RACE 1 - (7) SHANGHAI SEELSTER came into her last riding a 3 race win streak but her chances were
derailed by an early miscue (she did well to only lose by 5 lengths after catching the pack) - the price will
be much better tonight (from Post 7, off that break), and that could make her a decent "value play" in
tonight's opener. (3) CAVIART CARMEL was very conservative last week (outside post with her trainer on
board) but may get a more aggressive steer tonight - she seems like a good fit with these, and the price
should be decent. (4) YS ISA was sent off at 1/10 last week despite seeming a little vulnerable, and all she
could manage was a non-threatening 3rd - she's absolutely a contender, but the value may still be there if
playing against her (on top). (1) TAVA was freshened up after going sour and was a game 2nd in her return
last week - eligible to be sharper here, but note her 2 for 36 career slate before falling too much in love with
her chances. (2) HESTON HONEY was a game uncovered winner last week, and has 3 wins and 3 seconds
from her last 6 starts - another eligible to be a big player tonight. (6) BETTE TINA kept coming to pick up
the win in a NW2 field last week - she's racing well now, but draws poorly while stepping up in class - a
tough assignment. (5) SHORTYS GIRL was no factor last week debuting for her new barn - could be
sharper the 2nd time around, but we're still sticking with others.
RACE 2 - (6) CHERYLS SHADOW was winless at 2 but did earn $35K - put together a few good starts in
Canada after returning at 3, and debuts tonight for new connections, while adding Lasix (and showing a
nice looking qualifier) - lots to like. (7) CRAZY LUCKY also debuts for a new barn (while also adding
Lasix), but does look a little cheaper, and also draws outside - still, that 20-1 ML price does make her a bit
tempting! (2) NOT SO EVIL won 3 of 4 starts at 2 for $77K - just 1 for 10 so far at 3, but picked the right
race to win (the $100K NJSS Final (just 4 fillies)) - goes tonight for one of our top barns, and has to be seen
as a major threat to take home a nice piece. (4) BLAZING SPIRIT won her first start back at 3 (in PA) then
rallied well for 3rd in her local debut - made a break in her next, however, then was no factor in her last - at
least she's 20-1 ML if you think she can rebound tonight. (1) CLEAR THE WAY is listed at 5/2 ML but she
comes into tonight at 0 for 16 - willing to use underneath. (5) MAJOR LOVER "rallied" last week off the
qualifier, but into a :30.2 final quarter - her 1 for 19 record makes her hard to consider on top. (3)
BEACHBLAKETLINDY just folded last week off a good trip - sticking with others, for now.
RACE 3 - (3) HP LIS SHADOW shipped down from Canada on 7/5 with some sketchy lines but his new
barn had him ready to go, scoring the easy "pocket rocket" victory for his new barn - moved up to NW4 last
week and was a solid 3rd behind the standout winner (and sharp place horse) - feels like a spot where he
can get back to the winner's circle. (8) MY MIKI BEACH added Lasix 2 back but came 2nd best to a sharp
foe, then never got involved from Post 7 last week - hard to say if Marohn will be aggressive from Post 8
but IF you think he will, this guy definitely is good enough to beat these. (5) STILL THIRSTY is still prone
to miscues, but has also shown that the ability is there - insist on a good price if considering using him. (1)
THOR AND DR JONES was an ok 4th racing off a bad date last week (sick scratch) - draws best, and has a
shot to land somewhere in the exotics with an easy enough trip. (4) JMS ROLLIN hails from a hot barn and
almost won here 3 starts back - looks like he may be tailing a bit, but we'll find out for sure tonight. (2)
DANCING JOE used an easy trip to pick up 3rd last week, but at least it was an improved effort - we'll see
if he can build off that, and pick up a piece tonight too. (7) LATEST ERA shipped in sharp, raced a little
greenly but stayed strong to the end to be a solid 2nd - moves up to NW4 and draws poorly here, and that
may slow him down a bit. (6) SNAP CALL flashed some life at Monti, but has struggled in previous local
attempts - sticking with others.
RACE 4 - (5) PICK A GENRE was one of three "invaders" in last week's race - he ended up with the
toughest of the trips, but was still a very solid 3rd - draws inside last week's winner tonight, and that may
allow him to turn the tables on that foe. (6) COLD CREEK FELIPE made his local debut last start for a
new barn, adding Lasix...and he used a quick start (and easy half) to pick up the victory - remains a legit
threat to make it 2 in a row, though this is definitely a tougher assignment. (4) EXOTIC SAND is usually
good for some late pace and tonight should be no exception - chance to rally his way into the exotics,
somewhere. (1) MY FIRST TIME won his first qualifier, but wasn't ready to pace in 1:53 in his 2nd prep -
hails from a barn that knows how to have one ready, and may be able to be a contender in his first PM start
- perhaps the tote board may provide some additional clues? (3) VARNEY is 0 for 10 this year and just 1
for 16 overall - the good draw at least gives him a shot at a minor piece. (7) STREET BEATS was in a little
too tough at Goshen off the barn change, then got lost at the back at Chester last week - not a bad bomb to
consider for 3rd/4th. (2) HURRIKANE MON AMI hasn't clicked yet since the recent barn change, showing
a pair of weak efforts sandwiched around a sick scratch - waiting for better signs before endorsing. (8) R
CAPTAIN HANOVER was dullish in both local tries and now draws Post 8.
