RACE 1 - (2) IDEAL SON was hammered down to 2-1 from Post 8 debuting for the "Super Siblings" last
week but never made any moves, then never really had any room in the stretch - suppose it's a good sign
that he drops right back in the box, and it's probably a good idea to stick with him one more time. (1) BET
TOR CAT was well backed dropping into a bottom claimer last week but came up 2nd best after cutting the
mile - the winner came back to win again the next week, so that loss has an even "bigger" excuse now - on
the flip side, the recently uneatable barn has come back to earth lately...hard to love, but impossible to leave
out. (5) VILLAGE CHAMP was used early last week and he doesn't always appreciate that - he also drops
back down to 12.5s tonight, and that stamps him as a legitimate threat in here. (4) NIHILATED TRUTH
dropped down to the bottom last week and was an "ok" 4th - needs to be sharper tonight if he hopes to be a
more serious threat. (4) ER VEGAS disappointed last week and clearly wasn't on his best game - he's
capable of better, and can grab a piece here if he brings his best. (6) ARI ALLSTAR raced much better
from an impossible spot off the claim 2 back, but landed on a hopeless trip trying to be aggressive in his
last - a more patient steer may work better. (7) GYPSY LEATHER never looked good from the start last
week - moves to a new barn tonight, but prefer to just watch from Post 7. (8) THUNDER SOME WHERE
generally needs to draw inside to be any kind of player.
RACE 2 - Tough race: (7) ALLGONOWHOA goes for his FIFTH trainer in 5 weeks...and he's been
excellent for the other 4 - obviously not an ideal spot (bad post, up in class), but the price will be right and
that makes him worth serious consideration. (1) FAST ON THE DRAW came into his last with just 1 win
in his last 33 Yonkers starts but the public recognized the incredible success this barn has been having and
sent this guy off as the favorite....and he rewarded them with the aggressive victory - moves up a notch, but
has to be seen as a real threat again from the pole. (5) TEXAS TERROR N continues to enjoy his job, even
at age 13 - has shown that he can still hang with these and belongs in exotics (6) ROCK N BLUE weakened
a bit off the pocket trip in 20s and takes a meaningful drop back down to 15s (a level he beat 3 starts back) -
very legit player. (3) WILD WEST is having a bit of a form spree right now - would have loved to see him
in for $12.5K, but seems good enough at the moment for a piece at this level too. (2) AMERICAN SONIC
has taken 3 of his last 4 starts (2nd in the other) and it's hard to find fault with him - one of many solid
players in this very competitive field! (4) OFFICIAL DELIGHT won his first start of the year 2 back (in
start #25) but was unable to build off that, tiring last week after getting pressed - not sure what to expect
tonight. (8) THEREISAPACEFORUS often gets lost at the back when he draws outside like this.
RACE 3 - (2) NORTHERN SPORTSMAN drops back down to the level of the claim and he really wasn't
bad in those 2 starts against the 20s (excuses both times) - barn has been ultra-reliable all year, and this may
be a spot to grab another victory. (1) YS SUNSHINE had to back off to last at the start last week and was
no factor after that - moves all the way inside for his 2nd start off the claim and improvement is expected!
(4) MCNULTY Z TAM folded here on 8/13 after a busy try but has been sharp across the river since then -
could have a real say here in his current form. (6) ITSGOODTOBEAKING finally gets the drop he's been
begging for and he really wasn't bad last week - he'll be a nice price, and this may be a good week to use
him in exotics. (3) JUST WAVE GOODBYE had a good start last week but made an unexpected break in
the pocket (then was ok at the back after recovering) - willing to use on the bottom of exotics. (5) IN THE
HUDDLE is 0 for 13 here (last 3 years) but he may be winless here further back than that - he does grab
pieces, however, and it wouldn't be unreasonable to throw him in for 3rd. (8) RYCROFT N tired last week
after being used very hard much of the way - goes to a new barn, draws Post 8, and may need to wait for a
better spot before being worth considering. (7) MISTER HAT did upset the 12.5s here 3 back but is still
unproven at this higher level - would at least wait for a better draw before considering.
