RACE 1 - (2) TEXAS TERROR N was outstanding at 13 and into his 14 year old season but hit a patch
this summer where he just looked like he didn't want to be doing this anymore - suddenly came back to life
2 back and crushed a field of 15s, but wasn't able to make any noise vs. the 25s last week -- drops back
down to the basement, and the good draw makes him the one to beat. (1) COACH CAL is 0 for 18 here this
year but did hit board 11X - moves all the way inside, and does have appeal at that 9-1 ML price. (3) TERR
ITORY was no good for quite a while but has shown at least a little better life in his last couple, and his
barn seems to be coming around as well - willing to try him in exotics tonight. (5) UNICO LEGEND N is
hard to gauge in here - picked up a 3rd at this level off the layoff but drew a bad post up in class last week
and never was in the hunt - drops back down, draws better and MAY come up with a contending effort. (8)
CAROLINA MAGIC crushed this class 2 back, but drew post vs. 20s last week and wasn't involved -
draws horribly once again, but he does move back down to the basement....worth a look at that 20-1 ML
price? (4) ACES ROCK is listed at 3-1 ML but is just 11-0-1-2 here this year - hard to use at a short price.
(7) SPORTSKEEPER has been having a difficult year but he did beat cheaper at Chester 2 back then picked
up a 2nd here last week, even if trip aided - tough draw, but a reasonable one for longshot fans. (6) BET
THE LIMIT seems to have really gone in the wrong direction lately - needs a wake up call.
RACE 2 - (1) AWESOMENESS hasn't won in 3 starts since being claimed from our leading trainer but he
also hasn't lost his form, still racing well despite a couple of tough trips - he's the one to beat with Holland
from the pole, but he's also likely to be overbet. (4) GIVENUPDREAMING was actually very good last
week, holding together well to the end despite a tough trip- bumps up a notch after being claimed, but could
be a good value play if his trip works out. (2) SHOREVIEW was worn into submission by #1 last week
when trying to cut the mile - may accept an easier trip tonight, and that could lead to a much better result.
(6) NOAHS MILL benefited from an inside trip last week but definitely was full of pace in the final 1/16th
of a mile - worth using in exotics at that 15-1 ML price. (3) MARTY MONKHOUSER A will attract a lot
of $$ from this spot but his best work comes on the lead, and he has a pair of leavers right to his inside -
would use underneath only this week. (7) CLASSIFIEDMATERIAL is doing better work since the recent
claim but would need a lot to go his way to threaten from way out here. (5) NORTHERN NETWORK
drops a bit but missed 3 weeks off a dull try and could be a little risky right now. (8) FLOW WITH JOE
was no factor in 2 local starts - may be a good fit with these, but probably not from all the way out here.
RACE 3 - (4) KAUAI KING is the reluctant selection here - his 0 for 24 local record is an obvious turn off,
but he's truly in career form right now, and really feels ready to win one....with some trip luck - willing to
give him a shot, as long as he's not overbet. (5) MARLBANK ROAD has been inconsistent all year but
reminded us last week that he CAN throw big efforts when in the right mood - he moves up in class here,
but remains a legitimate threat IF he's as sharp as last week. (2) VIVA LAS VEGAS N just missed in
NW10000 last start and now drops and draws inside - has to be respected, and included in exotics. (7)
MACHIAVELLI fell apart for a few starts after leaving a couple of very high % barns but does seem to be
getting back to better form now - terrible draw, but still worth at least a look at what figures to be a pretty
good price. (8) BECKHAMS Z TAM was a winner the last tie he dropped down to this level but this time
he's been away for 3 weeks (sick scratch) AND draws Post 8 - just using underneath, for now. (3) MAJOR
DESIRE was able to "brush and crush" an easier field 2 back but came up well short at this level last week -
prefer others tonight. (1) AINTNOBETTOR A is just 1 for 26 this year, often losing to easier - not sure the
rail is enough to make him a player. (6) MISSILE SEELSTER did better vs. cheaper in his last pair at PcD,
but would be hard to recommend against this much tougher bunch.
