Leg #4 of the Borgata Series and last week's results have thrown the leader board
(and entire series) right up into the air!
RACE 1 - (5) KASHED UP A didn't seem all that serious in his local debut after drawing Post 7, sitting last then racing behind traffic into the stretch - the (fairly) recent import has a solid Down Under resume, and the guess is that Bartlett will be a lot more aggressive tonight...and the tote board will likely reflect that expectation. (2) QUALITY BUD was forced to grab up and back off at the start last week, leaving him with little chance - he beat this class the week before, and figures to be a much bigger player tonight with the move inside. (3) BALLERAT BOOMERANG was reclaimed by the barn that just picked up a pair of 2nds with him- he can have a say here for sure, but not a big fan of his 5/2 ML (favorite) price. (1) CAPTIVATE HANOVER finished with pace off the claim last week but was unable to improve much in the lane - draws best, and should have a chance for a piece. (4) TIGER BARON is moving up significantly in class but is actually very good right now - may be able to pick up a share. (7) FAMILY RECIPE raced well weh n2nd best last week, but figures to really hurt by the move outside - minor share only. (8) LOUS SWEETREVE NGE was all out to prevail at 1/5 two back then was a "meh" 4th as the 1/10 favorite in his last - the move to Post 8 figures to limit him to another minor role. (6) CAN BE PERFECT draws poorly after a sick scratch from his last - good week to just keep an eye on him.
RACE 2 - (4) MOONSHINE KISSES was a very sharp 7 hole winner here 2 back then followed that up with an eye-opening 1:51 score over the sloppy surface - remains the one to catch, and beat. (5) PYRO saw his 4 race winning streak snapped when forced to retreat to last 2 back but shrugged that right off and came back to win again last week - he'll likely be looking at a fairly tough trip tonight, but he's too sharp to dismiss too quickly! (3) WINDUN RICKY has been holding top form right up through the class ladder and Dunn clearly has figured out how to push his buttons - may be able to add some value to the exotics. (2) LO ORIM LAKE A was well supported when he broke at the start from Post 8 3 back but bounced right back to win his last pair - he gets class tested now, and we'll find out if he can be a player with these too. (6) OD DS ON OSIRIS moves from one top barn to another as he ships in from Ohio - he's won here in the past and probably fits ok here, but the tough draw (and 3 weeks off) may slow him down a bit tonight. (1) KING JAMES EXPRESS was a big earner as a youngster but really struggled in his 4YO campaign - finding his form lately vs. much cheaper, and seems like a stretch right now against this solid crew.
RACE 3 - MGM Borgata Pace, Leg 4: (3) JIMMY FREIGHT lacked room when a close 2nd in the first leg, crushed the others in Week #2 (even if pacing inside the cones to the wire!) then came up big again last week, just missing to a tough, classy rival after starting from Post 7 - catches an overall modest group here, figures to have a positional edge over his main rival and definitely deserves top billing. (4) BACKSTREET SHADOW really picked up his game after moving to this barn in late Feb. and has been terrific in the series so far, charging home to win last week after starting out with a pair of sharp 3rds - has shown no issue with racing from the back, and will be very dangerous late IF close enough as they turn for home. (5) PRICELE SS BEACH has been sharp for weeks, but a bad shuffle last week took him right out of the hunt - more than capable of being right there with the top two, but he'll need some trip to come his way after drawing outside of them. (1) DEAN B HANOVER has held his form beautifully even at this top level - he does seem a bit below the main players, but can still grab a good piece from this spot. (2) BEE TWO BEE was able to rally for 3rd in a soft division last week but will have to really be on his best game for a decent piece vs. these. (6) ANOTHRMASTRPIECE N has shown a few good flashes since returning from the layoff but tonight's draw may really limit his opportunities.
