RACE 1 – (1) P C FREE WHEELING wasn’t sharp last week but her effort may have been hurt after leaving hard
and having to back off – she’s gone plenty of miles that would make her a threat here, and she figures to be a fair
price – decent value option in tonight’s opener. (2) B NICKING is coming back around after a bit of a rough stretch
– he followed up a 2nd two back with last week’s front end win, and looms the one to beat once more...but the price
will be mighty short. (6) SEVENSHADESOFGREY is very good right now and Smith isn’t a bad driver for him (he
does best when handled patiently) – definitely a chance to outperform that 20-1 ML price. (3) EPOS OSTERVANG
DK finally seems to have tailed just a bit after a seemingly endless form spree – he also loses Bartlett, but still has to
be considered underneath. (4) BONTONI DEGATO AS probably isn’t on his best game right now but he’s certainly
been “ok” – another logical horse to include underneath. (5) GAELIHILL is winless in 8 starts this year but has hit
board in 5 of them – there’s some speed to his inside tonight, and his success here will likely hinge on how good a
start Stratton can find for him. (8) MOHATU AS has more than enough ability to trot with these but he also has only
1 start in 5 weeks while drawing Post 8 – tough spot. (7) SHARE THE WEALTH draws poorly after being
purchased after his last start – prefer to just observe, for now.
RACE 2 – Very well matched field with no real throwouts: (1) ULTIMATE SPEED has been a model of consistency
for a barn having another stellar season – she’s been 1st or 2nd in 6 of her last 8 starts (and parked the mile in one of
the losses), while handling any trip that comes her way – gets the slight edge here because of the draw. (2) NO WIN
NO FEED A just missed 2nd last week after winning her previous pair – she drops a notch (which can’t hurt), and is
another that has been remarkably consistent all season – threat to grab a big piece. (3) PEMBROKE SOUTHIE has
been solid all year for her new barn, compiling a 10-4-1-2 slate – she was unlucky in her last (caught behind a tiring
leader) but any decent trip could put her right on the wire. (4) VIOLETS RAINBOW was stuck in the back vs. better
in her last pair but is looking at a better trip tonight– could offer some decent value if things go her way. (5) HELLO
YES HI has been hitting on all cylinders, hitting board in 4 straight (including 2 wins) – she’s another that’s more
than capable here with the right journey. (6) UPTOWN HANOVER is back on her game now and only listed this far
down because of a driver change and bad draw – she could easily be in the hunt with some trip luck. (7) JIVE DAN
CING A is listed on the bottom despite winning a Borgata Leg AND the Consolation...and that tells you just how
solid this field is, top to bottom.
RACE 3 – (5) MORNING HAS BROKEN landed on a horrible trip last week and probably deserves a complete
pass – she’s definitely lost a step this year, but this is a spot where she can perk up in a hurry...especially with a
good trip. (4) BETTER WATCH IT had an amazing 2023 season – she hasn’t found that same form (yet) in ’24, but
her last few starts have been encouraging (a trio of 3rds) – definitely a threat here. (1) BRI EXPRESS N had been
off since December, resurfaced for a new barn and found the winner’s circle in her first start back (vs. easier, in PA)
– hard to say if she can step up and be as effective against these, but we’ll find out tonight. (2) NITE TIME DEAL
beat up on a weak bunch last week but that doesn’t deter from how sharp SHE was – can grab a nice piece in here
too. (7) SILENT CROSSING went down as the odds on choice vs. cheaper twice at the end of March, then went on
the shelf for a couple of months – her qualifier looks very encouraging, but this is definitely a tough spot to return.
(6) COALFORDNSNSHINE GB battled for the win last week but it was over a mare that NEVER wins – steps up
now, and may have a tougher time in this field. (3) SEZANA N hasn’t been a serious threat in a long time.
RACE 4 – (7) MAN DONTFORGET ME jogged in her last 2 local starts, and only figures to keep getting even
better after the recent barn change – she steps up another notch, but she’s an Open-type mare when on her game –
gets the call, even from out here. (3) SALE EL SOL just toured the oval from 7th racing off a sick scratch last week,
but may get more involved with tonight’s improved draw– perhaps she can add some value to the exotics? (1) TWIN
B SUNKISSED throws her share of duds but also goes some big miles...against even better than these – she drops
off a fast charging last week, moves inside, and should have a big say here. (2) MISS DOTTIE MAE is having a
good year and was 2nd in her last pair – she’s also missed time (sick scratch) and could be a bit iffy for tonight. (5)
HONEY LOVE has hit board in all 5 local starts, including a win last week – we’ll see if she can continue to thrive
against these tougher mares. (6) LUCKY ARTIST A had been on the decline even prior to being scratched sick from
her last – sticking with others, for now. (4) ONEDEFULBEACH likely needs a little cheaper to be a serious player.
