RACE 1 - (1) BRACKLEY BEACH has 7 wins and 2 seconds from his last 9 starts, hails from a red hot
barn and draws the pole with a talented young pilot - he may get beat tonight, but it's hard to make a case
for NOT giving him top billing! (4) BALLERAT BOOMERANG was a little short vs. the 50s returning
from some time off (in a new barn) then was stuck with Post 7 dropping to 40s last week - look for an
improved effort with tonight's improved post. (2) AMERICAN BOY N moves back to 40s after hitting
board 4 straight starts in conditioned races - the good draw puts him in play for another good piece tonight.
(5) TIN ROOF RAIDER A is just 1 for 21 on the year (0 for 14 at YR) but does race well most weeks and
picks up plenty of good pieces - chance for more of the same tonight. (3) BLACK CHEVRON N saved
ground to pick up 3rd last week - a similar (easy) trip may help him take home a small piece tonight too. (6)
MACHIAVELLI won 3 in a row at Chester then kept that streak alive here last week - it wasn't "pretty",
however, and tonight's class hike and poor post could leave him vulnerable. (8) DEETZY almost upset #6
last time but he's also moving up tonight and gets stuck behind the 8 ball - rough spot.
RACE 2 - (2) WICHITA LINEMAN moved up to 75s last week and just had no chance from Post 8 (but
really wasn't that bad) - drops back down to 50s, moves inside, and should be very tough here (1) HUGHIE
JUNIOR N isn't the handiest horse over the half so the move inside should really help him - good chance he
can outperform that 8-1 ML price. (3) PURPLE POET was stuck with 8 holes two of the last 3 starts (since
the claim) but was a close 4th the one time he did draw inside - a live trip could land him somewhere on the
ticket tonight. (4) REVELRY was claimed from our former leading trainer for $50K back in May - went
right on the shelf and failed to perform in 4 starts after returning in October - was just moved to a new barn
and did race better at Chester...suggesting he may be ready for a contending effort tonight. (5) REDBANK
BLAZE A dropped in for $50K after winning 2 in a row but was no factor (from Post 7) - we'll see if the
better draw helps him find a better effort tonight. (8) LONG WEEKEND A has been sharp overall lately
but tries to jump up to 50s for his new barn and also gets stuck all the way outside - may need a softer spot.
(6) MIKEY CAMDEN took no $$ from a similar spot last week and was no factor - may be in for more of
the same tonight. (7) MARLBANK ROAD tired after cutting the mile from the rail last week, and will now
have to contend with Post 7 - sticking with others.
RACE 3 - (1) MY CARBON COPY N is pretty sharp right now, but unlikely to attract a lot $$ in a field
with several solid players - he may end up tripping out off a heated pace, with a chance to deliver an upset.
(7) ALWAYS AND AGAIN has faced (and beaten) better for much of this year - obviously not an ideal
spot, but Bartlett has an uncanny way of finding trips even from spots like this - another that should be
offering good value tonight. (4) VELOCITY KOMODO most recent win came vs. easier but he's done
plenty of damage against better as well (9 wins, $173K this year) - the right trip makes him a real threat. (2)
B LIKE CRUISER tends to be a little streaky and he does seem to be in "lesser" mode right now - that
could turn on a dime, but be careful about taking a short price here. (5) ROCK CANDY was no factor in
his last couple but does drop tonight - leaning more towards a few others, but he'd hardly be a shock. (6)
ELWELL really disappointed 2 back but rebounded with a game first over win last week - tough draw for
tonight, however, and this is also a much more solid field. (8) AS ALWAYS disappointed in a couple of
recent local starts but returned for a new barn last week and was able to deliver a sharp, dominant victory -
opened some eyes for sure, but tonight's task (facing better, from Post 8) will be a lot tougher! (3) ESCAPE
TOTHEBEACH was scratched sick on 11/7 and just re-qualified - he looked good in that prep, but this is a
tough return spot!
