3 -- Trot, purse $17,000 5 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER, NW 1
6 Southwind Caspian
4 Houston Seelster
5 Fishermans Blues
3 The Time Machine
Some stakes worthy types and a bunch of others hanging off the edges, any of which could step up and steal this if things go wrong for the well meant ones. Post Parade is key.
1 Dr Hawkins shows nothing to suggest he isn't the longshot in this field just hoping to trot a flat mile in 59, which would still leave him off the ticket.
2 Overend the only 4yo in the field, he just doesn't look like he belongs with this class of horse. Last time he was never close or making any move to try and challenge these. He will have to show me he can compete or go back to the B tracks. Might be an okay Grand River type down the road.
3 The Time Machine showed flashes last year that he will be an okay racehorse if he doesn't end up being a Sire Stakes type. He has some overall speed and he stays trotting. He has qualified twice for his return and seems ready to trot in 57 and change.
4 Houston Seelster is now 0 for 14 although he continues to lower his overall time, which is a good sign. In defense of his form, he has drawn two 10 holes and an 8, and last time a rail. He is another who could benefit if the two logical ones don't perform, and with this post, and his continuing speed improvement he might fall into a 56 and change mile just moving with the pack.
5 Fishermans Blues has good early speed and seems steady to date. If the big boys don't show up or make a mistake, he could be in position to take a nice win at an elevated price. My biggest issue with him is that so far he either loses ground in the stretch or only keeps even with the pack. Doesn't mean he can't step up or not have to do more than that, but if anything wants it more than him, they likely outgame him.
6 Southwind Caspian tried some tough customers at 2, making the final of the Wellwood and then getting 3rd money in the final. He was okay as well in the Champlain and then shut down. He showed fast speed relative to most of these last year and qualified okay enough to suggest if he is raced hard he is the logical winner. Clearly he is only a maiden because of who he chased last year. With his big bankroll now, better to get that win before he heads back to the stakes trail.
7 Delon a homebred who didn't start at two. His dam was talented, but could be a hothead at times, so I guess they have taken the patient approach. J Mac gets the assignment after the prepper driver handled the qualifiers. I guess that means he is ready to drive on. We shall see. I will have to make a call from the post parade.
8 The Governor has returned to the races without much luck, drawing the 8 again, after he had 10 last time and 8 before that. As he continues to prep for the Sire Stakes, likely the Grassroots, he is learning and building some speed. Doesn't look like a win candidate with this bunch though.
9 Southwind Capone draws poorly again and has been on the fringes lately. Unless he wows me in the post parade, he is a watch for now. His time will come.
Recap.
Fishermans Blues is an odd gaited horse parading. Delon is a good mover and fairly well behaved parading and warming up. Has a nice large reach and stride when he extends. The Time Machine seems overeager a touch in the post parade and going to the gate. He might get better with that as he races more. Southwind Capone was right up on the gate and leaving out from the 9 hole but didnt have enough speed to go forward and gathered back. He came to a walk near the back of the field. Houston Seelster paraded okay, maybe a touch sore behind, but was okay until he pulled first up. He looked wonky behind and short strided up front and then jumped it off coming off the last turn. Southwind Caspian cut the mile with reasonable fractions and went a long way but was no match for Delon when he moved and swamped the field. Fishermans Blues left out, had the lead then gave that up to Southwind Caspian, followed him to mid stretch but had no answers when the pace picked up and missed the ticket. He looks to be one who is better off at Grand River or Georgian. Dr Hawkins is a nice enough horse, and will improve, but he is better off at the B tracks where everything is slower. On the head on he is prone to running in, although that could be to greeness.
5 -- Trot, purse $17,000 FILLIES & MARES, 5 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER, NW 1
7 -- Trot, purse $17,000 FILLIES & MARES, 5 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER, NW 1
1 Enigma Bovino made the trainer switch last time to noted trotting specialist Ben B and seems to be better. He had her sire so he knows a few things about the breed, and perhaps he can tinker with her. She draws the rail again but started well with it last time and has two seconds on the bottom of the page in this class. She has longshot appeal but she seems risky.
