Meadows
RACE 3
1 Dial Tone is 0 for 16 with 5 3rd place finishes. Last time, in his return race at 3 from a winter layup, he went off 133-1, went evenly, never threatened and finished 7th. He shows a 57 mile last year with these when he got 3rd money, so there is some hope for him here in this short and pretty soft field. Some, but not much. He has to do a lot more.
2 Undercover Speed by Stay Hungry, made 4 starts at 2, went pretty fast relative to this bunch but was an also ran. Last year he went off at long odds in each start, but he returned last week at 5-2, likely based on the quick final time of his qualifier and with some of those fast miles from last year on the page. The theory of improving a second or two off the qualifying time did not hold this time, although he didn't race bad. He drew the rail, which is not a good starting spot for most at the Meadows, left evenly, sat out of it, and then closed a bit of ground on a sloppy track. His breeding suggests he is a bit of a non-trier, so possibly they will have to drive him harder and motivate him here. Merriman returns and he is the likely favorite here.
3 Cady Hill by Bulldog Hanover out an Art Major mare, he didn't see the track at 2 and now has had 2 qualifiers to prepare for this debut. He has shown little at all in those two qualifiers to suggest he is ready to rock at first asking, and Simpson is the patient type who plays the long game. He will have to be seen. Bulldogs seem to have gait and breaking issues.
4 Captain Abraham by Captain Trevor, raced 16 times at 2, mostly at the fairs where he took his 2.05 record. Otherwise he is 1 for 25 life and does not have a win at the pari mutuel tracks. He has, however, paced in 56 this winter at the Meadows and shows two 3rds and a 2nd during that time. He is a good leaver and that will help his cause in this suspect field of non performers and green starters. His last two have been on sloppy tracks and perhaps he doesnt care for those. He has a decent shot if the 2 horse reverts to his non trying ways.
5 All in Green is a 5yo fts by Always B Miki. He is a gelding, and will start his career with lasix. He does show a break in his first qualifier, and a fast mile--relative to these, in his last mile, although he tagged along way back of the winner, so those sometimes fool you. He could be anything, and he can be nothing. The jury is out. He qualified only on lasix in the last qualifier, so maybe that has really helped get him over the hump. If so, he is capable, on paper, of beating these.
6 Jp is a 3yo homebred by Captain Crunch, making his 2nd life start after not starting at 2. He was slightly better in the race than the qualifier, so he could go forward. And he would have to to take all these down. Like many of these, he is possible when nobody really wows you or inspires confidence.
RACE 5
1 Alfredo Hanover is a 4yo Stay Hungry gelding who has raced 27 times, and 18 of those came at 2, mostly at the fair at that stage. He won twice at 2 and made about 17k doing that but the going got tougher as he aged and was aimed at big track horses. He ships in from Northfield and now he has to produce more speed, which he doesnt show as of yet. He did draw the trailer in his last 2 and they were sloppy tracks. That is something to consider but he drew better 3 back on a fast track, left out against maidens and faded the farther he went. He looks like a bit player.
2 Big Montana is an 8yo Art Major gelding but he will still race against maidens here. He won once, at 3 and then vanished for many years. He did win then in 57.4 at this track, and since his resurrection he shows slow starts and mild recoveries to get cheques. Based on his breeding and his long layoff history, he will have to be seen. He has a minor shot but it's very minor. Others look better currently.
3 Sweet Dancer is a 3yo Sweet Lou who has won this class once, but still fits on the earnings condition. After that one win in January, he seemed to go backwards and has remained in reverse. Last time he raced in the snow, so he can have somewhat of a pass for getting beat 20 lengths then. That was a month ago, and the qualifier 4 days before that on a fast track was no better. He is hard to like on current form and not even current form as he has missed time off a bad effort. He, like many of these, will have to be seen.
4 Quill Gordon the 8-5 ML favorite by Stay Hungry won 5 times at 2 and made almost 29k, but that was at the fairs. As he was Massachesutts eligible as well, he tried the 45k stake there, made a break leaving and finished 4th placed 5th. Off that try he was 8th by 24 lengths at Pocono in the PA fair final and shut down. He returned last week at 4-5, went down the road but was outsprinted by a nose at the wire in a good effort. Indof sticks with him, and he drives them very hard. He still lacks a big track win and the question is will those hard driving races start to wear him down, as it seemed to at 2? I want to see him parade for wear and tear.
