Ken Warkentin Selections – Friday, August 30, & Saturday, August 31, 2024
Wednesday, August 28, 2024
Race 1
3-Tactical Dynasty – Recovered from an early miscue to hit the board in the NJSS Final, dominated his Wellwood elimination from post seven in 1:53.4, then another miscue in that final & draws inside to rebound for Team Burke
8-Go Boom – $220,000 Team Melander trainee with talented siblings like Tight Lines, Long Tom & In Range, looked well on his way after a post nine NJSS jogola in 1:54.1, now post eight & month off adds to his intrigue
10-Flightline – Freshened & like the way this brother to Blonde Bombshell ($308,161) came back with a strong qualifier for Team Orange Crush, makes him a contender despite post 10
Race 2
1-Swimwiththecurrent – Team Burke trainee worked his way up to NW4 @ Pocono when he got stung to a :54.3 half from post eight, lands the rail here & knows this track
7-Jabbar – Has come around recently, ships in fresh off a wire-to-wire new mark of 1:50.4 @ Tioga, draws a challenging post, yet picks up Mr. Gold Cup & Saucer Jordan Stratton
4-Mr Three O Five – Came up short in his last two NW3 @ Harrah’s Philadelphia, has missed three weeks, but reunited with Yannick Gingras, plus after the meet Nancy Takter just had, how can you dismiss him?
Race 3
7-Captain Optimistic – Undefeated three-for-three Captaintreacherous colt tuned up with a well controlled qualifier last Thursday & primed to keep it going for the unstoppable Team Takter
6-Tom Horn – Team Burke trainee from the first crop of Cattlewash was really good in the postponed NJSS Final, fired hard & shook loose late to just miss last Thursday
4-Papis Pistol – From the first crop of Papi Rob Hanover, rallied to his lone win in a Kindergarten division & plays the stalking opportunist role in this one
Race 4
7-Sig Sauer – Stanley Dancer 68-1 shocker in 1:50 finished a very good fourth from post eight in the Hambo, parlayed that into a well-rated wire-to-wire as the favorite in the Beal & stands out
6-Mr Bluebird – Lightly-raced son of world champion Six Pack regained his winning form going all the way @ Harrah’s Philadelphia for Team Svanstedt despite missing a month
1-Bella’s Muscle Hill – Late-blooming Muscle Hill gelding advanced to the Hambo Final with a solid second to Karl, breaks in his last two are an obvious concern, but could rebound from the rail
Race 5
5-Onajetplane – NJSS division upsetter looks ready to resume his young career fresh off a solid surge to finish a close second to Hidalgo & deserves serious consideration
4-Hidalgo – $600,000 Muscle Hill colt kicked off his career winning a NJSS division, broke in his next two & now draws well to bounce back fresh off a confident qualifier for Team Burke
3-Kevlar CCL – Just missed to Hidalgo in the comeback qualifier with a strong finish & draws inside to stalk that rival for Team Orange Crush
Race 6
1-Gigglingonthebeach – First crop of Papi Rob Hanover & first foal out of a near half million dollar winner lands the rail here fresh off back-to-back sizzlers in The Stallion Series
6-Beach Rules – Sweet Lou filly crushed her debut in 1:50.4 from post eight @ Harrah’s Philadelphia & just missed going all the way in PASS @ The Meadows in 1:51.2
4-Allegra Hanover – From the first crop of Papi Rob Hanover she has hit the board in three of four & arrives fresh off a narrow loss as the heavy favorite in The Stallion Series
Race 7
6-Soiree Hanover – Dan Patch Award winner & last year’s NJ Classic champion bounced back with a sparkling new mark of 1:52.2 in a Delmonica Hanover consolation @ Pocono & this is only her fifth start of the season
8-Buy A Round – 2YO NJSS champion stormed home in :26.4 to finish a close second in the Hambo Oaks Final & now the beaten favorite from the rail @ Pocono must rebound from post eight
1-Chaparmbro – Team Burke-tuned filly hit the board in both the Del Miller & Continentalvictory & lands back on the rail here to stalk the two main concerns
Race 8
2-Lady Landia – $225,000 Tactical landing filly romped in her NJSS debut, bounced back from a miscue with a decent fourth in the NJSS Final & draws inside for Team Svanstedt
3-Time For Landing – NJSS consolation shocker from post ten finished a strong second to Kendra in her comeback qualifier & draws inside that rival for Team Alagna
9-Kendra – Walner fourth foal from a sister to Gimpanzee hasn’t missed the board in four starts, tough draw, but a solid third in the NJSS Final & freshened with a handy qualifier for Team Takter
Race 9
1-Miss I La – This $275,000 Walner filly has been first or second in eight of ten, a commendable fourth in the Hambletonian Oaks & now moves inside fresh off a Yonkers blowout
10-Warrawee Michelle – Tripped out to a 13-1 upset & new mark of 1:51.2 to give Ake Svanstedt his first Hambletonian Oaks, then went all the way in the Delmonica Hanover in 1:51.3 & deserves top consideration despite post ten