RACE 4 - (4) LOVE THE BLUES N already had no chance after getting away 8th last week but REALLY lost any chance for even a piece when blocked at the back into the stretch - loses Stratton (to #1) but does pick up Dunn, and this feels like a wide open race- may be a good value play! (1) DELIGHTFULTERROR is just 1 for 9 on the year draws best in a well matched field, and his barn is coming off a strong week - he'll be a dangerous player from this spot. (2) MONEYMAN HILL wasn't bad at all after a long layoff, sitting the pocket and sticking around for 3rd - could be dangerous tonight with some improvement in his 2nd start back. (3) HURRIKANEKINGJAMES was reclaimed by former connections on 3/20 then won the next week - would look better in for $30K, but that could be said for several of these...possibility, with the right trip. (5) GINGER TREE PETE hasn't been the same kind of threat in his last 3 starts (since moving up to 40s) - he does like to win races, and becomes dangerous whenever close at the top of the lane - one to include if spreading a bit. (6) REAL PEACE was a solid first over 2nd arriving from NJ but he does seem a little cheap and draws poorly - maybe if the price is right? (7) LYONS LIBERTY qualified very nicely but has been idle since being scratched sick on 9/10 - very tough return spot!
RACE 5 - Tough race! (3) PROVOCATIVEPRINCEN had been sharp all year for his previous barn then went a big one last week off the claim, used very hard only to just miss to a better-trip rival...draws inside some of his toughest foes, and maybe that'll help him come out on top. (8) PEDRO HANOVER moves up AND draws Post 8 but he was razor sharp in his last 2 wins and just may be able to take another with the right racing luck - worth including if the price is fair. (7) SHARK PLAY, to the surprise of few, was a blowout winner on 3/20 after joining a barn that usually improves fresh horses in similar fashion - raced very well again last week to be 2nd from Post 8, and would be hard to leave off your tickets tonight. (6) ROBBIE BURNS would look a lot better in 20s/25s but he's definitely sharp and he's capable of pulling off an upset if the trip happens to fall into his lap. (1) PINEBUSH LIFESAVER has raced very well here a bunch of times over the last year or so (including last week!) but it's hard to ignore the fact that he's lost at last 40 straight starts at Yonkers - definitely playable underneath, though! (4) KEYSTONE DASH started his year with a trio of 2nd place finishes - had excuses in his next pair but just wasn't any good last week - would want a big price to use him tonight. (5) SHANWAY N was an "ok" 4th off the layoff last week, but he may need another start or two. (2) ALOTBETTOR N has been away since 10/31 - will observe, for now.
RACE 6 - MGM Borgata Pace, Leg 4: While his last start certainly didn't provide his biggest payday, (2) FUNATTHEBEACH N might have gone the best mile of his career that night, pulling first over from 6th to the half, pacing a 3rd quarter in :26.4 just to get close enough to challenge for 2nd to the final turn, then staying just as strong from there, going by TATTOO ARTIST easily into the stretch, then pacing away from the others to the wire with powerful strides - no clue if he can repeat that mile tonight, but he'll be mighty tough to be beat if he does! (3) IDEALSOMEMAGIC A was hammered down to 2/5 last week but was trapped in the pocket into the stretch and never really had a chance to pace (hard to know what he had in the tank after losing momentum trying to shake free) - Stratton understandably sticks with #2 here, but Brennan handled this guy beautifully on 2/27 - the value will be there tonight. (5) HELLABALOU was a winner in Leg #1, helped tremendously by a beautiful steer from Gingras - came up 2nd best to a pair of blowout winner's the last 2 weeks, and remains a viable player....at least for exotics. (7) TATTOO ARTIST went from first to last in the stretch in Week #1 - rebounded with a perfect trip score in his next, but the lesser version was back last week as he was a very tired 4th - hard to really "like" his chances from this spot, but at least his price will finally go WAY up if you're one of his fans. (1) NONE BETTOR A was a bit short in Week 1, really had no excuses in Leg #2 then was a "meh" 3rd last week - needs to find more, and he needs to find it soon. (6) HEMSWORTH N became the first horse to beat LOCHINVAR ART A on U.S. soil last week, but that was largely due to his rival not being close to 100% - very tough spot tonight. (4) UNDRTHSOUTHRNSUN N hasn't embarrassed himself in the series but could really use a drop.