5 Alwaysinafrenzy G a 3yo by Always B Miki, he fits this race on the earning condition as he has a win already, which he took last year at Dover and then raced in the nw2 there where he held his own but didn't threaten the winners of those races. Last week he was right there at the wire with Quill Gordon and the winner of that race, who is not back in here. He seems a fairly steady 56 and change, 57 pacer at this stage, and that should play here. He is probably better value than the 4 horse if he goes off 9-5 and that one goes off 3-5.
6 Dancin Commander is a 4yo Captain Crunch gelding who is 0 for 22 lifetime with 7 thirds. He has had a lot of chances and looks to be about 2 or 3 steps behind the legit contenders in here.
7 Dry Ridge Eddie is a 5yo If I Can Dream gelding, who did not race at 4 and didn't do much at 3, when he was stopped with after finishing 7th in a straight maiden at 100-1. He is 2 for 46 lifetime and made okay money at 2, but seems to have fallen off the cliff since that season. He hasn't been competitive with these in 3 tries since he is on the comeback trail. Pass.
1 Alfredo Hanover is a 4yo Stay Hungry gelding who has raced 27 times, and 18 of those came at 2, mostly at the fair at that stage. He won twice at 2 and made about 17k doing that but the going got tougher as he aged and was aimed at big track horses. He ships in from Northfield and now he has to produce more speed, which he doesnt show as of yet. He did draw the trailer in his last 2 and they were sloppy tracks. That is something to consider but he drew better 3 back on a fast track, left out against maidens and faded the farther he went. He looks like a bit player.
2 Big Montana is an 8yo Art Major gelding but he will still race against maidens here. He won once, at 3 and then vanished for many years. He did win then in 57.4 at this track, and since his resurrection he shows slow starts and mild recoveries to get cheques. Based on his breeding and his long layoff history, he will have to be seen. He has a minor shot but it's very minor. Others look better currently.
3 Sweet Dancer is a 3yo Sweet Lou who has won this class once, but still fits on the earnings condition. After that one win in January, he seemed to go backwards and has remained in reverse. Last time he raced in the snow, so he can have somewhat of a pass for getting beat 20 lengths then. That was a month ago, and the qualifier 4 days before that on a fast track was no better. He is hard to like on current form and not even current form as he has missed time off a bad effort. He, like many of these, will have to be seen.
4 Quill Gordon the 8-5 ML favorite by Stay Hungry won 5 times at 2 and made almost 29k, but that was at the fairs. As he was Massachesutts eligible as well, he tried the 45k stake there, made a break leaving and finished 4th placed 5th. Off that try he was 8th by 24 lengths at Pocono in the PA fair final and shut down. He returned last week at 4-5, went down the road but was outsprinted by a nose at the wire in a good effort. Indof sticks with him, and he drives them very hard. He still lacks a big track win and the question is will those hard driving races start to wear him down, as it seemed to at 2? I want to see him parade for wear and tear.
5 Alwaysinafrenzy G a 3yo by Always B Miki, he fits this race on the earning condition as he has a win already, which he took last year at Dover and then raced in the nw2 there where he held his own but didn't threaten the winners of those races. Last week he was right there at the wire with Quill Gordon and the winner of that race, who is not back in here. He seems a fairly steady 56 and change, 57 pacer at this stage, and that should play here. He is probably better value than the 4 horse if he goes off 9-5 and that one goes off 3-5.
6 Dancin Commander is a 4yo Captain Crunch gelding who is 0 for 22 lifetime with 7 thirds. He has had a lot of chances and looks to be about 2 or 3 steps behind the legit contenders in here.
7 Dry Ridge Eddie is a 5yo If I Can Dream gelding, who did not race at 4 and didn't do much at 3, when he was stopped with after finishing 7th in a straight maiden at 100-1. He is 2 for 46 lifetime and made okay money at 2, but seems to have fallen off the cliff since that season. He hasn't been competitive with these in 3 tries since he is on the comeback trail. Pass.
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Northfield
RACE 2
1 Inspiring Moment a 4yo Swan For All mare who has made 10 starts this season, all at Miami Valley, the last 5 at the nw2 level, which seems a bit over her head, although she has picked up some small cheques. She raced okay at this level last fall, even winning once at Northfield and getting 2nd twice. While this is a nw1 condition, there is also a nw2 with a claiming tag condition, and she fits that, along with most of the field. So, she doesnt gain a true edge there. She is a decent but not great leaver, so the rail helps here if she can hold her ground, a few run or are held together into that turn, and then she finds a soft trip in 2nd or 3rd and takes her shot late. That is a lot to count on, but it's out there as a possibility.