RACE 5 – (6) KERFORD ROAD A recently put together a 4 race winning streak then hit board in 3 straight after it
came to an end – he moves to a barn tonight that generally improves any fresh stock, and for whom Brennan won 3
races for last Friday...gets the slight edge. (7) GENIUS MAN never got in play as the favorite (off the claim) 2 back
but took full advantage of a contested pace last week, easily sweeping by at 3/4s to win by many...very dangerous
once more, even from out here. (5) PRETTY HANDSOME was part of that hot pace (that benefited #7) last week,
and actually went a pretty big mile (his first in a long time) – definitely willing to include in exotics here. (1) WON
LAST FEELING shocked at 33-1 two back and his last line is better than it looks (unlucky trip after blasting to the
top from Post 8) – he can definitely make his presence felt from the pole. (3) GOTHIC ROCK missed a month (sick
scratch) than qualified back nicely – could easily rally for a piece with the right trip. (4) LONG WEEKEND A had
been struggling badly until turning things around after the 5/4 barn change – may prefer to be in a little easier, but
still a threat to land a piece if things go his way (8) YS DO IT RIGHT will be \trying to rally from last– minor scraps
only. (2) KOUNT BLASTER just hasn’t been good all year (15-0-0-1).
RACE 6 – (1) REC TIME does have ability but her tendency to lag early in the mile has hurt her, especially facing
better – she’s raced well here several times but is still looking for her first victory of the season...her pilot recently
got off his own winless schneid...may the two can pair up for a win tonight? (3) MISS LIMELIGHT N was stuck in
a hopeless spot last week but did finish up well – she’s another that’s raced well without the benefit of a victory this
year, but this is a spot where she can be more aggressive...with a chance at the top prize. (5) TALENT TO SPARE A
came up 2nd best two back and just missed 2nd last week (each time finishing just behind #6)– maybe she can reverse
that tonight, and while grabbing another good piece. (6) SUGAR BRITCHES really hit the skids for a while but is
back doing good things again – the only real knock here is the draw, but a good price still makes her worth a look.
(7) CELIA B MONEY caved badly after cutting the mile in 2 straight starts but seems to have regained some
confidence racing off the pace in her last pair – tough spot tonight, but maybe a chance to rally for a small slice. (2)
COMMANDER CATHY N adds Lasix but seems a notch below even on her best effort. (4) DREAM DANCING
was hanging in ok after recently moving up to the 50s but she threw a dud last week and lands in tough tonight.
RACE 7 – Full field and a good race! (8) SILK CLOUD A is razor sharp and DOES have the speed to blast off the
car, IF Stratton is willing to take that gamble – if she’s a nice price (as she should be from this spot), she may be
worth a stab in a very hard to predict race. (1) GOLDEN QUEST N was having an amazing season for her previous
trainer, and has continued to thrive in her 4 starts since the barn change – she faces several mares with more
impressive resumes but she’s very sharp, and could take advantage of the draw – one to consider. (6) COACHELLA
BOUND N was used hard last week and only gave way late – she’s a proven winner at this level, and could be the
play if SHE’S the one that is quickest off the car. (4) DOUGS BABE A has been “good” most of the year, but never
really “great” – in her favor for tonight is IF the battle gets hot up front, her fresh legs may be able to do real damage
late. (5) KARMA SEELSTER is undeniably sharp and does draw inside 3 of her main foes – she’s also listed as the
ML favorite with her trainer at the lines tonight, and we’ll be looking elsewhere (unless there’s a late driver change).
(7) LIT DE ROSE had a rough afternoon in PA in the Betsy Ross and that likely means she’ll be VERY conservative
tonight...as good as she is, would still need a big price to use her from this spot. (2) EASY TO PLEASE has been a
notch below these all year, and loses Jordan (to #8). (3) ROCKN PHILLY recently got very sharp but still seems a
bit better suited to be in a bit easier.
