MEADOWS

Analysis for The Meadows
April 24, 2001

	Race #1
# 2 SLEEK SAHBRA	Trainer Michael Medors has this one fine tuned and should be a power against present company. In her only race this season and second of her lifetime, she started from the 7 hole, parked the quarter, settled near the odds on favorite and came on strong in the lane making that one work hard for the victory. She looks to be near even money at post time.
# 6 CAPRICORN’S GAL	Makes her season debut as a three year old. She has 6 wins on the fair circuit and gets Dave Palone in the bike. She does not appear to be as fast as the top pick but these types often fill out well during the off season and can take more than a few seconds off their fastest times on the fairs.
# 1 DANGEROUS PLEASURE	How can one lose with a name like this? In addition, this one gets Case in the bike. I still would of used this one if trainer Henry Beachy was in the bike. This four year old stallion has speed but seems to be his own worse enemy. If Walt Case can keep this one together, should have something to say about who wins this race. Also notice that this one is making only his second lifetime start and my be a sleeper (though I doubt it with Case aboard).
# 4 SHOWDOWNATHIGHNOON	Seems to have the best closing speed of this lot and if remains on stride, may have a shot higher than selected. Brian Zendt seems to have the patience needed and temperament to handle a troubled trotter.

	Race #2
# 8 DECEIVER HALL	I had to start off with Case in the drivers competition and in fact, this Virgil Morgan Jr. pacer seems to have some excellent speed as he almost won in 1:57:2 at Northfield and Case was aboard on that trip. Having driven a horse before is a clear advantage in my book in these contests.
# 6 BIG MOTION	Was my top pick two back then was lessened to 4th last week. He came flying late and circled the field. He remains in class and should be heard from in the lane.
# 3 HAWAIIAN MACHO MAN	Is a front running sort that should benefit from having his regular driver from the last two starts. Dave Palone will send this one to the early lead but will try to work out a trip as he does not have controlling speed. He may need clearance late to have a legitimate shot at the win.
# 1 RAISON HALE	Added lasix last out and wire the field easily. Looks to handle the raise in class with the inside post and a running style that can be used as a stalker.

	Race #3
# 8 SUN KING	Was driven in a very conservative manner last week and was picking them up and laying them down at the end of the race last week. Looks to be prime in conditioning and with the outside post, may be at double digit odds. He meets a slightly less talented field tonight.
# 7 LADY COMEOVER	Drops down from the top classification for trotting mares and meets the boys. It may be a little stronger test than one may expect. Her odds will be to low for my taste. She is good enough to make the ticket but has not enough value to consider as a top key in exotics.
# 6 TANGO TIME	Exits last week in fine form as this one took some time off since the final of the late closing series. He came back in a forward racing position and has some trot at the end of the mile. I can recommend this one as a key in all exotics.
# 1 ARNALS PRIDE	Gains inside post advantage and has enough gate speed to secure a forward racing position. His stamina might be a bit short though a perfect trip puts this one on the exacta ticket.

	Race #4
# 4 VERVE	The drivers championship returns this race. Dave Miller jumps aboard one nice import from Michigan. His times are fast for there but will be over looked in these parts. Trainer Tim Buter usually has a good feel with these types and classifies them in a spot where they seem to fit in. He gets my long shot of the day call.
# 3 SWEET ANGEL EYES	Drops in class and gets an inside post to use her early speed for position. She makes her first start of the year as a three year old. Trainer Mike Palone has had these types ready from the get go though her qualifier does not fit the profile. Hence, the lessening of her selection value.
# 1 JD’S MILLENIUM	Put in a monster mile two back where he left alertly, settle near the front end and had enough pace in the lane to draw off. Last week’s contest was hampered by the outside post and facing a little tougher individuals. He did manage to make the lead before the half mile pole but was spent when he hit the backside. Looks to have an easier time tonight.
# 5 CG TIGRESS	Won easier than looks on paper as an odds favorite in last week’s contest. This time around will be a little tougher as this one moves up in class. Andy Miller drives and this one and should be in good hands.

	Race #5
# 2 KW’SSMILINGSHABRA	Draws inside and gets Tyler instead of Kirkbride in the bike. Connections have their go to guy in the bike and looks to try to wire the field.
# 6 HICKORY MUMZIE	Is a front running sort that has received bad posts in last two races. Having speed is essential on this speed carrying track. Leo Harvey is adequate enough but the filly will have to do the work.
# 1 MAGNETIC CORE	Makes initial pari-mutuel start on lasix and draws the rail with Palone in the bike. Looks to be fast enough when compared to these.
# 7 SALTY ROCKS	Makes second start of his career and though it appears that he is out gunned, please note that in his qualifier, he raced even with Inmate. Through out last week’s line as Wilder was off his game with the break of this one stable mate, Bonnie Buns.

	Race #6
# 1 PINE HILL YANKEE	Draws inside after a race in which he looked ready to pounce and drawl off when made a break. Looks to be Sears best chance at a win in this driving contest.
# 5 SHORT WITH MOTION	Qualified well then simply circled his competition last out. It appears Dave Miller will try this one from mid pack and may make his move a bit to early for my liking.
# 8 CORRINNA CORRINNA	Is the pure early speed that should last into the lane. Only draw back to this one is her disliking of the off going.
# 2 PROXIE POWER	Drops in class and draws inside post. The post relief is enough to be considered in the exotics.

	Race #7
# 1 MISTER SMILIN JACK	Draws the rail and gets Case to steer. This one seemed to be better on the front end but has closed from the parking lot on some occasions. He is versatile and should be very handy in this type of competition.
# 7 UNABASHED	Has been knocking at the door in last two attempts and finds a tough road to travel as he starts from the 7 hole. He may be best served with a closing style of trip.
# 5 FIERY SAHBRA	Has improved with lasix and seems to have enough stamina and early speed to be in contact with this field.
# 8 PEACE MATTERS	Closed from way back last week and enters a race where he will need that closing speed following a fast half to be effective in this race. Any thoughts of placing this one on the engine need to be avoided.