RACE 4 - (4) DISMISSAL SLIP may be worth a stab in this pretty wide open race - not only had Post 8
last week, but it's possible that he really just doesn't handle off tracks very well - prior form was sharp, and
he makes his first start tonight for a lesser known trainer who has actually been sending out very live horses
from limited stock - the price will be right. (3) I GET THAT finished with good pace 3 back, had no prayer
in a 1:51.4 mile in his next, then wasn't bad despite a tough trip in last - moves to a barn that seems to be
heating back up, and could be ready for a big effort here. (2) P H KENNY moves to a live barn, lands
inside, and an improved effort is expected....not thrilled about that 5/2 ML listing, however. (5) RANSOM
DEMAND has been holding his form well even at this higher level - absolutely has a chance to land
somewhere on the ticket. (6) FOLLOW YOUR HEART made a mega-blitz to the lead last week, looked
home free then weakened just enough at the end to allow the horse he PASSED for the lead to come back
and beat him - legit chance to rally for a good piece tonight IF the trip goes his way. (7) MAJOR BUCKS is
hard to fault in his current form but he draws poorly for his new connections and may have a tough time
working out a manageable trip tonight. (1) SPORTY DRAGON draws best returning from PA but just
seems a bit below some of the primary players. (8) ARCHANGEL THREE needs a much better spot.
RACE 5 - (4) SHOREVIEW rallied crisply for 3rd at this level 4 starts back - struggled just a bit in his
next pair at the $25K level but was solid again dropping back down in his last, chasing Masterson 2nd best
while easily besting the others - gets the edge tonight. (6) WESTERN REDHOT has been sharp for weeks,
for a few different barns - goes for new connections again tonight but Kakaley is very familiar with him,
and should be able to get him a trip that can put him right there at the wire. (3) BUSH MAN N seemed
ambitiously placed when bumped up to 20s two back but he just missed that night (cutting the mile), then
held very well for 4th last week after being stuck out into a hot 3rd panel - use in exotics. (1) TODDLER
TANTRUM definitely raced better last week and draws the pole tonight - not ready to use him on top
(especially at a short price), but he can definitely be included underneath. (5) WAVES OF FIRE A raced
well in both starts since the claim...but not sure it's the right move bumping him up to 20s - suppose we'll
find out tonight. (2) RUTHLESS DUDE grabbed a win 2 back when the leader (#3) tired late but he also
has a whole bunch of weak recent efforts to his credit - just hard to know which version we'll get tonight.
(7) TALK SHOW is struggling right now - pass from out here. (8) ASTON HILL DAVE will get a more
serious look when he moves back inside - passing for tonight.
RACE 6 - (2) IN SPADES was an ok 4th vs. 25s off the claim - dropped down to 20s last week and was a
solid 3rd, after being used hard early - feels like a good spot for him tonight. (6) INFORCE was a big "go"
off the claim 2 back but got parked the mile - raced conservatively in last and finished ok from an
impossible spot...maybe can add some value to the exotics? (8) PLAY THE FIELD just came up terrible
last week but he's back in quickly and we've seen him blast from these spots in the past - not a bad bomb to
at least consider underneath. (1) GOTHIC ROCK has some good recent tries, but vs. cheaper - maybe the
rail will be somewhat of an equalizer, and allow him to grab a share with these too (3) BEVANS CULLEN
N basically just towed along for a 3rd place finish last week - we'll see if he's a bit sharper in his 2nd start
off the claim. (7) BLACKTREE has been struggling lately but makes his first start tonight for a new (hot)
barn - wish he had drawn a little better, though. (5) RISKY MILLION has taken 2 in a row after losing his
first 26 starts of the year - moves up another notch, and may find these a little out of his price range. (4)
MACH TIME N picked up a 2nd two back but his overall form has been lacking - prefer others tonight.
RACE 7 - (1) MACHIAVELLI ran into a tough trip 2 starts back but other than that, has been very solid
since returning from the layoff - he'll get to call the shots from this spot, and the road to the winner's circle
runs through him. (3) RECORD MACHINE was pacing very well at the wire from a tough spot in last -
moves inside a bit for his 2nd start off the claim and can be an even bigger player here. (5) KINGSTONS
BAD BOY is sharp right now, wiring the 20s two back, then a solid 2nd (vs. 25s) in his last - can race from
on or off the pace, and should have a say in the outcome. (4) WESTERN HILL toughed out a game win last
time and even seems to have gotten over his extreme camera shyness lately - definitely a chance, but no
value at that 2-1 ML price. (2) CAVIART STETSON raced well for 3rd off the claim but was no good at all
in last - drops down to 25s, but his best game has been on the lead, and it seems unlikely that he'll be there
tonight - prefer others. (7) VENIER HANOVER beat the 15s and then the 20s after a private purchase -
steps up to 25s tonight for a new barn, draws outside, and may have a tough time getting in the race. (6)
OHIO VINTAGE has been struggling - waiting for better signs. (8) FOX VALLEY INFERNO seems a bit
cheap right now, and Post 8 isn't going to help his cause.