RACE 5 - (1) THRESHOLD was able to hold off a very sharp MY MIKI BEACH two back, then was 2nd
best to a 1/5 standout in his last - this week HE gets to be the prohibitive choice...and will be pretty tough to
knock off. (4) MAKE MY DEO shipped in sharp from PA and was solid in both local tries - may be the one
to complete a very short exacta. (2) CAPTAIN BUTLER took plenty of $$ last week, and was able to
charge home in the lane for the win (after an easy trip) - he's not great on the turns, but does have some
ability - the inside draw may help him grab another good piece here. (7) AINT HE SPECIAL just kept
coming in his YR debut and overcame a very tough trip to score the victory - sat last the following week
but still rallied nicely for 2nd, and just wasn't able to gain sufficiently into the fast final half last week - if
he has any gate speed at all, this would be a good spot for Stratton to find it. (6) AMERICAN WAY looked
hopeless 3 back turning for home but kicked in through the lane for the 8-1 upset - REALLY looked
hopeless the following week but this time charged home to win at 75-1 -- no chance against the 1/10 winner
last week, but did rally nicely for 2nd - he's proven that he's legit, and does have a shot to rally for a piece.
(3) TEAM MAC has a decent 8-1-3-1 local record, but just seems a notch below the main players in here.
(5) BET EIGHTTHIRTYONE has shown little in his 3 local starts - waiting for some better life. (8) A B
COLLINS is the outsider, both literally and figuratively.
RACE 6 - Tough race: (4) BUCKEYE EMERY disappointed in his first 2 local tries after arriving from
Ohio but turned in a better effort at Pocono, then really wasn't bad here last week - maybe this is a spot
where he can put it all together....and give his young pilot his first Hilltop victory? (1) Y S MATHIS BRO
was a dullish 4th in his first local try but did just miss at PcD last week - draws best, and we may see his
best tonight. (3) BEST BETTOR shows a pretty wide variety of efforts - if he brings his best game tonight,
he would have a shot to beat these...and that 9-1 ML price does look appealing. (5) WEST IS BEST hung
on by a nose at Pocono 2 back off the barn change, but finished well back in his last - should fit well with
the locals, and would be no surprise at all. (7) LOUS BEACH has gone down as the odds on choice 4X
recently, and comes into tonight off 3 straight 2nd place finishes - will include in exotics, but sticking with
others on top. (6) TRENDY TEEN will attract some attention on the barn and driver changes, but he would
need to REALLY improve off his current form to be a threat tonight. (2) LIFETIMEEXPERIENCE picked
up his first win of the season in PA last week - he wouldn't be a shock, but we still are leaning to a few
others. (8) HEAVENS SECRET might be worth a look from an inside post, but seems unlikely to get close
from all the way out here.
RACE 7 - (6) PJ LOU figured to be able to dominate with the class relief last week and that's exactly what
he did - it'll be tougher tonight against this better field (with his main foe drawn to his inside), but we're still
going to give him the narrow edge.(5) LAYTON HANOVER was also getting major class relief last week
and like the top choice, simply dominated the overmatched field - he's clearly the main danger...and we'll
see if the slight post edge is enough to help him come out on top. (4) BIG CHIC MAGNET took quickly to
the Super Sibling's program, just missing in his first start, then winning his last pair (the latest in 1:49.3) -
hard to say if he's as classy as the top two, but we'll find out tonight. (2) BONDI SHAKE N threw a rare
clunker last week when he disintegrated in the 3 hole but the 3 weeks off may have hurt him - drops right
back in the box, and may be primed for a better effort now - small piece? (3) HURRIKANE GEORGIE
also threw an unexpected dud last time - chance for a piece if he gets right back to one of his better efforts.
(1) ARTIST BEST may need a little easier to show his best stuff - not sure the rail will be enough to make
him a serious player. (7) CANTSTOPLYING lands outside and that figures to really hurt his chances.
RACE 8 - Wide open: (3) AHOY is stepping up in class but she's definitely sharp, draws well, and handles
a variety of trips - worth considering as long as she's not overbet. (6) CAVIART CHERIE had been
knocking on the door recently before a non-involved effort from Post 7 last week - her "typical" try would
make her a player...and the price should be decent. (2) BRIAR rallied for 3rd in her last try here at this level
and returns off a decent try in PA - not impossible. (4) BRING ME DIAMONDS seems to take home a
piece every week, although it's usually a smaller one - always a good one to include underneath. (5) VELO
CITY MCSWEETS beat a bit lesser 2 back, then used her easy trip to pick up 2nd last week - possible, but
not worth that 5/2 ML price. (8) RABLE raced well to pick up 2nds in her last pair, but will be hard pressed
to do as well from Post 8 tonight. (7) CORAL BELLA has been away for 26 days and draws Post 7 - will
watch tonight, with an eye on next week. (1) LAALWAYS AMARTINI seems ambitiously placed in for
the $50k tag, especially when she's just 1 for 30 here over the past 3 years.
RACE 9 - (4) LOUS SWEETREVENGE landed on a tough trip for his new connections last week but was
still trying hard to the wire - drops in class, and the oft-winning 5YO may be in a good spot. (5) PACE N
PRIDE had some issue on 5/21 but has looked super since re-qualifying...especially in last week's powerful
victory - very live player. (1) DINA BOLT N is always a good price, always right in the hunt, but just hasn't
been able to get to the winner's circle lately - maybe tonight? (6) BETTERROCK is one of many sharp
performers for the barn right now, but he does end drawing outside several main foes - may have to settle
for a smaller piece this week. (2) BRONX SEELSTER has been in and out for a while - if he brings his "A
Game", he'll be able to make some noise here. (3) THE REGULATOR was a steady 4th bumping up to this
level last week - prefer a few ahead of him, but a small piece if within reach. (7) MYSWEETBOYM AX
has some good recent efforts, but he seems unlikely to be able to seriously threaten from all the way out
here, in this solid field. (8) SETH HANOVER draws worst for his new crew and will probably have to wait
for a better spot to be a threat.