Ken Warkentin Selections for January 20, 21 & 22

Wednesday, January 18, 2023

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Friday, January 20 Selections

RACE 1

3-Always A Panther – Came storming home off a hot pace & into headwinds to just miss last week, draws inside again & Joe Lee figures to be closer to the pace

 

6-Takeittotheface – GSY 1 Series regular has caught fire on the engine as the heavy favorite in his last two @ Freehold, versatile 9YO rallied from way out of it back on December 9

 

2-MV Ok Palacio BR – Paid the price for a slow start from post nine last time, 1:52 winner here last season now moves inside to play stalk n pop for Team Harmon

 

RACE 2

4-On The Money GB – Team Burke sends out a rare GB import who got off to a successful start overseas, flashed a :27.2 in the Big M qualifier with headwinds up

 

1-Super Girl – Homebred Downbytheseaside filly from a prolific family that includes Normandy Beach, 1:49.3 [$534,452], solid runner up in all three qualifiers & lands the rail

 

3-Martaritaondarocks – Two starts back here she unleashed a mighty late surge to just miss from the same post, returns to The Big M fourth time Lasix & reunited with The Money Man

 

RACE 3

6-No Where To Hide – Pace compromised & cut into the stretch headwinds to finish third in her last three here, draws a bit better & might’ve found a tailor made spot

 

5-One More Try – Credit Dylan Huckabone-Miller with patient & productive drives with this steady 5YO mare, second by a neck back on December 1 & that’s the trip she needs

 

2-Dandy Idea – She was strong in the win column last year, including a sharp score as the favorite back on December 9 & she can elevate her game second start off the bench

 

RACE 4

1-Is A Pearl FR – French import by Ready Cash makes her third US start, freshened & qualified sharply for Team Orange Crush & stands out on the rail in field begging to be beaten

 

10-Donato Patriot K – Displayed sudden speed before the recent six-week layoff, solid qualifier into stretch headwinds, stuck outside, but rates contender status for Team Bongiorno

 

6-Halliama – Stablemate to My Pal Joe has had his share of success @ The Big M, hasn’t raced in seven months & qualifier was inconclusive, yet lands in a real soft spot

 

RACE 5

5-Texas Terror N – Not familiar with Michael Morales, but he’s driving a 15YO warhorse who just missed against $20,000 claimers in 1:51.3 in his last two, that enough to beat these

 

6-Our Third Rock – Managed to hit the board again despite a brutal three-wide trip from post nine, fresh claim angle kicks in & gets The Judge in the bike in a competitive GSY 1

 

3-William McWhiskers – Remember the three straight GSY wins last Spring in 1:53, 1:52.1 & 1:52?  Look at the bounce-back qualifier, has he fully regrouped for Peter Kleinhans?

 

RACE 6

5-Perkins – Fresh off a long, productive campaign, transitions from Dover Downs where he was parked first over in his last two, note the barn change & weak field here

 

6-Safensound Hanover – Hasn’t exactly lit up the world since that out-of-blue bombs away rally at 63-1 back on December 3, this 10YO has a chance to rekindle some of that form

 

8-Spoileronthebeach – Only three for 33 last year, beaten favorite in his last two, solid runner up to Safensound Hanover two starts back, 34-day layoff & post eight to consider

 

RACE 7

4-That’s Incredible – Gotta like the way she stepped up to finish a strong second in the mud two starts back, then got parked first over into a quickening pace & draws inside again to rebound

 

5-Pearl Harbour N – Bet off the board & just missed in her sloppy track US debut, freshened with a month off, energetic qualifier & faded into headwinds, drops a notch for her comeback

 

6-Purameri – On a furious form spree off three straight narrow losses, her last two against red-hot Lady Rocknrolla A & her persistence could pay off

 

RACE 8

1-Esplosione – Credit him with a solid third from post ten in a much-needed Big M comeback mile, now moves all the way to the rail to make the natural step up for Nifty Norman

 

5-Pencils Down – Team Cullipher mare just two for 26 last year, but she’s been on quite a roll, made up a ton of ground to finish second to the runaway Forrest last week

