RACE 1 - Good opener! (1) KEYSTONE STEAM rallied nicely for 3rd in his local debut then just missed
in his last, digging in determinedly through the lane after appearing to have stalled on the final bend - a
good trip would make him tough from this spot but since he hasn't shown to be all that "handy" so far, it's a
little iffy as to what journey he'll end up with. (4) ROCK N TONY drew a pair of outside posts after the
claim and basically just conceded at the start - finally in a position to be handled more aggressively, and
we'll see if that makes him a serious threat tonight. (5) CLASSIC PRO was dull off the claim last week but
that was when his barn was mired in a 2 week slump - the normally hot outfit has since come back to life,
and that could mean a much bigger effort from this guy, as well. (3) RECORD YEAR had been struggling
for several starts but worked out a beautiful trip last week and scored the 20-1 upset - a similar effort puts
him right back in the hunt tonight. (6) TIME OUT IM TIRED is another that delivered a form reversing
victory last week after being off form for some time - moves up and draws outside, so that may hamper him
tonight. (7) PROVOCATIVEPRINCEN gave it a go last week but was brutally parked - only chance is if he
leaves and hits the top...but he may be gun shy after what happened last week. (2) MACHIAVELLI picked
up a nice 3rd for his new connections last week but despite being good right now, his only WIN this season
came vs. the 20s - still have to lean towards others. (8) MARINER SEELSTER actually had a good trip last
week (despite it looking "tough" in the program) and would have jogged had he really been sharp - draws
Post 8 now, and will need to be better to have any chance from out here.
RACE 2 - Another tough race: (5) TIN ROOF RAIDER's overall recent form is solid, and he can be a
major threat here....as long as Miller recognizes the need to at least try to leave the gate here -- decent value
play in a field where the favorites seem at least a bit vulnerable. (6) PERFECTLY CLOSE drops back down
to the level of his last win and will surely appreciate the class relief - another live player, at a good price.
(4) OSTRO HANOVER is now 1 for 23 on the year and it's hard to just say he's "in a slump" at this point -
definitely a chance he could trip out and beat these, but he'll probably be overbet in this spot. (1)
QUAGMIRE BLUE CHIP really blossomed here earlier this year, climbing through the "NW PM" classes
and even becoming an Open performer - his recent Stga. form is solid, but he's not the handiest horse on the
planet and will be handled by a very young pilot (who at least knows him very well from all his recent
starts) - can't discount his chances, but he'll likely be overbet while facing an uncertain trip. (2) MOHAWK
WARRIOR grabs his wins every year but usually vs. easier - may find a few of these a little too tough. (3)
BLOOD BROTHER has been doing very nice work out of town...but vs. cheaper -- not sure the 9YO is still
up to winning here against this type. (8) OUR MAX PHACTOR N actually fits well with these but faces an
uphill battle from all the way out here - maybe a check of the tote board would help? (7) NVESTMENT
BLUECHIP draws poorly while struggling at the moment - at least class drops are on the horizon.
RACE 3 - (6) AMERICAN BOY N has won 2 of his last 3 with an 8 hole (no chance) sandwiched in
between - he actually drops in class off a win, but the stacked barn just seems to be finding spots to get all
their horses raced these days...willing to stay on board, as long as the price is fair. (1) ENVIRONS HANO
VER was stuck sitting last from Post 8 in his last start here, but did finish ok - will get a chance to be much
more aggressive from the pole tonight, and just may be sharp enough to pull it off. (2) AWESOMENESS
kept digging hard last week despite a tough trip, and was a solid 3rd the start before that - chance to beat
these with the right trip. (3) BELTANE A has been right in the hunt for weeks, even after moving up to this
level - he's also just 1 for 24 on the year, so perhaps using him underneath is the best idea, (4) MARTY
MONKHOUSER A pretty much stole one last week, hitting an easy top despite Post 6 and having things all
his own way through modest fractions - it's possible he could repeat, but his trip is likely to be a lot harder
tonight. (7) AMERICAN WIGGLE took advantage of an inside trip to grab 3rd at this level last week -
would like his chances a lot more here had he not drawn so far outside. (5) ALOTBETTOR N was able to
just hang on last week after getting to call the shots (from the rail) against the 30s - will need to be a lot
better to step up and beat these. (8) GIVENUPDREAMING draws Post 8 while extremely camera shy -
wait for a better spot before considering.
