RACE 1 - (3) HP XANADU came up 2nd best the last 2 weeks after rattling off 4 straight eye-opening
victories right after the claim - clearly she's at least somewhat vulnerable these days...but she does remain
the one to knock off. (1) GOLDEN QUEST N was re-sharpening right before last week's scratch - IF she's
100% tonight, she may be the one with the best shot to knock off the top choice. (5) HEAVENISSOFARA
WAY has hit board the last 5X Brennan has driven (and usually at decent prices) - no reason she can't do it
again. (2) SHECANDANCE N hasn't gotten back to top form since recently rejoining her favorite barn but
can still pick up pieces when the trip goes her way - maybe 3rd/4th? (6) BELLADONNA GIRL A was 2nd
to the top choice on 9/12 then ended her 4 race winning streak the next start - she did tire badly after getting
roughed up last week, however, and may face a similar dilemma starting from Post 6 tonight - prefer others,
but she may still be worth considering if the price drifts high enough. (8) CHUPPAH ON hasn't won in a
while, though usually picking up good chunks every week - may have a hard time doing that tonight from
this terrible spot. (4) SHECOULDBEGOOD N has leveled off considerably from her sharp miles earlier
this summer - feels like just a fringe player these days. (7) MIKI ROSE was razor sharp for weeks but has
beaten only one horse since being claimed away from our leading trainer.
RACE 2 - Not sure how much "class" or "current form" matters in this 9/16th mile DASH, and it may not
be the best idea to ask horses of this caliber to just sprint all they can....but let's give this a whirl: (6) COV
ERED BRIDGE is very handy but DOES have a terrific turn of speed - hard to see him making the lead
here, but he MAY be able to sit on the rim (with cover) and sprint by late if the front end just goes TOO fast
early on. (5) LEONIDAS A was last week's Open winner and is very sharp right now - he can fly in the
straightaways, and may be able to take advantage of the distance to the first turn to win the race to the lead
- hard to say, but he does seem like one that has to be on your tickets. (1) THIS IS THE PLAN hasn't been
the same horse this year but at least should have some confidence after beating (much) cheaper the last 2
weeks- would still want a good price with him stepping way back up tonight. (3) WHATS STANLEY GOT
A has proven himself as a legitimate Open player and does show speed every week....hard to predict his trip
with others leaving full blast on both sides of him tonight. (2) OAKWOODNITOWNIT IR is feeling better
lately, but may not have the "sprinting speed" of some of the others. (4) NANDOLO N may not find his
best gear tonight until the race is over!
RACE 3 - Tough race: (5) YOROKOBI N has raced better than his U.S. record might suggest, and he's
been particularly good since returning from some time off (after a sick scratch) - he can usually charge
home when he gets a trip, and things may set up for him tonight - good value horse to consider. (3) SOHO
LENNON A just missed last week after a freshening and the 13YO can still deliver big miles when feeling
good - worth a look if the price remains juicy. (2) KARLOO BRADLEY N is hard to fault since arriving in
the U.S. and figures to have another big say tonight, even moving up a bit in class. (4) JUSTASEC N has
been limited to smaller pieces in NW30000 and should appreciate tonight's drop - add him to the list of live
contenders in here. (1) BENHOPE RULZ N was sent off at an absurd 48-1 last week but was still a close
3rd at the end - draws the pole again, and another piece of the pie is possible. (8) GROOVY JOE is more
than good enough to beat these but he was forced to race conservatively from Post 8 last week and even
with the class drop, may be forced to do the same tonight (can't blame anybody looking to try him at a big
price, though)! (6) WICHITA LINEMAN is good right now and was claimed last week by our leading
trainer - may need to wait for a better scenario, however. (7) KOMODO BEACH used a perfect trip to pick
up his 2nd win of the season last week (nosing out #3)- will be tough to replicate that from out here, though.
