RACE 1 – (3) P C FREE WHEELING is worth a stab in tonight’s opener – she was a sharp front end winner 2 back,
then finished full of trot for a close 2nd behind WARRIOR ONE last week – maybe she can turn the tables tonight, at
a decent price. (1) WARRIOR ONE has been a gutsy warrior for years, and that’s why he has over $750K on his
card – he’s a very tough horse to pass (at these levels) when on the lead, and that’s where he’ll be tonight – the one
to beat, but he’ll be a very short price. (2) HAND DOVER DAN has struggled here in the past, often with miscues
and bad trips – he does ship in very sharp from PcD, however, and will probably sit a pretty nice trip – use in exotics
(5) JULA MUSCLE PACK can probably be a player with an up close trip but he does the face the possibility of
leavers to his inside – thinking a smaller piece only tonight. (4) B NICKING is a very streaky sort and last week’s
miscue is concerning – his best effort puts him in the mix, but he does feel iffy right now. (7) VINNY DE VIE is in a
very tough spot and could be worth a look NEXT week, when he figures to be dropping to NW15000. (8) DWS POI
NT MAN is having a strong season but faces the likelihood of having to rally from last tonight – another that could
look better with a drop next week. (6) INFINITY STONE throws some eye popping miles...but probably not tonight.
RACE 2 – (5) NOWS THE MOMENT bounced back in a big way last week, wiring the field in a sizzling 1:53.1 –
if he brings that same version tonight, he may be able to pick up his 21st local win (over the past 3 years). (4)
UNEVE RGONNAGETHIS took a while to find peak form this year but he’s been hitting on all cylinders for a
while, he hasn’t beaten the Invitational yet, but his last couple suggest that day may be coming- maybe tonight? (6)
SEA CAN has proven to be another very astute purchase for the nation’s leading barn, and he’s now established
himself as a legitimate Open trotter – he’s proven he can beat these, but he MAY end up with a somewhat difficult
trip in here – make sure to get a fair price if using on top. (3) CREDIT CON did a nice job securing the two hole trip
last week but did come up short in the latter stages – he remains a threat, but hard to recommend on top as the ML
favorite! (2) TACHYON was a game winner over lesser last week, but doesn’t feel like he’s at his absolute best form
– probably looking at a bit smaller share tonight. (1) MISSISSIPPI STORM probably needs to be in easier at this
point in his career – even the rail draw may not be enough to make him a serious threat.
RACE 3 – (6) BLUEBIRD BISHOP had an equipment issue on 5/24 but has otherwise picked up 3 wins and a pair
of 2nds from his last 6 starts – deserves the edge tonight, even with the less than stellar draw. (2) ROGER RABBIT
was a close 2nd in his first start in from Ohio then a sharp pocket winner last week – he should fit very nicely moving
into this $40K claimer tonight, and looms a very real threat. (3) STEUBEN HANOVER is a threat pretty much
every start at this level but he hasn’t WON in a while and often gets overbet – have to respect his chances, but others
may offer better value. (4) J S HOPSCOTCH is having a solid year, currently at 18-4-2-5 $62K – he’s in the mix
every week, and figures to be once more...definitely playable at the right price. (1) FIGHT SONG raced terrific
when 2nd to the top choice two back (upon arrival from Pocono), but just didn’t resemble that horse last week –
inclined to stick with others, especially since Bartlett opted for #4. (5)) SHEENA SOLDIER was an ok 4
th last week but likely looking at only some minor spoils tonight. (7) MUFASA AS draws yet another 7 hole, and he wasn’t able
to get close from similar spots the last 2 starts.
RACE 4 – NYSS 2YO C&G: (6) FAST CHOICE kicked home in :27.1 to win his first career prep – he was 3rd in
his next, but the winner just won by 12 lengths at Pocono in 1:52...more importantly, Zeron opts OFF one of his
main clients (#1) to drive THIS guy – we’ll trust his judgement. (2) COURTS ON FIRE shows 2 solid Canadian
preps for his debut and hails from solid connections – could be a very live player here. (1) SG EXIT VELOCITY
shows a pair of nice qualifiers (for a top shelf barn) yet Zeron still opts for #6 – still deserves plenty of respect! (5)
HOLT HANOVER was 2nd in a NJ baby race then won his qualifier over the Stga. half – would be no surprise at all.
