Ken Warkentin Selections for Friday, January 6

Wednesday, January 4, 2023

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RACE 1

7-In Nevada N – Among the closers in this intriguing affair, hit the board in his last two improved performances for Team Chiodo & just needs the right set up from a demanding post

 

3-Ferdinand A – 10YO is obviously on a roll, just missed in his last three, fresh off another hard-fought loss last week & draws better on the verge for James Slendorn

 

6-Deerfield Beach – Dropped out of the GSY 1 Series & blasted all the way at the TM74 level, then had no chance against TM 77 types, sharp item for a potent combo

 

RACE 2

1-Howtotrainurdragon – GSY 1 Series winner in the slop when last seen here, 11YO drops in price off a rare miscue & lands in the rail to trip out in a dartboard field

 

3-Brigadoon – No idea where that 1:53 mild upset came from three starts back, 1:51.1 performer here last year bounced back with a solid second in the fog @ Freehold last out & draws well again

 

6-Illini Duke – Owns a win here last season in 1:53, returns fresh off an upset @ Freehold & was claimed, has license to step up in this mixed bag of shippers

 

RACE 3

4-A New Leader – Pace compromised in the slop in his Big M debut, then bumped into a 1:53.4 winner, drops into an easier spot & lands post four again in a wide-open field

 

8-Kelly’s Baby – Fresh Team Burke-tuned mare freshened & won her Big M qualifier with plenty over an off track, draws outside, but she’s a threat to go all the way

 

7-Takato – 4YO worked out a pocket trip, got blocked in the stretch & split late in a blanket photo, nice Big M acclimating mile, tougher post, but has something positive to build on

 

RACE 4

3-Let’s Foal Around – That was a noteworthy narrow loss from post eight with pace at both ends two starts back, 12YO draws a better post & that might make the difference in this headscratcher

 

4-Kimani N – 11YO finished his 2022 season on an ever-other pattern @ Yonkers & fresh off a wire-to-wire win as the favorite fresh off the claim, hasn’t raced in a month, but draws well

 

9-Thndrfrmthethron N – Was on a form spree before he encountered a nightmare trip chasing an inexplicable 1:51.4 winner, stuck outside again, but remains a closing threat in a complete toss up

 

RACE 5

2-INXS – Dropped back down to the level of his sharp win on December 2 & finished a hard-charging second by a head as the beaten favorite & looms large from post two again

 

6-Bet Big On Blue – Stormed home for the big upset at the bottom condition level, not sure what to make of the month off, but at least his form is a bright spot in a field of easy tosses

 

3-Mcmatters – Suffered a narrow loss to Bet Big On Blue as the beaten favorite two starts back, have to ignore his latest debacle @ Harrah’s Philadelphia & draws inside a tricky field

 

RACE 6

4-Give Us Awave A – Got off to a slow start from post ten & flashed some late pace in his US debut on Lasix, now gets class & post relief in a real soft match up

 

7-Idraintheswamp – Australian import unleashed a pretty sharp second qualifier over an off track @ Harrah’s Philadelphia, adds Lasix & has a big chance to flaunt his talent

 

3-Acton Hanover – Was on a nice roll @ Rosecroft, then got parked in his Team Burke debut @ Harrah’s Philadelphia & draws inside here at a reduced level

 

RACE 7

7-Royaltys Rocket – Had a strong run @ Mohawk, flashed some sneaky late trot in his Big M debut after missing 32 days, post seven again, but has some upside potential

 

4-Forrest – Lightly-raced 4YO took a few starts to find his best stride after switching to Team Burke, fresh off a well-controlled post eight romp @ Harrah’s Philadelphia

 

1-Headoverboots AS – Rebounded off breaks in two straight with a solid rally for third in a much-needed Big M acclimating mile & lands the rail to step up further

 

RACE 8

6-Jacana – Took three starts on Lasix to kick in with a close second @ Yonkers, drops into a softer camera-shy field for her Big M debut & when in doubt take Team Burke

 

1-Doc’s Delight – Off a two for 28 season, makes the transition from tougher classes @ Yonkers where she’s been racing well & her luck with the post gods continues for Team Harmon

 

3-That’s Incredible – Kicked home from a tough spot in the slop to grab second in an excellent acclimating mile in the slop, now draws much better & gets another shot at this level

 

RACE 9

6-Stride The Hill – Was a strong second as the beaten favorite two starts against better @ Harrah’s Philadelphia before chasing a 1:52.1 winner here & now drops for a chance to rebound

 

5-Nylander – Beat this kind @ Harrah’s Philadelphia when able to steal  :58.2 half in the slop two starts back, then a solid third here second time Lasix, renewed form from midpack

 

7-Call Me Dani – 4YO mare finished well in her second start off a sick scratch, strong in the win column last year, tougher post here, but drops again & rates contender status

 

RACE 10

5-Bettors Heart N – Like Love Me Hill she also paced home with a solid :55.2 back half to grab a piece, bumped up off the loss, but gathering steam since the early December sick scratch

