RACE 1 – (3) WICKENBURGH had a good run of starts here last year before tailing off and eventually ending up
with new connections, out of town – he lands in a top barn for his local return, and may be in a spot where he can be
handled aggressively – could be a good value play in tonight’s opener. (8) CHAMBA is another that could pull off
an upset here – he just missed 2 back from Post 7, then landed on a very tough trip last week – chance to be a player
here IF Stratton is willing to send him out of there. (2) WESLYNN CROWN was well out of it before settling into
stride last week but did trot a solid final 3/8ths – if he’s close at the top of the lane, he can do some damage tonight.
(4) QUICKSILVR BLUECHIP seemed to be coming around but he clearly was NOT up to last week’s hard used
effort (he was hounded into submission by the eventual winner) – drops, and an easier trip could see him rebound.
(5) LUCKY WEEKEND had been struggling before a nice wake up call effort last week – if he can replicate that
mile, he can be in the hunt tonight. (1) BAZILLIONAIRE almost never wins, but the good draw at least gives him a
shot at a piece. (6) BEACON BEACH has been dullish, and lands outside – wait for a better spot. (7) NEWSBOY
has been no good at all lately.
RACE 2 – Blue Chip Matchmaker, Leg 2: (6) INTOTHEMYSTICMOON was a sharp winner in her only start here
in 2023 and came up big in her return last week, doing all the heavy lifting only to get nipped by a nose – gets the
worst of the draw tonight but assuming she’s a fair price, she’s still worth using. (4) KARMA SEELSTER was stuck
first over against the sharp front end winner in Leg 1, weakening just a bit to 3rd – the classy 7YO remains a real
threat almost any time she’s in to go. (1) INCASEYOUDIDNTKNOW seemed to be struggling to grab the bit much
of the way last week but when she needed that extra burst in the lane, McCarthy was able to get it out of her– clearly
a threat to take another, but she also figures to be a pretty short price after drawing the rail. (3) AVF CLAIRE looked
full of pace from the back last week with no room at all to pace in the lane – she still needs to prove that she can be a
serious player at this level, but she’s worth including in exotics if the price is right. (5) TREACHEROUS PENNY
had no offer in her one prep before the series but landed on a pocket trip in the first round and chased well to the end
to be 2nd best – it’s possible that a live trip could put her in the hunt tonight, as well. (2) COACHELLABOUND N
has lacked consistency lately – prefer others at the moment.
RACE 3 – (2) GOT SEXY SCARS was stuck in a horrendous flow last week (vs. better, in a fast mile) and was still
pacing well at the end – this spot is a bit easier, and a better trip could make her a big player. (6) BE MY ROSE N
has raced well in all 4 local starts, and is listed at 12-1 ML for one of our most potent trainer/driver teams...worth
considering at a good price. (4) MORNING HAS BROKEN couldn’t quite finish the job after doing the dirty work
last week and just seems better (in general) in her last few starts – could be a threat here with the right trip. (1) RAC
EY RACH N faltered on the lead vs. better last week but drops back down to the level she beat 2 starts back –
deserves plenty of respect. (7) A GIRL THAT TWIRLS was very well backed for her 2nd local start of the year and
just couldn’t finish the job after getting used hard early – she fits for sure, but is also at a post disadvantage. (3) ROC
KN PHILLY is prone to duds and last week was one of them – hard to back her with any confidence right now, but
she does have a history of reversing form at any time. (5) ON THE MONEY GB goes for a new barn tonight – she
has trouble at the end of miles most weeks, and that could be a problem tonight. (8) GINGER TREE LIZ still
seemed short in her 2nd start of the year...and now lands Post 8.
RACE 4 – Blue Chip Matchmaker, Leg 2: (4) DOUGS BABE A took the conservative approach from Post 7 last
week and ended up 4 wide from last on the final turn as a result – she was still able to rally for 3rd (less than 2
lengths from the winner), and now lands a good post in a soft division– figures to be able to get the job done tonight,
but likely at a very short price. (1) JIVE DANCING A qualified sharply for this series and kicked home full of pace
in her first start (just missed 3rd) – could be next in line. (5) MAN DONTFORGET ME hasn’t thrown a bad effort in
ages, but it’s hard to predict her trip from this spot – a manageable journey gives her a good chance to pick up a
good chunk. (3) EASY TO PLEASE looked like she was going to bounce back after a terrible 2023 season but she
seems to have leveled off since moving back up to face top mares – will need to do better if she’s hoping for more
than minor spoils throughout the series. (6) TRUE BLUE HANOVER is probably a better mare than her $145K in
career earnings would suggest but she’s ambitiously placed in this series, and landing Post 6 will only make things
tougher. (2) DELTA THREE N seems overmatched in the Matchmaker – at least she lands in a soft division.
