RACE 1 - It's hard to "love" a horse that's just 1 for 33 but (4) MIDNIGHT REBEL will still be the
selection - he's hit board in half those losses, and was right there 2nd (in NJ) debuting for the Dynamic Duo
- goes with hobbles tonight (he's been racing free legged), and this seems like a good spot for him to double
his win total...but not one to bet the rent money on at a short price! (5) VELOCITY GATOR actually went
off as the slight favorite in that NJ race where the top choice was 2nd - he cut that mile and ended up a tired
3rd - will need to be a bit better to knock off the top one tonight. (7) SETH HANOVER has to get a look at
that 20-1 ML price - he was successful at 2 and 3 on the PA Fair circuit, and debuts tonight for a mighty
potent trainer/driver combination - would be no shock at all. (2) MARC IN THE BOX was somehow
winless racing on the Iowa circuit but actually raced well for 4th in is YR debut - consider using underneath
(1) CONFIDENCE MAN's miles have been pretty inconsistent - if he brings one of his better miles, he
could take home a slice of this. (3) GOTAFOOLISHDESIRE has some decent lines out of town and moves
to a new barn for tonight - may be a notch below the main players, though. (8) PIKETONFLASH ships in
for VERY strong connections but it's hard to say if he may be a bit below some of these - Post 8 will make
things difficult, regardless. (6) EYE MISS GARY ships in from Nfd. and looks overmatched.
RACE 2 - Very well matched field! (3) CAPTIVATE HANOVER was stuck first over into a hot 3rd panel
and that's just not his trip - he much prefers to "relax and rally", and he should be able to get that trip here -
a hot pace would give him a chance to make his late kick pay off...at a good price. (8) BAYFIELD BEACH
was an excellent 2YO, banking over $260K - wasn't as successful in the bigger races at 3, but he did pick
up 3 wins when facing overnight competition (like he's racing against tonight) - chance to win even from
out here IF some trip luck comes his way. (5) UCANTTOUCHTHIS is winless in 3 tries since changing
barns and moving up to NW6, but it's not like he hasn't raced well - remains a very dangerous player, but he
does tend to be overbet. (4) MARLBANK ROAD is a pretty consistent performer from week to week - one
of several in here that COULD upset, under the right circumstances. (1) CAPTAINS SLEAZE had some
issue here on 10/5 but qualified back well a month later - has speed and the rail, and has proven that when
"right", can more than hold his own with these. (6) STELLAR YANKEE has developed into a very solid
player, and his last was better than it looks (got shut off up the cones into the stretch) - not sure he can reach
from this spot, but he'll be a big price and should be pacing well late. (7) NATIVES FILOU was able to
ship in and wire a NW4 field off a bad date, then finished full of pace for 3rd when moved up to this level
last week - would like his chances much better with an inside draw, but he's sharp enough to make some
noise IF the race falls apart, a bit. (2) L DEES JACK LOPEZ hasn't fared as well since moving up to NW6,
and this is a pretty stacked field.
RACE 3 - (1) SHECANDANCE N was used hard looping to the lead last week and gave way badly from
the final turn - it seems like a good sign that she drops right back in the box, and she'll certainly be looking
at a LOT easier trip from this spot - might be a good spot to take another shot with here, as that last line
will help her price. (6) TALL POPPY N had a less than stellar trip 3 back, was a solid 2nd to a very sharp
winner in her next, and a very sharp winner herself last week - the one to beat. (3) ISLAY N has been very
sharp for some time, but will be asked to jump from the 15s to the 50s for her new connections - trainer has
always done well upstate, but we'll see if the class hike is a little too much. (5) CLASSY CHAPEL N was
too far back to have any real impact last week, but she's sharp enough to make some noise tonight with a
little better trip. (2) WATCH MY LUCK really hasn't been on her game lately, and lands in a tough spot for
her YR return - good draw may help her tow along for a small piece. (4) MACZAFFAIR N showed some
life last start, but that was after dropping all the way down to the basement - will need to be a lot better to
be a player with these. (7) ASHTINI put together a series of good efforts but came up empty last week -
draws all the way outside now, and we'll stick with other this week.