RACE 4 - (1) PASS A GRILLEBEACH was very well meant from post 7 last week but ended up brutally
parked by the equally well meant AMERICANLIGHTNINGN - let's look for a calmer situation tonight,
with the two of these battling late for the top spot. (3) AMERICANLIGHTNINGN was obviously VERY
well meant last week but was forced to :26.4, :55.4 fractions by the parked PASS A GRILLEBEACH and
gave way in the lane, doing a nice job holding 2nd - the main danger in a race where last week's battlers
both are looking at much easier trips. (5) QUALITY BUD is highly risky at the moment (breaks in 2 of his
last 3) but he's more than capable of making some late noise if able to mind his manners tonight. (6)
LEVINE seemed to b getting pretty sharp then started tailing again - returned with a solid try off the sick
scratch, and may be a good one to throw in for 3rd/4th tonight. (7) HERRICKROOSEVELT N ended up in
an easy spot last week and was able to get back to the winner's circle - rough draw for tonight (while up in
class), and that may limit him to a smaller share. (8) VIVA LAS VEGAS N actually fits nicely with these
but faces a very long haul from post 8 - keep an eye for next time. (4) REAL LUCKY N was better last
week but was also helped by an easy trip - would still like to see a bit more before hopping back on his
team. (2) JESSE DUKE N took 3 tries to (barely) get re-qualified and doesn't look ready for prime time at
the moment.
RACE 5 - Interesting race (perhaps the tote board will be of some help): (4) ARDEN MESSI N qualified
sharply upon arrival from Down Under (in NJ), charged home to be a close 3rd in his first start then was a
sharp winner (as the favorite) in PA last week- we'll give him the narrow nod in his Hilltop debut (2) SAVE
ME A DANCE had been struggling a bit but was "sneaky good" in his last local start - moves inside, and
his best effort would make him a legitimate threat here. (1) BILL HALEY N flopped cutting the mile at
Chester last week but he'll get an easier trip tonight - the in and out veteran can be around for a good piece
if in the right mood. (6) IDEALSOMEMAGIC A is the real "x factor" here - his first U.S. qualifier was
excellent, finishing 2nd behind the classy PRICELESS BEACH - liked his chances in his first YR start but
he was scratched sick that night - just qualified very nicely again, and may very well be good enough to
beat these....he may also be handled conservatively tonight, and that makes him a bit of a mystery. (5) THE
REAL ONE knew he was in pretty cheap last week and responded to the (rare) aggressive handling to win
easily - this field is much tougher, but the classy 12YO can never be counted out. (3) SAULSBROOK HER
O hasn't been traveling all that smoothly lately, but he still tries hard - chance to rally for a piece? (8) MOT
IVE HANOVER is feeling pretty good right now, and last week's victory was very impressive - he's
looking at another tough trip, and it'll be a lot harder to pull it off against these. (7) MULLINAX has failed
too many times vs. lesser to like his chances against these from Post 7.
RACE 6 - (1) JACKS LEGEND N was just road tested in his first start for a new barn 2 back but charged
home full of pace - was sent off at 1/5 last week and delivered a powerful brush and crush victory -- he
moves up a notch here, but he's a solid Open pacer when "right"....and he sure seems "right", right now! (5)
NADOLO N brought his "A game" last week and was a very sharp first over winner - gets a free ride in the
class, and should be able to have a big say tonight, as well. (2) FAMILY RECIPE beat this class 2 back in a
very hard used mile, then charged home for 3rd from well back last week - he's clearly on his game right
now, and figures to be able to grab a good chunk here. (6) ODDS ON OSIRIS just missed in NW20000 2
back but stepped up to the Open last week and almost pulled off the upset - the poor post may limit him a
bit tonight, however. (3) COALITION HANOVER has held his form very nicely as he recently climbed the
class ladder - another good draw gives him at least a shot at a minor share. (7) FUNATTHEBEACH N isn't
"bad' right now, but he also hasn't been the same horse that banked nearly $600K this year - stuck way
outside, and others just seem more appealing right now. (4) SOHO LENNON A has been on an excellent
roll lately, but may have to settle for a minor piece in this solid field. (8) JUSTA LITTLE BIT A is the
outsider, both literally and figuratively.