 

3-Love Me Hill – Was outsprinted for minor spoils against slightly tougher mares after a gallant first over score in the slop & draws better in a very tricky puzzle

 

7-So Irresistible – Has been knocking on the door recently, just missed with strong finishes in her last two & the right set up gives her a serious shot in this competitive affair

 

RACE 11

4-Muscle Fashion – Grinded gamely first over & just missed in a sparkling Big M debut, draws better at the same level & sharper than most in this wide-open match up

 

6-Infinity Stone – Per Engblom trainee picked his game with a much better effort in an encouraging acclimating mile, eight-time winner last year now drops a notch

 

5-Elegant Dulupin FR – Rallied to hit the board in his latest two here before the sick scratch, so that makes him a question mark, yet a midpack stalking trip could set up a serious bid

 

RACE 12

5-Callmequeenbe A – Beat $50,000 claimers @ Yonkers last Fall, hasn’t raced in 20 days, but now plummets into a tailor made spot here for Team Cullipher

 

1-Its Mesmerize N – Dropped a notch & promptly went all the way in a well rated & emphatic 1:51.4 last week, hikes back up, yet moves inside off that superb acclimating mile

 

6-Heavenissofaraway – Abruptly took the lead & faded to eighth first time Lasix, $131,314 winner in 2022 gets a chance to rebound at this reduced level

 

RACE 13

5-Whole Lotta Lou – Just two for 18 last year, but took a mark of 1:49.3 at The Big M, seems to have come around in his last two & hits the rock bottom condition class

 

8-Rifleman  – Beaten favorite just three for 41 last season, forced first over & settled for third, tougher post here, but gets another shot at the lowest level

 

3-Midnight Lightning – 11YO veteran seems to have elevated his form @ Freehold in his last two, now he gets class & post relief in a field ripe for the taking

 

RACE 14

8-Maddox Hanover – One for 18, but this revived & revved up 4YO rallied to hit the board chasing a 1:51.4 winner, just missed fresh off the bench before that, big threat despite post eight

 

5-Raptor’s Flight – 1:51.1 winner @ The Big M last season was on a form spree before the rare early miscue @ Freehold, scored fresh off the claim with a perfect trip before that

 

10-Art Scaping – Post ten aside & coming off a sick scratch, but his previous two seconds on Lasix were solid efforts, this lightly-raced 5YO rates a long look

 

Saturday, January 7 Selections

 

RACE 1

1-De Los Cielos Deo – Team Burke horse-for-the-course & sub-1:50 performer here freshened with five months off, his Big M qualifier indicates readiness & he returns in a soft spot

 

5-Catch Me Conrad – Sports a prolific summary last year, highlighted by 12 wins, landing on the edges against tougher recently & might hold a slight edge in this drop down derby

 

6-Southwind Petyr – No factor in his mid-December comeback from post ten, was tackling better @ Yonkers, knows his way around this track & gets an improved post

 

RACE 2

6-Lone Wolf American – Raced well to hit the board in both starts here recently, just missed with a :27.2 & :56 back half two starts back & can outkick these with the right set up

 

7-Midnight Day – If you’re willing to dismiss the sick scratch & 26-day layoff, you can focus on the sharp narrow loss fresh off the claim @ Harrah’s Philadelphia

 

8-Fox Valley Carlin – Twice beaten favorite lacked his usual knockout punch from the rail, yet did take a new mark of 1:52.2 from post nine three starts back, his lone win of 2022

 

RACE 3

9-Dontpassme Hanover – Solid slate last season, just missed in the comebacker with a :26.3, stuck outside, but key third start off the bench & gets some class relief in a field of question marks

 

5-Water Sports Teen – Makes his 5YO debut for Team Bongiorno after eight months off & only four starts last year, his second qualifier was solid & looks ready to face this shaky group

 

10-I’ll Drink To That – Got overambitious with a speed show & took pressure from the rail two starts back, off three weeks & post ten, but rates a long look with the class drop

 

RACE 4

9-Mind Hunter – 4YO Captaintreacherous changed barns to Per Engblom & promptly aired it out with a new mark of 1:52.3 @ Yonkers, tough draw here, but has renewed confidence

 

4-Luc Rocks – Raced better in his last two against slightly tougher @ Yonkers, steady 5YO draws well here for Team Bongiorno in a field with no real standouts

 

3-Andres Hanover – Rallied to beat NW5 from post eight @ Harrah’s Philadelphia three starts back, lightly-raced 5YO has some upside & draws inside to stalk n pop

 

RACE 5

3-A Bettor Beach – Stormed home to beat these in the slop three starts back, followed by a narrow loss on the engine, then broke & now moves inside with a big chance to rebound

 

7-Boiler Maker – Twice beaten chalk finished third again in the New Years Eve fog affair, tougher draw, but note the new mark of 1:51.2 three starts back

 