(7) PEPPERMINT PETE must have been fairly impressive in his qualifiers as he appears to have been purchased
after his last – tough draw to start off his career, though. (4) BALEVILLE BOMBER wasn’t overly impressive in his
preps – we’ll see if he shows more tonight. (3) WATCH MY WARRIOR is a homebred from Delaware connections
– leaning towards others at the moment.
RACE 5 – Amateur Race: (1) SKYWAY PROFESSOR drops back into an amateur event after an excellent 2
nd vs. the (much better) 40s last week (off the claim) – Joe Lee had a choice of two good ones in here and took this guy...
and we will jump on board too. (5) LIONHEAD flew to the top from Post 7 at 36-1 last week, yielded for a two hole
trip and was able to hold on to 2nd – maybe he can do it again? (3) BEACON BEACH came into his last at 0 for 17
on the year but was hammered down to 6/5, made a BIG early move to the lead and was the easiest of winners – Lee
was listed on him as well, but it’s understandable why he elected to go with the top choice – can have a big say here,
with Yogi on board. (4) ITSONEOFTHOSE was a little disappointing when 4th with Brennan in an overnight last
week but he’s done well in these amateur events and a good trip can land him a spot on the ticket tonight. (2) ALLIN
DOTIME was a winner last week (as the odds on choice) but he was pretty tired at the wire – needs to finish better if
he hopes to grab a big piece here. (7) LOOK IN MY EYES was well backed in his last pair but turned in dull efforts
– the draw certainly won’t help his chances tonight. (6) LIMERENCE gets a tough post for a pilot that doesn’t drive
all that often – sticking with others. (8) SHOWME SOME MUSCLE gets stuck with another 8 hole.
RACE 6 – Excelsior A, 2YO C&G: (8) JOLLY HARBOR has the misfortune of catching a full field for his debut
AND getting stuck all the way outside...but after dominating in both of his Stga. preps, we’re still willing to go with
him on top (as long as he’s not incredibly overbet). (3) ENJOY YOUR FLIGHT shows a nice mile at VD for a crew
that can have one ready to go – could be a live player in his career debut. (2) CASH IT IS shows a pair of Hoosier
preps and it’s hard to read much from them – he SEEMS like a good fit here, and a logical one for exotics. (6) POW
ERFUL ENTITY qualified ok at Stga. though no match for #8 that day – chance for a piece. (5) SPIRIT OF FREED
OM debuts for solid connections but he offered little in his 2 qualifiers. (1) BIG BEND was sent off at 35-1 for his
first lifetime start and made a break– prefer to just watch, for now (4) SAINT DASHER feels like a work in progress
off those 2 VD qualifiers. (7) BABY SQUASH lands outside after finishing well back in both of his baby races.
RACE 7- NYSS 2YO C&G– tough race! (8) THIRSTY THURSDAY is out of the fast/classy TEQUILA MONDAY
and is hard to fault off his excellent preps – may have a tough time navigating things from Post 8, but could be very
tough IF Kakaley can find him a manageable trip in his career debut. (4) DIGGING FOR GOLD shows a pair of
good preps for a sharp barn and gets a pretty massive driver switch (Gingras) to start off his career – could be a very
live player! (1) IDEALOFADAY went evenly in his only (Ohio) baby race – draws the pole for his new barn, and
may prove to be a good one. (3) RED BLOODED won his only qualifier and gets a good draw with Bartlett to start
off his career – add him to the list of possible players. (2) ALABAMA LUCKY just missed in his 5/29 qualifier then
won an overnight race at PcD on 6/15 – hails from a barn that knows how to win early, and would be no shock at all.
(7) INVICTUS hails from a small, but historically successful barn – his baby races are promising, but we’ll see if
the draw is too much of an obstacle. (5) SEAFOOD STAR cut the mile in his only prep and weakened a bit in the
lane – hard to gauge his chances. (6) PUCKY broke in in his career debut and gets a tough draw tonight.
