NORTHFIELD

Analysis for Northfield Park
April 23, 2001

	Race #1
#2 ADABOYSHARPIE	Is perfect ever since W. Case Jr started driving this one (3 for 3). All wins have come handily and tonight from the rail he looks tough to beat. Belcher had 7 wins Saturday night and he looks to add another to his training lead at Northfield. No price but very solid.
#4 SQUARE IT	Left last time and instead of having thoughts of cutting it, Ward decided to take the trip behind the top pick and followed for an easy 2nd. He wasn't gaining on the top pick, but also was drawing away without much urging from all of these horses (save for the #1). He will be leaving tonight and may do the give and go with the #2 for another 2 hole trip. If he gets it he should be able to hold 2nd again.
#1 & 1A VINCENT N BEN & DIRECTLY WEST	The former looks to be the better one of the 2. Last time he was at this level he was a nice 2nd to the top pick, well clear of tonight's 2nd pick. He stepped up and raced evenly against much better last week. If he's feeling his best he can be dangerous. The latter followed along last week and was an even 3rd. He tends to sulk in a hole and never really hasn't much going at the end of the mile. A true 3K claimer, not $K.

	Race #2
#5 TRENT WOOD	Last week this one re-took the lead by the 1/4 and from there went on to the easiest of scores. He never took a whip, never had the reins shaken, never broke a sweat. He has done almost everything that has been asked of him since joining the Belcher stable and if he doesn't encounter road troubles and Case drives (he's scheduled but missed Pocono last night) he can win again.
#4 SOLAR ANGEL	Came out very early (almost parked the entire mile) from dead last and just kept advancing towards a tough leader. He was able to clear the dead 2 hole horse and drop in behind the top pick around 3/4's and from there was an easy 2nd. The week before he was sitting in the 2-hole and made a break late on the final turn and lost about 4 lengths only to re-gain stride and come FLYING back for 2nd, just missing. This one is just about getting right for Schillaci and will win at this level very soon. If the top pick falters I'm guessing this is the one that picks up the pieces.
#3 BERLIN FLYER	Is the veteran of the group and highest money winner. Last week he was locked in saving ground for 3/4's of the mile but then was able to get free when T CODY broke. He came out of the hole with a lot of trot but was not able to gain enough on the 2nd pick. He looks best of the rest again.

	Race #3
#5 MANCHESTER GIRL	Makes her first start at the races since 1998! That's a long time. Her qualifier was pretty good behind a top young filly. Sturgeon is famous for "finding" these kind of horses and getting a couple of wins out of them. This is a very weak field and she doesn't have to be much to beat these. Tab the tote.
#1 INALEAGUE OFHEROWN	Just keeps getting checks at this level and tonight gets the rail. She has some early speed to get what position she wants and with B. Miller in the bike she will have good position. She doesn't seem to pace well around the wire (picture shy I think) but is a must in any gimmick combo.
#2 SECOND HAND SAM	Has been doing MUCH better as of late. This one has put together a series of 3 nice races and appears to be getting better. She beat the 2nd pick last week and might have had the tougher trip. Wyers hasn't done well lately, but maybe tonight he can find his grove. Chance to share.

	Race #4
#2 FIVE CARAT DIAMOND	Makes his sophomore debut tonight after wintering in Florida. He has a couple of qualifiers under him, the last won being very good. He used the hobbles as a 2-year old and goes without them tonight. This is a very soft field and it looks like the only question is will he stay flat. If he does he should beat these handily.
#3 MANDALAYBAY	Makes her 3-year old debut as well tonight. She could not seem to stay flat at 2 but on the strength of that qualifier she may have learned the game. She comes from one of Ohio's best barns and flashed good speed in her qualifier. She should be pretty good value and may be a super bet in the gimmicks.
#6 R C CHARGER	Comes to Northfield after doing ok against better at The Meadows with a much lesser driver. He has experience on his side and 2 back went a huge mile over an off surface, leaving and still racing well in the lane. Pantaleano surely can do more with this one and he looks to be solid underneath.
#9 HERE SHE COMES	Rarely misses a check, but just doesn't like to win races. From the 2nd tier with Case she is a good superfecta throw-in.