RACE 4 - (2) STARLIT ROMEO hit board in his first 6 local starts (3 wins) before finishing 4th (from
well back) last week - he may get overlooked here vs. some more established older foes, but he's sharp
enough for chance at the upset if things go his way. (5) NEW HEAVEN hasn't had his best season but he's
been pretty reliable when he's down at this level - he teamed up with Marohn to beat this class on 8/26 and
this is the first time they've been paired since then - deja vu? (1) EPOS OSTERVANG DK wasn't himself 2
back - his last wasn't "great", but he did manage to pick up 3rd...legitimate threat here if he can find his best
effort. (8) HIGHLAND MOWGLI is 5-3-2-0 since joining this barn in Sept., racing very well each start -
the obvious concern is Post 8, so insist on a decent price if using him on top. (4) SWEET SOUL DAVID
just wasn't into cutting the mile 2 back then was stuck with Post 8 last week - eligible to come up with a
much better effort tonight if the trip goes his way. (7) HOOLIE N HECTOR is in career form right now and
comes into tonight off three straight 2nd place finishes (behind 3 nice trotters) - hard to say if she'll be able
to get in play from out here, though. (3) BARRY BLACK feels like he's lost a step this year, and his best
work has come vs. easier - too many other sharp horses to look his way in here. (6) BIZET hasn't been
"bad", but he did come up a little light at the end vs. cheaper in his last couple - really wouldn't be a shock,
but we're still leaning towards others.
RACE 5 - (3) DENMARK SEELSTER arrives from Canada and lands in a barn that does extremely well
with fresh stock - in a race where none of the locals really stand out, that seems like a good angle to go with
(7) POSH ONTHE BEACH A is very solid in 25s but gets no luck with the draw tonight - still might be
able to be a player with some trip luck, so consider if the price is decent. (1) SWAGASAURUSREX was a
close 2nd the last time he drew the pole and faces a lot of iffy rivals in here - worth including in exotics. (4)
BAMSKI gets some class relief and also gets a big switch to Bartlett - might be a spot where we'll see some
improvement from him. (6) PICARD A handled a NW5000 field 3 back, was a "meh" 3rd the next week
then very disappointing in his last - he MAY wake up with one of his better efforts here, but hard to get
excited about his chances at that 2-1 ML price. (2) MISTER HAT really could use a drop to 20s but draws
well enough here for a chance at a piece...with the right trip. (5) FOX VALLEY INFERNO picked up 3rds
the last 2 weeks but wasn't necessarily sharp either time - could be overbet here. (8) ROCK N TONY draws
Post 8 off the qualifier - prefer to just watch for now.
RACE 6 - (4) BALDAQUIN arrives from PA showing a long streak of sharp efforts - Miller is very
familiar with him, and may be able to get him to the winner's circle in his first Yonkers try. (1) WARRIOR
ONE hasn't been close to his best form in some time - he figures to be a big player from this spot, but may
be a bit vulnerable at a short price. (3) HAT TRICK MARLEAU came up a little light at the end last week
after finally finding room at the cones - he drops a notch, draws inside, and figures to be right in the thick
of this. (5) CANTKEEPMIASECRET was no factor last week in her first try in this class but this feels like
a little better spot - she won three straight before that, and may be able to have a bigger say this week. (2) B
NICKING can be a little in and out, but throws big efforts when on his best game - he hasn't raced in a
month, and may be a little iffy for tonight. (8) PLUMB raced well to be 3rd last time but will be really hard
pressed to replicate that effort from Post 8 (with all the main players drawn inside). (7) THE LAST CHAPT
ER doesn't seem sharp enough right now to be a threat from out here. (6) VINNY DE VIE is well off form
at the moment - at least he'll start dropping in classes after tonight.