RACE 4 - (4) MAJOR CROCKER A was racing well for a long time but couldn't find the winner's circle -
finally broke through on 9/15 and has now taken 3 of his last 4, with a neck loss in the other - has earned
top billing for his new connections. (5) GHOST DANCE has been sharp every week in 30s and now bumps
up to 40s for a new barn...may be sharp enough to hang with these too, especially with a live trip. (3) TRE
ASURE MACH has come up short at the end after aggressive tries from the pole in his last 2 - might end
up doing better tonight if allowed to relax early, and rally at the end. (2) REAL LUCKY N has been a solid
performer in this class for weeks, but has no recent victories to show for it - maybe the move inside will
land him a winning trip? (1) TOWNLINE ALL GOOD was a fine 2nd two back but is still a bit iffy at this
level - he'll have every chance to prove tonight that he belongs with the rail draw. (7) VELOCITY KOMO
DO is definitely feeling good these days but will need all kinds of hot pace up front to make his late rally
work from all the way out here. (6) OZONE BLUE CHIP has a few good starts at this level but probably
needs a much better post to be a serious threat against these. (8) VENIER HANOVER drops down one
notch but may need to drop one more (and draw a better post) to go back to being a player.
RACE 5 - Very tough race: (3) BARBADOS has been rock solid for week, thriving for several barns - he's
always strong at the end of every mile, and is a threat any time he's close enough turning for home - if the
pace is contested, his chances go way up. (5) SOHO LEVIATHAN A looked done to the top of the lane last
week but kept on digging to still be a close 3rd - another that's been sharp for a long time, and tonight's
class drop makes him all the more dangerous. (4) BLACK CHEVRON N had some issue here on 9/28 but
has otherwise looked very good lately since the barn change - legitimate threat. (2) ELWELL exits the barn
he's been in for a long time and we'll see how that works out for tonight - new trainer has been known to
wake one up the first in the barn...could happen for this guy too. (7) PRO BEACH has looked good in all 3
local starts - goes for another new barn tonight, but the big concern in the outside draw - will need some
trip luck to get in the hunt from out here. (1) HEISMAN PLAYER ships down off a win in Canada and has
enjoyed success here in the past - may find himself in a little bit tough for his local return, however.(6)
TOPVILLE OLYMPIAN is being mentioned down near the bottom of the field but it's certainly not
because he hasn't been sharp enough...it's just the outside draw that may compromise his chances a bit. (8)
OUR CORELLI N is in his best local form all year but was unable to get involved from Post7 last week,
and faces the same roadblocks tonight.
RACE 6 - (3) TELLITSABB overcame a terrible trip to still be a close 3rd last week and his overall recent
form has been sharp as well - solid chance here with a better journey. (1) AINTNOBETTOR A ended up
blocked through the stretch in his last TWO starts, after picking up 2 wins and a 2nd in his prior 3 outings -
major threat from the pole for a barn that's been hitting at an unfathomable 44% rate! (6) ROBBIE BURNS
A has an outstanding 8-4-2-1 record since arriving at YR - if he can hit the top without being used too hard
his chances of being 1st/2nd go way up (but there may be some speed to his inside tonight - we shall see).
(2) MARK WITHA K is more comfortable with a bit cheaper but a conservative trip from this spot may
allow him to pick up a small piece of this. (7) FLYING FINN N drops down one notch but gets no luck
with the draw - figures to be coming from too far back to do any real damage here. (8) SNOWBALLS
ROMEO has really sharpened since here last in Sept. but figures to have trouble overcoming Post 8 - may
need to wait for a kinder spot. (4) IM SOME GRADUATE continues to struggle against these most weeks -
would be a bit of a surprise. (5) FOREVER FAV will get back on our radar screen when he drops a bit in
class - seems better suited to the 50s (or maybe even a bit less than that).