 

8-Adore Me – Product of the KY Championship Series off three in a row @ Harrah’s Philadelphia for Team Orange Crush, draws outside a competitive field, yet she has some upside

 

RACE 9

9-Miss Dottie Mae – Fresh off an upset rally she flew home again off cover to grab second to 6-5 favorite Heavenissofaraway last week, moves outside, but she’s in strong form

 

2-Lady Rocknrolla A – Former Cumberland regular has extended her win streak to five in a row, fresh off another hard-charging score she’s bumped up again & draws inside

 

5-Kaitlyn N – Certainly nothing wrong with her bounce-back effort last week, stung early & held third into stretch headwinds, this is her level, she’s overdue & retains Yannick Gingras

 

RACE 10

2-Skyway Kon Man – Loved The Kon Man last week & he grinded gallantly to just miss, that was a confidence boost he needed & his post improves for the hike back up in class

 

6-Lucky Weekend – The Weekend ships north off a solid third @ Harrah’s Philadelphia, steady sort gets some class relief in very good form right now in a handicapper’s nightmare

 

8-Gotwuteverittakes – Has put together back-to-back strong efforts, yielding a win & solid third, tackles another demanding post, but he loves The Big M & the right set up puts him in play

 

RACE 11

4-Bronsons Delight – Just two for 34 last year, thought he had a shot despite post nine last week, a solid second before that, now makes his third start off a sick scratch from a much better post

 

1-Doctor Butch – 13YO millionaire catapulted off an unusually fast pace & was right there in the photo last week, that came after missing 26 days & now he moves inside

 

5-Raptors Flight N – Scored two out of three off the recent claim as the favorite, got used way too hard from post eight last week & draws better to rebound

 

RACE 12

6-Muscle Fashion – Beaten heavy favorite drops a notch off a pair of excellent acclimating miles & has a big chance to outclass these with a better trip

 

3-Fit Bitt – Recent Team Burke acquisition fresh off a solid bounce-back effort, now gets some class & post relief & has a chance trip out & elevate his game further

 

7-Shinkansen – Sports that nifty 1:52.1 mark @ The Big M last season, took them all the way in authoritative fashion at the bottom condition level, so let’s see him blast off again in top form

 

RACE 13

3-A Better Game – 1:50.4 winner @ The Big M last season with needed tightening miles, drops all the way to the bottom condition level & moves inside for a key third try off the bench

 

6-Gaitway Gal – This Delaware raider arrives fresh off a three-ply series sweep, there is a 36-day layoff to consider, but she appears to outclass this bunch

 

4-Be Best – Only two for 31 last year, but that was an inspiring third after some much-needed freshening & draws the same inside post to crank it up further

 

RACE 14

1-Caughtinalandslide – Two slow starts both from post nine have been worth noting, 4YO moves inside with a chance to get more aggressive in a prime spot for an overdue win

 

6-Mcclinchie – 11YO off a couple of decent efforts in some tough scenarios, this is a prime drop to the bottom condition level in a field of several easy toss outs

 

7-Odds On Brexit – Has landed on the edges fifth in both starts here from post two, so now he has to negotiate a more demanding post, but might benefit from a speed target

 

Saturday, January 21 Selections

RACE 1

3-De Los Cielos Deo – The beaten chalk looked happy to be back in his first start in seven months, remains at a reduced level & draws inside again after that speed tightening

 

7-Adam Crocker A – Used hard on a pressured lead from post eight as the beaten favorite, gets another demanding post, yet has been better on Lasix

 

8-Rifleman – Only three for 41 last year, driven perfectly by Corey Callahan & got nosed out last time, will rely on the pace & trip set up from post eight again

 

RACE 2

2-Better Than Some – Has definitely cranked it up in his last three, including two narrow losses, post gods remain kind & he figures to be on or near the lead while on the verge

 

6-Bionic – Ships on fresh off a decisive score in the slop @ Dover Downs, so arrives brimming with confidence, looks like he fits these & his barn also has the 7-Sharky Bear

