Ken Warkentin’s Friday, April 15 & Saturday, April 16 Selections
Wednesday, April 13, 2022
Ken Warkentin’s Friday, April 15 Selections
RACE 1
4-Seeuinnashville – 0 for his last 40, but this recent claim @ Yonkers may have a new lease on life, just missed two starts back, now gets some form of class relief & draws well
9-Tuxedo Bay – Second to Sunshine’s Finest in that sparkling 1:51.3 mile on March 18, solid runner up last week, fresh threat can fire off the wings for Mark Silva
1-Sunshine’s Finest – Dazzling 1:51.3 GSY winner from the rail back on March 18, finally moves back inside & faces a highly beatable division
RACE 2
6-Ana Malak N – Two for 21 last year & hasn’t been heard from in both starts since coming back, but back class lurking & his key third try off the bench for Team Cullipher
4-Emblaze Hanover – 4YO seems to be stepping up steadily for Team Burke, finished well against some salty opponents in last Saturday’s finale
3-Tolly-Ho – Has certainly been dropping positive hints recently, just missed with a strong :27 flat rally last Saturday & draws inside again
RACE 3
5-Always A Force – Beaten favorite simply had too much to make up last week, 1:51.3 performer here last year draws a bit better, while cycling forward
4-Svengali – Bounced back off a miscue to win two of his last three in the GSY Series, including a lifetime best three starts back, now draws better in a light TM division
7-Bungalow Bill N – The “renovated” Bungalow reeled off a well-rated & long overdue win in his third start off a sick scratch, tougher post, but can’t rule out a repeat
RACE 4
6-Hallance – Promising Trond Smedshammer filly qualified well & steamrolled to a decisive maiden breaking score, $150,000 yearling with plenty of upside
4-Manuka – Unleashed an encouraging rally to finish second to Hallance in his 4YO debut, draws inside again with a solid comeback to build on & break through
5-Creeation – Walner filly has switched to Team Burke, qualified well, lands midpack, has enough potential to rate contender status
RACE 5
4-Haymitch – Continued his current form spree with a strong finish out of a shuffle last week, draws the same inside post & in line for a smooth stalking trip
5-Master Conrad – Beaten favorite has come around with back-to-back rallies to hit the board, has another chance to leave within striking range & overdue
2-Misty Memory N – Pompano invader arrives fresh off the best mile of his season, not sure how he matches up with this group, but draws inside to be prominently placed
RACE 6
1-Tenthousand Angels – Ultra impressive rally to take a new mark of 1:52 two starts back, lacked the same punch last out, back on the rail to atone for Team Bongiorno
4-Woodmere Harriet – Almost pulled off the class drop n pop in an excellent Big M debut last week, remains down in class & draws inside again
5-Arnie’s Angel – Rallied to be a solid third in a nice comeback mile with Braxton Boyd, sports a 1:51.4 mark in 2021 & expect more in her second try off the bench
RACE 7
2-Rock To Glory – Hard-charging runner up in three of his last four, almost got there with a furious :27.3 last week & lands post two again for Team Chiodo
5-Watchmeneighneigh – Took full advantage of an ideal spot & aggressive handling paid off last week, ramping up since the recent injury scratch & repeat possible
3-Doctor Butch – 12YO warhorse follow up a decisive score with a pace compromised rally last week, moves inside & can kick home with the best of this competitive division
RACE 8
6-Skyway Kon Man – The Kon Man has been landing on the edges, continues his descent down the class ladder for Team Cullipher & long overdue
5-Allindotime – Made it two-for-two as the heavy favorite with a career best last week, now trending toward his fourth straight win with a midpack launch
7-Chiplosive – The other Team Cullipher trainee has also dropped in class & has ramped it up on Lasix, horse-for-the-course expected to be put in play again
RACE 9
4-Captain’s Reign – Fresh off a much-improved rally for third just behind Cecil Casanova last week, that could be a strong hint of more positive things to come & draws a bit better
7-Cecil Casanova – Beaten favorite bumped into a surprisingly good William Mcwhiskers last week, just missed before that & pointing in the right direction for Mark Silva