RACE 4 - (5) FOREVER FAV has been first over against tough $75K claiming fields the past 2 weeks and
still right there on the wire - this feels like a spot where Stratton might be able to be more aggressive, and
that may lead to an easier trip - we'll give him the edge tonight. (6) PAT STANLEY N has been doing good
work at high levels for a while - always has good late pace and probably will tonight too...but he'll need a
live trip to make it pay off. (3) BENJIS BEST elected to race from off the pace shipping in from PcD and
was caught behind poor cover - deserves another chance, and hopefully Kakaley will be more aggressive,
even in this tough field. (4) TIN ROOF RAIDER A seems to race well every week, but very conservative
handling always seems to leave him with a smaller piece - definitely one to include in exotics. (1) DELIGH
TFUL TERROR tries hard and is always pacing well to the end - he's not particularly handy, though, so its
hard to say how much he'll be able to use the rail to his advantage - moves to a new barn (and gets a new
pilot), so we'll see how he does in this solid field. (7) GINGRAS BEACH was unable to get close from a
similar spot last week...and may suffer the same fate tonight. (8) LIFEONTHEBEACH A isn't bad right
now, but may need a much better draw to be a player against this type. (2) TOM ME GUN N can start
getting class drops after tonight...and that's when he'll be worth a serious look.
RACE 5 - (5) GOTHIC ROCK was doing much better back when he was racing in cheaper claimers -
catches a pretty modest field off the drop tonight, and is definitely a candidate for a big wake up call. (3)
BLUEBERRY HEAVEN finally broke his 32 race 2021 losing streak with last week's victory (as the
favorite!) - his overall form HAS been good, and he definitely has a chance to grab back to back wins. (7)
BUGGER BRUISER left from Post 8 last week and was able to pick up a 2nd after earning a two hole trip -
meets no killers in here, and is definitely worth considering at that 10-1 ML price. (4) VILLAGE CHAMP
was an even 5th in his first try for a new barn last week - wouldn't be shocked if he improved a bit, and
grabbed a piece of this. (1) NOX VEGAS BLUECHIP backed off badly off the barn change last week but
drops right back in the box, lands the rail in a basement claimer, and can pick up a piece with one of his
more typical efforts. (2) GRAND PRIORITY had one "ok" try since the recent claim - inside draw helps,
but sticking with others for the top slots. (6) OFFICIAL DELIGHT is still trying to find the form that
produced that victory 6 starts back - hard to recommend right now. (8) UNION STATION lands all the way
outside after drawing the pole in his last two - wait for a (much) better spot before considering.
RACE 6 - (6) LUCKY ARTIST A has been sharp with better for some time, so it was no surprise to see her
deliver the game, first over win dropping into this claimer last week - moves outside and faces a more
uncertain trip tonight, but still deserves top billing. (4) MILLWOOD BONNIE N was a winner in this class
3 back, threw an unexpected dud in her next but had plenty of pace finishing from an impossible spot in her
last - very live player, assuming the "good" version shows up again tonight. (3) FEELIN RED HOT took
them a long way on the lead last week before being overtaken by the top choice - she's eligible to wire these
on any given week, but usually is a good one to try against (since she's often overbet). (1) BALFAST N
usually needs a bit easier to pick up wins, but that really was a good effort when 2nd last week - chance
tonight if she comes up just as sharp. (7) POPPY DRAYTON N was sharper last week, even if helped by an
easy trip - would have liked her chances a lot more tonight if she hadn't drawn all the way outside. (5)
WOODMERE HARRIET was used early last week, shuffled back, then re-rallied wide to pick up 3rd -
definitely playable underneath again. (2) MALNIFICENT moves inside and may end up with a decent trip
here - still prefer others, but respect her chances to grab a piece.