 

4-I’m J Bee N – Didn’t make much of an impression here late last Fall, but note the brush & crush move two starts back @ Harrah’s Philadelphia & there are no standouts in this one

 

RACE 3

10-Regal Escape – Stormed home from last to light up the board @ 50-1 two starts back, then finished well into stretch headwinds & remains a sharp contender despite post ten

 

3-Acton Hanover – Recently joined the Burke Brigade, got parked two starts back, then faded on the lead in an acclimating mile here from the same post & lands in a soft spot

 

5-Vespa N – NZ import has taken a few starts to regain form elsewhere, fresh off a solid third @ Harrah’s Philadelphia three weeks ago he’s facing a field of question marks

 

RACE 4

1-Lone Wolf American – Liked him last week when he launched a wide, menacing move to beat Sports Advisor, now moves inside that rival for a barn off to a quick start

 

4-Maddox Hanover – Took a few starts on the comeback trail before he steamrolled to a new lifetime mark, more than doubles his tag & draws well again with something positive to build on

 

8-Sports Advisor – Has now had a pair off solid acclimating miles here, his latest a gallant second to Lone Wolf American into stretch headwinds, banks on pace & trip from post eight

 

RACE 5

2-Wahs Fire Bug N – Did get the fast fractions set up & uncorked a serious rally to grab second in an impressive Big M debut, now draws inside the main concerns in this competitive puzzle

 

10-Trick Of The Light – Indiana Sires Stakes star switches to Noel Daley to start her 4YO campaign, that was an impressive qualifier here last week & deserves a long look despite post ten

 

9-Don’t Fence Me In – Major stakes player finished off her sophomore season in fine style, won her qualifier with a nice late burst & looms large right off the hop for Team Alagna

 

RACE 6

6-Ballerat Boomerang – Classy 10YO has taken a few starts to gather momentum for Per Engblom, just missed with a sharp rally from a tough spot last time & could be on verge

 

1-King Triton A – Has been bogged down by slow starts from outside posts in a pair of acclimating miles, 1:50.3 winner here last season gets class & post relief for Team Bongiorno

 

5-High Baller – Disappointed last week when he had the table set & lacked his usual late pop, but note he had missed a month of action & he was previously on a form spree

 

RACE 7

3-Phoenix Of Fluzzy – Regained winning form with a steady class drop @ Harrah’s Philadelphia, parlayed that into a thunderous repeat here for Team Burke & moves inside for the class hike

 

1-Luc Rocks – Turned his game around with sudden aggressive handling & cruised to upset for Team Bongiorno & draws inside again to employ a similar strategy

 

7-Dontlikeitleave – Came right back off the 1:51.2 lifetime best & didn’t break a sweat in 1:51.4 last week, fresh claim tests deeper waters here, yet this improving 4YO may not look back

 

RACE 8

2-YS Do It Right – Finally lands an inside post, beat these back on December 10, missed a month prior to last week’s mile & has a chance to trip out with his main concerns drawing outside

 

8-Secrecy –Brushed to the front where he thrives & romped last week fresh off the claim by Dan Morrissey, tackles post eight again & can stay on a roll with similar tactics

 

9-Boiler Maker – Horse-for-the-course crushed these first over from post seven two starts back, then chased standout Dontlikeitleave, post nine here, but long form spree & hot barn

 

RACE 9

6-Carbine – Loved the way he delivered for the chalk players fresh off the bench last week, 1:47.4 performer here last season follows up in a tougher field for Team Alagna

 

3-Sugar Me N – The Sugar has indeed been sweet on Lasix & in both starts here, shot home in :25.2 to just miss two starts back, drops back down & moves inside to lead Team Burke 1-2 punch

 

1-Bobcat Bay – Stepped up to this level with a solid second to My Pal Joe last week, first over crush before that, on his toes & on the rail in a very competitive affair

 

RACE 10

9-Water Sports Teen – Roughed it first over & just missed to Mysweetboymax in a sparkling comeback as the heavy favorite for Team Bongiorno, classy 5YO rates highly despite post nine