2 Donywhy is a fast and willing leaver who can do some damage with a good post, steady gait and one that corners the turns well. He is one of a few in here who meets the straight maiden condition, but he also shows slightly better form than many in here. As a 25-1 ML longshot, he has some upside value based on what he can do. He doesn't finish great though, so he will need some trip luck and mistakes by others to be viable. That is not out of the question.
3 Woodside Geico shows up pretty much every week at Northfield and gives you an honest effort. In his 10 starts so far this season, he has 1 win, 2 seconds and 1 third and has made the most money in 2026 of any in this field. He shows trotting his own mile in 2.01 and change finishing 2nd in a straight maiden, and that would likely be good enough with these. Last time with these he drew the trailer, which forced him to sit and follow, then briefly pull out first over, only to pass one and drop back in, then make a bid but be out trotted by the top 2 and just miss passing the other for the show dough. He trotted around 2.01.4 which seems his comfort zone. If he can leave get out better this time, he has a shot with these.
4 Poor Pop Wyatt is the ML 2-1 top choice, based on that he was nosed out at the wire in this class last time, and he came in to that race highly rated as he went off 3-5 in only his 2nd start of the season. He raced mainly last season at Dayton, but now has shifted to Northfield, and that was his 2nd try recently at this track, where he had Noble, which likely drove the price down, and now picks up Lems, who is also very good. He certainly looks like a top contender and the one they have to take down. You are looking at 3-5 again, perhaps a shade lower, if you back him this time. I have to see him. That is a short price to take on a claiming condition trotter at Northfield.
5 Deadly Sting has raced in this class in his last 6 straight, and he has been right there competing and earning every week. Last time he was a solid 2nd to a 1-9 winner and he trotted his own mile in 2.00 and change, parked the entire mile. He did leave from the far outside, and was looking to tuck in 4th, but that hole was closed so he grinded on forward. He seems very much like a one speed grinder, but that speed is a bit faster than some of these. From a better post, he might get a slightly more favorable trip, and that could make the difference here.
6 Finalist is a 5yo Swan For All gelding who grinds out a meager living picking up scraps in this type of class. He left well last time but was well back of many he meets again here as he faded back in the stretch. With a negative post switch, I cannot see him making the ticket as he likely looks for a small chunk taking advantage of whoever doesn't race well or runs.
7 Brindlys Luck is a 4yo Lucky Chucky mare who ships in from Hoosier on 6 days rest off a 5th place finish in a straight maiden there. She did trot in 59.1 and was closing, just to miss 4th, so she has some upside. Can she handle the small track here? She is hard to like in this spot shipping, drawing outside and facing winners. I will watch to see if she stacks up for another day.
8 Sweet Emily T was 20-1 on the ML last time but went off at 5-1, in her 2nd try at Northfield, sat well back early then drove up and picked off Poor Pop Wyatt on the line. She had recently changed barns to high percentage trainer Vernon Beachy, and that seems to have picked her up. Can she do it again, this time from the 8 hole? I have my doubts. This is not as soft a field as you usually find in this class. Being that she is by Six Pack, I have noted they have a habit of showing up some weeks, then not others.
1 Inspiring Moment a 4yo Swan For All mare who has made 10 starts this season, all at Miami Valley, the last 5 at the nw2 level, which seems a bit over her head, although she has picked up some small cheques. She raced okay at this level last fall, even winning once at Northfield and getting 2nd twice. While this is a nw1 condition, there is also a nw2 with a claiming tag condition, and she fits that, along with most of the field. So, she doesnt gain a true edge there. She is a decent but not great leaver, so the rail helps here if she can hold her ground, a few run or are held together into that turn, and then she finds a soft trip in 2nd or 3rd and takes her shot late. That is a lot to count on, but it's out there as a possibility.
2 Donywhy is a fast and willing leaver who can do some damage with a good post, steady gait and one that corners the turns well. He is one of a few in here who meets the straight maiden condition, but he also shows slightly better form than many in here. As a 25-1 ML longshot, he has some upside value based on what he can do. He doesn't finish great though, so he will need some trip luck and mistakes by others to be viable. That is not out of the question.