RACE 7 - (2) VEL MR NICE GUY looked super solid on paper shipping in from Ohio, was sent off as the
odds on choice from Post 8, but could only rally for 3rd after an ultra conservative steer in his first try over
the track - expect different tactics tonight...and a better result. (3) JIM BLUE cut the mile last week, had
everything his own way but still just caved in the lane - he's much better than that, and is probably worth
using in exotics tonight. (6) SAULSBROOK HANOVER was sharp beating a NW2 field 2 back and was
able to step up and charge by to win in this class (vs. a few of these) last week - not sure if he'll that same
success from this spot, but it would be hard to leave him out of your exotics. (5) BRAZEN BRAZILIAN
had a series of solid efforts before coming up a little dull in last - could have been hurt by the bad date that
night, and is eligible to be sharper here...include underneath. (7) BEEBEETEE has raced well in all 4 starts
since arriving from Ohio - steps up in class and draws outside, but still worth throwing in for a piece at 20-1
ML. (1) SARANAC BLUE CHIP shows a mixed bag of efforts - on his best, he can race close to the pace
here and grab a piece...but not worth a shortish price. (8) KAUAI KING had a couple of ok October tries
here but he drew terribly, and seems unlikely to find a manageable trip. (4) BARRYWHITE HANOVER
has only 1 start in 6 weeks...and it wasn't a good one.
RACE 8 - (6) TOOKADIVEOFFDIPPER got parked the mile in his first try for a new barn then was stuck
first over against a sharp winner in his last (but held for an ok 3rd) - drops in class, and really is supposed to
be able to handle these. (2) GLOBALDOMINATION N rallied crisply 2 back, then was a game first over
2nd in last (behind #4) - he's sharp again, and can have a big say with the right trip. (4) RUNRUNJIMMY
DUNN N steps up again after wiring the field twice, each time from the rail - certainly has a chance to take
another, but he's hard to recommend on top as the 3/2 ML favorite! (1) ISLANDSPECIALMAJOR is just 1
for 15 this year, and that win was vs. cheaper - chance for a piece, but stick with others for the top spot. (3)
GRIFFON HANOVER was a no-threat 5th vs. a couple of these last week, and will need to improve if he
hopes to be a player. (5) IAMMRBRIGHTSIDE N beat a cheaper bunch 2 back, and his barn is going well
now....still seems unlikely to be a serious threat against these, though.
RACE 9 - (6) SIMON SAYS HANOVER went a big mile in his YR return, leaving from Post 8 to a spot in
3rd, pulling first over into a fiery :27.1 third panel, then still digging right to the wire to be a close 2nd - a
good trip tonight could make him pretty tough. (4) IMAGINARY LINE brought a 4 race win streak into his
last (facing older horses) but had to retreat all the way back to 7th after initially trying to leave - still
finished with pace, and will be a major player tonight with a better journey. (5) DEAN B HANOVER was
really doing good things up in Canada for his current connections and wasn't too far behind some very nice
colts in his Breeders Crown elimination - clearly a perfect fit here, but he doesn't show any early speed
recently, and that could leave him at a major disadvantage tonight. (7) SKYWAY VICTOR was too far back
to threaten in his local debut but did finish with interest - decent bomb to throw in for 3rd/4th. (3)
GAMBLINGTERROR is enjoying a very productive campaign, currently 33-5-7-7 with $110K in the bank
- often can find a way to grab a piece, even when he seems up against it. (1) CIGAR SMOKING TONY
should be able to leave well enough to grab a decent trip here - chance for a piece if that happens. (2) TELL
THEM LOU is somewhat of an enigma, just missing in a track record mile 3 back, but folding after an easy
pocket trip in his last - really have no clue what we'll get from him tonight. (8) IDEAL ARTILLERY is
being selected on the bottom but only because he drew Post 8 - would have a shot at a piece from the inside.