RACE 8 - (6) BOLT OF LUCK was claimed for $12.5K on 8/17 and went a BIG mile for his new barn,
just missing from Post 8 - was claimed again that night and bumped up to THIS level, where he was a close
2nd again....raced back in this class last week and lost by the narrowest of noses to #8 - time for him to
finally get his picture taken. (8) SAILBOAT HANOVER just missed at 33-1 three back, went a big 8 hole
try for 4th the week after then was able to just barely defeat #6 last time, picking up his first Hilltop win -
have to believe Brennan can improve at the start and put this guy in play again...and that gives him a
chance to repeat. (1) BOURBONS COURAGE rallied well from last to 4th last week (almost 3rd) and now
gets his first good post in ages - expect him to race well and be a legitimate player tonight. (2) FURIOUS
BEACH has raced well since being claimed in early August - unlucky trip in last, but can land somewhere
on the ticket tonight with a better journey. (4) KEYSTONE DASH beat this field 2 back but his overall YR
form has been "meh" - has a shot, but probably shouldn't be 5/2 on the ML. (5) MY WISH CAME TRUE
just gave way and stopped on the front end last week - good sign that he's right back in the box, but looks
for a more conservative steer tonight. (3) WELL DONE SON did trip out and win 2 back but reverted to his
lesser form in last - prefer others. (7) GONNAHAVEONEMORE seems too far out to threaten tonight.
RACE 9 - Very tough race - several possible winners: (6) TERRITORY has been razor sharp ever since
being claimed on 7/23...and that includes his last pair at this level - clearly loves the front end but he's
shown that he can race from OFF the pace too (which he may need to tonight) - should be a decent price in
this field packed with sharp horses. (3) TONY TOO TALL is on a good roll himself, and he's another that
can handle any trip that comes his way - leaves a very sharp barn, but his new connections know how to
find the winner's circle too! (2) CHANGE STRIDE N has been sharp for seemingly forever, and does well
in almost every barn - very dangerous with the move back inside. (1) TOWNLINE ALL GOOD struggled
for weeks after being claimed for $50K on 7/26 but seems to be coming back around again - hard to say if
he's ready to tackle expensive claimers right now, but we'll find out tonight. (7) REAL LUCKY N has been
a player almost every week, for months - brutal spot tonight, but he can show up late IF the pace gets hot
and heavy up front. (5) MARTY MONKHOUSER has taken 3 straight and we're rating several others
ahead of him...and that tells you how tough this field is! (4) HUNDIE N is a hard knocker himself, but may
need to be in a little easier for a chance at the top prize. (8) PICARD A draws Post 8 after having to
re-qualify - good week to just sit back, and observe.
RACE 10 - Tough finale on what has been a very tough card! (1) MOHAWK WARRIOR seems to sense
when he's a "winnable" spot and tends to come alive in a big way - Holland hops off #2 to drive this guy, so
maybe HE thinks this is one of those spots. (4) PATRIOT NATION has never been a favorite of ours but he
seems a little better lately and his barn has been showing some good signs recently - could be a player
tonight. (5) YANKEE OSBORNE has a pair of recent 3rds, sandwiched around a pair of races where he got
away last, and had no chance - legitimate chance in here. (7) ALEPPO HANOVER is just 1 for 49 over the
last 2 years but his barn is on a scary roll right now - good bomb to include underneath. (3) SKIP TO MY
LOU just hasn't clicked yet in his new barn, despite adding Lasix and getting class drops - moves down
another notch tonight...maybe he can perk up a bit more? (2) LUCIANO N was sharp for a few months, but
is finally showing some wear and tear from those hard miles - leaning towards others. (8) KEPT UNDER
WRAPS A was our selection last week - he went off at 15-1 and MIGHT have been able to win had he not
been hopelessly blocked in the stretch - would love to try him back, but this really does seem like an
impossible spot. (6) STEUBEN GLADIATOR seems overmatched in his YR debut.