3 Woodside Geico shows up pretty much every week at Northfield and gives you an honest effort. In his 10 starts so far this season, he has 1 win, 2 seconds and 1 third and has made the most money in 2026 of any in this field. He shows trotting his own mile in 2.01 and change finishing 2nd in a straight maiden, and that would likely be good enough with these. Last time with these he drew the trailer, which forced him to sit and follow, then briefly pull out first over, only to pass one and drop back in, then make a bid but be out trotted by the top 2 and just miss passing the other for the show dough. He trotted around 2.01.4 which seems his comfort zone. If he can leave get out better this time, he has a shot with these.
4 Poor Pop Wyatt is the ML 2-1 top choice, based on that he was nosed out at the wire in this class last time, and he came in to that race highly rated as he went off 3-5 in only his 2nd start of the season. He raced mainly last season at Dayton, but now has shifted to Northfield, and that was his 2nd try recently at this track, where he had Noble, which likely drove the price down, and now picks up Lems, who is also very good. He certainly looks like a top contender and the one they have to take down. You are looking at 3-5 again, perhaps a shade lower, if you back him this time. I have to see him. That is a short price to take on a claiming condition trotter at Northfield.
5 Deadly Sting has raced in this class in his last 6 straight, and he has been right there competing and earning every week. Last time he was a solid 2nd to a 1-9 winner and he trotted his own mile in 2.00 and change, parked the entire mile. He did leave from the far outside, and was looking to tuck in 4th, but that hole was closed so he grinded on forward. He seems very much like a one speed grinder, but that speed is a bit faster than some of these. From a better post, he might get a slightly more favorable trip, and that could make the difference here.
6 Finalist is a 5yo Swan For All gelding who grinds out a meager living picking up scraps in this type of class. He left well last time but was well back of many he meets again here as he faded back in the stretch. With a negative post switch, I cannot see him making the ticket as he likely looks for a small chunk taking advantage of whoever doesn't race well or runs.
7 Brindlys Luck is a 4yo Lucky Chucky mare who ships in from Hoosier on 6 days rest off a 5th place finish in a straight maiden there. She did trot in 59.1 and was closing, just to miss 4th, so she has some upside. Can she handle the small track here? She is hard to like in this spot shipping, drawing outside and facing winners. I will watch to see if she stacks up for another day.
8 Sweet Emily T was 20-1 on the ML last time but went off at 5-1, in her 2nd try at Northfield, sat well back early then drove up and picked off Poor Pop Wyatt on the line. She had recently changed barns to high percentage trainer Vernon Beachy, and that seems to have picked her up. Can she do it again, this time from the 8 hole? I have my doubts. This is not as soft a field as you usually find in this class. Being that she is by Six Pack, I have noted they have a habit of showing up some weeks, then not others.
RACE 3
1 Paragon Magicway , the 9-5 ML favorite draws the rail here after finishing 5th last week in this class. In that race, he left only okay from the 2 hole, beat out of there by the rail horse who was 50-1 and was already done well before the half, passing that one, then landing back 3rd, but not really going forward. The fractions were hot, but because of that they walked home, and that did not do anything for this guy to gain on anybody. Simply put, he won the previous two starts, one in a straight maiden, the other in a conditioned claimer, but had to rise up sharply last time and looked overmatched on simple speed by the contenders. He avoids some of those here, but others seem up to speed and he doesnt. Bad favorite if he goes off the favorite.
2 Dony`s Muscle Man has not been competitive in this class for weeks and he is 25-1 ML for a reason. 80-1 seems more likely and he is worthy of that. He needs to find softer competition, wherever that is.
3 Troten Away comes off 3 consecutive starts in this class where he has drawn the 6 hole, picking up 4th money last time, well ahead of the rail horse in this race who is a lower ML, and 2nd 3 back at 43-1. He draws much better here, but still, he needs to do a lot more to be a win candidate. It's Northfield, so these types do step up, but others look more enticing.
4 Thom Cruise a 5yo Tom Ridge mare seems way out of her league with this bunch. She was 5th last time in the bottom class yet chooses to rise back to this much tougher class where she has been whipped a few times. She is another that should find another track where she is more viable. Something like Monticello or Cumbarland.
