Analysis for Northfield Park
April 20, 2001


 

Race #1
#2 NOBLE TARGET Did not leave last week and as a result was trapped inside while saving ground. She did find room at the head of the stretch and closed very well with pace. This barn has been getting a bit warmer in the past 10 days or so and from the inside she should have better striking position. With a little racing luck she can upset at a nice price.
#1 KOCKTAIL KITTY Left and retook the lead just after the 1/4 and cut a good pace under pressure from there. She was driven hard during the final 1/4 and responded by digging in and staying clear. Tonight with Miller gone Case gets the duty and he should have this one on the lead. If she isn't hounded throughout she can win again.
#4 MISS ALISHA Is a luke-warm selection for 3rd as I'm not sure why the #7 gets dropped below the claim price after only 1 start for the new connections. This one has 2 under her belt and has made nice moves in both starts only to hang at the top of the stretch. If this one is a bit tighter and the pace is hot she will be right there.


 

Race #2
#1 CINDI HANOVER Has only been with the J. Lee stable for 2 starts and last week's was an improvement. She has some gate speed and gets the services of Case tonight. Expect to see this one on the lead or in the 2-hole and she is the one to beat.
#8 INSPIRATION Moves up after destroying a field of maidens with a nifty final 1/2 of 57.4. She is a well bred Cambest filly that obviously has brighter days than this ahead of her. I have 2 concerns though...the post will certainly make the trip a factor and facing older, winners of more than 1 will give this one a test as well. Young Reynolds is proving himself to be a fine trainer AND driver so I'll give this one a chance.
#4 WAKESHIRE WILLOW Has 2 consecutive 3rds since dropped to this level. Schillaci drives tonight and most of his successful steers come on his own horses, however, this one should be best of the rest.


 

Race #3
#2 MS ROME CC Makes her sophomore debut tonight after a freshman campaign that saw this one bank over 100K despite breaking in the nearly 200K Matron. Her qualifier was strong and if she is ready she may make a winning 2001 debut.
#4 THREE POTATO Did not miss the board at age 2, and was going to be 2nd or better had she not over-paced herself up the inside in her last race, a race in which she was trapped on the rail and full of pace. Her 2 qualifiers have been strong and she faces a softer field tonight. If she minds her manners she will be very tough.
#1 HELLS FURY Found that last winner too tough in the lane, but before that was a strong winner. She has the rail and Case and 2 good starts on her side, making her a must in any gimmick play.


 

Race #4
#4 TIFFANY'S TERROR Was too far back last week when the leaders went a fast first half and from there did not look too good. I'm guessing the driver just realized he had no chance and did not try at all. Before that she was facing better and on occasion closing well. Tonight this one gets a big driver change to Ward and he should get a lot more out of this one. The 15-1 morning line is a bit of a stretch, however, 7-1 won't be a bad price.
#5 BROOKLYN BLOOMER Was used too hard during the first 1/4 from the 7-hole last week. She has done well for Case and he is up tonight. There is quite a bit of speed inside of her and she may come from off pace. If she gets a trip she can be right there.
#8 KELLY ANN CROMBIE Closed from far back when dropped to this level last week. She gets Tharps tonight and he does well with horses he drives first time. She will need some luck from out here, but she has a chance at a good price.
#3 AUBRA'S MAGIC CHIP Is a good superfecta throw-in from the inside.


 

Race #5
#3 EMPRESS OSBORNE It's about time she drops to the Open II level. After tough trips and a dulling of form during the past few months at the top level this one finds herself facing a field she can handle. Last week's effort off the rail was her best in a long time and with a young hungry driver in Tharps up tonight I expect this one to find that over due winner's circle.
#7 CG FIRE Is LOADED with speed and will be flying off the gate. There is quite a bit of speed inside of her, or else she would have been the top pick. She won her last 2 at this level and if she makes the front in good shape she will be tough to catch.
#2 SWEET POTATO CHIPS May be in the right place at the right time tonight. Last week she battled first over and hung on very gamely against this level. She should stay close to what will likely be an honest to fast pace and with 2 starts under her belt she is a gimmick must.


 

Race #6
#1 P H HAPPY CAT Makes her 2nd start for J. Lee and tonight moves in considerably and gets Case. Last time out she saved ground throughout and received a few light taps with the whip in the final 1/8th, flashing decent late pace. I imagine the word will be "go" with her tonight and she can show much more.
#6 FRESH FIRE The last time Ward was up she left and was parked during a tough first 1/4 in which she got roughed up pretty hard, and still was able to close ground on a horse that came back to win again. Last week she cut a brutal pace and tried in the late going. There isn't much early speed in here so this one should be able to improve her position without spending too much energy. A great shot for gimmick play.
#3 TOWNERS REAL LADY Comes from Western Ohio where she has been getting ready for Scioto most likely. She a couple of starts under her and has been going some rough journeys. From the inside she can share with her best.


 

Race #7
#2 LIFE ESTATE Is 2 for 2 on the local scene for Case. This one draws well again and will only get better the more Case helps the trainer. She should be able to make the lead in good shape and unless somebody goes after her with a vengence she should make it 3 in a row.
#6 TERINA'S BEST Is the one with the best chance to upset the favorite tonight. She needed her last start and had the trainer doing the driving. Despite those 2 handicaps she made a nice little 3 wide bid going to 3/4's. She kept some nice comapny as a 2-year old and with a little luck she could upset the top pick.
#1 PLEASES FIRE Chased the top pick last week and was no match. She did finish a decent 3rd in that event and from the rail figures to get a good up-close trip. She figures to hit the ticket underneath.