2 Banks A Million is 0 for 14 now but has banked 18k. She shows flashes of ability and was a decent 3rd in 57.4 last time. She is a bit goofy in the post parade, but she races when the trotting starts. For a price, she is usable but the mounting winless streak is concerning.
3 White Ignite is a homebred that Etsell is playing around with. So far, she only shows breaks and slow miles. Currently she is a project horse and I can't see her until she shows something positive.
4 Abbys Medal made 8 starts at 2, never hit the ticket and made a lot of breaks. She doesn't look much better now off two qualifiers, but Zeron is a tricky bastard and so she has to be seen. He has turned ones like this before.
5 Royal Moon is already a 2 time winner, with the last coming at Flamboro in 2 minutes and she now ships here to try her luck against maidens before that ship sails. Last fall before being shut down she could only trot in 2 minutes, and that is the question. Is she the type that trots as fast at Flamboro as she does at the big track? Or is she older, more mature and faster now? We shall see. She likely brings a price to find that out.
6 P L Sapphire raced 9 times at 2 and made the board 5 times without winning, thus she still gets to return with straight maidens, which she is clearly faster than at this point. A duplication of her last qualifier should handle this bunch, but based on her breeding, I want to pay close attention to her parade and general manner. She has a speed and experience edge on most of these.
7 Green Mans Joy drew the 10 hole last time and parked the mile, but to her credit she hung in for 4th. Before that, she had post 7, as she does today, and was a solid 2nd in 57.3, which would certainly play with this bunch. On paper she looks very contentious, but two things.First, she is a 12 time maiden now, and secondly, she made breaks last year before shut down, and a tough trip like last time can show after effects. She will have to be seen parading AND scoring down.
8 Mikes Tony isn't worth even bothering with any analysis. She makes breaks, she is slow and she has a bad post. Nuff said.
9 Long Legs was a big ticket yearling, considering who her sire is, made one start at two and was shut down, now has made 5 starts at 3 and broke in three of those. She has very good residual breeding value, and that's good because based on her racing to date, she doesn't show any signs of them recouping that with purse money. Post 9 here I would think the goal is to get around clean and beat 2 minutes. She hasn't trotted a first quarter in under 31 on the page. That alone is troublesome.
10 Hadley raced 3 times at 2 but never showed she was ready to show speed and was shut down in August. She got around okay but did nothing special in the qualifier and now draws post 10. Hard to see where she doesn't do anything but go to the back and brush late to get more fitness and experience.
8 -- Trot, purse $17,000 5 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER, NW 1
1 Poppin Bottles a 170k yearling for team Stacey that so far has been a bust. He made 4 starts at 2 but showed little relative to what they thought they purchased. Off 2 mediocre qualifiers he returns here, keeps McClure, and adds lasix but has to leave from the rail. He is the wild card here. The key question here is what kind of slack you would give him if he wasn't bred like he was and with such a big ticket and high hopes? Maybe he is just not much stock. Maybe he goes on to be a stakes horse. Right now he is just a non performer that they are taking wild stabs with to see if they can find a key.
2 Happy Angel tried a few starts at 2 and was okay but seemingly needing to find his way. Upon return in April he has either started slowly or made a break and taken himself out of it. At the end of the day, 58.3 is still 58.3 and only one other has even touched 57 and change here. So, if he stays together, and can hit 58 flat, he is possible, like many in here.
3 P L Srirachaa made one start in December and drew the 10 hole, and did nothing. Since returning, he has made 4 starts, and while he continues to start slow, he stays trotting and has raced himself into decent shape, slightly lowering his overall time. That reduced his odds last time from 62-1 to 7-1, but he didn't race good enough, as young trotters are prone to do. He loses McClure to the rail horse but picks up Scott Young who has gotten him around once this year. He needs to start better, but he shows some signs of putting it together. He will have to be seen parading. He is by Trixton.