RACE 7 - (4) AMERICAN WIGGLE was making his first start off a long layoff last week, got stuck first
over and just wasn't up for that kind of effort - he should be tighter now, Stratton gives him another shot,
and maybe he can pull off the upset. (1) KEPT UNDER WRAPS has been racing well at Fhd, and should
fit with these in his YR return - should be an up close player from start to finish. (5) DAVIDS COMING
HOME finally put together a sharp try last week and may be able to build off that - any kind of contested
pace up front would help his chances considerably. (3) UPTOWN FUNK is hard to gauge - returned at a
highly reduced price (off a long layoff) and gave it a big try for 3rd - was just a "meh" 4th the next week
then really was lifeless in his next - he did rebound with a better effort for 3rd last week, and we'll see if he
can build off that with an even better try tonight. (6) HURRIKANEKINGJAMES landed on a picture
perfect trip for his new barn last week and was able to end a long local losing streak as a result - he may be
good enough to follow that up with another big effort tonight, but he moves outside and may not get nearly
as good a trip...tough call. (7) TWIN B SPEED DIAL is undeniably sharp (2 wins and 3 seconds from his
last 5 starts) but he had the pocket or top in each one of them - the move outside may result in a lot less
friendly trip....and that could hurt his chances significantly. (2) WINDSONG JACK was in a perfect spot
last week and blew right by a much easier field- we'll see if the class jump slows him down a bit. (8) LOVE
THE BLUES hooked wheels 2 back to 3/4s, then broke before the start (for a new barn) last week - draws
Post 8, Stratton opts off, and we'll just observe, for now.
RACE 8 - (2) MISSISSIPPI STORM has been very solid lately and was a close 2nd in his last Open --
making it tough to understand how HE got to draw for posts 1-3 -- the price will still be fair, and he's worth
a shot tonight. (4) STORMY KROMER remains the one to beat (especially after "winning" the 4-8 draw)
but even ignoring last week's impossible spot in the Miecuna Trot, he did get beat on the lead the week
before, after a non-effort the start before that - he MAY be a little vulnerable. (3) GREY has literally been a
new horse since moving to a barn notorious for improving horses in dramatic fashion - she takes a big step
up tonight, but just may be good enough right now to hold her own with these too (6) INCOMMUNICADO
gets a full pass for that Post 10 try in last week's Miecuna Trot, and he was a winner here the 2 starts prior
to that - the main knock here is the draw, so we'll see if Siegelman can find him manageable trip (1) BARN
HALL was well backed for his last and he didn't mind the aggressive handling, rattling off a sharp 1:54.3
score - the rail will help him deal with the class hike, and he may be able to stick around for a good piece
here. (5) NOWS THE MOMENT gets his regular Mass. pilot to come down tonight and the pair certainly
get along very well - he's missed 3 weeks, and also figures to have a hard time just waltzing to the lead
tonight - leaning towards others. (8) HL REVADON was able to grab a 4th from the rail moving up to this
top level last week but now gets stuck with Post 8 - may be a rough night. (7) TIMESTORM has gone a
few big miles lately, but somehow gets stuck drawing for the outside in his first crack at the Open and that
doesn't bode well for his chances tonight.
RACE 9 - (1) CASHNCAM's last 4 inside posts produced two wins, a 2nd and a 3rd - he cam eout on top
last week, and the rail draw gives him a shot to make it 2 in a row. (2) OHIO VINTAGE is enjoying his
time at this level, winning last week after a 2nd the week before - major player once more. (5) KIMANI N
doesn't win very often, but he's raced well in a lot of his starts this year (including last week) - may add
some value to the exotics. (6) FARMERS TAN easily blew by #2 two back but came up 2nd best last week
- still a threat, but will need some trip luck with tonight's outside draw. (3) P H KENNY is just 1 for 25 this
year but does fit well here - chance to land somewhere on the bottom of the ticket. (4) JESSICAS BEACH
BOY raced hard last week and only tired late - still prefer others, but may have a chance at 3rd/4th, (7)
BLUEBERRY HEAVEN is sometimes good for a late rally but may find himself too far back to do any
damage tonight. (8) SNAP CALL pops up with a good one now and then, but that seems unlikely from here.