 

Race #8
#4 HELLA Drops back to a better level and picks up Ward again. She has been racing much better in the past 6 starts and will be flying late. Last time out she was blind-switched and that cost her any shot. The trainer doesn't send out too many winners, but this one may be the exception with some luck.
#3 C G PAT Steps up after two easy scores. She gets a BIG driver change tonight and off the strength of her last 2 wins may be able to handle the class hike. There is other speed in here, but Case knows how to read a program and can be very convincing on track.
#9 JAZZY SAKRA The last time she was in at this level she was parked the mile and only lost by a little more than a length. From the 2nd tier behind speed she figures to get a good trip. Her form is not in doubt and she merits serious respect.


 

Race #9
#1 GRAMMA GORDIE Looks like a winner off the rail tonight. She has several starts back over the "turns" and has been VERY impressive in all 3. Last week she battled first over the final 5/8's and JUST missed in an amazing performance. She will be pointed for the front and will have the lead. The only question is will Ward take the 2-hole on Jendeh. He should realize he won't pass this pick and conceed. If he does, this one wins handily and 1-1 would be candy.
#6 JENDEH Took last week off after putting in many great starts in a row. She will probably be better with the rest and if Ward takes the hole behind the top pick she should complete the exacta.
#2 DAYLON CAMEO Went to the Meadows last week and raced evenly for Fahy. Back to Northfield and inside with her regular driver will give her a chance to be best of the rest.


 

Race #10
#4 CONOS FUTURE Looks super in here. She gets a driver change from Hawk that has been about 80% sure in recent months (anyone else on Belcher's horses), was FLYING home last week and just missed, and faces a field that is ready to be beat. She has a string of nice efforts and should be able to catch some cover in here. The pace figures to be honest and if this one is feeling 100% she can fly by at 3/4's and beyond.
#3 ROMANTIC MELODY Was a winner last time out except for the fact that a horse that is going to win several starts in a row beat this one with a powerful mile. She has speed to get position or even the lead and with Ward up you know she pointed for the top or near the top. She tends to get a bit lazy, but Ward should "wake" her up. Big shot if the top pick falters.
#1 LALA LAND Is going better than she ever has in recent starts with Tharps. She is speedy from the word go and will stay close to the pace. A gimmick must underneath.


 

Race #11
#1 ITALIAN ICE HR Toyed with that last field, coming first over under limited urging, poking ahead on the final turn, and pushed home for a much easier than it looks win. That mile and the one before show this one really can pace. She is in for the same tag and until they beat her I'm sticking with her at this level. Looks SOLID tonight.
#2 IZZY INC Continues to race well but was no match for the top pick despite using her cover to be delivered to the lane. She should get a similar follow-trip tonight and may complete the exacta once again.
#7 HARE ROLLERS Comes from the Meadows where she has been keeping good company. She gets Belcher/Case services tonight and has speed to overcome the post. 9 of 14 first and second this year make her a threat.


 

Race #12
#3 MRS JANE Looks to be in a nice spot. Last time out she was without room and was closing well under a tight pull. She is always strong during the final 1/4 of the mile and this race looks to have quite a bit of speed. I look for a hot early pace and if this one can save some ground early and then catch some room at the right time she can reward us with a nice priced win.
#1 AUTOMATIC SCORER Needed his last start the other night against the best on the grounds. He was obviously short and should be better tonight. He drops to face easier and draws the rail. His game is speed and if he doesn't get pushed too hard he can wire these if ready.
#6 DANGLE Returns from the Big M after being over matched in 2 starts there. He was a perfect 3 for 3 at Northfield in his brief stint at Northfield earlier this year, though that was against softer. He will need his best but may be up to the task.


 

Race #13
#2 MOTOR SCOOTER Drops way down in class tonight after closing in a hurry against 3 very nice horses. She has been very conservatively driven and should be sent a bit harder from the inside against this soft field. She has good early speed that she hasn't flashed in quite some time so expect Tharps to put this one on or near the front. Good shot in here.
#5 IMAGINE ANYWHERE Was claimed 3 back by Virgil from Schillaci and as usual the horse has not done much. (Virgil is tops but needs to avoid Schillaci horses). She hasn't looked too good in any start since the claim but the class relief may wake this one up.
#3 PRIME STAR Closed VERY well 3 wide last week and just missed. Fromt his post with Ward in the bike she should have the striking position to challenge late. Good price underneath.


 

Race #14
#4 JENNA'S GREAT LADY Is a royally bred 3-year old filly that was parked to brutal fractions by the #1 last time out. She should be better tonight and if she can get an early seat she should be able to flash the speed her breeding indicates. Slight edge in a tough finale.
#8 BUTT KICKER Made a big improvement last time out and that up-swing may continue. Before that she was parked 3 wide the entire 1st 1/4 and that took it out of her. The post will make the price, but with a little luck she can make the gimmicks pay.
#1 TSM TIGRESSIVE Has done a lot better since adding Lasix several starts back. Last time out she flashed excellent speed and will likely be tighter tonight after that speed effort. This field is pretty soft and she figures to be right there from the inside.
#5 BEST PEAS Takes a huge class drop tonight but only has the maiden win. The class relief should wake this one up considerably and she is a good superfecta throw-in.