RACE 7 - (5) LEONIDAS A went a mile here on 10/4 that was simply beyond scary...and probably the
ONLY trip that could have gotten him beat that night was the one he got -- was prepared to declare him a
cinch in his next start but he was entered (and subsequently scratched sick at Lexington), so that creates an
element of doubt for tonight (HOW sick was he, did he actually ship to Lexington and back, etc.) - still the
selection, but without the extreme confidence we had before. (4) FUNATTHEBEACH N has developed
into a legitimate Open player for hid formidable connections, and gets a beautiful draw for tonight - has a
legitimate chance to pull off the mild upset with the right trip. (3) DRAGON SAID threw an unexpected
clunker here on 9/20 (his first ever for this barn) - his last start (off 3 weeks) should serve as an excellent
tightener for tonight, and he can be a major threat if back on his top game. (7) NANDOLO N benefited
from a dream trip in that last win but that doesn't change the fact that he's been very sharp for a long time -
tough task starting from Post 7 tonight, however. (8) TATTOO ARTIST is having a solid 4YO campaign
after earning over $500K as a 3YO - makes his YR debut tonight and it's hard to say why he was forced to
draw for the outside against some strong foes - may be able to pull it off, but he doesn't figure to be offering
any value from this spot. (1) MICKY GEE N has been just "ok" at this top level and seems to need to be in
a little easier at this point in his career. (6) BELMONT MAJOR N looked like he'd be a live player in his
last but was scratched that night, and now drops in the box for a new trainer that's been struggling this year
- prefer to just watch, for now. (2) SHADOW CAT tailed off for a while but has been on a nice roll for the
past couple of months and has earned his way back up to the top level - may be a notch below these, though.
RACE 8 - (3) FRANCO TOTEM N held off a sharp Splash Brother to win 2 back, then was 2nd best to the
sharp winner last week in a paceless, 4 horse race...we'll give him the edge in tonight's competitive $100K
claimer. (5) TALBOTCREEKWHISKEY has raced well here all year, finishing 1st/2nd in half of his 20
starts - he beat this class 2 back (after just missing the start before that), and has to be seen as a legitimate
threat. (2) WESTERN FAME is still trying to find his best game since returning from the layoff - will have
a chance tonight IF he can perk up a bit more. (1) LISBURN has put together a very nice season after
starting the year facing much softer - he's shown enough against these types to have a chance in here if the
top ones falter a bit. (7) LYONS KING beat these as the favorite 3 back but had no real late pop in his next,
then trailed all the way (4 horse field) in his last - will need to show up a lot sharper to win from out here.
(4) SILAS SEELSTER has been landing on some tough trips and still grabbing good pieces but he'll be
facing tougher here, and he's just 1 for 26 on the year - small piece only. (6) TIGER BARON has been
away for 3 weeks (after a pair of scratches) and draws outside - maybe can rally for a minor piece? (8)
SOHO LENNON A scored a nice pocket win last week but moves up in class while also drawing Post 8 -
and that's not usually a recipe for success.
RACE 9 - Good race: (7) ROCKAPELO started to come out of his funk a few starts back, culminating in
last week's solid pocket score - he's a streaky sort, so he may be worth sticking with despite the outside
draw (the flip side is that at least the price will be much better from out here). (2) SUGARTOWN was a
sharp front end winner on 10/4, and he's won 3 of 7 starts here this year - can be right there tonight if he
lands on the right trip. (5) RAUKAPUKA RULER N disappointed on the lead as the odds on choice 2 back
but raced pretty well (for 4th) when hard used in last - he can be a little in and out but on his best, can beat
these (just don't take a short price). (4) PEACE OUT POSSE seems a bit off form right now but as noted,
the whole barn struggled for the first couple of weeks in October - eligible to get a wake up call tonight,
and that would put him into the mix. (6) THE REAL ONE is good right now, but likely will be coming
from pretty far back - would need things to fall apart up front for a shot at the top slot. (1) IDEAL JIMMY
hasn't raced in 3 months, and figures to be a little short, even off the solid qualifier - prefer to just watch for
now. (3) CAN B PERFECT is a solid weekly performer but generally does his best work with a bit easier -
wouldn't be a shock, but still leaning to others. (8) GUMPTION pulled off a 29-1 upset 2 back and is pretty
good right now...hard to see him reaching from out here, though.
