Race #1 |
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| #5 ADABOYSHARPIE | Has done everything Case has asked in the first two legs of this series. Last week he brushed the lead going to the 1/4, took pressure during the middle 1/2 and then held safe under a drive to the wire. He beat all of these horses by over 8 lengths last week and he should be able to handle them again with ease. No price but should start you off a winner. |
| #4 SQUARE IT | Was used hard off the gate last week to secure the 2-hole behind the top pick and was no match for him going to 3/4's. He only lost by 1 length to all others in here and tonight gets a big driver change to David Ward, who seems to always get more than Hawk from a Belcher trainee. He has good early speed and should be looking for an early seat. Good chance to finish the exacta with his class edge. |
| #1 DRAGON'S TOUCH | Has responded very well since being dropped to face claimers. Two weeks back he flew up the rail to just miss 2nd and last week he came on with decent late pace. He has no early speed and may be without room at 3/4's, but if he finds an opening he may be able to get up for best of the rest honors. |
Race #2 |
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| #4 BARN SEVEN | Held on gamely last week with a fine front stepping effort. He is VERY fast off the gate and should make the lead easily by the 1/4. Case opts for this one tonight and that is a huge change. Belcher is hot right now and this one should make it two in a row and complete a Case/Chalky double. |
| #6 E B BOB | Is looking better since J. Lee started to train this one and can only show more. He was the best of the rest last week, flashing some decent late trot in the lane. He will have to come from last and that will make the price, but he may be the value in the gimmick. |
| #2 SAND NILE | Has a first and a near miss in this series, but loses Case for Conger tonight. He does draw inside and that should keep him close. As long as Jeff doesn't get too crazy he should be able to share. |
Race #3 |
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| #3 FEAR THIS | Was 3 wide from the back last time out and got hung on the final turn. He did find new life in the lane and closed well for 3rd. That was his 2nd start for Belcher and 4th on Lasix, so he should be better. Tonight he gets Case and that makes him even more dangerous against this weak field. He should be able to make an easy lead and not look back. Case 3 for 3. |
| #5 PAPANO KNOW |
Was forced 3 wide under the finish line the first time around and was 3 wide the rest of the way. That journey was very long and he still wasn't that far off at the end. He gets B. Miller back in the bike and he and Tharps know this one best. The price should be decent and he could very well be 2nd in here. |
| #2 RITZY ALLIE | Did not fire a shot at all last week and actually looked very dull. I'm hoping the driver change may help this one out. He does have a lot of speed and ability at this bottom level and if he is fit will be right there. If he is bad though, #4 Wampum Express becomes the next bet. |
Race #4 |
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| #1 TRENTWOOD | Moves in tonight after battling 1st over against a tough leader. He has looked much better in both starts for Belcher and tonight gets Case. He should be able to make the lead and is very capable of trotting in 1.57 flat, which is a lot better than most of these can go. I know it is unlikely, but Case could win the first 4 races very easily. |
| #6 BERLIN FLYER | Is one of the best Ohio has ever seen in terms of length of racing career at the top level. He is a gutsy veteran that knows how to get the job done. Last week he made the front in good shape and went on to a fairly easy victory. That wa only his 4th start back and he usually gets better the more he comes back. He may need a good early seat, but with it he will be right there at the end. |
| #4 BIRDSALL MARK | Always has a lot of trot in the final 1/4 of the mile and in this field that may be enough to have him passing some tired horses. He does move up to the top level tongith, but Millette usually has them ready and classified correctly. Chance to share at a price with his best. |
| #7 T CODY | Has a couple of decent efforts at this top level and usually stays flat for Jimmy Shelton. Could be a superfecta throw-in. |
Race #5 |
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| #1 COLBYS FUTURE | Made a 1/4 pole move to the lead last week and then was hounded by the #6 during the milddle half. He drew clear late on the final turn and then under a drive held safe against a tougher horse than most of these. There is other speed in here and that does bother me, but Case knows how to race and read the program so I'll give him the edge and make it 5 for 5 for him tonight. |