2-MV OK Palacio BR – Stone closing Brazilian bred was too far out of range last week, finally draws an inside post & can blow by these within striking range
RACE 10
4-Fox Valley Exploit – Has now had a couple of starts here to acclimate, finished well from a tough spot last week & draws well to continue in the right direction
6-Cyclone Sister – Dover Downs invader arrives off three in a row & lifetime best, now in a new barn & faces a field of question marks
2-Ideation Hanover – Makes her third start off the bench after some much needed tightening miles, owns her share of back class & draws inside to step up for Team Cullipher
RACE 11
2-So Delightful – Grinded gamely for minor spoils in a decent comeback for Team Cullipher, lands post two again & expect more in a camera-shy affair
6-Miss Mary Mach – Consistent sort from The Meadows winless this season, but seems to match up well with this bunch & could make an immediate impression
5-Know Your Roll – Beaten heavy favorite @ Rosecroft got roughed up first over & won two in a row before that, sometimes the fresh face angle can payoff
RACE 12
3-Vintage Gal – Stormed home from post nine & last to blow up the board three starts back, shuffled & bothered by a late breaker last week & draws inside again to rebound
5-Our Third Rock – Shipper from The Meadows 0 for her last 52, on the fringes recently, yet lands in a field begging to be beaten here
9-Bronsons Delight – Ships from Mohawk into the Juan Cano barn, hasn’t won since August 1, 2020, hasn’t raced in a month, draws outside, still looks like a contender
RACE 13
3-Epos Ostervang DK – Fresh off a well-rated rated score he just missed to heavy favorite Allindotime & draws even better here to ride his form spree
6-Trents A Lock – Pace & trip compromised in his last two, consistent 4YO could capitalize on any mayhem that might ensue
1-Explosive – Stepped up with a better third last week, 0 for 13 this season, but back on the rail & in line to trip out in the wide open finale
Ken Warkentin’s Saturday, April 16 Selections
RACE 1
5-Leon David – Here’s an overdue candidate eligible to snap his current skid, sub 1:50 performer last season forced wide & finished well last week & reunited with The Minister
4-Bayfield Beach – One of two Team Burke trainees has been on the fringes chasing tougher recently, flashing some nice final quarters & draws well in a wide-open curtain raiser
7-A Bettor Beach – Bettor was not better for new connections two weeks ago, but allow for new barn adjustment, sports a 1:49.1 mark here in 2021 & has license to wake up
RACE 2
4-Nome Hanover – Made a fine mile-track adjustment with a much-improved rally to hit the board in his Big M debut, draws inside a soft field & his barn is going well
5-Miki Minaj – Team Burke 4YO was looking to brush n crush them & faded the fifth last week, previous rally for third in :26.4 makes him a serious contender with these
8-Bechers Brook A – Team Cullipher gave this one some much-needed freshening, qualified in solid fashion, owns some back class & rates highly despite the outside draw
RACE 3
1-Energetic Hanover – $325,000 Captain first foal out of a sister to a couple of millionaires, pace compromised & finished with a flurry in both starts & stands out on the rail
2-Prymikki – Always B Miki first foal out of a sister to Delmarvelous ($899,123) finished a satisfactory fourth in his opener, draws inside again & eligible to step up further
6-Top Genius – Team Toscano-tuned NYSS player qualified well here, then just missed a bitter battle in his 3YO debut @ Yonkers, look for him to be put in play
RACE 4
3-Winning Linc – The Linc rallied to beat $35,000 claimers two starts back, now new barn drops him into an easier condition, draws inside & plays his stalk n pop game
10-Somebodyitreasure – Came roaring fresh off the bench & just missed to a rail-skimming Mindtrip last week, stuck outside, but can blast off & handle these class-wise
9-Mindtrip – Was able to catapult off fast fractions, found room along to cones & nailed Somebodyitreasure for the upset, tougher draw here, but certainly on his toes
RACE 5
5-Rockin The Aces – Sub 1:50 performer here last season sparked his form with a confidence-building win two starts back, then a hard-charging third last week
6-Bank Sea – Capitalized on a slick steer by Steve Smith & this 9YO took a new mark of 1:50.2, now drops into an easier condition on a form spree