RACE 5 – (2) DANCE ON THE BEACH has been good in all 4 starts this year and comes into tonight off a sharp
wire to wire victory at this level – remains the one to knock off. (1) SULLIVAN seems to have bounced back after a
recent rough patch – should land on a good trip here, and he’s sharp enough to win if the top one falters. (4) HIGH
ON ROCKNROLL wasn’t particularly sharp last week but still kept trying hard to grab a 4th from Post 8 – one to
include in exotics. (5) KERFORD ROAD A is still a bit unreliable but he’s picked up 2nds in 3 of his 7 local starts
this year, and any of his better efforts could land him somewhere on the ticket. (3) QUATRAIN BLUE CHIP is
another of the inconsistent ones in here – the good draw gives him a shot at a piece if the trip falls his way. (8) NOW
HERE CREEK A may eventually start to perk up after the recent barn change but tonight’s draw figures to limit his
participation. (6) FOREVER FAV has really been struggling – waiting for some better signs to even consider. (7) KB
MAC will likely be very conservative after taking one on the rim last week.
RACE 6 – (3) BETTER WATCH IT had 8 wins and 9 seconds last year for $154K...and that’s even after tailing
from around September – she’s always a bit of a risk to make a break but IF she minds her manners tonight, she’s
going to be pretty tough against this bunch (in her 3rd start of the year). (4) COWGIRL LILLY can be pretty
unreliable but she also has recent 2nds behind MILLWOOD BONNIE N and MISS DOTTIE MAE – if she shows
up in a good mood, she can make a lot of noise here. (2) SILENT CROSSING really disappointed here as the 4/5
choice 2 back but she still has to be seen as a very legitimate player in this overall very soft field. (1) ASHTINI
ships in from Fhd. with less than stellar form but still figures to have a shot at a piece starting from the pole. (8)
DAKOTA SHADOW lands in our leading barn upon arrival from Canada but would need some massive
improvement for a chance to be a threat from all the way out here. (5) SEZANA N is one of the few from this barn
that hasn’t been able to find ANY “good” efforts this year – chance for some minor spoils. (6) PURAMERI has gone
some good miles here in the past but nothing recently. (7) TARGARYEN EMPRESS had a few ok starts recently but
finished well back in her last and lands in a terrible spot tonight.
RACE 7 – (1) FOR A DREAMER has seen his style cramped by a succession of outside posts – he moves all the
way inside now, and that’ll give Stratton a lot more options – look for a big effort tonight. (2) BLACK TIE BASH
has raced well in almost all of his 11 local starts but has just one win, and that came one level down – he’s a very
solid threat here, but be careful about accepting too short a price. (4) JULA MUSCLE PACK hasn’t been able to do
much damage in his 4 starts since returning from the layoff but this could be a spot where he can have a bigger
impact – not sure he merits being the 2-1 ML favorite, however. (8) BRAVE BY DESIGN is finally starting to thrive
for his current barn, after some early struggles upon being claimed on 2/1 – he tends to take a while to find his best
stride, however, and that could limit him to a smaller piece from out here. (3) SHEENA SOLDIER made an
uncharacteristic miscue last week – he’s capable of some good efforts, but may be conservative tonight off last
week’s break. (6) HUNTING AS is forced to move up two classes after hanging very badly last week – likely
looking at only a minor share tonight. (5) WINDSONG PIONEER broke 2 back then folded badly in his last – just
doesn’t seem to be on his game right now. (7) SWISS HOUSE ONFIRE does his best work from better posts, in
easier classes.
RACE 8 – (6) TEXSONG SOPRANO took ALL the $$ last week, was handled aggressively and crushed his rivals
in a sharp 1:55 mile– he gets a free ride tonight, and it’s hard to make a case against him repeating...let’s hope Zeron
sees things the same way! (1) CRISTAL TRIO IT was ignored at the windows for her U.S. debut (at PcD) but
delivered an impressive mile in her 19-1 (easy) victory – she lands in one of our leading barns for her local debut,
and another big effort is expected (even moving up in class). (3) DONATO PATRIOT K was too far back to have
any say last week but the move inside should keep him closer to the action, and he may be able to land on the ticket,
at a nice price. (2) UNEVERGONNAGETHIS wired softer two back then rallied for the place spot behind the top
choice last week – draws inside, and probably has a good chance to grab another nice chunk. (5) VINNY DE VIE
took no $$ and was no factor at all in his first (NJ) start off the layoff but he’s gone plenty of big miles here in the
past, and gets a pilot not afraid to give one a chance – consider if the price is juicy enough. (7) HIGHLAND MOWG
LI has enjoyed more than his share of local success but it seems likely that the top choice will be leaving right inside
of him, and that could create a tough trip for tonight. (4) FULL RIGHTS was a BIG overlay winner vs. cheaper last
week, but may have trouble replicating that type of effort against these. (8) HOOLIE N HECTOR has struggled a bit
since returning this year – bad spot, and he does drop $5500 off his card after tonight.