| #9 MASTER DREAMER | Has been chasing much better condition horses in recent efforts and has actually put in a few nice miles. He doesn't have a lot of early foot, but should get out in the middle of the pack from the 2nd tier. The trip will be the key and I am not sure if he will be able to catch cover or not. If he does he could make the finish interesting. |
| #5 HORNBY TOPGUN | Was 2nd over last week and really didn't have any pace. He did not tip out 3-wide because of that and from there didn't have a lot of room. Tonight he gets B. Miller back and may be in the right spot at the right time for best of the rest honors. |
Race #6 |
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| #2 GAMBLING WILLY | Comes in from Western Ohio where he has been racing very well against similar. Matthews is a good hand with the trotters and has had success here in the past. This one looks to be well gaited and has some eary foot so he can avoid road troubles. From the inside I'll give him the slightest edge in a very bad race. |
| #1 ANASTASIA AVENGER | Qualified at the Meadows in decent shape and tonight gets the benefit of Ward and the rail (both good things in bad trot races). He should be able to leave for position and he may be a lot better at age 3. Tab the tote. |
| #8 HERE SHE COMES | Does not like to win races, but always seems to get a check when Case is up. The outside post will enhance the price, but I believe she is only good underneath. A gimmick must though. |
Race #7 |
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| #4 AMERICAMTASTIC | Drops into maiden/claimers tonight after showing some decent speed against straight NW1. She should find this group MUCH easiser. Though she doesn't show any lines leaving from the gate, expect an aggressive Grismore and a wire to wire performance. |
| #9 INALEAGUE OFHEROWN |
Left last time and was pushed back briefly going to 3/4's. She got clear late on the final turn and closed well for another board finish. She gets Miller back and draws the 2nd tier. She doesn't like to win, but seems to always hit the board. |
| #3 PATTERNITY | Drops to face maiden/claimers as well. This one flashed nice early foot against better fields back in February and then lost a step. He took some time off and came back last week only to break at Buffalo. Ward is up tonight and his aggressive style suits this one well in here. If he is sound he can surprise in here. |
Race #8 |
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| #4 COUNTRY WOOD | Made his 2001 debut last week at the Meadows and raced very well. He needed that start and should be much tighter tonight. He has had some success at Northfield in the past and gets B. Miller tonight. This barn has done well of late and may be the value in here tonight. |
| #1 FUGEDD ABOUTIT |
Also needed his last start. He raced well, just following along and having some even trot late. He should be able to get a similar trip from the rail and should be given a look in this weak field. |
| #2 MINER'S SON | Was forced first over last week and was ok until the final turn when he got very tired and had to be taken up. Case gets the call tonight and he has done wonders on trotters the first time in the past and this may be no exception. Serious contender, especially with his early speed. |
Race #9 |
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| #1 MAJESTIC ARROW | Looks like she has found a very good spot. She put in a SUPER game first over effort 2 back and last week she was 2nd over and had good pace in the lane. She gets Case and moves in tonight, both of which give her a distinct advantage in here. She looks much the best and 1-1 would be a gift. |
| #4 ASCOT HANOVER | Was my top pick last week and I remembered why I place so much emphasis on driver at the smaller tracks. This horse has a lot of ability and only needs to be given a chance. He can fly late and if the pace is hot he can surprise at a big price tonight. Great value in gimmick play. |
| #2 ROSITAS FILET | Stayed inside last week and raced very evenly. From the 2-hole a similar trip is in the cards and she gets a slight edge for 3rd. |
Race #10 |
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| #1 POPADART | Went to the lead last week and was pushed throughout by the eventual winner. That mile was a big improvement and it looks like he should get a softer trip tonight. There is not a lot of speed in here and Fisher should have this one on the lead or in the 2-hole with a lot less pressure. Slight edge. |
| #4 TOOLTIME | Followed the winner last week parked the mile and was game in the stretch, still trotting well. He may have to avoid a first over trip in here, but has a class edge on many others in here and a Case edge on the rest. |