4 Blue Heron was a 100k yearling, raced 3 times last year at 2 while making 2 breaks and being shut down just after Labor Day. Upon return he seems to have matured and kept it together, while showing the type of speed that beats these most nights. Last time he was second in 57.1, his own time, to a potential bearcat in the making. He didn't look great parading, but he didn't look awful either. He will have to be seen to assess where he is at after making one race start this season. Some go forward, many start to regress. Slow starts have been an issue for him and if he does that again, he risks getting in traffic trouble or zig zagging around breakers. I wouldn't take a very short price here.
5 Stormont Calculus wired at Flamboro in 2.06 and change and to date, that is his only win in 27 starts at 4 and 5 plus whatever he did as a colt. He had post 3 last time and was more than 100-1 and predictably could not keep up. He is bred to be good, but I see no evidence that his DNA got that message.
6 Seasonal made 3 starts at 2 where he was never really viable. He was shut down in late July and now returns in late spring off 2 qualifiers where they were very careful with him, only brushing late. To his credit he closed in 27.3 last time, although he walked all the way until he did that. How much late speed does he have if he has to keep up at race speed? His breeding suggests he has plenty. Is tonight the night he shows that? I don't know that, but I know that he could. Upset potential. Take note that he wore the trotting hopples last year but has not used them in the two qualifiers and will race without them tonight.
7 The Bear A Cuda is now 0 for 13 lifetime and coming off two consecutive breaks and requalified. He was second in two Grassroots last year, trotting in 57.4 over this track. That would probably get the job done here if he can keep his act together and others can't. J Mac got him around in the qualifier and has done so twice on the page. He did trot a back half in 57.1 in that test. He has upset potential if he can keep it together.
8 Soul Stealer made 7 starts at 2 where he was just okay. In his return race at 3 he sat out of it, as is his habit to date, and made limited gains late. Now he draws the 8 hole and looks to be hunting a cheque at this point.
10 -- Trot, purse $18,000 FILLIES & MARES NW 2 RACES OR $30,000
1 Zette Athena trotted a reasonably fast mile at 2 to earn 4th money but otherwise wasn't much at 2. Like some, she has wintered well and come back a different proposition. She basically wired in 58 at Rideau upon return at nw3 then smoked nw1 at this track in 56 with McClure, who stays aboard when he had other options. Obviously she was highly thought of last year as she tried both the Pure Ivory and the Peaceful Way. On paper, even though she rises a class, she is the one to beat and will likely be 3-5.
3 Lily Lace was a decent, steady trotter last year at 2, staying trotting in all 5 of her starts, trotting in 57.3 to break her maiden and being reasonable in her Sire Stakes tries while being somewhat overmatched. She returns here off a decent qualifier and picks up Travis Henry as McClure sticks with the likely chalk. She has upset potential here.
4 International Love beat maidens on April 3rd at 4-5 but since has not gone forward, not improving her time and actually making a break late last time. She puts the trotting hopples back on here but loses her regular driver Roy to his preferred stable choice. I cant see her with these currently. She looks the type that might head to Kawartha when they open.
5 Kankoon a filly by Trixton, out of the good mare that her connections have done well with, they paid 80k for her and so far, she has not been good enough. She did win easily twice at Flamboro and now ships back here while skipping over the maiden class. She has not shown much speed yet, not relative the most of these and is hard to back off that. She must be seen parading, but she looks tough to back until she can take her time down.
6 Th Monica was solid last year, as many from her sires first crop were, as she won in 57.3 and banked 57k while finishing 2nd in a Gold leg. She made the superfinal, but was a massive longshot, went right to the back and was far from any contention or even 5th money. She is another that so far has not shown she can improve on her 57 speed, thus she will be in tough with these if that continues. I would think she is prepping for the Sire Stakes and they want to see if she is worthy of going into the Golds or Grassroots. So far, she looks more dangerous as a Grassroots. Time will tell. McClure picked another over her. Off the qualifier, we will have to see what she has to offer.
