Ken Warkentin Selections for Friday, July 7 and Saturday, July 8, 2023
Wednesday, July 5, 2023
RACE 1
2-Rock To Glory – Got shuffled after a good start & still finished well last time, a solid third before that, draws inside again to trip out close to the pace & could be trending for an overdue win
1-Wiggle My Cookie – James Slendorn went on one of his front-end missions & this mare almost snapped her 0 for 22 season skid, now she has the rail to try it again in a typical MADC puzzler
10-Final Justice – No factor chasing a 1:51 winner last out, stuck outside here, but his last win came in this series & these are easier
RACE 2
1-Flying Kronos S – Swedish-bred brother to Woman’s Will ($602,991), by prolific 2YO stallion Face Time Bourbon, showed stark improvement in his second Big M trial & lands the rail for Team Svanstedt
3-Classic Landing – $100,000 Tactical Landing second foal from Classical Annie ($366,704), jogged in his second Gaitway qualifier & draws inside for Team Burke
4-Hankins Hanover – $155,000 Walner gelding from the family of Victory Dream, two-for-two @ Harrah’s Philadelphia & has learned his lessons well for Nifty Norman
RACE 3
6-Pantoran – $100,000 Walner first foal off a sister to Hambo prospect Southwind Coors, simply jogged in his lone baby race & could be anything for Team Svanstedt
2-French Kronos – Team Melander-tuned Swedish-bred by two-time Prix D’Amerique winner Face Time Bourbon flashed plenty of late trot to hit the board in his stakes debut here & draws post two again
1-Twin B Showboat – Homebred Tactical Landing gelding stretched it out in 1:59.2 to go two-for-two in his trials, his latest right here for Team Alagna & lands the rail
RACE 4
7-Go For Gaagaa NO – Googoo Gaagaa filly flew home in an eye-catching :26.4 to just miss in her stakes debut here for Per Engblom & just needs the right set up
4-Tandem Hanover – $510,000 Walner sister to Temporal Hanover, 1:52.2 ($972,166) cruised in her first trial, then kicked home in a sharp :27 & draws well for Andrew Harris
2-Prominence – $190,000 first foal from a 2019 O’Brien Award winning dam showed plenty of determination to make it two-for-two @ Magical Acres & draws inside
RACE 5
9-Woodmere Androlli – Winless this season, but acting like a new horse in his last three since acquired by Juan Cano, tougher draw here, yet this series is easier
6-Brazen Brazilian – The Brazilian has displayed some solid final quarters against TM 74 stock, just one for 22 this season, but this is a softer spot
1-Rockabilly Charm – Steadily finishing well for minor spoils in his last few, lands the rail on that positive trend & reunited with Anthony Verruso
RACE 6
2-Captain Albano – $150,000 Captaintreacherous colt just missed in his Magical Acres opener, then zipped home in a snappy :26.2 to win one here & draws inside for Noel Daley
5-Captain Marvel – Second foal from a sister to Western Fame ($1,931,775) went all the way in his second outing over an off track & polished it off in :27.2 for Team Toscano
6-Solar Solution – $150,000 second foal from a 2015 O’Brien Award winning dam, back half in an impressive :54.3 to romp in his second Gaitway trial for Team Bongiorno
RACE 7
4-Mon Amour – Toss out his latest @ 9/16ths of a mile from post seven @ Yonkers, returns to The Big M at a much easier level & draws better for Per Engblom
2-Nylander – Grinded gamely from post eight & still held for the show, a solid runner up @ this level two before that & now moves inside in top form
6-Yanaba – Started her 4YO season off with three in a row in KYSS, took a mark of 1:51.4 @ Oak Grove, missed 25 days prior to her last start here & drops a notch
RACE 8
6-Total Stranger – $425,000 brother to 2020 Horse of the Year Tall Dark Stranger just missed in both baby races, his second a narrow loss to Captain Marvel with a :26.4 for Team Takter
2-Newsroom – Always B Miki colt went two-for-two in baby races, then went all the way as the heavy favorite in his stakes debut with a sparkling :25.4 & draws inside for a Hall of Fame duo
5-Swifty Lazar – 15th foal from the 2001 Nova Award winning dam aired it out in both Gaitway qualifiers, his latest with :55.4 back half for Team Burke
RACE 9
3-Cheval Rapide – Father Patrick third foal from 2014 Trotter of the Year Shake It Cerry romped in her lone baby race with a :27.4 over an off track & draws well for Team Takter
2-Stardust Volo – $525,000 Muscle Hill filly from a strong family dominated her second qualifier @ Scioto Downs, draws inside & gets The Money Man in a pretty competitive division
8-The Moment – Fourth foal from a sister to Hambo champ Marion Marauder, rallied from a tough spot to make it two-for-two @ The Big M for Lucas Wallin, stuck outside, but worth a long look
RACE 10
2-Caviart Belle – $375,000 sister to 1:49.3 performer Energetic Hanover won her lone trial with a standout :25.4 & draws inside to lead the Team Takter Captaintreacherous trio