 

5-Mysweetboymax – Sat in off a soft rated pace & sprinted home in :27.2 last week, took a new mark of 1:51 with a tailor made upset before that & now drops back down

 

8-Hestherightstuff – Cranked it up a notch & reeled off an repeat upset, while also taking a new mark of 1:51.2 last week, post eight this time, yet might be the sharpest in this field

 

RACE 11

6-Linnycalledfrankie – Has offered some positive hints in two needed starts against better, now gets some class relief for that key third try off the bench & goes back to The Money Man

 

8-Hopnroll Heaven – Put together a noteworthy :55.2 back half to finish a close second to Bobcat Bay in a much-needed Big M debut for Per Engblom, tougher post, but expecting more

 

7-Game Of Change – 10-time winner last year managed to revive his form with a solid :27.3 surge to just miss to St Lads Beat It last week, tougher post & class hike, but potent combo

 

RACE 12

6-Seriously Hanover – Unfurled a massive turnaround in his second start here since switching to Travis Alexander, bumps up a notch, yet has repeat written all over him

 

3-Like Clockwork – Displayed ample positive indicators in his last few, this noted Big M lover draws a much better post this week & might present value in this wide-open field

 

4-Letsgotobrazil A – Tossed in a clunker in the Freehold Preferred off a close second here in 1:51 from post seven & has a chance rebound from an inside post

 

RACE 13

9-Undrthsouthrnsun N – 1:47.4 performer @ The Big M last season has been knocking on the door since a brief freshening, lands outside, but drops dangerously for Team Bongiorno

 

8-Rockeyed Optimist – 12YO certified warhorse has been landing on the edges recently, draws a challenging post, but gets some needed class relief

 

5-Idraintheswamp A – Beaten even money favorite finished a solid second with pace at both ends from post eight, third time Lasix & fourth start on the comeback trail

 

RACE 14

1-SD Watch Me Now – Came to life & overcame an early interference break & finished third into headwinds in his Big M debut, newly acquired Juan Cano trainee now drops into a soft spot, draws inside & gets a driver change

 

4-In Nevada N – Bruno Chiodo patience paid off as the heavy favorite in the GSY 1 Series & took a new mark of 1:55.3, draws well again to keep his recent form spree going

 

5-Rockabilly Charm – 1:50.3 winner @ The Big M in a productive 2022 season, rebounded with a sharp second @ Freehold & launches midpack in a dartboard finale here

 

Sunday, January 22 Selections

RACE 1

3-Brigadoon – That all the way air-out mission back on December 9 still stands out, tough trip @ Freehold last time & draws well in a soft opener here

 

6-Onlythetuffsurvive – 11YO warhorse with 50 career wins has cranked it up in his last three @ Freehold & ships in fresh off a wire-to-wire blowout for the Cutting Crew

 

5-Southwind Dredge – His recent form @ The Meadows & Dover Downs nothing to write home about, but he dips further in price & can set up a midpack stalking trip here

 

RACE 2

2-Pretty Interesting – Lightly-raced 4YO mare showed vast improvement in her second start after a six-month layoff & lands post two again & has a big chance to step up further in a soft field

 

5-Takato – Just two for 34, but was right there in the photo in his Big M debut for a sharp barn, now has to rebound off a follow up clunker in a wide-open affair

 

6-Swan Carol – Only one for 27, yet did close out her 3YO season on a nice roll, makes her Big M debut for a new barn after missing 33 days

 

RACE 3

7-Feherty – Beat $10,000 company @ Rosecroft three starts back, was holding his own against $12,500 stock @ Dover Downs & has a chance to exploit this softer spot here

 

5-Night Explorer – Shows a mild upset against $7,500 company back on December 10, maintaining good form & seems like a logical threat to stalk n pop these

 

4-Sportslover – Coming off an 0 for 28 season he made a smooth mile-track transition, runner up to a dominant Maddox Hanover & now makes his fourth start since a late-November sick scratch

 