7 Beersnsunshine Deo was a 12k yearling purchase who banked 68k last year, so they are already ahead of the game. She has had 2 starts back now off the winter rest and both have not been good enough to contend late. She trots consistently now in 56, but the winners are going 55 and likely to start edging towards 54. She could be one of those that doesn't improve as she ages, and maybe she is better on a half mile, as she was at Freehold. She is 3-1 ML, and I wouldn't care for that price, but I suspect she will be much longer. She is one to watch, but she will have to do more.
8 Royal Sauce has had 3 starts back now and has had trouble getting close. She has had relatively poor posts so far, with two rails and an 8 hole, and gets the 8 again here unless she has a scratch inside of her. To her credit she has trotted in 56 so far, finishing in 27.2 to get 4th money. She has potential but the post is still an issue here. McNair chose her over her stablemate.
9 Stovid returns from the winter layoff with 2 qualifiers both about the same other than she left better and was up closer in the second one. She draws the outside here and seems to have 57 or 58 speed currently, which isn't good enough to take down these. Watch for later.
3 Ys Queen Beth
5 Shesamanalishi
7 Resolved
4 Marie H
Fairly wide open bunch, with the post parade a key factor. Definitely a race where I would not play the favorite.
1 Dont Chang My Naam qualified ok but she shows a lot of breaks and her trainer has a very poor win record. I would think she is just trying to get around clean tonight and then make her way back to the B's to take a couple of win scores if she can keep trotting. One to watch for that, but pass for tonight.
2 Angelic has returned from the winter to keep doing what she does. Grind out cheques but not win. She seems stuck somewhere between 57 and change and 58 and change, but she can't seem to get over the hump. Like others in here, she has a shot, but she looks like the shortest price choice and that I would not take on her.
4 Marie H was raced hard at two and is now 0 for 16 lifetime. Nevertheless, she is almost at 30k lifetime and her overall speed plays with these, which is a clear step down to easier company than she has been facing lately. She had the 8 hole last time, gunned out, but then faded back and did not impress. Back to the middle, with these, and her experience and overall speed, she has a shot.
5 Shesamanalishi has been brought along gradually, as you would expect from an old school type like MacArthur. She has now been 2nd and 3rd in her last two from inside posts, and moves to the middle of the gate where she might get away a shade closer. That makes her a strong contender here coupled with her good overall speed.
6 Delphi Hanover made 4 starts at 2 and made breaks in 3 of those. She has come back more steady in two qualifiers at a training track in the States and now starts here off of that. It has been a month since that last one, so I presume a schooler up here has been deployed. She will still need to show much more speed, but based on her breeding, that might be there.
7 Resolved showed enough talent at 2 to be respected in a field like this. She drew the 9 hole last time and got the start you would expect from that, gradually working her way through the field to show enough to suggest she will go faster here and gain a better start from post 7. J Mac stays on and she has a shot if she can improve back towards the speed she showed last year. In her qualifier, she closed in 27.3. That might be an indication of what is under the hood.
8 Supergirl Molly made the gold superfinal last year, and that is not nothing, but ended her campaign with two breaks and distanced. She has come back with two qualifiers and kept it together, trotting in overall time that would make her a player with these. She will have to be seen. She trotted in 57.1 in the Champlain last year to get 5th money. That kind of effort beats most if not all of these.
9 Hobnob Hanover is 0 for 30 and counting for trainer Hudon, who seems to have many that fit that profile. Like many of those, they do earn a bit, and this one already has 26k made. As for a win candidate on this night, I see no chance.
10 Angel Mistress didn't make the races at 2 and so far in 2 starts at 3 has not impressed. With this post and her current form she will have to be watched for signs of improvement. Etsell hands the lines over Mario tonight, so I suppose that is something.
1 Dont Chang My Naam qualified ok but she shows a lot of breaks and her trainer has a very poor win record. I would think she is just trying to get around clean tonight and then make her way back to the B's to take a couple of win scores if she can keep trotting. One to watch for that, but pass for tonight.
