RACE 1 - (1) ROCKNROLL ANNIE took a long time to find her game this year but she's certainly feelin'
good right now - drops in for a tag after finishing right behind FIRE START HANOVER (and JODY) last
week, and looms a threat to wire these in tonight's opener. (2) LADY DELA RENTAA drops back into the
class where she grabbed a win and a pair of close 2nds from her last 3 tries - very dangerous from this spot.
(4) ACEFOURTYFOR ALEX has been in career form for the last couple of months and has to be taken
very seriously at this level - moves inside, and can definitely make her presence felt here. (3) CHUPPAH
ON is usually right in the mix at this level, but has only one recent victory - have to include in exotics, but
leaning towards others for the top slot. (5) PAIGES GIRL has been running hot and cold lately - chance for
a chunk on her best, but it's hard to predict which version might show up here. (6) JOSSIE JAMES A is one
of many horses formerly trained by our leading conditioner that will start to show up in the box with new
trainers listed - hard to guess how they'll perform, but maybe take a look at how BETTOR BE OSCAR A
does on Monday night for at least some guidance. (8) CALLMEQUEENBEE A got a big time steer from
Bartlett to get her picture taken last week - faces a long haul from Post 8, however. (7) BETTER WATCH
IT broke in her last 2 local attempts (NW 4).
RACE 2 - (4) SAULSBROOK HERO has only been able to make his late rallies work for smaller pieces
lately, but he's also been facing stronger fields - this group may be more to his liking...and he might be able
to have a much bigger say in the outcome. (6) LOUIE THE HORSE N is taking a pretty solid step up in
class tonight but his last two (VERY easy) wins suggest that he could be up for it right now - the outside
draw is a bigger concern, but he's still worth using as long as the price is fair. (5) REAGAN BLUE CHIP
was a pocket winner 2 down (NW10000) but also raced very well (from a tough spot) in NW15000 last
week - he'll be a nice price, and really wouldn't be a surprise. (3) FAMILY RECIPE never races "bad", but
he's been a bit of disappointment overall, with only one recent victory (all out, in NW10000) - possible, but
wouldn't take a short price. (1) BIG SIR is probably looking at a pretty nice trip from this spot but he just
seems to be doing his best work with lesser these days. (2) SHARK PLAY was just claimed by a hot barn
but he'll need to up his game to be a serious contender with these.
RACE 3 - (3) SUPERVISETHEMOMENT was racing off 3 weeks last time after arriving from Canada,
got used very hard to make the lead, took on heavy pressure and still held for 3rd....despite bleeding that
night - adds Lasix, and definitely looks appealing at that 6-1 ML price. (1) HEART OF DIXIE has been on
the upswing in Canada and took a new 1:51.1 mark in his last victory - lands in one of the hottest barns in
town for his local debut, and has to be heavily respected from the pole. (7) DRAGON CITY was too far
back in his local debut but turned in excellent efforts in his last 3 starts - terrible draw, but has the right pilot
to at least find him a good early spot - worth including on your tickets. (2) BETTOR ROLL ON A wasn't
as sharp in his 3rd US start as he was in the first 2, but he was also used harder early on - license to rebound
and be part of the equation tonight. (6) LOUS BEACH can be a little inconsistent but throws enough good
efforts to at least consider for a small piece (at a decent price). (4) RB was able to wire easier upon arrival
from Michigan but didn't fare as well up in class last week - may just be a notch below a few of the main
players. (8) HUNTSVILLE is another who hasn't been as good since moving up to NW4... and Post 8 isn't
going to help his cause. (5) GREG THE LEG has been away for nearly 6 months - pass for now.