	Race #5
#4 BRANDINO	Used the rail to his advantage last time and went on for an easy wire-to-wire victory. All of Belcher's horses have just done remarkably well since losing Hawk and this one will surely get better too. There is other speed in this race so it isn't as easy at it looks. He does have Case tonight and looks to have a slight edge. The question is how easily can he make the top?
#6 EXCEL	Is a speedball that proved he can race off pace as well 2 back. Last time out he was used hard leaving and then took a lot of pressure during the middle half over an off surface. He still held on for a game 2nd. His form is not in doubt and if the top pick can't get it done, this one can.
#1 GET IT ON	Looked awful at the half last week, under a hard drive to keep up and couldn't. Then when the leaders tired this one caught the field and used a crafty dive to the inside and closed well in the passing lane. He has a bit of a class advantage over most of these, but his 2 year record of 17 starts indicates he isn't much. Still he can share from the rail.

	Race #6
#3 BENZILLA	Comes from a very tough stable that has one in the 4th tonight (if that one wins this one looks good too). He is a well bred colt and is just learning the game. His Florida qualifiers were encouraging and he faces an absolute dismal field. Edge in here.
#1 SAND SIERRA SMOKE	Nice bred young filly who only has the one start. She was too far back and did not respond well when asked 3 wide last time out. She moves in and has that race under he so she should be much better. From the inside Loy shouldn't have too many problems and her best can share at a price.
#2 PHERRIS RUTT	Was far back early and tried it 4 wide on the final turn. He obviously lost a lot of ground and did have some trot in the lane. He should be tighter tonight and the inside post will keep him close.

	Race #7
#4 HASEK HYLIGHT	Got away very poorly from the gate last time out, but did have the break on his card to contend with. He wasn't in any position at all until around 3/4's when he made a 3 wide move around the gappers and caught the leaders. He looked like he was on a line and Tharps couldn't get him to go where he wanted. He did have pace with no urging and was as good as any in the lane. If he can get away a bit better tonight (the lead would be perfect) his speed will carry him to the winner's circle.
#2 SAND ROUNDER	Was 3 wide the entire last turn last time out and didn't lose a bit of ground on the other horses. Before that he was completely backed out in a blind switch. He has shown good ability and his breeding indicates he has even more. The driver will ensure the price, but his best can see him finish high.
#1 ALBER'S ANGEL	He does his best racing up close and from the inside he should be able to get a trip. Hopefully Wyers doesn't get crazy and try to cut this mile as the lines show he does much better when following. Let the #4 brush and follow him for a check.

	Race #8
#5 BANK YOUR PROFIT	Was parked the mile last time out over and was still trotting strong at the wire. He gets Case tonight and has a distinct class advantage over most of these. He should leave and make every call a winning one. Solid in here.
#2 SON OF EDNA	Last time out was simply never in contention. He didn't fire a shot but didn't really try either. The last time he drew inside at this level he was a nice 2nd. The driver will enhance the price, but also ups the risk. If he doesn't steer him out of it, the horse should be right there.
#1 COUNTRY WOOD	Came first over last time out and was dead game, charging back at the wire. He just missed toa horse that saved all the ground and snuck through the passing lane. B. Miller is back and tonight with the rail he should be able to get a shorter trip.

	Race #9
#4 IN THE PURPLE N	Cut a super fast pace over an off oval and was a tired but game winner to the wire. He is getting better for Belcher and with Case back up will surely have position and show his best. He just looks to fast for these and should win right back at this level.
#2 LUCKY PENNY	Has speed and the inside post, and a couple of starts under his belt. He is a pretty nice horse that should be better tonight. All he has to do is stay inside close to the top pick and follow for a big piece.
#1 MASTER DREAMER	Broke on the first turn last time out with Wyers but gets a change to Pantaleano. He was racing huge 3 and 4 back and if he hasn't lost it completely should be able to challeng from the rail.