2 Angelic has returned from the winter to keep doing what she does. Grind out cheques but not win. She seems stuck somewhere between 57 and change and 58 and change, but she can't seem to get over the hump. Like others in here, she has a shot, but she looks like the shortest price choice and that I would not take on her.
3 Ys Queen Beth seemed to be fast enough at 2, and if she had stuck to maidens likely wouldn't still be one now. But she didn't. Based on her return qualifier and any slight improvement, she has a big shot, like others in here.
4 Marie H was raced hard at two and is now 0 for 16 lifetime. Nevertheless, she is almost at 30k lifetime and her overall speed plays with these, which is a clear step down to easier company than she has been facing lately. She had the 8 hole last time, gunned out, but then faded back and did not impress. Back to the middle, with these, and her experience and overall speed, she has a shot.
5 Shesamanalishi has been brought along gradually, as you would expect from an old school type like MacArthur. She has now been 2nd and 3rd in her last two from inside posts, and moves to the middle of the gate where she might get away a shade closer. That makes her a strong contender here coupled with her good overall speed.
6 Delphi Hanover made 4 starts at 2 and made breaks in 3 of those. She has come back more steady in two qualifiers at a training track in the States and now starts here off of that. It has been a month since that last one, so I presume a schooler up here has been deployed. She will still need to show much more speed, but based on her breeding, that might be there.
7 Resolved showed enough talent at 2 to be respected in a field like this. She drew the 9 hole last time and got the start you would expect from that, gradually working her way through the field to show enough to suggest she will go faster here and gain a better start from post 7. J Mac stays on and she has a shot if she can improve back towards the speed she showed last year. In her qualifier, she closed in 27.3. That might be an indication of what is under the hood.
8 Supergirl Molly made the gold superfinal last year, and that is not nothing, but ended her campaign with two breaks and distanced. She has come back with two qualifiers and kept it together, trotting in overall time that would make her a player with these. She will have to be seen. She trotted in 57.1 in the Champlain last year to get 5th money. That kind of effort beats most if not all of these.
9 Hobnob Hanover is 0 for 30 and counting for trainer Hudon, who seems to have many that fit that profile. Like many of those, they do earn a bit, and this one already has 26k made. As for a win candidate on this night, I see no chance.
10 Angel Mistress didn't make the races at 2 and so far in 2 starts at 3 has not impressed. With this post and her current form she will have to be watched for signs of improvement. Etsell hands the lines over Mario tonight, so I suppose that is something.
Recap.
YS Queen Beth looked like a million bucks parading and was the winner in the end. Shesamanalishi does nothing wrong, parades okay, has a nice smooth gait, but seems like maybe she just isn't that much stock. Angel Mistress is a big leggy mare. Delphi Hanover is very green but looks racy. Very much a son of Greenshoe. He blew up going to the gate and was never close to making it. Supergirl Molly was in position to make a move but seemed to interfere and took off running. Angel Mistress blasted off from the 10 hole and made an easy lead, let two other contenders go, and came back on for a pretty good 4th. Marie H looked good parading. Nice solid mare with a solid gait. Left hard, let another go once she cleared, followed pocket to mid stretch but couldnt go on with better ones. She has upside to build off that. Resolved ducked early to 8th, had a long way to come as the pace picked up but still closed well with the pack to the wire. She might have sneaky good form for a price next time. Angelic led much of the way and had every chance to close it out but didn't again.
7 -- Trot, purse $17,000 FILLIES & MARES, 5 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER, NW 1
7 Green Mans Joy
6 P L Sapphire
1 Enigma Bovino
5 Royal Moon
Like the favorites off the program, and how they paraded. Pass on the win. Longshots didn't thrill me enough to take a shot with them.
1 Enigma Bovino made the trainer switch last time to noted trotting specialist Ben B and seems to be better. He had her sire so he knows a few things about the breed, and perhaps he can tinker with her. She draws the rail again but started well with it last time and has two seconds on the bottom of the page in this class. She has longshot appeal but she seems risky.