5 Jesmach Allmyheart a 5yo Indiana bred gelding by You Know You Do has 8 starts under his belt this year with 2 third place finishes to show for it. Those two came in his last 2 races and in this class. So, he has good recency form. He had recently dropped in class from those levels and that seems to have woken him up or made him more competitive. However, he drew the rail last time, was 3-5, sat out of it then was poised to move 3 deep, did that, took over the lead, then started to wilt and was easily passed by two others in the lane, with a 3rd one also getting to him but not passing him. He looks like the type that doesnt want to work for it. The rail horse looks like a bad ML, so this guy is probably the fave this time, more likely 6-5 this time, and that looks like bad value to me.
6 Cherry`s Prise 4yo Enterprise gelding, has not made the top 5 in his last 3 starts, two at this level and both from bad posts like this one. I can't see any reversal for this likely 100-1 shot. Hard pass.
7 Super Mind is the only 3yo in this field, by Creatine, and owned by The Stable. This gelding chased the big boys last year, stayed on the edges, but wasn't embarrassed. This is his first start back, so I suspect there is no rush as he is hopefully being prepped for another stakes season. He has the 7 hole, but that being said, this isn't the most dangerous bunch relative to one like him. The main issue is intent here.
8 Al Be Seeing You is a 4yo by Uncle Peter, and he shows 2 thirds in this class in his last two, but now draws the 8 hole, so the price will surely float up. I dont know about the win, but he has a legit shot at 3rd money for a decent return. The win is not out of the question, as the two logical favorites both have questions in my mind.
1 Paragon Magicway , the 9-5 ML favorite draws the rail here after finishing 5th last week in this class. In that race, he left only okay from the 2 hole, beat out of there by the rail horse who was 50-1 and was already done well before the half, passing that one, then landing back 3rd, but not really going forward. The fractions were hot, but because of that they walked home, and that did not do anything for this guy to gain on anybody. Simply put, he won the previous two starts, one in a straight maiden, the other in a conditioned claimer, but had to rise up sharply last time and looked overmatched on simple speed by the contenders. He avoids some of those here, but others seem up to speed and he doesnt. Bad favorite if he goes off the favorite.
2 Dony`s Muscle Man has not been competitive in this class for weeks and he is 25-1 ML for a reason. 80-1 seems more likely and he is worthy of that. He needs to find softer competition, wherever that is.
3 Troten Away comes off 3 consecutive starts in this class where he has drawn the 6 hole, picking up 4th money last time, well ahead of the rail horse in this race who is a lower ML, and 2nd 3 back at 43-1. He draws much better here, but still, he needs to do a lot more to be a win candidate. It's Northfield, so these types do step up, but others look more enticing.
4 Thom Cruise a 5yo Tom Ridge mare seems way out of her league with this bunch. She was 5th last time in the bottom class yet chooses to rise back to this much tougher class where she has been whipped a few times. She is another that should find another track where she is more viable. Something like Monticello or Cumbarland.
5 Jesmach Allmyheart a 5yo Indiana bred gelding by You Know You Do has 8 starts under his belt this year with 2 third place finishes to show for it. Those two came in his last 2 races and in this class. So, he has good recency form. He had recently dropped in class from those levels and that seems to have woken him up or made him more competitive. However, he drew the rail last time, was 3-5, sat out of it then was poised to move 3 deep, did that, took over the lead, then started to wilt and was easily passed by two others in the lane, with a 3rd one also getting to him but not passing him. He looks like the type that doesnt want to work for it. The rail horse looks like a bad ML, so this guy is probably the fave this time, more likely 6-5 this time, and that looks like bad value to me.
6 Cherry`s Prise 4yo Enterprise gelding, has not made the top 5 in his last 3 starts, two at this level and both from bad posts like this one. I can't see any reversal for this likely 100-1 shot. Hard pass.
7 Super Mind is the only 3yo in this field, by Creatine, and owned by The Stable. This gelding chased the big boys last year, stayed on the edges, but wasn't embarrassed. This is his first start back, so I suspect there is no rush as he is hopefully being prepped for another stakes season. He has the 7 hole, but that being said, this isn't the most dangerous bunch relative to one like him. The main issue is intent here.
8 Al Be Seeing You is a 4yo by Uncle Peter, and he shows 2 thirds in this class in his last two, but now draws the 8 hole, so the price will surely float up. I dont know about the win, but he has a legit shot at 3rd money for a decent return. The win is not out of the question, as the two logical favorites both have questions in my mind.
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