7-St Pauli Girl – Somehow turned in a clunker chasing Warrawee Michelle @ Pocono, but her solid rally to grab the deuce in the Continentalvictory is certainly worth noting
Race 10
6-Tony Adams S – Consistent Muscle Hill colt has proven he belongs with the division’s top guns, just missed in a Dancer division, then jogged to a new mark of 1:51.4 in a Beal consolation
5-Life On The Bluff – Team Wallin trainee has had his brief moments, liking the bounce back effort in a Beal consolation & that kind of effort could make him a threat
2-Benny J – 1:51.2 performer here this summer hinted of a Hambo contender, been chasing Karl in Lexington recently & finally draws better for Team Alagna
Race 11
2-Reckless Abandon – First crop of Cattlewash, first foal from a sister to Rocklamation, destroyed them in her last three NJSS miles & draws inside for Team Pelling
5-Worklifebalance – Another standout from the initial offering of Cattlewash, willing runner up to Reckless Abandon in two of her last three & plays a stalking opportunist role
3-My Sweet Lilly – Sweet Lou third foal from a sister to Papi Rob Hanover, three-for-three in baby races here, just missed going all the way in a sparkling debut for Team Takter & draws inside
Race 12
6-Donegal Spirit – Captaintreacherous first foal from a sister to double millionaires Clear Vision & Rock N Roll Heaven has caught fire winning two of her last three in PA
1-Sarasota Hanover – 1:48.1 performer & Jerry Silverman runner up @ The Big M lands the rail fresh off a solid second in a Lynch consolation @ Pocono
4-Lou Lou – Just missed from post 11 in the Shady Daisy, stung by a fast early pace in a Lynch consolation & returns to The Big M with an improved post for Team Burke
Race 13
2-Delaney Hanover – Muscle Hill sister to big money winners Darlene & Delilah Hanover tripped out to win her Kindergarten Series debut, finished well in her comeback qualifier & draws inside
3-R Charm – Propulsion filly was a wire-to-wire NJSS division winner, looks to bounce back here off a rare miscue in the Peaceful Way with an inside draw
6-Walspea – NJSS winner in her career debut rebounded with a solid second to a big favorite Conversano & reunited with The Bionic Man in a wide-open elimination
Race 14
8-Seven Reps – Finally found the winning groove @ Pocono recently, just missed in his latest there, tough draw, but goes second time Lasix for Team Burke
3-Lefties Righties – 2YO by Greenshoe has won three of five starts in PA, while flaunting versatility & continues his forward flight from an inside post here for Hall of Famer Chuck Sylvester
2-Sangria Joy – Bar Hopping 2YO filly ships in with two wins in four tries in PA & draws inside here off a strong display of speed @ Pocono
Saturday, August 31, 2024
Race 1
8-Captain Terminator – Been tackling some tougher claimers @ Harrah’s Philadelphia, recently went all the way against $10,000 stock there & The Judge can use his blastoff speed
2-Seeuinnashville – Steady 10YO & 1:52 performer @ The Big M this season, ships back after winning two of his last three @ Monticello & draws inside with Joe Lee
5-Yayas Hot Spot N – Lost ground in a much-needed qualifier off a sick scratch, has been effective in this series & Yogi can put him in play from mid-pack fresh off the bench
Race 2
7-Western Joe – Classy millionaire dropping steadily down the condition ladder, while regaining form, picks up The Hot Toddy & could pounce on this bunch with the right set up
2-Whammer Jammer – Reeled off back-to-back crushing scores to close out July, just missed at this level back on July 6, draws inside, but a 36-day layoff clouds his picture
3-Warrawee Yankee – Here’s another making waves in the MADC Series, closed a ton to grab the deuce from post ten last out, moves inside, but a 35-day layoff is a concern
Race 3
6-Eurobond – Classy 9YO always dangerous when able to take control, his latest was a sharp bounce-back score, so he’s brimming with confidence for Per Engblom
7-Khaoson Road – Exited the Graduate Series & promptly took a new mark of 1:52.2, then romped in a Yonkers Invite, now drops to rebound off a miscue from a tricky post for Team Svanstedt
5-Up Your Deo – The other Team Svanstedt trainee has struggled to find his best stride after a stellar 3YO season, yet now he ships in fresh off a solid qualifier
Race 4
4-Lyrical Genius A – Ships back to The Big M where he’s thrived in the past, fresh off a narrow loss on the engine he drops a notch & draws well to play his stalk n pop game
2-Captain Fancy – Continued his descent down the class ladder & suddenly came to life with a wire-to-wire blowout @ Harrah’s Philadelphia & draws well in a wide-open match up here
6-Hunted House – Took advantage of some class relief to be a solid runner up @ Tioga Downs, was previously facing tougher, matches up well with these & gets Jason Bartlett
Race 5
6-Fashion Cantab – After dominating these with three in a row in July he had an August to forget, yet he has a chance to rebound for Anthony Verruso in a very competitive MADC division