2 Banks A Million is 0 for 14 now but has banked 18k. She shows flashes of ability and was a decent 3rd in 57.4 last time. She is a bit goofy in the post parade, but she races when the trotting starts. For a price, she is usable but the mounting winless streak is concerning.
3 White Ignite is a homebred that Etsell is playing around with. So far, she only shows breaks and slow miles. Currently she is a project horse and I can't see her until she shows something positive.
4 Abbys Medal made 8 starts at 2, never hit the ticket and made a lot of breaks. She doesn't look much better now off two qualifiers, but Zeron is a tricky bastard and so she has to be seen. He has turned ones like this before.
5 Royal Moon is already a 2 time winner, with the last coming at Flamboro in 2 minutes and she now ships here to try her luck against maidens before that ship sails. Last fall before being shut down she could only trot in 2 minutes, and that is the question. Is she the type that trots as fast at Flamboro as she does at the big track? Or is she older, more mature and faster now? We shall see. She likely brings a price to find that out.
6 P L Sapphire raced 9 times at 2 and made the board 5 times without winning, thus she still gets to return with straight maidens, which she is clearly faster than at this point. A duplication of her last qualifier should handle this bunch, but based on her breeding, I want to pay close attention to her parade and general manner. She has a speed and experience edge on most of these.
7 Green Mans Joy drew the 10 hole last time and parked the mile, but to her credit she hung in for 4th. Before that, she had post 7, as she does today, and was a solid 2nd in 57.3, which would certainly play with this bunch. On paper she looks very contentious, but two things.First, she is a 12 time maiden now, and secondly, she made breaks last year before shut down, and a tough trip like last time can show after effects. She will have to be seen parading AND scoring down.
8 Mikes Tony isn't worth even bothering with any analysis. She makes breaks, she is slow and she has a bad post. Nuff said.
9 Long Legs was a big ticket yearling, considering who her sire is, made one start at two and was shut down, now has made 5 starts at 3 and broke in three of those. She has very good residual breeding value, and that's good because based on her racing to date, she doesn't show any signs of them recouping that with purse money. Post 9 here I would think the goal is to get around clean and beat 2 minutes. She hasn't trotted a first quarter in under 31 on the page. That alone is troublesome.
10 Hadley raced 3 times at 2 but never showed she was ready to show speed and was shut down in August. She got around okay but did nothing special in the qualifier and now draws post 10. Hard to see where she doesn't do anything but go to the back and brush late to get more fitness and experience.
Recap.
White Ignite a bit hitchy parading. Royal Moon looked like a player parading. P L Sapphire is a big strong, solid good gaited mare parading, but she does show a bit of the attitude you would expect from her breeding. Hadley is an odd put together mare, much higher in front than behind and that shows in how she travels. Mikes Tony was late parading and was pacing the first few steps. Abbys Medal doesnt make a good impression warming up before she goes to the gate. A few steps after the gate sped away Enigma Bovino was odd gaited and looked like one who would make a break and then did after the quarter. Green Mans Joy attempted to take them all the way, with P L Sapphire on her tail as the only two ever in contention. P L Sapphire got the better of her down the lane but both raced well. McClure was careful to keep the winner off the helmet of the leader and that kept her from getting rammy. Im not sold that in tight quarters she wont be handful and make a mistake. Royal Moon was clearly 3rd but was closing fast and just found two tough ones for now. She appears to fit at this level and track. Banks A Million was an okay 4th but no threat to the top 3. Mikes Tony trotted a mile in about 58 flat, which is a big improvement for her. And she looked live like she could go more.
8 -- Trot, purse $17,000 5 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER, NW 1
7 The Bear A Cuda
2 Happy Angel
6 Seasonal
4 Blue Heron
Win lose or draw, the only thing I know for sure about this bunch is that whomever is the favorite is bad value, and secondly, I am not sure who that might be. I suspect Poppin Bottles, but even that is up in the air. Just have to see them.