5-Secrecy -10YO has been a model of consistency for this price @ Yonkers, figures to set the tone & control the pace & might be the one to reel in

 

RACE 6

3-Ostro Hanover – Got parked & was forced to grind gamely for part in his Big M debut, makes his fifth start on the comeback trail, dips in price & draws inside for Team Bongiorno

 

8-Ballerat Boomerang – Arrives fresh off a solid second @ Yonkers where he beat Brackley Beach in the place photo last out, recently switched to trainer Per Engblom & can blast off

 

9-Brackley Beach – Beaten favorite in two of his last three, yet has been on a long form spree @ Yonkers, draws a demanding post here, but this classy 8YO can handle it

 

RACE 7

2-Buchannon Hanover – Pace compromised & hit the board again in his first start for Mark Ford, 14-time winner last year draws inside here to adapt quickly at a price in a headscratcher

 

10-Ario Hanover – Blew these away in a sharp 1;51.2 tally two starts back, then just missed @ Harrah’s Philadelphia, slammed with post ten, but remains a top contender for Team Burke

 

8-Stonebridge Reef – Has been a constant threat in this class for Chris Ryder, nosed out from post eight back in late November, look for him to fire out in similar fashion

 

RACE 8

4-Gentlemanjim II IE – Irish-bred 9YO just missed in his last two @ Yonkers & now a fresh claim for Team Bongiorno, draws well here in a competitive field with a chance to play a stalking role

 

1-Revolver – Uncorked an explosive rally to score the upset & took a new mark of 1:50.1 two starts back, with the rail he can employ a similar stalking strategy from closer to the pace

 

5-Hopnroll Heaven – Arrives on a nice roll @ Harrah’s Philadelphia where Per Engblom was leading trainer last year, this is a versatile 5YO who matches up well from midpack

 

RACE 9

5-Ultimaroca – Eight-time winner for Team Burke last year continues to drop down the condition ladder, stalking type launches midpack & figures to have ample speed to shoot at

 

8-The Bird Dance N – Bird was the word when he scored decisively as the favorite with a :27.2 at both ends, forced to blast off from post eight, yet remains a hot item for Brennan & Drennan

 

7-King Triton A – 8YO went all the way for a new mark of 1:50.3 when last seen here in late November, challenging post, but has a serious chance to take control for Team Bongiorno

 

RACE 10

6-Stag Party – 2018 O’Brien Award & Metro winner returns from stud duty & three years off, his big second qualifier here last week says trainer Chris Ryder has him ready for these

 

9-Uptown Funk – Red-hot 8YO has won four of his last five @ Yonkers, two-for-two off the claim with plenty in reserve & has the speed & upside to tackle post nine here

 

10-Sugar Me N – Lightly-raced 6YO arrived here second time Lasix & shot home in :25.2 to just miss, stuck outside, but looks poised to step up in a wild start to the Late Pick 4

 

RACE 11

4-Bizys Beatle – 11-time winner last year, burning up Harrah’s Philadelphia, two-for-two off the latest claim by Justin Sodano & draws well to stay on a positive roll here

 

1-Better Than Some – Almost beat these with a perfect trip two starts back @ Harrah’s Philadelphia, a solid third again last out, back on the rail here in a field with a lot of easy toss outs

 

2-Safensound Hanover – Rallied to a huge 63-1 upset in the slop over the $15,000 claimers three starts back, continues to draw well to play a stalking opportunist role

 

RACE 12

4-Speedy Dominic A – Recent contender against much better, now gets his second straight class drop for Team Bongiorno & draws well to dominate

 

6-Shvaiko – Came out of a shuffle with a :26.4 flurry to hit the board after missing six months, took a 1:49.1 mark @ The Big M last season & poised for his new barn

 

3-Levine – 0 for 14 last year, landing on the edges in his last two starts off a recent sick scratch & gets another shot at this reduced level from an inside post here

 

RACE 13

9-General Montana N – NZ-bred only took two starts to break through @ Yonkers for Team Bongiorno, returns to The Big M with a tough draw, but can flaunt his potential in an easy spot

 

1-Like Clockwork – Chased a runaway Good Rockin, while putting together a big rebound effort last time, sports a solid slate in 2022 & lands the rail in a complete toss up

 

4-Dance It Out – 5YO suddenly regained his winning form with two straight blowouts @ Freehold under less than ideal conditions & has a chance to step up further in a wide-open field

 

RACE 14

3-Lenda Hand Man – Just missed in the New Years Eve fog race with an excellent bounce-back effort for Team Bongiorno & draws inside again to stalk or take charge

 

1-Free On the Beach – Eight-time winner last year has been on a tear @ The Meadows, arrives here with a barn change to Virgil Morgan, Jr. & lands the rail in a competitive finale

 

5-Dynomites Peak – Just two for 26 last season, but just missed to the trip-sitting Kobra Kai with pace at both ends, looks like a serious threat again from midpack for Team Burke