RACE 4 - Tough race: (5) ROLL WITH TIME shipped in with some less than stellar Ohio form but landed
on a good trip and raced very well for 2nd behind the well backed winner - seems the "most likely" to come
out on top here, but definitely not one to accept too short a price with. (6) PONDERINGJACKSFAME was
involved in the hot early pace last week and was left with nothing at the end - he does show 10 wins this
year and is listed at 20-1 ML....maybe worth a stab? (3) TIDAL SHARK has been a total bust since being
purchased by his current connections a few months back but he did show some improvement last week -
maybe he can continue to go in the right direction, and be a contender here at a price? (1) GLENGARRY
KNIGHT N really hasn't been sharp in a long time but he draws the pole in a questionable field and
probably has a chance....even if by default. (7) IM BENICIO A had been struggling for a long time but does
have a few good tries (vs. cheaper) at Fhd. since the barn change - we'll see if he can do as well with these
tougher foes, though it won't be easy from out here. (4) BEACH BLANKET BOOK has mostly lesser
efforts out of town though he did win a race 3 back - hard to get enthusiastic about a play at that 5/2 ML
price, however. (8) BECHERS BROOK A probably fits well enough with these but will surely have his
work cut out for him starting from Post 8 - wait for a better spot. (2) SIMPLE KINDA MAN has been no
good at all lately (even after the claim) and will need a form reversal to be a player here.
RACE 5 - (4) JUDDY DOUGLAS A makes his U.S. debut for top shelf connections and the guess is that
he'll be ready to shine right off the bat - check the tote board, which will likely confirm that he'll have the
"green light" for tonight. (5) MACH N CHEESE takes a big class drop and he's sharper than his lines might
look - expect a big effort tonight, and certainly include him in exotics. (1) DECOY has been solid overall
out of town lately, and came up 2nd best to the fire-breathing FULLBACK in his only recent local try -
good spot to get away close, and remain close all the way. (2) J B MAUNEY N made an equipment break
last week but has otherwise been very consistent lately - the good draw puts him in play for a piece of this.
(3) KAUAI KING found last week's mile a little too strong for him, but his previous efforts were all good -
the right trip puts him in the hunt for a decent chunk. (6) SHANWAY N is just 2 for 24 on the year and gets
a tough draw - probably looking at only a minor share. (7) MY ULTIMATE STAR A is another fresh
import but he doesn't seem as appealing as the top choice - that being said, a quick glance at the tote board
would still be recommended. (8) PADUKA N was unable to get involved from similar spots in his last pair.
RACE 6 - (5) FORTIFY has been rock solid almost every start since joining this barn, and has been facing
tougher pretty much every week - just conceded from Post 8 last time but that got him the drop down to this
much more comfortable level - look for an aggressive try, with a good shot at a victory. (1) WINDSUN RI
CKY has held his good form for a while now, and that last start is sharper than it may look on paper - he
should be right near the top all the way, and may even prove to be the main danger. (4) THE REAL ONE
finally found his form around July and made his way back up to the Open....where the mega-classy 12YO
even picked up a win - has leveled off a bit in his last few, but should be a dangerous late threat with
tonight's class drop. (2) VELOCITY KOMODO had no prayer of rallying into last week's :55.1 final half
but has otherwise been very solid - an easy trip puts him in play for a decent piece of this. (3) PACE N PRI
DE N is very capable with these on his best game, but he clearly hasn't been at that level in his last few
starts - will need a quick wake up call to be a serious player here. (6) BLANK STARE was hanging in the
stretch last week but did finally get his nose in front for the win (after the very nice trip) - could be in a
tough spot now, and that 5/2 ML price makes him even harder to endorse against these. (7) EHRMANTRO
UT lacked the late pop to be a bigger threat last week and will be coming from last tonight - he may also
prefer to be in a bit easier, and we'll wait for a better scenario.
RACE 7 - (7) HEMSWORTH N was the worst kept secret on the planet last week, going off at 1/5 for his
US debut and looking very much like an Open pacer (he got away in 6th, but delivered a back half in an
incredible :53.3 to score ultra impressively) - may have some road issues from Post 7, but still impossible to
go against after what he showed last week. (2) SHAKERTOWN sat the two hole last week and while not
able to kick home with the top choice (and the place horse), he was still a solid 3rd (despite having missed
some time) - maybe he can complete the exacta tonight? (4) CAPTAIN T HANOVER changed barns after
his last Stga. start, was freshened up and qualified back very crisply - seems on the cheaper side, but may
step things up for his new connections. (5) MACS MARVEL has only one local start but it was a very good
one, a "brush and crush" demolition as the 2/5 choice - definitely a chance at a piece here. (8) HUNTANO
VER had a solid 3YO campaign, banging out $104K (with some strong miles in the NYSS) - he seems as
sharp now as at any time during the season, but he's also stuck with Post 8....major trip luck will be needed.