1 Poppin Bottles a 170k yearling for team Stacey that so far has been a bust. He made 4 starts at 2 but showed little relative to what they thought they purchased. Off 2 mediocre qualifiers he returns here, keeps McClure, and adds lasix but has to leave from the rail. He is the wild card here. The key question here is what kind of slack you would give him if he wasn't bred like he was and with such a big ticket and high hopes? Maybe he is just not much stock. Maybe he goes on to be a stakes horse. Right now he is just a non performer that they are taking wild stabs with to see if they can find a key.
2 Happy Angel tried a few starts at 2 and was okay but seemingly needing to find his way. Upon return in April he has either started slowly or made a break and taken himself out of it. At the end of the day, 58.3 is still 58.3 and only one other has even touched 57 and change here. So, if he stays together, and can hit 58 flat, he is possible, like many in here.
3 P L Srirachaa made one start in December and drew the 10 hole, and did nothing. Since returning, he has made 4 starts, and while he continues to start slow, he stays trotting and has raced himself into decent shape, slightly lowering his overall time. That reduced his odds last time from 62-1 to 7-1, but he didn't race good enough, as young trotters are prone to do. He loses McClure to the rail horse but picks up Scott Young who has gotten him around once this year. He needs to start better, but he shows some signs of putting it together. He will have to be seen parading. He is by Trixton.
4 Blue Heron was a 100k yearling, raced 3 times last year at 2 while making 2 breaks and being shut down just after Labor Day. Upon return he seems to have matured and kept it together, while showing the type of speed that beats these most nights. Last time he was second in 57.1, his own time, to a potential bearcat in the making. He didn't look great parading, but he didn't look awful either. He will have to be seen to assess where he is at after making one race start this season. Some go forward, many start to regress. Slow starts have been an issue for him and if he does that again, he risks getting in traffic trouble or zig zagging around breakers. I wouldn't take a very short price here.
5 Stormont Calculus wired at Flamboro in 2.06 and change and to date, that is his only win in 27 starts at 4 and 5 plus whatever he did as a colt. He had post 3 last time and was more than 100-1 and predictably could not keep up. He is bred to be good, but I see no evidence that his DNA got that message.
6 Seasonal made 3 starts at 2 where he was never really viable. He was shut down in late July and now returns in late spring off 2 qualifiers where they were very careful with him, only brushing late. To his credit he closed in 27.3 last time, although he walked all the way until he did that. How much late speed does he have if he has to keep up at race speed? His breeding suggests he has plenty. Is tonight the night he shows that? I don't know that, but I know that he could. Upset potential. Take note that he wore the trotting hopples last year but has not used them in the two qualifiers and will race without them tonight.
7 The Bear A Cuda is now 0 for 13 lifetime and coming off two consecutive breaks and requalified. He was second in two Grassroots last year, trotting in 57.4 over this track. That would probably get the job done here if he can keep his act together and others can't. J Mac got him around in the qualifier and has done so twice on the page. He did trot a back half in 57.1 in that test. He has upset potential if he can keep it together.
8 Soul Stealer made 7 starts at 2 where he was just okay. In his return race at 3 he sat out of it, as is his habit to date, and made limited gains late. Now he draws the 8 hole and looks to be hunting a cheque at this point.
Recap.
Poppin Bottles has a very tight Martingale and he needs it as he continually tosses his head. Happy Angel has a bit of a fumbly gait parading. Blue Heron again didnt look good parading behind. Horrible favorite who ran when the gate sped away. Seasonal looks to have some upside, which his breeding would suggest, and a very powerful hind end, but he is very green at this stage and travels narrow behind, so it might take a while to see results with him. The Bear A Cuda was pointed to the lead and just kept going, opening up a big lead and winning well within himself. Poppin Bottles travels like the good horse he was bred to be. If he could settle down and stop lifting his head he could develop going forward. He was so eager that he knocked himself off stride trying to get in gear too fast. Happy Angel doesn't do it pretty but he was a solid 2nd here.