RACE 4 - (2) MONEY EXCHANGE raced better in his first local try than he was doing in Canada and
was sharper the next week - the 2YO seems to be on the upswing, and may be able to handle this very
modest crew. (6) CLEVELAND B MIKI has been leaving the gate well and was rewarded with a win and a
2nd the last 2 weeks- very logical threat here...but a victory also bumps him out of this lucrative class (3)
YANKEE CLOUT qualified in Canada on 9/22 and raced HERE on 9/26...and was still a close 3rd - clearly
fits nicely but his 0 for 26 record makes it a little tough to endorse him on top. (4) ALWAYS B NICKY got
away well back in his YR debut and was never close - willing to excuse and do expect him to have a bigger
say here... but it's hard to justify him being the ML favorite. (7) BOOM TOWN BOY has been racing better
than his lines might infer - he MAY be ready to beat these...but may need to start from a better spot to do
so. (5) KNOCKIN OUT was good on 9/19, just "ok" the next week then never close in his last - chance for
a piece here, but leaning towards others for the top slot. (1) PAGE SIX has a couple of good tries out of
town but the 2YO finished well back in a pair of local efforts. (8) BROOKVIEW DICE has shown that he
can leave even from Post 8....it's his poor finishes that have been the issue.
RACE 5 - (1) SALE EL SOL was actually sent off favored against HP XANADU and was able to grind
her down - another rail, Kakaley back on board, and that stamps her as the one to knock off. (2) LADY
NEWTON was exceptionally sharp in that "brush and crush" victory 2 back but ended up weakening late
last week after being used hard to make the top - an easier trip could make her the main danger. (4) MIKI
THE CLOWN wasn't all that sharp in the win 2 back then a weak 6th in her next - perhaps the week off
will help her bring one of her better efforts tonight...and that would make her a very live player. (5) LAUR
IE LEE was an excellent 2nd three back, didn't fire in her next then just an ok (no threat) 2nd last week -
another that needs to bring her "A Game" if she hopes to be a serious player. (6) DREAM DANCING
enjoyed some class relief in PA and delivered a win and a 2nd - her best efforts here at this level have come
when allowed to sit back and rally late....decent bomb for the bottom of exotics. (7) MC ANGEL had been
leaving the gate every week so it was a nice surprise to see her finish very well last start after racing from
behind - would have liked her chances a lot more tonight had she not drawn Post 7, however (8) ALWAYS
B MIMI was hurt by a pair of outside draws since moving up to the $50K level - unfortunately, she draws
outside again. (3) BETTER DOUBLE FLIP was ok 2 back but reverted to her lesser form last week - prefer
others.
RACE 6 - (1) BURNHAM BOY N looked awfully good winning for his new connections last week - steps
up a notch, but this class should be well within his comfort zone too, especially with the opportunity to
control the action - solid chance to make it 2 in a row. (2) IGNATIUS A was never put in play the last 2
weeks but the move inside should see him get away much closer to the action - could prove a late threat if
the trip falls his way. (5) WINDSUN RICKY drops back down to the level of his last victory and he's been
known to pop off a big mile at unexpected times - worth considering for exotics. (6) SEVEN HUNDRED
came up 2nd best to Open-type GROOVY JOE 2 back then was the easiest of winners last week - he's
eligible for one more win at this level, but tonight's draw MAY leave him having to wait for a little better
spot. (4) CAUGHTINALANDSLIDE could use a class drop but he's shown that he can pick up pieces even
at this level with the right trip - maybe 3rd/4th? (3) NVRPOPTDAPLUGS wasn't bad from a hopeless spot
in his YR debut but seemed to get too hot last week and was left with NO chance after moving first over
from last on turn two - moves inside, goes back to Brennan, and may race well enough for a piece tonight
(at a nice price). (7) NIGHT HAWK could really use a (much) better post in an easier class.
RACE 7 - (5) CRANBOURNE N (from the same the connections that imported LEONIDAS A) was sent
off favored in his U.S. debut, was handled a bit too conservatively and rallied too late for a chance at the
win - probably deserves another chance...hopefully at a little better price. (2) LEVINE doesn't make a lot of
starts every year but when he's good, he's more than capable against this type - feels like a live player here.
(1) CAVEMAN A was no factor in his last start here but did just miss at this level not too long ago - figures
to be an up close player from start to finish. (7) WHICHWAYTOTHEBEACH goes from an invite to the
$250K Aria Pace to being allowed to drop down to NW10000 3 starts later - he'll surely be blasting off the
car but even with the huge drop, there's no guarantee he's sharp enough to beat these right now. (3) VILLIA
M used an easy trip to pick up 3rd upon arrival last week...a similarly easy trip could see him grab another
chunk tonight. (6) MY CARBON COPY N is actually pretty good right now but he draws poorly in a solid
field, and may struggle to get in play. (4) DP REALORDEAL just hasn't been clicking at YR this year- this
field feels a little tough for him right now. (8) KING JAMES EXPRESS isn't bad right now, but faces an
uphill battle trying to get involved from out here.