(3) ALWAYS ROCKIN was already starting to weaken in the pocket last week before making that brief
miscue into the stretch - will need to be better in his 2nd local try. (6) EXOTIC SAND wasn't "bad" last
week facing tougher than he's used to, but he could have been a little sharper - looking at a tougher trip
from Post 6 tonight. (1) DEAL THE CARDS showed up last summer for his 4YO campaign, won 5 straight
but then went on the shelf after an 8th place finish in start #6....and he's been away for 14 months since then.
RACE 8 - (2) SPEED MAN N has been sharpening since returning from the recent layoff, and was right
there from Post 8 last week, vs. better - drops, moves inside, gets Bartlett, and looms the one to beat. (1)
ROCKAPELO was "sneaky good" in his 2 starts back after some time off - drops, draws the pole, and
looms a real threat to the top choice. (5) CARLISIMO was in the Open 2 back, and stuck at the back with
no chance in his last - may be able to rally for a piece tonight with the class relief. (3) PEACE OUT POSSE
has been good most weeks recently - not sure he's a threat to win this, but he does figure to race well, and
pick up a decent piece. (4) MYSWEETBOYMAX can be pretty inconsistent, but at least the tote board is
usually a good predictor of his efforts - have to believe he's going to struggle a bit with these, however. (6)
FOREVER FAV generally races well when he can grab an easy trip...but that may be tough from Post 6.
RACE 9 - (4) WOODMERE SKYROLLER had finally been doing a little better in the lower classes after a
very long rough patch - she seemed overmatched heading into last week's $50 claimer, but she turned in a
very nice try for 2nd - if she can build on that a bit, maybe she can upset these? (3) LINE EM UP has been
weakening a bit in the latter stages lately but vs. much tougher foes - should be much better with this
bunch, and worth considering IF she's not overbet. (5) MILLWOOD BONNIE wasn't bad last time, hails
from a hot barn and does win her share every year- chance here with the right trip (7) SHEIKH YABOOTY
N would have a chance here IF Kakaley takes a shot on leaving with here - worth using (at a nice price) if
you think could happen. (2) BALFAST N seemed to really be coming around again before throwing that
clunker last week - barn remains red hot, so a quick rebound wouldn't shock. (6) ALWAYS B MIMI ended
up with a nice trip last week, but just didn't fire enough in the lane - hard to love her chances starting from
Post 6. (8) ENGLISH ROSE N hasn't been bad, but figures to be coming from last tonight - tough spot. (1)
NORMANS MADELINE draws best and CAN blast....but just seems a little cheap for these.
RACE 10 - (8) RHODENA ROAD picked up a pair of even 4th vs. better after returning recently from
Canada - obviously this is not an ideal spot but this is a pretty modest field, and he CAN beat them if
Bartlett can find him a half-decent trip. (3) ARTIST BEST came up no good in his last couple but he's
capable of a winning mile IF he brings his best - worth a look if the price is decent. (6) STOP STARING
seems a bit cheap off his Stga. lines but he joins a barn that's been known to step 'em up considerably - hard
to not give him a look at that 12-1 ML price. (2) AMERICAN BOY N figures to attract plenty of attention
with the clear class drop but he really hasn't been all that sharp, and MAY be a bit vulnerable tonight (at an
overbet price). (1) GAMBLINGTERROR drops to a more comfortable field, draws best and is definitely
eligible to pick up a good piece of this, (4) WAIMAC ATTACK N has been racing pretty well out of town,
and is another worth including underneath in exotics (prefer others for the top spot, though). (5) MAJOR
DESIRE seems to his best vs. a bit easier - likely looking at a minor piece at best here. (7) SWEET N FAST
N just doesn't seem sharp enough to be a serious player from out here.