10 -- Trot, purse $18,000 FILLIES & MARES NW 2 RACES OR $30,000
3 Lily Lace
6 Th Monica
2 Wells Fargo
8 Royal Sauce
It all hinges on Zette Athena and whether she keeps the ball rolling. If she does, they are racing for 2nd. But, she is a 3yo trotting filly with little experience. She will have to be seen.
1 Zette Athena trotted a reasonably fast mile at 2 to earn 4th money but otherwise wasn't much at 2. Like some, she has wintered well and come back a different proposition. She basically wired in 58 at Rideau upon return at nw3 then smoked nw1 at this track in 56 with McClure, who stays aboard when he had other options. Obviously she was highly thought of last year as she tried both the Pure Ivory and the Peaceful Way. On paper, even though she rises a class, she is the one to beat and will likely be 3-5.
2 Wells Fargo a 150k yearling who clearly is not panning out. She has major upside as a broodmare prospect, so I suppose they are hoping she takes a fast record on a good night and earns a bit of the purchase price back so they don't lose their shirts. For now, she does show some speed and did win at 2. She started this season with two 8 holes but draws the 2 here, which might help her cause as she left well last year from the inside. As longer shots go, she is possible if others have issues.
3 Lily Lace was a decent, steady trotter last year at 2, staying trotting in all 5 of her starts, trotting in 57.3 to break her maiden and being reasonable in her Sire Stakes tries while being somewhat overmatched. She returns here off a decent qualifier and picks up Travis Henry as McClure sticks with the likely chalk. She has upset potential here.
4 International Love beat maidens on April 3rd at 4-5 but since has not gone forward, not improving her time and actually making a break late last time. She puts the trotting hopples back on here but loses her regular driver Roy to his preferred stable choice. I cant see her with these currently. She looks the type that might head to Kawartha when they open.
5 Kankoon a filly by Trixton, out of the good mare that her connections have done well with, they paid 80k for her and so far, she has not been good enough. She did win easily twice at Flamboro and now ships back here while skipping over the maiden class. She has not shown much speed yet, not relative the most of these and is hard to back off that. She must be seen parading, but she looks tough to back until she can take her time down.
6 Th Monica was solid last year, as many from her sires first crop were, as she won in 57.3 and banked 57k while finishing 2nd in a Gold leg. She made the superfinal, but was a massive longshot, went right to the back and was far from any contention or even 5th money. She is another that so far has not shown she can improve on her 57 speed, thus she will be in tough with these if that continues. I would think she is prepping for the Sire Stakes and they want to see if she is worthy of going into the Golds or Grassroots. So far, she looks more dangerous as a Grassroots. Time will tell. McClure picked another over her. Off the qualifier, we will have to see what she has to offer.
7 Beersnsunshine Deo was a 12k yearling purchase who banked 68k last year, so they are already ahead of the game. She has had 2 starts back now off the winter rest and both have not been good enough to contend late. She trots consistently now in 56, but the winners are going 55 and likely to start edging towards 54. She could be one of those that doesn't improve as she ages, and maybe she is better on a half mile, as she was at Freehold. She is 3-1 ML, and I wouldn't care for that price, but I suspect she will be much longer. She is one to watch, but she will have to do more.
8 Royal Sauce has had 3 starts back now and has had trouble getting close. She has had relatively poor posts so far, with two rails and an 8 hole, and gets the 8 again here unless she has a scratch inside of her. To her credit she has trotted in 56 so far, finishing in 27.2 to get 4th money. She has potential but the post is still an issue here. McNair chose her over her stablemate.
9 Stovid returns from the winter layoff with 2 qualifiers both about the same other than she left better and was up closer in the second one. She draws the outside here and seems to have 57 or 58 speed currently, which isn't good enough to take down these. Watch for later.
Recap.
Lilly Lace paraded like she might be prone to pace. T H Monica comes out parading sore. Zette Athena was a hard puller and bad actor parading. In the end, she was just too much for this bunch. Wells Fargo got jammed up a bit on the rail mid race, came up the inside to go forward, look like she might get 2nd money but two others passed her late. A good showing for her as she improves a bit.
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