Ken Warkentin Selections for Friday, July 11, & Saturday, July 12, 2025
Tuesday, July 8, 2025
Race 1
3-Sunshine’s Finest – Has displayed positive signs of cycling forward in his last two, fresh off a solid third last Saturday & draws inside again with strong winning percentage
2-Iammrbrightside N – 15YO somehow rebounded off a clunker with 10-1 upset, but that was 27 days ago, draws better, yet his current form is a mystery
4-Urban Renewal – Grinded gamely from post ten with the benefit of a slow pace to prevail in a real soft division & draws better to work out a more favorable trip
Race 2
5-No Promises – Daughter of Tactical Landing & first foal from her dam won both Gaitway baby races with strong finishes & logically deserves a lot of attention for Team Burke
1-R Candy – $150,000 Walner filly severely pace/trip compromised in her debut, just missed to No Promises in her previous baby race & lands the rail for Team Toscano
7-Night French Girl – French-bred Muscle Hill filly flashed a :27.4 @ Magical Acres, then a solid runner up as the beaten favorite last week, so look for more in the follow up
Race 3
3-Mr Mouton – Late-blooming Chapter Seven gelding a solid runner up in both 3YO starts, his latest to another serious Hambo prospect Go Dog Go & this Svanstedt trainee draws inside again
1-Mountcastle – Tripped out to his first win in a sizzling 1:51.2 NJSS division, then rallied from a tough spot to hit the board behind Mr Mouton & this Team Melander trainee lands the rail
6-Rocket Man Hill – 4YO added trotting hopples recently & regained his confidence with a win & second in his last two, that makes him a stalking threat if he gets speed to shoot at
Race 4
6-Sparks – $150,000 Walner second foal from a sister to Manofmanymissions, unleashed some of her potential in a second baby race romp & could be anything for Team Svanstedt
8-Waldon Fashion – Walner third foal from a double Dan Patch Award winner breezed both baby races, then took no prisoners in a sparkling debut from post seven
2-Opulence – $300,000 Walner third foal from an O’Brien Award winner, strong runner up in both morning trials & draws inside to play a stalking role for Team Alagna
Race 5
1-Rocknacious – $150,000 Perfect Sting first foal from the millionaire Breeders Crown champion Rocknificent, jogged in his first trial, then thundered home in :26.4 & lots to like from the rail
5-He Is Stingin – $50,000 colt from the first crop of Perfect Sting, second to first out winner Dax Seelster in his lone qualifier & might be ready to roll for Team Orange Crush
3-A Little Kick – Perfect Sting 14th foal from a family that includes Captain Crunch, really stepped it up his second baby race @ Harrah’s Philadelphia & draws well for Nifty Norman
Race 6
2-Mega Shark – $185,000 Tactical Landing third foal from a sister to Bella Bellini just missed Southwind Alamo in an inspiring debut & draws inside that rival again
1-Maga Hill – Muscle Hill first foal from the Googoo Gaagaa dam crushed convincingly in both Gaitway trials & rates highly the rail for Team Burke in a pretty competitive division
8-Southwind Alamo – Tactical Landing colt took charge, dictated the terms & held off Mega Shark in :27.4, tackles a tougher draw, but certainly benefited from that experience
Race 7
3-Ladysassin – Perfect Sting first foal from her Captaintreacherous dam guided smoothly by Dexter Dunn to an 8-1 upset debut over Wave Dancer & draws post three again for Team Toscano
5-Wave Dancer – Perfect Sting second foal from a sister to millionaires American Jewel & Luck Be Withyou, deuce popped & barely outsprinted by stablemate Ladysassin last week
10-Perfect Thought – Perfect Sting from a very productive maternal line that includes Big Jim, her latest two baby races in PA pop out, debuts from post ten in a loaded field, yet might be special
Race 8
5-Sugar Packet – Modestly priced Six Pack filly baby raced nicely @ Mohawk & romped in style in her debut there, she hooks into a pretty strong division, but deserves a long look
7-Abbey Blue Chip – Tactical Landing filly wired both baby races @ Harrah’s Philadelphia, then cruised to a well-rated Kindergarten debut from post seven & can’t rule out a repeat
1-Pretty Picky – Tactical Landing filly scored confidently in both Big M baby races with trotting hopples & lands another rail for her Team Alagna debut
Race 9
2-I’m Kronos S – $310,000 Walner brother to Hambo prospect Gap Kronos S won both Big M baby races with brilliant sprints, draws inside & has high hopes for Team Svanstedt
3-Diabolic Hill – $300,000 Muscle Hill third foal from a sister to Brigham Dream & Crys Dream unfurled a breathtaking rally to payoff the chalk in his Kindergarten debut & looms large
1-Royal Drive – Son of Propulsion went all the way in his lone morning trial here for Team Alagna, so it looks like he’s ready to contend right off the hop from the rail