	Race #10
#3 BARN SEVEN	Made an easy lead last time out and was helped by a pair of breakers behind him. He was driven hard to the wire but was able to stay clear. He is a well gaited trotter that looks super on track and should make an easy lead. He looks the best in here and should give Case/Belcher another win tonight.
#5 BOOKEM DEBO	Saved all the ground and just kept advancing as trotters broke or pulled. He came FLYING home with a lot of trot to just miss the top pick. He will have to come from out of it, but if anyone pushed the top pick hard or he falters in any other way this looks to be the one that will pick up the pieces.
#1 E B BOB	Has done a bit better since joining the Lee stable. Last time out he came out on the backside and was forced 3 wide around dead cover. He cleared that cover but didn't have much left parked first up on the turn. He was the best of the rest, but needs to show a bit more to challenge the top picks tonight.

	Race #11
#8 SAND BIG MAGIC	Needed his last start and was simply too far back to challenge. He gets a HUGE driver change to Case tonight and on the strength of that qualifier and with that decent start under his belt he may be set for a win. If he gets any sort of early position he can win in here.
#4 BLUERIDGE RAIDER	Stepped up to face older, more experienced horses last time out and was no match, despite pacing a bit mile himself. He has a lot of speed and should find this class more to his liking. If he can get far enough ahead of the top pick he may be able to last.
#1 SCOOTER ZACH	Draws the rail tonight and looks well placed. He qualified behind a bear at The Meadows, but was able to hit nice quarters himself. He was a terror at the fairs last year, racking up 13 wins. Ward is a great driver and should have this one forwardly placed. If he's ready he can be right there at the end.

	Race #12
#5 STRIKING SIS	Left in her qualifier and still was strong in the final 1/4 for an easy victory. She was one of Ohio's top freshman filly trotters and looks to be better this year. She may need the start, but B. Miller is up and he will have her in contention. If she's ready she can start 2001 off with a win.
#6 STELLA S	Raced conservatively in her last start, but still managed a huge final 1/2 of 59.3. She too had a nice 2-year old season and with a start under her belt will surely be better. If the leaders go at it, this one may be going best of all in the lane.
#3 GENTLE GLORY	Has one start under her belt at age 3 and hails from a barn that tends to race them into their best form. She may be the best of the rest.

	Race #13
#4 NICE N ANXIOUS	Was last at the 1/2 and 4th over down the backside when he tipped out 3 wide and closed nicely. He just missed for 3rd. Before that he didn't fire at all from the outside, but if you go back one more race he made a HUGE 1st over move to clear tonight's likely favorite with ease and drew off for a strong and easy win. If he has a similar move tonight he can upset in here.
#5 MATANZA	Gets a driver tonight and that will surely help. Before his last start he made a strong 1st over bid by the 1/2 and was denied the lead. He battled first over from there gamely and never gave up. He has speed to get position, or may just elect to follow the top pick. Either way he is a serious threat at a nice price.
#3 COLBYS FUTURE	Has 2 wins in a row and will be bet way down tonight. He has done much better since Hawk got off (what a surprise), but will likely be way over bet tonight, especially with other speed inside. Still a contender.

	Race #14
#3 JUST PLAIN PERFECT	Has finally found his spot. He only joined the Belcher stable recently and also has only been on Lasix for a few more starts. He has good gate speed and tonight gets a HUGE driver change from Hawk. Anyone that has followed my site for the past month or so has learned that when Hawk is off, Belcher horses explode. (It may not be drivers at the Big M where they are all professionals, but at these lesser tracks it is largely drivers) My picks didn't get uploaded properly on Saturday night, but Ward and Belcher combined for SEVEN wins and most were high on tops on my list. Case should have this one on top and the may get him home.
#1 UNDER COMBAT	Will surely have another driver (I have Peregrin listed, but he trains the #2) and from the rail with speed he may have the 2 hole. That trip will make him very dangerous.
#9 WYNFIELD CLUB	Drops to the bottom tonight with a start over the track. He has done very well at higher levels in the past here and Miller had choice of about half the field and took this one. He should stay close and if he gets room at the right time he can fly by them all.
#5 EMERALDS GOLD	Got a stellar drive last time out (no, not really) and that cost him any chance. He seems to be getting better and if Wyers doesn't get him in trouble he can be the price of the superfecta.