	Race #8
# 7 BORN GOOD FRIDAY	Was my top pick as the first start off the claim by the Mowood barn and having Palone driving. Same connections appear tonight and the selection remains the same.
# 8 HP FIDDLE STRING	Has been carrying his front end speed longer in recent races and appears to be gaining both in stamina and speed. Looks to try to wire these but may need to take a seat near the lead to be most effective.
# 3 NUCLEAR CHANCE	Has been a consistent closer in his last four starts. He has not gotten over the hump for the win as of yet but seems to be a lock to hit the board.
# 5 TO THE HOOP	Is another closer that may benefit from an early battle for the lead. He moves up in class and may offer some double digit odds to the superfecta ticket.

	Race #9
# 6 AMERICAN WINNER	Has owned this classification in the early part of the year and seems to find new life when driver Brain Sears took over the reins from Bob Corey Jr. last week. Looks to be odds on at post time.
# 4 TROJAN WAR	Showed some nice late trot two weeks ago but made a break when heading that winner in Hopeful Fred. Looked awesome last week as he tried to wire all but lost to a better horse. Should be considered as a possible back up in exactas to all other exotic wagers.
# 3 CYRANO DE BERGERAC	Makes his first start of the season for the Dave Rankin barn. Same starts in the bike as this one seems to have enough speed to compete and has won this class in previous years. Only question is his form good enough to race with these. Apparently I feel so.
# 7 HOPEFUL FRED	Won three straight in class and was forced to take the week off as this sport is socialist in nature. I know of no other sport that forces one team to sit out because of winning. Past horses in similar situations were American Winner who finished second in his start back. Raindance Kim won three in a row with the last from a nine hole only to return and has not won since. I feel this one might make the ticket but will be using the all button in the fourth spot on my superfecta tickets.

	Race #10
# 1 ARMBRO LIQUEUR	Meets a less talented lot than he faced in a while. Looks to be leaving the gate and find a spot no worse than 4th. He has enough closing speed to threaten all in the lane.
# 3 SCOOTER REE’	Came home nicely in last two effort and given inside post looks awfully tough to through off the ticket. Looks to be in the right place and right time in the latter stages of the race.
# 6 BLUE CLOUD	Is one that needs to be in the early action to be effective. Best races has been when he secured the pocket trip and used the passing lane. Brett Miller fits this horse like a glove.
# 7 TROPIC SUN	Failed to fire in last week’s race but showed signs of life in the qualifier. He might be a little short but if successful in hitting the board, should add much value.

	Race #11
# 1 TSM HEATHER’S GEM	Draws rail after two average starts since the qualifier. She seems to be learning and has been strong enough at the end of the miles to be considered a threat. Competition is not as strong as recent races which improve the chances of this one.
# 8 FOO TOO	Is the pure speed type entered and should have his won way most of the mile. He has leg weary in the latter stages make this one vulnerable to a closer that has position within 4 lengths at the 3/4 pole.
# 3 FINE VINE	Has not developed as nicely as I once hoped for. He has early speed but can be driven in a hole and rated. I do not like this one coming from the back as his speed is not of the fast brush type but more in the style of a grinder.
# 5 CONTANGO	Drops in class after three starts where he raced over his head. Looks to like the class drop and may show more speed on the front end than in previous encounters.

	Race #12
# 7 KENTUCKY MORNING	Makes second start of the year and showed he was in fine form in last week’s race. Looks to improve having that race under his belt. Notice that his last half was around 58:3, which is fastest in this field for their last half times. Morning line odds of 10/1 do not indicate this one’s true chance of winning.
# 1 NIGHT’S JET	Gains rail following a race where he started after a short lay off. He closed to catch third in present company. Looks very live in here.
# 5 SENOR JAMIE	Won last two since the claim and seems destined to gather the most money in the win pool. He is at the top of his game but may need to be used too hard to get racing position near the front end types.
# 2 JURASSIC COURT	Is a pure closing speed type horse that will be dependent on the early fractions being fast enough to make this one live in the lane. He runs better on the wet going than dry.

	Race #13
# 8 KT SASSY SELINA	Has enough early speed and endurance to simply wire these. Her down fall is the off going. If the track is wet, drop her to fourth pick. She did beat Lady Comeover in the early closing series (1st or 2nd leg) when she was backed off the half and out sprinted the latter to the wire in a last quarter of 28:3. She should have her own way in this race.
# 1 MARINE	Gains inside post and will be within striking range when the field turns for home. He has been locked in, interfered with and simply outrun in his last three races. He has the talent and with a little racing luck, could of had 2 wins on his card.
# 5 TAG FOR SPEED	Seems solid enough to get a piece of this race. She is one of those Tagliabue offspring that seem to come to life in their sophomore season. Looks to be at odds near 10/1 at post time.
# 2 MADISON’S TUITION	Made some money last year on the PA Stakes Program. I believe he did win one at Pocono Downs. He does not have a line present on his program due to the fact that he threw driver Brain Zendt out of the bike before the qualifier on April 3, 2001. This horse took off like a bandit, left the track then headed up the hill to his barn. He ran the bike into the guide wire to a utility pole where he was taken to the ground. The bike was destroyed but in the process he was loose and was not caught up in harness or lines. He took off again for his barn where a groom from an neighboring stall grabbed him and placed him in his stall. He had scratches on both front legs but was fine otherwise. He is a lucky horse and when he qualified on 4-17, simply set fast fractions and tired from his efforts. A 2:00 qualifier is nice for a trotter.