RACE 9 – Some sharp ones in here! (6) SILK CLOUD A is capable of big miles when on her game and she’s
certainly been delivering them since returning from the winter break – her quick gate speed could be an asset here,
but she’s also shown that she can race from behind, if necessary – she faces some very sharp mares tonight, and
should offer some decent value as she looks to repeat. (5) RACY ROXY A landed on a terrible trip in her YR debut
but still came up with a big mile, pacing an impressive final 3/8ths when finishing 3rd behind the top choice – can
outrace her odds tonight with some trip luck. (3) NO WIN NO FEED A has been very consistent, compiling a
7-2-2-2 local record over the past 2 years – she’s right there every start, and looms a very live player again tonight.
(7) MILLWOOD BONNIE N really benefited from the winter break, shrugging off the lesser form she showed to
close out 2023 and instead bringing her best efforts week after week in 2024 – she may be ignored in the wagering
because of the draw, but don’t write her off too quickly! (4) MC ANGEL is enjoying a stellar start to her ‘24
campaign, thriving in several different barns – she’ll be tackling tougher tonight than she’s used to, and possibly
facing a tougher trip... we’ll see if she’s up for it. (1) MISS DOTTIE MAE was handled very aggressively last week
and was a sharp front end winner over a bit easier – she steps up now, but the rail draw may help offset that – hard to
say if she’s good enough right now to hang with this very sharp crew. (2) TWIN B SUNKISSED has come back to
life at the lower levels and climbing back up the ladder – this field MAY be just a little tough for her, however, (8)
REC TIME did a nice job hanging in there for 2nd in her first start of the year – the move outside may be a big
problem, though.
RACE 10 - Blue Chip Matchmaker, Leg 2: (1) MIKALA got away 4th last week, was pretty hot coming to the half
then paced a :27 third panel uncovered before weakening a bit in the lane to 3rd – have to believe she can find a way
to control the action from the pole tonight, and that would make her very dangerous. (4) DELITFULCATHERIN N
came into the series with wins in 5 of her last 6 starts (vs. a bit easier) and came up with a big one in Leg 1, just
missing on the wire to LIT DE ROSE– at 10-1 ML she’s worth including on some tickets tonight. (5) TONYS MOM
has been on an eternal form spree since moving to our leading trainer last year– she was an odds-on front end winner
in Week 1, and deserves plenty of respect here...although her trip MAY be a little tougher. (2) LIT DE ROSE has a
chance pretty much any time she drops in the back but she’s listed at 6/5 ML and the chances for a tough trip THIS
week are a lot higher than they were last week – be careful about taking too short a price. (3) CRÈME DELIGHT
was a steady 4th in her YR debut – still a bit iffy as to whether she can hang with these on a weekly basis. (6) SALE
EL SOL will have a hard time making much of a dent from out here.
RACE 11 – (4) LUCKY ARTIST A started off the year with a strong win, but quickly leveled off – she really
perked up in her last (off the class drop), a strong 2nd best despite a less than stellar drive – she can build off that and
exert her class over these. (5) FAVORITE BEACH was well backed last week, came out first over but had to drop
back inside when the 3rd quarter got too hot, then stayed on gamely for the show spot – goes for our leading barn for
the 2nd time tonight, and a good trip puts her right in the hunt. (2) GAME OF SHADOWS has held form remarkably
well at higher levels than she’s used to – a good trip could see her add some value to the exotics. (7) HEAVENS
SHOWGIRL A hit the wire with good energy from an impossible spot last week – she may be unable to overcome
another poor draw, but she’s worth considering for exotics at what figures to be a decent price. (1) BLANK CHEEK
may be a bit on the cheaper side, but the rail draw at least puts her in play for a small slice. (8) VILLAGE JADE
won her last pair over cheaper, but also benefited from inside posts – doesn’t have that going for her tonight as she
double jumps in class. (6) ULTIMATE SPEED had trouble getting in play from a similar spot last week. (3) CHILL
IN BYTHE POOL usually needs to be in easier but did pop off a couple of big miles (at BIG prices) last winter at
these higher levels – she does figure to need a start off the qualifier, however.
RACE 12 – (2) PARISO won a ton of races in Ohio at 2 and 3 , even if a bunch were at the Fairs – she qualified
nicely for her 4YO return, but likely bled in her first start – added Lasix, and went a BIG mile, rallying from 10
th to 2nd – gets a major trainer and driver switch tonight for her new connections, and may be able to pay some instant
dividends. (6) BARRY BLACK came alive with a big one for 2nd last week, and another aggressive effort can be
expected – live player. (1) MUFASA AS has been more competitive recently, lands the rail with a class drop and can
be part of this from start to finish. (8) STREET GOSSIP had a good start but then an unlucky trip last week – good
bomb to use underneath. (3) WILY WALLY hasn’t been all that great, but may be able to take home some minor
spoils. (5) MACMORRIS HANOVER got it done last week as the favorite (vs. cheaper) but it wasn’t all that pretty
– he’ll need to be considerably sharper to beat these. Both (4) MATCH MEIF YOU CAN and (7) LOOK IN MY
EYES would be surprises tonight.