RACE 8 - (3) FORTIFY was stuck racing from the back the last 2 weeks in miles where the winner was a
front end, prohibitive favorite- he drops to a level where he's very dangerous, and should have some options
with the good draw - narrow edge in a well matched field. (2) FEARFUL INTENT just missed 3 back,
jogged in his next and certainly can be forgiven for not being able to run down the classy THIS IS THE PL
AN last week - draws inside, and looms a solid player once again. (1) SPLASH BROTHER is one of
several from this barn that had a great few months, but has come back to earth in recent starts - still, has to
be respected at this level starting from the pole. (5) FREQUENT IMAGE is the "x factor" in here - he's
been on an amazing roll, but he's up in class and has missed 3 weeks - wouldn't really be surprised to see
him throw another huge mile OR come up a bit short under the circumstances. (4) HAMMERING HANK
came up with a couple of 2nds off the barn change but likely bled last week (adds Lasix for tonight) - could
see him grabbing a decent piece if he lands on the right trip. (6) SHAKESPEARE went over the $100K
mark this year with last week's victory - he doesn't have a ton of early speed, and may be coming from too
far back to have any big impact tonight. (7) REAL PEACE finished ok from an impossible spot last week
but will likely be in a similarly difficult spot tonight. (8) VENIER HANOVER was a full airmail last week
despite not racing for a month....he LOOKED like he was just going to crush 'em, but the legs got heavy as
they turned for home and he went from "hero" to "zero" very quickly - brutal spot now.
RACE 9 - (6) ROCK THE BELLES was a winner here in his first start for the Dynamic Duo (no surprise!)
then actually paid a big price (20-1) when he won again the next week - lost all chance behind a gapper in
his next then was trapped in the lane for too long when 3rd the next week - raced super in defeat in his last,
unable to deal with the ship-in winner's SIZZLING 1:51 mile, but digging in incredibly gamely to hold 2nd
- could offer some good value tonight. (7) CHURCHVIEWFRANKL IR is an outstanding 10-6-1-3 since
arriving in the U.S. and has shown that he can overcome bad posts, if necessary - major threat. (3) ONTOP
RAINMAN made #7 work a bit last week when a close 2nd best - not sure why he's listed at 20-1 ML here,
but he has a very good chance to outperform that price. (5) LOUS THE ATTITUDE just didn't function in
KY- went a more encouraging mile returning to YR last week, but it's hard to see him as the 2-1 ML choice
off that 5th place finish - willing to consider underneath. (8) FROZEN HANOVER does have a good late
kick most weeks but he'll likely be coming from too far back to be a serious threat here - maybe 3rd.4th?
(4) STRENGTHANDHONOR N started his local career with 4 straight 2nd place finishes - he wasn't as big
a player in his next pair, and has now missed time after a sick scratch - leaning towards others this week.
(2) RAYRAY draws inside but does seem a bit below the main players. (1) CAPTAIN MIKEY showed a lot
of promise at 2 but his 3YO campaign still hasn't taken off - goes for a new barn now, after some time off.
RACE 10 - (7) SWEET SANDY LOU was finishing very well from too far back in recent starts so it was
no surprise to see her deliver a very sharp 1:53 front end score from the pole last week - IF Stratton can
produce enough early speed to improve her position a bit, she can be very dangerous tonight. (4) PLEASU
RE SEEKER finished just behind FEELIN RED HOT on 9/12 - she was scratched injured from her next
but still raced well on 10/3 (off 3 weeks) for 3rd - her barn has been sending out some very live ones again,
and this mare could be worth a look tonight. (1) SHOTGUN PERSUASION dead-heated with #2 on 9/19,
was a good 2nd to a fire breathing winner in her next, but did disappoint a bit on the lead last week - if she
brings her best, she can be a real threat. (2) FEELIN RED HOT is down at the level where she can still win
races, but she's also at a point where any hard early use could be a problem - has a real chance, but also
figures to continue to be overbet. (6) HARMONY OF NOTES just missed in this class last week, has speed
and a driver not afraid to use it - consider if the price is right. (5) TRULY showed some life with Bartlett
driving last week but her trainer is back on board tonight - minor share only. (8) WESTERN ROSIE draws
all the way outside after backing up off a pocket trip last week - hard to get excited about her chances. (3)
WHOS SMOKIN N shows a couple of less than stellar preps after being away for almost a year.