| #6 DOWN RIGHT WORTHY | Was stopping badly when he last raced about a month ago. Now he returns with Lasix and takes a huge class drop. He may or may not be ready, your guess is as good as mine. However, if he is ready and the Lasix helps, he should be these for fun. Tab the tote. |
Race #11 |
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| #1 BIG CASH OSBORNE | Chased a tough winner last week and was actually coming to him nearing the wire. He draws the rail tonight and should be able to make an easy lead in here. Tharps has been doing great as of late and still is not bet as much as he should be so the value could be decent at 3-2 or so. |
| #5 POWER STROKE N | Decided to save ground last time out and was without room until it was too late. Once he did shake free he closed up very strongly with a lot of pace. Before that he circled a softer group with a big 3-wide move. He seems to be getting better and only needs a bit of a trip to share in here. |
| #6 IM HOOKED | Was first over from way back last time out and could not advance into the fast fractions. He gets Case back tonight and that has been the key with this one lately. There is a void of early speed in here and if Case recognizes this he should leave for a spot. Value for gimmick play. |
Race #12 |
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| #8 SAND BIG MAGIC | Tye Loy from the 8 hole is not a promising proposition, however, this one looks like he may be a good one. He went a huge final 3/4s in his qualifier over the off oval and showed good promise as a 2 year old. This is his first start and he may not be ready, but if he is and he has improved any during the growing/layoff period, he will be tough in here. Tab the tote. |
| #9 HASEY HYLIGHT | Broke behind the gate last time out and that got him DQ'd. He battled very gamely first over and despite dropping back badly on the final turn he came surging home in the lane. I'm guessing they did some work on this one since that start and he will be much better. Plus he gets a change to Tharps which in my opinion makes him even better. The likely winner if the top pick is not ready. |
| #3 POWERFULLY OAK | Went to the lead and raced a very nice mile only to be beaten by the horse that sat on his back. He is loaded with speed and will be looking for the front in here. The question is, how easy of a lead will they let him have. If he gets a slow middle half he will be tough to catch. |
Race #13 |
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| #7 MOTU MISTER WRACK | Comes to us from the Meadows and one of their top stables. He makes his US debut tonight after a very strong front end qualifier in PA. He finds himself in a pretty tough spot tonight with 3 decent proven race horses. Speed was his game in the most recent qualifier so expect him on the front in here. If he's ready and has ability he could be tough to catch. |
| #1 IN THE PURPLE N | Has a couple of starts for Belcher under his belt and moves in considerably. He also gets Case tonight and that makes this one even more dangerous. Last week he was pushed wide going to 3/4s and though they didn't throw out the winner for that interference, this one did lose a lot of ground. Before that he flew home to just miss. Case should have him up close and if the top pick is not the horse some think he is, this one will pick up the pieces. |
| #9 LAND SAM | Saved a lot of ground last week and found room to finish with good pace. Tharps is doing very well and from the 2nd tier behind a live horse this one can be right there. |
Race #14 |
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| #4 ALEXANDER F | Made a bid 3-wide around 3/4's last week and nearly cleared only to have to check up when there was no clearance. He hung 3-wide the rest of the way and was a very good 2nd with pace in the lane. Tonight Hawk is off and Case is up, so that equals improvement. Case should end the night the same way he started it. |
| #3 FRISKY LOBELL | Left last time out only to be pushed back when the #1 retreated. That was his first start back in his old barn and he will probably be better tonight. He only needs a clear trip to share and is a must in any gimmick combination tonight. |
| #7 EXCEL | Has been simply awesome in most of his last 6 starts, the only bad ones being the equipment break and the 8 hole, no-try. There isn't a lot of speed directly inside of him and he may be leaving for position. He can take a lot of air so he doesn't need the garden trip. Price will again be good and he deserves a serious look. |
| #2 FIVE POCKET | Battled first over gamely last time out and never gave ground in a very impressive effort. He moves in and should be able to take a trip tonight. Chance to share with his best. |