RACE 7 - (2) JACKS LEGEND N hasn't been on his best game and sitting in the back of the pack in Borgata fields certainly didn't help - obviously this is a much kinder spot and he's likely to race MUCH better....but he also figures to be overbet, as does (3) SEMI TOUGH. The latter also drops out of the series where he was clearly struggling - he did grab a 2nd from Post 8 (NW30000) right before the series and he could perk right up with the big drop tonight....but along with #2, he'll be attracting much of the tote action! (5) BLANK STARE could be a good alternative to the top pair - he ships back off a win (vs. cheaper) in PA, and he did beat a NW30000 field here back in Feb. - a good trip could make him a legitimate threat. (7) BB LUCKY BOY was "sneaky ok" two back and right there 3rd last week - faces a long haul from out here but could at least be considered if the price is big enough. (1) HICKFROMFRENCHLICK was a good 3rd in NW15000 last start but really needs to be in easier to be a threat for the top prize - maybe 3rd/4th? (4) PURPLE POET also had a solid 3rd two back but is another that's more likely to contend for a smaller prize, rather than a bigger one. (6) GAMBLINGTERROR draws poorly off a sick scratch - pass for now.
RACE 8 - MGM Borgata Pace, Leg 4: (2) AMERICAN COURAGE made his 2023 return in Leg 1 and put in a big mile, coming up 2nd best to the late charging IDEALSOMEMAGIC A - got lost at the back the next week but certainly brought his best in Week 3, delivering a dead game first over victory vs. JIMMY FREIGHT - he gets to control the action from this spot, stamping him as the one to beat. (3) COVERED BRIDGE races well EVERY week yet continues to go off at big prices (always outperforming his odds) - excellent horse for exotics, and even worth using on top on some tickets. (5) LEONIDAS A turned in one of the VERY few "bad" efforts we've ever seen from him last week - it's good to see him right back in the box, but he does feel at least a little risky after last week's surprising clunker. (6) THIS IS THE PLAN raced well for 2nd last week, though he's clearly not in "peak form" right now - his chances would certainly go up if he ends up the only outside leaver tonight (and he surely could use the points)! (4) NANDOLO N is another that just hasn't been able to get back to top form so far - raced a little better last week, but still needs to be much better to contend for the top prize. (1) ROCKIN WITHELVIS A is a solid performer but does seem a notch below the main contenders - the rail draw may help him stick close enough to rally late for a small piece. (7) BAD TOTHEBONE N is the outsider, both literally and figuratively.
RACE 9 - (3) PACE N PRIDE N returned from the layoff with a crisp closing 4th on 3/20 - was hammered down to 4/5 in his next, did everything right but was just collared at the wire by the very sharp tripsitter - deserves a chance to make amends tonight. (6) MACHEASY A drew Post 8 for his start off the layoff on 3/20 (no chance) then came up with a big mile the next week, caught wide a long way but still gaining to the end to be a close 3rd - his last effort was much sharper than it looks on paper (had plenty of pace finishing from an impossible spot) and he COULD be a threat tonight....if Marohn can find him a trip from Post 6. (5) HYPNOTICDREAM woke up with a form-reversing 3rd three starts back then held that form in his last pair, just missing each time - remains a very legitimate threat, although he's a bit camera shy both at YR, and overall. (1) WARDAN EXPRESS A was his barn's only 2023 winner until GINGER TREE LIZ got the job done last Thursday - draws the pole with Dave M., and is worth including in exotics. (4) ROSE RUN X CON gets some class relief but hasn't been as sharp lately - leaning towards others. (3) TIME TO DANCE has fallen well off form, and is need of a quick wake up call.
