FRESH FIRE Starts behind a live horse and adds Case tonight. She should have the striking position needed to challenge and is a gimmick must.
#2 AUBRA'S MAGIC CHIP Drops a notch and moves in. Wyers has been driving this one very aggressively of late and from the inside she should be able to share. Good superfecta throw-in.