RACE 7 - Good race! (4) FEELIN WESTERN has been a bridesmaid the last 3 weeks, racing very well but
coming up 2nd best each time - may benefit from a contested pace tonight, and perhaps this is the week
where he's able to rally on by. (1) THE REGULATOR didn't fire 2 back but he won the starts before that,
then was a (game) winner again last week- more than capable in his current form. (7) OZONE BLUE CHIP
is a streaky sort that's been hitting on all cylinders lately, and brings a 4 race win streak into tonight - Post 7
will definitely push him to his limits if he hopes to extend that streak to 5! (2) BRAEVIEW BONDI A had
been knocking on the door in several starts before cashing in on last week's class drop - he's capable of
beating these too, and the right trip would give him a chance to do so. (5) SETH HANOVER made an
unexpected break before the start last week but raced very well after landing - he's been sharp for a long
time, but may be looking at only a smaller share in this very strong field. (6) TJS INDY PACER was no
factor in his first local start, then an ok 3rd in his next - may have some trouble against these starting from a
tough post. (3) WHITECOOKIE perked up to beat softer 2 back, but he's been struggling against these.
RACE 8 - (1) LYONS JOHNNYJNR didn't bring his best when 3rd last week but he was a winner in his
previous 2 starts - he draws best and while not a cinch, he certainly deserves top billing. (2) PLAY THE FI
ELD was in tough spots in his last couple but cut the mile and just missed to #1 three starts back - chance to
outperform that 9-1 ML price from this spot. (3) BETTOR BE OSCAR raced ok from tough spots in his
last couple - he's a bit of a question mark off the sick scratch, but still playable underneath in exotics. (6)
BETTER B SWIFT qualified nicely after a month off and was a good 2nd in his first start back behind a
stickout - tough draw for tonight, but that 20-1 ML price does seem tempting. (8) MONGOLIAN HERO N
fits with these for sure but will probably have a tough time finding a decent trip from out here - maybe a
small piece? (5) HURRIKANEKINGAMES just missed in 25s last week but may be pressing his luck up
here in 30s - wouldn't shock, but definitely leaning to a few others. (4) AUDI HARE N qualified sharply
but has to be considered a major question mark after missing a year - will probably just keep an eye on him
for tonight. (7) LATE MAIL N is notoriously camera shy...and continuing to draw poorly isn't helping!
RACE 9 - (3) JUDDY DOUGLAS A was no threat last week but he was racing in NW20000 on an off
track - he had a pair of very promising 2nds prior to that (first 2 U.S. starts) and may be able to be a bigger
player with tonight's class drop. (4) SARANAC BLUE CHIP was right there behind the dropdown winner
last week and his season has been terrific, overall - this is a spot where he can be handled aggressively, and
that's when he's at his best - legitimate threat. (1) SO MANY ROADS has been sharp for most of the year,
but continues to come up light in the win column - he'll be pretty well backed here and while he does have
a chance to come out on top, he may be better used underneath in the exotics. (6) MACHEASY A folded 3
back but may have choked that night - came back with a win and a 3rd after that, and the only real knock
here is the post - good value horse for exotics at that 15-1 ML price. (7) FOREVER FAV has been facing
better for some time, racing well more often than not - he's struggled to WIN races this year, however, and
tonight's draw may offset the class drop a bit - maybe a small piece? (8) ROCKATHON raced well up in
class last week despite a tough trip, but will need a lot to go his way to be a serious player from out here.
(2) ALWAYS ROCKIN hasn't been able to beat lesser so far, and is hard to endorse against this solid field.
(5) ALEX TYE seems to need to be considerably cheaper these days to be a threat.