RACE 10 - (4) JAHAN HANOVER started the year with 3 straight wins followed by a 2nd to FUNATTH EBEACH N up in NW30000 - raced over his head for a few starts but perked up dropping to NW15000 last week, finishing 2nd to the streaking KINGSVILLE - drops a bit more, and it feels like a spot where he can go wire to wire. (2) MACH N CHEESE was well backed last week only to see his chances melt away after making a break before the start - better price here if you want to give him another chance. (3) CAPTAINS PLACE really benefited from an alert drive from Siegelman last week, taking advantage of the 1 1/16th mile distance to blast from Post 8, scoring from the pocket at a big 17-1 overlay price - this is a tougher spot, but he's sharp enough to still contend for a good chunk. (1) LUCIANO N hit board in 5 of his last 6 starts - chance for another good piece tonight, despite bumping up a bit in class. (5) KOOTENAY SA NTANNA has been ok across the river vs. a bit cheaper - should fit ok here, with a chance for a piece if the trip falls his way. (6) RANDOM HANOVER raced better than expected last week (for a barn sending out some live ones lately) - good bomb for the bottom of some exotics? (7) VEL MR NICE GUY was good here in a few starts in 2021, then 4-0-0-0 last year - seems to be racing ok in NJ, but lands in a tough spot.
RACE 11 - Good race: (1) ARDEN MESSI N was caught behind a tiring OZONE BLUE CHIP last week and lost all chance - Brennan shows faith by taking him over DELIGHTFUL DUDE N (whom he won with last week), and we'll see if that faith pays off - should offer some value in this competitive affair. (3) BOILI NG OAR gave heavily favored LOUS SWEETREVENGE all he could handle 2 back then came back to easily beat him last week - has thrived since coming to YR this year, and could be a big player here too, even moving up in class. (4) LEVINE had a horrendous 2022 season but has been doing excellent work so far in '23 - has handled every step up the ladder successfully, and a good trip puts him right in the mix again (8) THE REGULATOR draws all the way outside but he's hit board in 6 straight (2 wins) and avoids the likes of PYRO, MOONSHINE KISSES, etc, tonight - not impossible! (5) SPEED MAN N certainly hasn't been "bad", but he also hasn't quite found his "Open form" yet either - probably looking at another smaller piece tonight. (2) DELIGHTFUL DUDE N was a sharp winner one level down last week but can hold his own with these too - was the barn's only starter last Monday then all of their starters were scratched for the rest of the week, except for 3 mares (on Thurs/Fri) - not quite sure what to make of all that! (6) GENIUS MAN broke 2 back, was no factor in his last, and draws poorly for tonight - wait for a better spot. (7) STRAIGHT UP COOL steps up off a sharp win last week - this spot feels a bit tough for him, though.
RACE 12 - (3) IM SIR BLAKE A hasn't been a threat in the Borgata Series but it's not like he's been finishing far back either - gets some major class relief here, and the presence of SPLASH BROTHER insures that he'll be a "decent" price...may be worth a shot in the finale. (4) SPLASH BROTHER should be brimming with confidence having won 3 straight, the last pair in blowout fashion - when he's good (as he obviously is right now), this class is still well below his capabilities - still the one to beat, but another very short price is looming. (2) TIN ROOF RAIDER was ok from a tough spot last week and he's been banging heads with some tough 40s/50s all year - no reason he can't be part of the equation from this spot. (1) ROL LING WITH SAM benefited from good trips as he beat softer in his last pair - gets a bit of a surprising barn change tonight, but still can grab himself a chunk from this inside slot. (7) LOUIE THE HORSE N was an excellent 2nd here 2 back - he just missed last week, but that was probably a race he should have been able to win - tough draw now, but still a possibility for 3rd/4th. (5) BENHOPE RULZ N has been steady lately, though he probably needs to be in a bit cheaper to threaten for more than a minor share. (8) PEACE OUT POSSE was very well backed last week (despite a sick scratch and bad date) but an early bobble sealed his fate - gets stuck behind the 8 ball tonight, and that has us leaning towards others. (6) PRO BEACH feels a bit overmatched, especially with the poor draw.