1-Sarasota Hanover – $210,000 Stay Hungry filly has gone all the way in both baby races for Team Toscano, her latest @ The Big M with a :26.3 & :55.4 back half & lands the rail
3-Flawless – First foal from a sister to Fine Diamond, 1:50 ($776,681), two-for-two here in morning trials, rallied in :26.1 over an off track to take her latest & draws well for Team Takter
RACE 11
4-Bargain – Fourth foal out of a sister to millionaire Likeabatoutahellerupted to a big upset in NYSS debut & returns to the mile track with an inside post for Team Takter
3-Senor Fantastic – Modestly-priced Tactical Landing stepped up with a vastly-improved second qualifier @ Vernon Downs, post three again & gets The Money Man in a wide-open division
6-T C I – $150,000 Cantab Hall colt from a strong family, two-for-two @ Gaitway for Team Burke, his latest with a sharp :27.2 & has to factor in
RACE 12
1-Jive Ninety Five – Left alertly from post seven, pace compromised & trotted home in a solid :27 to grab the show behind Blue Bayou Deo & moves inside that rival
7-Blue Bayou Deo – Had just about everything go his way & was outsprinted by the pocket sitting Plump last week, gets another shot at this reduced level still revving up on the comeback trail
2-So Long Hanover – Returns to The Big M off an even fifth @ Pocono, broken equipment here before that, seemed to be trending right & draws inside a wide-open affair
RACE 13
2-Internationalmodel – Filly by 2017 O’Brien Award winner & Hambo elimination winner International Moni, runner up in both trials, her latest in :27 & draws inside
1-My Legacy S – By the sire of sires Ready Cash (Bold Eagle & Face Time Bourbon), went uncovered in her first try here, then kicked home in :27.2 & lands the rail for Team Svanstedt
4-Landing Order – Won her first two baby races @ Mohawk, even acclimating mile here last week, post four again & eligible to step up
RACE 14
4-Rojan’s Way – Has been on a pretty nice roll, wire-to-wire for a new mark of 1:51 despite broken equipment two starts back, out of striking range last week & now draws better
1-Just A Wrangler – Lived up to the tote hype with a sustained rally to score by a head over Skyway Billy last week & moves inside that rival to repeat with Yannick Gingras back in the bike
6-Skyway Billy – 11YO 0 for 20 this season, but on a form spree with three seconds in his last four, just missed to Just A Wrangler last week & involved in a hot pace before that
Selections for Saturday, July 8
RACE 1
1-T Dog – Okay, here’s a lightly-raced 3YO, just paced in 1:51.1, tries this series again making his third start off a sick scratch, lands the rail & might be worth a swing in a tricky opener
2-Its Showtime – 1:51.2 mark this season, failed to get involved in some faster miles in his last two, draws inside again to employ his stalking style closer to the pace
6-Big Bad Bill – Bill beat these with a gutsy effort as the heavy favorite three starts back, rallied right there in the photo with a late surge & reunited with Joe Lee
RACE 2
5-To All A Goodnight – Lightly-raced filly with some upside was shuffled fourth here two starts back, returns to The Big M with that experience under her & drops a notch
6-Moneymakersmile – No factor in a beneficial acclimating mile, draws a tad better, owns controlling speed, drops into a soft headscratcher & makes her second start for Richard Johnson
10-Trans Meanie – Was able to steal a :57.3 half & held on as the heavy favorite last week, stuck outside, but on a nice roll for Team Bongiorno
RACE 3
2-Whitecookie – Lands in a prime bounce-back spot with class & post relief for Team Burke, chased P L Ozzy in his last two & crushed at the N/W $10,000 level three starts back
6-Caviart Camden – Set a 1:48.3 world record as a 2YO, tried to get going in KYSS, freshened by Team Alagna, chased Voukefalas in the qualifier & returns on Lasix
8-Shore Of Himself – Has now had a pair of solid acclimating miles, tackles another tough post, but drops a notch & owns gate speed in a pari mutuel puzzler
RACE 4
7-Mask On Mask Off – We jumped on board again to the tune of $26.40 last week, fresh off that lifetime best this 4YO faces a stiffer test, yet figures to have some speed to shoot at
4-I’m Burlington – Gave the streaking Raptors Flight N a steady run for his money recently, drops into this softer series, draws well, rates highly & overdue
6-Kerford Road A – Makes his second start for Michael Russo from a slightly better post after chasing a 1:48.3 winner in an acclimating effort & this could be a drop n pop scenario
RACE 5
9-Shesasharpshooter – Beaten favorite just missed to Goo Goo Won with a game effort in her Big M debut, more challenging post, yet she can fly off the wings to turn the tables
8-Goo Goo Won – Parlayed a winning qualifier into a powerhouse new mark of 1:50.3 to light up the board in a smashing debut here, tougher draw, but has a big chance to show more