RACE 4

1-Bet Big On Blue – Rallied for a substantial upset back on December 9, missed a month prior to his last start, back at bottom level & lands the rail in a toss up field

 

10-Lightningfast – Nosed out by longshot Matt So Sure in his Big M debut, then came right back to hit the board again into stretch headwinds, moves outside, but remains sharp

 

4-Massive Matter – No factor after slow starts from outside posts in his last two, drops back down to the bottom condition & looks like he has the talent to handle this bunch

 

RACE 5

3-Somiki – Followed up his Brett Beckwith thread-the-needle upset with an aggressive effort against tougher claimers & draws inside again to capitalize on his current form

 

5-Party Boy – Finished off his 2022 season on a nice three-race form spree, freshened with a month off, drops a notch & look for him to employ a midpack stalk n pop strategy

 

8-Cookiemansmanhardt – Adjusted well to the mile track here with two straight much-improved on-the-board finishes, makes him a factor despite post eight & 23 days off

 

RACE 6

1-Stride The Hill – Renewed form on Lasix, just missed the repeat when barely outsprinted by Rich N Miserable, lands the rail for the potent Brennan-Drennan combo

 

6-Lexus Kody – Broke again as the heavy favorite when venturing to Dover Downs, won his last two @ The Big M, has a chance to rebound, take no prisoners for Team Burke

 

7-Rich N Miserable – Responded to an ideal stalking trip to edge Stride The Hill, scored the mild upset & overdue win, classy 8YO looms as a logical threat to repeat

 

RACE 7

5-Greg The Leg – Greg might have a leg up on the competition fresh off a solid acclimating mile & please note the barn change to Per Engblom

 

8-Sunny Zip – Lightly-raced 4YO came ready to rock fresh off the bench, going all the way in his 2023 debut @ Dover Downs, tough post here, but has major upside

 

2-Third Pillar – Bettor’s Delight 4YO from a productive family only making his fourth career start, just missed in a pair of comebackers @ Dover Downs & draws much better here

 

RACE 8

6-Belmont Royale N – Has won three of his last four & comes in off a career best 1:50.4, owns a vicious late kick & pointing skyward for Nifty Norman

 

3-Nandolo N – Red-hot Yonkers shipper just missed to Semi Tough in the Open HDCP, strong in the column & draws well to stalk & turn the tables

 

2-Semi Tough – Ships in fresh off three in a row, his latest a well-rated Yonkers Open HDCP after missing 23 days & draws inside a competitive feature for Team Burke

 

RACE 9

9-Noch Ten – Sat close to those amazing fractions last Saturday, forced wide & still hit the board, moves outside, but has been facing much tougher lately & owns a big kick

 

6-Emblaze Hanover – Took another drop to this bottom condition level, got parked & cooked through a searing pace & gets a big chance to rebound

 

2-Ladyford Dollar GB – English-bred import was racing consistently well in Ireland, not much to go on from his Big M qualifier, yet draws inside for his Team Burke debut

 

RACE 10

10-Milady Denver A – 13YO mare has cycled to the top fresh off a well-driven upset into stretch headwinds, now she’s stuck outside, but her sharp form can carry her a long way

 

8-Gottalovemyshadow – Twice beaten favorite was pressured on the lead again & still held second to Milady Denver A, she’s a threat again despite a more demanding draw

 

6-Alkippe – Returns to The Big M fresh off a huge turnaround win in the slop, took a mark of 1:51.1 here last season & picks up Andrew McCarthy

 

RACE 11

6-JK Will Power – Beaten favorite was left in the wake of a runaway Duddie’s Lor in his comebacker, classy 1:50.4 performer gets strong consideration despite a 36-day layoff

 

3-Guys In The Band – Hasn’t raced since his mid-December win @ Harrah’s Philadelphia, but qualified with plenty of vigor off a sick scratch & draws inside a dartboard finale

 

8-Captain’s Reign – 1:52.4 winner @ The Big M & nine-time winner last season finished off 2022 on a high note @ Cumberland, demanding draw here & month off, but rates contender status