RACE 10 - (5) ALMANAC showed marked improvement in his last pair at PcD after adding Lasix - in a
race with no real standouts, he might be worth a shot tonight. (4) SAMSON BLUE CHIP has 2 wins and 2
narrow losses since joining his current barn, and looks like a very logical player in here - he's also been
away since 10/12, figures to be a short price, and MAY be just a bit vulnerable tonight. (2) FROMASHEST
OASHES N picked up a 2nd and a 3rd at Chester in his first 2 U.S. starts - should fit well with the locals,
and could have a real say in his YR debut. (6) ILLBEWATCHINGU finished crisply to just miss last week,
and the winner came back to race very well in his next - figures to be a decent price here, and this may not
be bad week to consider him...at least for exotics. (3) UNCONTROLLABLE hasn't really clicked for his
current barn since arriving from Canada, but does act like there's more to him than what he's shown -
maybe he can find a better effort this week? (1) CARRYTHETORCHMAN is winless here in 8 starts this
year but has hit board in 4 of them - rail draw gives him a chance at a small piece. (8) NORTHERN NETW
ORK was 2nd to a sharp horse in his local debut, then won from Post 7 in his next - moves up in class and
draws Post 8, and that often will slow one down quite a bit...perhaps check the tote board for some clues?
(7) PERFECTBOY HANOVER ships down from Canada for a live barn, but his form doesn't really excite.
RACE 11 - (1) MICKY GEE N had trouble advancing first over last week but did stay on to the end to hold
4th - gets a drop for tonight, and really should be able to find a way to beat these -- wouldn't go overboard
at a pretty short price, though. (4) LISBURN is having a strong year, and has been known to go some big
miles at nice prices - maybe he can add some value to the exotics? (8) PATRIKTHEPIRANHAA (13 wins
and over $200K Down Under) made quite an impression in his U.S. debut, winning across the river in a
sharp 1:48.4 mile -- he was scratched sick here after that, however, and now lands Post 8 after re-qualifying
- clearly a risky proposition from Post 8, especially not knowing how aggressively he'll be handled
(although his pilot rarely drives one "easy") - he's the x-factor tonight! (5) PEACE OUT POSSE has been a
little inconsistent lately but he'd be a player in here if he shows up on his "A Game" - worth including if the
price is square. (6) HERRICKROOSEVELT N took 3 months off, added Lasix, and went a terrific mile to
be a fast closing 2nd to a sharp winner (who came back to win again on Monday night) - maybe he can land
in a good flow and rally for a piece? (3) SAVE ME A DANCE has been racing well every week, and
returns in the same class once again - just one of many in here with a chance to be a player with the right
trip. (2) DANCIN DRAGON may be a bit off from now, but he does seem to always bounce back after a
couple of lesser efforts - the good draw can only help, but he'll need to rebound with a better effort. (7)
BRAEVIEW BONDI draws outside again - should be getting a drop next week...and hopefully a better
post.
RACE 12 - (2) MACHIATTO A didn't fire his best shot when reunited with the Super Siblings last week
(finished 3rd) but he's capable of better than that - stick with him one more time. (6) LETTUCERIPRITAA
moved to a new barn last week, opened a big lead while airing it out on the front end and was able to (just)
hang on - could be a bit vulnerable tonight from this tougher spot, but still deserves plenty of respect. (1)
WAR DAN DELIGHT is just 1 for 34 at YR (last 2 years) but does collect his share of smaller pieces -
move inside could help him grab a chunk tonight. (3) HES ELECTRIC is another that tends to be pretty
camera shy, but the good draw may be enough to help him grab a minor piece. (4) ZIGGY SKY steps back
up after rallying late to score the 9-1 upset vs. cheaper last week - an easy trip may allow him to take home
a small piece against these. (5) CONBOYVILLE was a solid 3rd from Post 8 in his local debut, then was
able to hang on (vs. cheaper) last week after being very hard used on the front end - we'll see how he fares
against this bit tougher group. (8) NVESTMENT BLUECHIP drops a peg after showing a little life last
week - he also gets stuck all the way outside, and that may force him to wait another week, hopefully with a
better spot. (7) FOUR STAR FLASH makes his 2nd start for a new barn but doesn't seem sharp enough
right now to do any real damage from out here.