6-Queen Of Success – Made only one start last month, yet it was a solid fourth against these & had a decent run in KYSS @ Oak Grove
RACE 6
3-Fulton – NA Cup elimination winner was roughed up & gamely held third in that Final, steady & versatile sort draws well, while trending right for Dexter Dunn & Team Toscano
1-Voukefalas – NJSS champion had road trouble in the NA Cup, yet made a strong account of himself @ Mohawk, tuned up with a nice qualifier & lands the rail back home
2-Cannibal – Late-blooming Team Takter pupil rallied stoutly to go three-for-three this season, draws inside, has the speed & potential & connections are confident
RACE 7
10-Allywag Hanover – Upset the great Bulldog with a world record 1:46 last Fall, makes his third start off the bench for Brett Pelling & tackles post ten after missing three weeks
9-Southwind Gendry – Classy Team Burke millionaire took a mark of 1:47.2 winning the Send It In, stuck outside, owns speed or must somehow find a way to get within striking range
7-P L Ozzy – Amazing Ozzy took last week off after back-to-back 1:48.3 blowouts, faces a stiffer test, while riding a five-race winning streak & four-for-four since the Justin Sodano claim
RACE 8
1-Jiggy Jog S – Three-for-three & going for eight in a row, was able to take charge in a rated pace & held off the mighty Bella Bellini in the Six Pack & lands the rail for Team Svanstedt
6-Keg Stand – Added Lasix & surged past Looks Like Moni for a sparkling new mark of 1:50.4, now a hefty five for seven this season & looms large for Team Takter
2-Looks Like Moni – Beaten favorite had things his own way & got gunned down by the trip-sitting Keg Stand two weeks ago, draws inside that rival & certainly trending right
RACE 9
5-Stonebridge Helios – Brushed n crushed them with a career best 1:47 from post nine in Leg 2, then slugged it out with Mad Max right to the wire & could easily turn the tables
4-Mad Max Hanover – Max has been sensational equaling his lifetime mark of 1:47.4 in the latest two series legs here, draws well to keep it going & continue his rivalry with Stonebridge Helios
1-Dreamfair Arnie B – Upset winner in the opening round just missed to I Did It My Way as the beaten favorite in Leg 3 & moves inside for Brett Pelling
RACE 10
1-Confederate – NA Cup elimination winner just missed in that Final while closing from a tough spot, now gets the rail after three weeks off with five-time Pace winner Tim Tetrick
3-Stockade Seelster – 2YO division champ last season off to a solid start as a glamour boy, arrives after a pair of 1:49.3 scores @ Mohawk & draws inside for 2021 Pace winning trainer
6-Christchurch – NA Cup elimination winner wasn’t himself in that Final, yet bounced back with a gutsy career best 1:48.3 here last week for Team Takter
RACE 11
6-Excaliber Bi – $210,000 Muscle Hill colt was a 1:53 Grand Circuit winner at two, his latest qualifier here is noteworthy & Hambo eliminations in three weeks
8-Point Of Perfect – Improving Walner colt stayed flat & lived up to his tote hype with a perfect trip & new mark of 1:52.3 for Team Burke, tougher draw, but has Hambo aspirations
2-Hardrockcafe – Returns to The Big M fresh off back-to-back blowouts @ Harrah’s Philadelphia, beating the N/W 3 class, draws inside here to avoid traffic & trip out
RACE 12
5-Better Than Some – Was caught too far off a rated pace & finished well in :26.1, has been sharp recently & launches midpack for his second try off the claim
9-Mongolian Hero N – Brushed n crushed these in a decisive 1:50 two weeks ago fresh off the Brett Pelling reclaim, a threat to repeat despite his post nine assignment
2-Raptors Flight N – Beaten favorite on a quite a recent form spree, left in the wake of Mongolian Hero N last out, yet now draws inside that rival to possible turn the tables
RACE 13
2-Doctor BB – Fresh off a narrow loss with pace at both ends @ Pocono, returns to The Big M at a lower condition level & draws inside a field filled with question marks
1-Tito Rocks – Tito is winless this season, but has been sharpening his sword in PA for a high percentage barn & the rail here paves the way for another smooth trip in a softer spot
6-Marcus Seelster – Fired out hard in :26.2 & faded to sixth after a solid second before that & this 1:51.4 winner here this season continues to tumble down the class ladder
RACE 14
3-Distance Learning – Tripped out & rallied for a new mark of 1:53.3 two starts back, drops back down & draws inside again to rebound off another early miscue in a wide-open finale
5-Champagne Hanover – Romped to a new mark of 1:54.4 before chasing a 1:51.1 Hambo prospect last out, tackles this higher level again, yet remains in top form
4-Chake – Just missed at this level here back on June 3, solid runner up @ Harrah’s Philadelphia two starts back & draws well in good form for her return to The Big M