RACE 8 – (6) BRAVE BY DESIGN wasn’t close in his last pair at The Meadows but we’ve seen endless horses
ship in for these connections under similar circumstances (to this same barn), with excellent results – the fact that
this guy has already done well here in the past (vs. better) makes it even easier to make the case for him. (7) YO
BETH D earned $420K at 2 and 3 (in the Midwest) so clearly she’s a very talented mare – she benefited from her
new barn adding hopples (before that 5/21 qualifier) and she’s the one to beat in here...but she’ll be a short price and
likely handled very conservatively (so she MAY be a bit vulnerable). (5) FULL RIGHTS draws inside the top pair
and will likely be able to blast to the top and set up a good trip for himself – use in exotics. (1) IN MY DREAMS is
well off his best form but at least he’s been behaving – chance to tow along for a small piece. (2) GLOBAL GIRL
has raced here 4X and been hurt by bad posts in two of the starts, and miscues in two more – jury still out on her. (3)
BAZILLIONAIRE would never win but at least used to grab pieces – he’s struggling to do even that this year. (8)
FANATIC was better than his line looks last week but another terrible draw may seal his fate for tonight. (4) EMPE
REURTHE BEST FR did win at Fhd. 3 back but his 26-0-2-2 local slate is hard to ignore.
RACE 9 – (2) ROGER RABBIT was an easy winner vs. similar in Ohio 3 back, was 1 for 3 when he raced here in
2022 and gets a barn change that has had success here in the past – worth a try upon arrival. (3) ONION GUM went
some good miles as a youngster but struggled to get things going for new connections at 4 – his last few are more
encouraging, and he may be ready to finally get his picture taken – possibility. (6) VALI HANOVER won 9 races
and $154K last year but is just 1 for 14 to start off 2024 – he’s certainly a good fit with these, however, and could be
a very live player with any decent trip. (1) WINDSONG PIONEER looked home free last week but gave way late
and had to settle for 2nd – he came up a bit short the previous 2X he tried to cut the mile as well, and we’ll just use
him underneath, for now. (7) HAT TRICK MARLEAU drops once more and is probably at a winning level – he
likely also needs a better draw to contend for the top slot. (5) SIR FRED JONES gets a pass for his last (8 hole, off a
bad date, for a new barn) but seems overmatched here, as well. (4) BY A HOFF HANOVER has at least managed to
win a few raced the last couple of years (after a long drought prior to that!) but he does seem in a bit steep tonight.
RACE 10 – (3) TOP ME OFF ran into a horrible trip last week and raced better than his line might look – he was
very good the week before, and he’s shown that he can go some big miles when on his game...willing to hop on
board tonight, assuming he’s not way overbet. (5) BEERTHIRTY K has made breaks in 2 of 3 starts since the recent
barn change but the other start was outstanding, wiring the field easily from Post 8 – could be very dangerous here if
he behaves, but clearly he’s a little risky at the moment. (2) MISTER LUCKY SOX qualified nicely after arriving
from Sweden, jogged in his first U.S. start, was 2nd the next week but made an early miscue in his last and ended up
no factor – he should fit nicely with the locals upon arrival from PA, but not sure you’d want to accept a short price
here. (4) BARRY BLACK hit board in a bunch of his recent YR starts and remains a good one for the bottom of
exotics. (1) STREET GOSSIP should land on a decent trip from this spot but he definitely looked better when in a
bit cheaper – small slice? (7) THE LAST CHAPTER moves up in class, loses Bartlett and draws poorly – definitely
leaning towards others...but he probably still can outperform that 20-1 ML price. (8) FOR A DREAMER has been
plagued by bad posts for much of the year...and suffers the same bad luck tonight. (6) CREATIVE VENTURE hung
on to win 2 back despite a :30.3 final quarter – most of his other recent efforts have been lacking.
RACE 11 – (2) COWGIRL LILLY was pretty good 2 back, chasing MAN DONTFORGET ME in a hot 1:52 mile
and only losing 2nd late – she seemed to be in a good spot last week, but lost all chance when brutally parked...
maybe she can make amends tonight? (5) SMOOTH DEBATE N hasn’t been here in a while but she’s had success in
the past – she ships in off a sharp Fhd. try, and may be able to be a threat. (3) GOLDIES ADELIGHT A faced better
in her only 2 local appearances and tonight’s field should be more up her alley – use in exotics. (8) ROCKNROLL
ANNIE cost herself any chance last week when she just decided to park #2 – this feels like an impossible spot
(especially for a camera shy horse!) but note that her barn sent out some serious performers on Thurs. night! (4) WE
STERN ROSIE is another camera shy mare, but who can grab pieces with easy trips. (6) KATHYS MOMENT used
very easy trips to hit board a few times recently – seems unlikely to be as fortunate from this spot, however. (1) LYO
NS MIKI can be excused for that 8 hole effort 2 back but last week’s try from the rail was even worse. (7) SHOTGU
N PERSUASION seems a bit cheap for these at the moment.