RACE 8 - Excelsior A, 2YO C&G – another tough race: (4) A GOOD QUEST has been getting sharper with each
baby race, gets a big switch to Zeron for tonight and he’s one of several in here that would seem to have a legitimate
chance. (1) SOUTHPAW should be familiar with his pilot as he’s also his breeder, owner, and trainer – that last VD
blowout stamps him as a very dangerous threat. (3) FREAKY FRIDAY’s first prep was solid but it looks like he just
got way too hot in his next (tiring badly) – if he can relax tonight, he may be able to have a big say. (2) CIGAR SM
OKING JOE has a couple of solid preps, draws well with Bartlett and could easily be a player. (7) MR HUGGINS
showed significant improvement in that 2ns qualifier but may end up compromised by the terrible draw. (6) GROO
VIN WILL qualified ok a couple of times in Canada for live connections – never hurts to get Yannick on board, and
a good price makes him worth at least a look. (8) MANKOTA was an expensive yearling but hasn’t lived up to his
price tag so far – landing all the way outside certainly won’t help. (5) BULVILNANCYSLEGACY caught hot miles
the two times he went behind the gate and is very hard to gauge, as a result.
RACE 9 – (6) P L NOTSONICE has won 5 of her 10 local Invitationals, racing well in most of the losses – she can
charge home if necessary, but may be able to at least go forward at the start tonight – hopefully her price will creep
up just a bit and make her worth a play. (5) DIAMANTE TRIO IT has just gotten better all year long as is now a
weekly player at this top level – she has the gate speed to “make her own luck”, and usually is a good price – can be
a player once more. (3) PERFECT VIXEN always gives a solid effort, even if often for smaller pieces – remains a
good option to use underneath. (4) PARISO was off a bad date last week, handled conservatively but did finish well
– she’ll probably be at the mercy of her trip here, but she can make some noise if it’s a good one. (2) QUEEN OF
ALL has been a bit in and out and now comes into this off a sick scratch – sticking with the more “predictable”
players in here. (1) HOT FLASH KIMMY had a couple of tough starts when here last – she’s been on the upswing
in PA (since recently adding Lasix), but she’ll need to prove that she can hang with these sharp older mares.
RACE 10 – (3) CANTKEEPMIASECRET came into her last with 3 wins and a 2nd from her last 4 starts (right after
changing barns) but made a miscue early on – willing to give her a chance to make amends, especially since the
price should be better now. (1) LOS BALLYKEELAMIGO has won 3 of his last 4 starts, with an 8 hole in the other
– he stepped up to wire ‘em at this level last week, and is certainly a threat to do so again. (4) VOYAGE TO PARIS
stepped up to 40s after an amateur win the week before and turned in a solid mile for 3rd – he’s good right now, and
has a chance for another good piece. (5) THE BALLYKEEL DEAL is a half sister to #1, and is racing pretty well
herself this year – faces a bit of an unpredictable trip from this spot, however, so make sure to get a fair price if she’s
your play. (2) WILLY WALTON hasn’t been a threat to win in some time but he could definitely grab a piece from a
spot like this, with the right trip. (6) INN AT RODANTHE has gone the other way lately – waiting for better signs
before considering. (7) GRINDER is regressing rapidly and now is stuck all the way outside.
RACE 11 – (4) LYONS PRIDE was ultra well meant last week but just missed looping to the lead then ended up
parked the mile after getting shut out of the two hole – deserves another chance. (1) AINT NOSTOPN TIME was
also well meant last time (dropping in for a tag) but couldn’t overcome the tough trip – may be able to do a lot better
starting from the rail. (2) KID FROM THE BRONX is off to a slow start to his 4YO campaign but terrible posts in 5
of his 6 starts hasn’t helped – look for him to be closer tonight after finally getting a good draw. (3) HIGH ON ROC
KNROLL never seems to win but picks up a lot of pieces – use underneath. (5) DEPMPSEY HANOVER was able
to pick up 2nd last week but largely due to the kind trip – he figures to be overbet here, but still playable on the
bottom of exotics. (8) GOOD INVESTMENT wasn’t terrible from an impossible spot last week but unfortunately,
he seems to have landed in another – maybe a good bomb for 3rd/4th? (6) FOUT weakened off an easy trip upon
arrival last week and now gets stuck with Post 6. (7) CENTURY IGLESIAS will be coming from well out of it, and
unlikely to be able to make much of a dent.