7-Chaser Hanover – Chaser finally drops back down to the level of that blowout back on a windy/frigid March 12, all about getting into the right flow from a demanding post
RACE 6
7-Big Oil – Has come back in very consistent form for Team Orange Crush, fresh off back-to-back narrow losses @ Pocono, equaled his mark of 1:51.3 here before that
8-Chin Chin Hall – Kicked home in a sharp :26.3 in a noteworthy comebacker for Nifty Norman, outside draw may hinder, but always dangerous with his late kick
4-JL Cruze – The King went about his work in energetic fashion, wire-to-wire in emphatic style last week, bumped back up in top form & brimming with confidence
RACE 7
1-Stienams Beach – Attacked first over into stiff fractions & fought back for second in a gallant try last week, now makes his fourth start after a long layoff & lands the rail again
6-Betterrock – Heads a strong Team Bongiorno 1-2 punch fresh off an eye-catching blowout @ Yonkers, fresh & improving 4YO knows his way around this oval
5-Mullinax – Got lucky last week when he left alertly, sat off a fast pace & found room to surge along the cones for a dazzling new mark of 1:49.1, can’t rule out a repeat
RACE 8
9-I’ll Drink To That – Classy Chris Ryder trainee was well-rated & nosed out by Alluneedisfaith N in :26.2 last week, moves outside, but remains a huge fresh threat with Dexter Dunn
2-Alta Engen A – Suddenly revved up & romped in a sparkling second US start, builds on that from a better post in a very competitive final & gives Nik Drennan a strong 1-2 punch
4-Alluneedisfaith N – Needed every inch of that perfect trip to nail I’ll Drink To That last week, rewarded with an improved post & four in a row is certainly a possibility
RACE 9
2-One Eight Hundred – Uncorked an ultra impressive power sweep to romp two weeks ago, draws inside for his third start off the bench & faces a marquee match up
1-Ignatius A – Absolutely airborne in :25.2 to kick things off, then nailed Trump Nation in :25.4 in only his second US start, now tackles a potential monster in One Eight Hundred
8-Trump Nation – The Trumpster got away well from the second tier, parked first over & just missed to Ignatius A in another game effort, serious contender despite post eight
RACE 10
4-Workin Ona Mystery – Only took him two starts to regain winning form in the Open @ Dover Downs, 1:48.4 winner here in late November gives Team Burke a fierce 1-2 punch
5-Backstreet Shadow – Team Burke millionaire lunged with a wicked :25.3 in last week’s qualifier, 2021 Send It In Pace upsetter looks ready for high level intensity
6-Ana Afreet N – Cycled to the top with an emphatic wire-to-wire 1:49.2 as the favorite last week, leads the Team Cullipher 1-2 punch & now faces a classy Team Burke duo
RACE 11
8-Game Of Change – Fired out & took full advantage of a perfect pocket ride to take a new mark of 1:51.2 last week, fresh claim moves outside, but a blastoff is possible
6-Raptors Flight N – Ships up the Turnpike on a form spree @ Dover Downs, relentless first over in his last two & just missed last out, gives Chuck Crissman, Jr. a fearsome duo
3-Undertaker – Going well recently, including his first win of the season coming @ Rosecroft, finished a solid second to a very good Game Of Change last Friday & draws inside again
RACE 12
5-Bettors Heart N – Landed on the fringes fourth in her last two here, Nifty Norman trainee was flying late last week & finds an ideal spot to snap her losing skid with the right set up
7-Annabelle Hanover – Continued her seconditis this season, yet she did chase the outstanding Amazing Dream N last week, chance to break through with no stick outs here
6-JM Betonsix – Had some recent success in the MGM Series @ Yonkers, thrived here this past Winter, Team Burke 4YO has a big chance to take charge & steal this
RACE 13
3-No Drama Please – Saved ground with a three-hole trip off a rated pace & just missed to Memo last week, draws further inside that rival & revved up for another big effort
9-Memo – Hammered down to 4-5 favorite & delivered with a perfect two-hole trip, moves outside, yet continues to ramp up his form with Hot Toddy at the lines
1-Big Rich – Gunned out in :26.4, was able to rate the pace & came up a buck shy last week, Team Burke 10YO bumped up a notch, but draws the rail to facilitate a stalking trip