5-Dwight Hanover – 4YO was on quite the form spree @ Pocono recently, went all the way for a new mark of 1:56.4 two starts back, then faded to sixth & now mid-pack here to rebound
2-Ghibli – This Symon Spicer-tuned mare has been on a nice roll @ Pocono, just missed from a tough spot & gets the inside draw she needs to stalk the speed for Peter Kleinhans
Race 6
7-Sweet Amira – Sub-1:50 performer at three only making her second start of the season for Team Burke & lands in a much softer spot off a sharp Big M qualifier
5-Absolute Power – Beaten favorite owns a mark of 1:49.3 @ The Big M & this steady stalking type can kick home with zeal if the trip works out for her
4-Beach Cowgirl – Struggled mightily in major stakes action this summer, hasn’t raced in a month, but has license to revive her form at this reduced level for Team Burke
Race 7
1-Muscle Factory A – 9YO has thrived @ The Big M with five wins here this season, including a 1:51.2 clocking & lands the rail fresh off a strong qualifier for Yogi Sheridan
5-Kissinbytthebeaches – Has been razor sharp in three of four since the sick scratch, just missed in his last two, but a 36-day layoff must somehow be factored into your handicapping
7-Ferdinand A – 11YO stunned the crowd with a 1:51.1 career best as the heavy favorite back on July 27, tough as nails when able to take control, but now you must consider a 35-day layoff
Race 8
4-Kickupyaheels N – Emerged from a shuffle to be right there in the photo with Paige Perfect last time, that wake up effort could be a positive indicator, draws well & picks up The Hot Toddy
8-Santafe’s Appetite – She’s been strong in the win column this season, including a mark of 1:50.3 @ The Big M, has clearly fallen off form, but finds a softer spot to turn things around in a hurry
3-Paige Perfect – Just beat two of her foes in here with a gutsy rally @ Harrah’s Philadelphia, sports a mark of 1:52.3 @ The Big M this season & lands post three again
Race 9
3-Ignatius A – 10YO is a typical steady plugger @ Yonkers, on the edges against tougher company, gets class & post relief, long overdue & took a mark of 1:48.3 here at age eight
2-Da Delightful – Gathering momentum since the August 3 sick scratch, fresh off a solid second in 1:48.1 @ Pocono, drops a notch & draws inside to trip out close to the pace
4-Cyrus N – Another Yonkers shipper arrives fresh off a tough narrow loss there, draws well in this drop down derby & deserves a long look as a stalking threat
Race 10
1-Wish You Well – Been tangling with the sport’s top 3YOS, stormed home to finish a close second in the Adios, picked up checks in the Milstein & Hempt & lands the rail for The Buckeye & Nifty
7-Nandolo N – Ultra classy 10YO on a Yonkers form spree, took a mark of 1:48.3 @ The Big M at age nine, challenging draw, but often brings his A game
4-Brue Hanover – Returns to The Big M where he was nosed out after a perfect trip back on Hambo Day, slow starts costly in his last two & draws better for Team Burke in a very intriguing puzzle
Race 11
3-Always B Billy – Riding in on a one for 18 season, but has displayed some positive signs since the late June sick scratch, hits rock bottom here & draws inside
1-Gemini Express – Kicked off August with a strong qualifier @ Pocono & now makes his third start off the bench from the rail in a dartboard field
5-Master Miki – One for 25 this season, steady check earner against 10k claimers @ Harrah’s Philadelphia can set up his stalking strategy from mid-pack
Race 12
2-Fun With Flags – She’s been living at the N/W3 level @ Harrah’s Philadelphia for awhile, draws an improved post here & in line to trip out in a pari mutuel puzzler
4-Pull Me Through – Might be on the verge of snapping an 0 for 27 season, has been knocking on the door against 10k claimers @ Harrah’s Philadelphia & draws well here
6-Darlin’s Dream – Exploited a softer N/W 1 class @ Harrah’s Philadelphia & went all the way in a well-rated new lifetime mark of 1:54.1 & lands in a handicapper’s headscratcher here
Race 13
4-The American Eagle – This Eagle has soared here in the past, plummets from the 40k claimers @ Yonkers, draws well, but must rebound off back-to-back early breaks for Per Engblom
7-I’ll Owe You One – Faded to seventh in his last two @ Harrah’s Philadelphia, draws a tough post here, but gets a double dose of class relief
9-Starlit Rambo – One for 20 this season & stuck outside here off a no-chance mile, but gets a hefty triple class drop in a wide-open affair
Race 14
1-Raptors Flight N – Can’t forget that five-race winning streak that fired up his $82k 2023 season, back with Besim The Dream for his second try off the bench & returns to The Big M with the rail
3-Harry Hanover – Harry won four of his last five starts here, got roughed up @ Freehold last week & draws inside to play his patented stalking game
4-Hunt You Down – Despite missing a month he came roaring back with a decisive wire-to-wire @ Freehold last Friday, took a mark of 1:53.2 here this season & draws well