RACE 1
8-Bank Sea – 1:51.1 performer here last year stormed home from post eight to score fresh off the injury scratch, closer benefits from the speed in here & looms as a threat to repeat off that needed start
3-Battle Strong – Obviously wasn’t himself when he faded last week, just missed to Dull Roar before that, claimed by our Trainer of the Week & draws better in a very competitive opener
7-Dull Roar – 11YO enjoying a big turnaround season, stole a :57 half unpressured & went all the way last week, tougher post, but two-for-two off the latest claim
RACE 2
4-Steuben Hanover – With the Mohawk shutdown 2019 Hambo winning combo invade The Big M, 5YO son of Trixton been off three weeks, yet lands in a soft spot off a narrow loss in his recent comeback
7-Chiplosive – Stronger half of the Team Cullipher duo in here gets some needed class relief, stone closer’s last win came at this level from the same post
1-Nothing But Muscle – Was stymied by a pedestrian :58.1 half while parked uncovered in his return to The Big M, finally draws inside & in line to stalk the pace
RACE 3
6-Stone Hanover – Thundered home in :26.1 and :25.4 from impossible spots in two acclimating trips, gets a hefty dose of class relief, owns speed & all that might be enough
7-Quality Bud – Came right back to repeat as the heavy favorite with a quality drive by Mark MacDonald, sharp horse-for-the-course can handle the class hike & tougher post
3-Pokerface Bluechip – Has cycled forward & came up aces again with another narrow loss to Quality Bud off the latest claim, bumped up a notch, yet draws inside again
RACE 4
6-Reign Of Honor – Dominated in an eye-catching 1:52.1 in his 5YO debut before the early miscue as the heavy favorite last week, logically dangerous if he can rebound for Team Melander
1-Chin Chin Hall – Stakes quality Nifty Norman trainee only made five starts in 2020 & been off a long time, yet did qualify okay against Manchego & lands the rail
7-Double Account – Made a rare miscue at the start of last week’s Preferred, caught fire with controlling speed before that & could bounce back for Team Cullipher
RACE 5
8-Whole Lotta Lou – Wheeled right back to devastate them as the heavy favorite in 1:52.1 again two weeks ago, tougher post & sharp field, but the barn has been on fire this season
9-I’ll Drink To That – NYSS prospect won both qualifiers, the latest all the way with a :26 flat, draws outside, but owns speed & upside & Dexter Dunn takes the lines
6-Somewhereinverona – Stakes quality grey won his qualifier here with a :26.1 for The Buckeye & looks ready to take on a pretty a very talented field
RACE 6
7-Scirocco Rob – Had the table set perfectly for his sizzling 1:50.3 romp last week, just a fifth off a track record for OTG, Mark Silva has this versatile gelding on his toes & can leave the gate for position
5-JL Cruze – The King was scratched last week after giving way to Scirocco Rob @ Dover Downs, 10YO classmaster has been sharp here this season & tries to bounce back against some serious foes
3-Lovebythemasses – What a job Team Cullipher have done with the emerging 4YO, caught fire with back-to-back lifetime marks, draws inside fresh off a crushing 1:51.4 & primed for a tougher test
RACE 7
2-Thatswhatisaid N – Dropping positive hints of strong final quarters since the late March sick scratch, now gets class & post relief for a barn doing well here
9-Harambe Deo – 1:48.3 performer here last season faded as the heavy favorite last week, just missed in the comebacker before that, lands outside, but drops back down
8-Hundie N – Productive @ Yonkers last month, wasn’t heard from in his Big M debut, yet did pace home in :25.4 & drops for the lethal combo of Brennan & Drennan
RACE 8
7-Beyond Words N – Lightly-raced 5YO got off to a strong start in NZ, Nifty Norman trainee unleashed an eye-catching qualifier with a :25.3, back half in :54.1, no picnic for her US debut, but she might be this good
1-Rose Run Vantage – Barely outsprinted by Wingding Hanover after upsetting in her comeback from post seven, back inside an excellent field & primed for Team Cullipher
2-Wingding Hanover – Saved ground off a rated pace & simply had more punch to pull the Tetrick upset last week, lands post two again to give Team Cullipher a big 1-2 punch
RACE 9
7-Nicholas Beach – Fresh off his winning comeback @ Pocono he responded to aggressive handling & just missed in a brilliant 1:49 sprint last week, half of a revved up Team Bongiorno combo
5-Splash Brother – Classy Empire Breeders Classic winner & 1:48.2 performer here last year qualified with zeal @ Pocono, lands in a tough field, but looks ready with plenty of upside
4-Somebodyitreasure – Second to Dojea Gizmo in his latest qualifier, stormed home right there in the comebacker, two weeks to regroup off a late miscue, talented Team Bongiorno trainee draws inside
RACE 10
2-Franco Totem N – The other fresh & hot Nifty Norman trainee beat Harambe Deo off a sick scratch, then just missed to the trip sitting US Captain, continues to ramp it up & in line for a smooth stalking trip from post two
8-Colossal Stride A – Nifty Norman import no worse than second since arriving here, tipped first over & just missed to a well-rated Ana Afreet N in :25.4, back half in :53.1, stuck outside again, yet still gathering momentum
7-Ana Afreet N – 1:48.3 winner here in 2020 made a triumphant return to the mile track & stole one last week for Team Cullipher, strong in the win column & could be the one to knock off again in a very intriguing Preferred
RACE 11
1-Environs Hanover – Was so impressive reeling off his first three here, bounced back with a solid third last week & lands the rail with speed for the potent combo of Brennan & Drennan
4-Barrage Hanover – Lightly-raced 4YO flashed plenty of potential last month for Chris Ryder, rebounded with a strong second last week & looms large from another inside post
6-Island Of The Sea – Took a mark of 1:48.4 @ Hoosier Park last season, really roughed up in his latest @ Dover Downs, stablemate to JL Cruze could surprise this field of several possibilities
RACE 12
8-Ima Real Ladys Man – Team Cullipher trainee just one for ten this season, but sharpening his sword, pace compromised & still came charging home to just miss in :26.1, back half in :54, moves outside, yet drops another notch
9-Regal Son – George Brennan brushed him from post eight & came up just a length short in a credible Big M debut, stuck outside again, but look for more from this Nik Drennan shipper6-Statement Made A -
7-Good Rockin – Finally regained his winning edge with an overdue romp as the heavy favorite @ the bottom level, can parlay that confidence boost into a possible repeat
RACE 13
6-Statement Made A – After a lean season so far he’s been better in his last two, forced wide & had to be steadied briefly in the stretch last week, now hits bottom with some back class
3-Ginger Tree Pete – Shows dismal recent form @ Dover Downs, so looks to turn it around for with a barn change, substantial class drop, inside draw & addition of Dexter Dunn
8-Cecil Casanova – Cecil came through as an international good thing in his Big M debut against bottom TM foes, has missed 15 days, moves outside, yet has room to improve further