RACE 10 - (2) IDEAL STAR N went a BIG effort after missing over 4 months, moving very early to rush
up from 5th to 1st, then pacing a blazing middle half before finally weakening a bit in the stretch to come
up 2nd best -- if he's even sharper in his 2nd try off the layoff, he'll be a tough customer tonight...especially
if he can relax a bit more early on. (1) ALWAYS AND AGAIN was an excellent 3rd here on 9/13 off his
own 4 month hiatus - not quite as sharp when 3rd here on 9/27, but threw a good one at Chester last week,
and he'll be a major threat here if he shows up on his best game. (4) BLANK STARE made a nice rush to
the lead last week only to get nipped late by a much harder used rival - really should have been able to hang
on for the win, but he still raced very well and deserves respect tonight. (3) AIR FORCE HANOVER was
hammered at the windows when he went right to the top from Post 8 to beat softer 2 back - stepped up and
wired a NW10000 field in his next, and now steps up seeking his 3rd straight - won't be easy against these,
especially after being away for 3 weeks. (6) VIRGIN STORM has been much better in his last 3 starts -
lands in a tough spot tonight, but a smaller piece may still be in reach. (5) LEVINE was well backed in his
last (2nd off the freshening) but was no factor at all - inclined to wait to see a better effort from him before
hopping back on his team. (8) BOMBSHELL HANOVER has out of town lines that suggest he fits here,
but faces an uphill climb to get involved from Post 8. (7) JUST PLAIN LOCO was sharp for several
months but does seem to have tailed recently.
RACE 11 - (1) FUNKNWAFFLES has been on quite a form spree lately, seemingly turning back the clock
to his younger days - can pretty much pick out whatever trip he wants here, and looms a very dangerous
player from this spot. (4) BEE TWO BEE has been super since the barn change 4 starts back, and that last
win here was a real eye-catcher - moves up in class, but his current form suggests he can handle it - another
very live player! (2) THE WILD CARD seems a notch below the top two right now but the good draw
should leave him with a good trip...and a good chance to grab a nice piece of this. (6) ARTIES IDEAL was
able to overcome a tough trip last week to just explode past the leaders in the lane to score the victory (after
being hopelessly trapped inside the week before) - faces tougher now and draws outside, so we'll see if he's
sharp enough to overcome this difficult assignment. (3) DANCIN DRAGON has been doing good work
any time he's drawn inside lately - ok for a small piece tonight. (5) PAT STANLEY N gets some class relief
but may not get the trip he needs to use his late rally - willing to use for 3rd here. (8) SHOOBEE DOO A
beat the Open 3 back but seems to have tailed since then, and the class drop will probably be negated by
Post 8 - keep an eye for future consideration. (7) KERFORD ROAD A needs both a better post and easier
class to go back to being a main player.
RACE 12 - Tough finale: (1) AVATAR J was a solid 2nd (to the drop down winner) upon arrival from up
North - didn't fire in his next, but may have disliked the off going - one of several with a chance to take this
(3) FIZZING N went a strong effort last time only to get nipped late (by #7) - legitimate chance to make
amends tonight. (5) BETTOR AT HIGHTIDE gets a nice class drop but really hasn't been doing much of
anything lately - could go either way here. (8) MISTER DONALD A takes another drop but lands all the
way outside while being away for 23 days - if the tote board suggests he's "live", you may want to include
him on your tickets. (4) ALEPPO HANOVER is just 1 for 51 over the past 2 years, despite racing for a
solid barn - underneath only! (6) DINA BOLT N likely needs to be in a bit easier for a chance at the top
prize, but may not be a bad bomb to include for 3rd/4th. (7) MINNIE VINNIE shipped in sharp from Iowa
and was able to reel in #3 last week to score the victory - may have a harder time working out a trip from
Post 7, however. (2) EPIC ACE has been away for a month - we'll just watch, for now.