Race 10
3-Sonofanutcracker – Cancelliere homebred by half million dollar winner Nutcracker Sweet, baby raced well @ Magical Acres & just missed with an energetic effort in his Harrah’s Philadelphia debut
1-Be Sting – Perfect Sting second foal, first was Odds On Steno, 1:50.4 ($294,950), solid in his latest two baby races & gets smooth sailing from the rail
2-Reincarnated – Lazarus N colt turned in a decent placing in his debut @ Goshen, draws inside a soft division here & Team Bongiorno has been on a roll
Race 11
2-Saints Preserve Us – Beaten favorite came out of a shuffle with a solid second last week, draws inside & this lightly-raced Greenshoe filly seems to be trending right
5-C Can Trot – Took some tote action in his debut here for a new barn & turned in a lively effort from post nine & now moves to mid pack off that much-needed acclimating mile
1-Limerance – Has been a steady fringe player at this level, but the 11YO veteran finally moves inside & that could trigger a closer-to-the-pace stalking trip
Race 12
1-Balenciaga – Classy 1:51.3 performer makes his second start after a long layoff, lands the rail here fresh off an eye-catching romp @ Vernon Downs & doesn’t face much
2-Craigieburn – Off a solid Gaitway qualifier for his new barn he’s put forth a couple of credible acclimating miles here & draws much better in a highly beatable field
3-Fix-It-Up – Managed to put together a perfect-trip romp fresh off the bench, then faded to eighth, has had a couple of weeks to regroup & draws inside again for Team Bongiorno
Race 13
5-Rambo Hanover – $385,000 Muscle Hill first foal from his Walner dam, jogged in both Big M baby races & the sky is the limit for Team Svanstedt
1-Nix Nacken – $260,000 Muscle Hill romped with authority in his second baby race for Team Melander & you’ve got to like his chances from the rail
4-Steelworkers Story – Walner colt with a French maternal line, distant runner up in both Gaitway preps for Team Burke, draws well & heading in the right direction
Race 14
3-Moonwards Hanover – Moonwards is winless in 19 this season, but you’ve got to like his string of three straight strong seconds & his improved post could finally put him across
2-Warrawee Xceed – Just one for 19 this season, shuffled & came back on for fourth last out, draws post two again & note the narrow loss back on June 7
8-Sergeant Walt – Beaten favorite forced wide & finished a close second, tougher post this time, but this lightly-raced 3YO might be poised to break through
Saturday Selections
Race 1
5-Resolve To Win – Left alertly for a two-hole ride behind 6-5 favorite Chapercraz & was blocked with trot right to the wire, high in the win column & lands midpack in a wide-open affair
10-Lexus Kody – Just missed in the Cutler, fresh off a solid third from post nine in the Crawford, slammed with post ten here, but remains on a long form spree for Team Burke
2-Celebrity Bambino – Shook loosed with relentless late trot while all out last week, that effort signaled a turnaround & hence he’s a stalking threat with another inside draw
Race 2
3-Taranaki – 4YO went on a tear this past Spring, understandably a bit short in the comebacker last week, but draws better with sub 1:50 potential in a very competitive dash
8-Captain Crusader A – This Captain stormed home from tough spots in his last two in a wicked :25.4, tackles another challenging draw, yet figures to get speed to shoot at
7-Remember The Alamo – Inherited that win when the heavy favorite broke in mid stretch, nevertheless a 1:49.3 with a :25.3 fresh off the bench is nothing to sneeze at
Race 3
4-Super Chapter – No. 1 in the Hambo Top Ten, three-for-three this season, including a Vernon Downs track record 1:50.4 & fresh off a well-measured methodic rally in the Yonkers Trot
7-Gap Kronos S – Ranks fourth in the Hambo Top Ten for Team Svanstedt, Goodtimes runner up romped to equal his mark of 1:51.4 in a Reynolds division & ramping up for a serious test
1-Hidalgo – #6 in the Hambo Top Ten, new horse with trotting hopples, wire-to-wire in the NJSS Final, shuffled fifth in the Zweig & returns to familiar ground with the rail for Team Burke
Race 4
5-Maryland – 2024 Dan Patch Award winner ranked second in the Hambo Top Ten, solid runner up in the EBC & Zweig & this millionaire continues to build momentum for Team Melander
5-Go Dog Go – Occupies #5 in the Hambo Top Ten, impressive career best 1:52.3 in his 3YO debut, then unleashed a furious rally from post nine to win a Reynolds division & draws better
6-Maximus Mearas S – Second by a neck in the Breeders Crown, finally surfaces for Lucas Wallin, who had the 2022 favorite Rebuff, #9 in the Hambo Top Ten & poised to move up
Race 5
8-Yo Tillie – Two-for-two on the comeback trail with an eye-catching blowout in the Reynolds, draws another tough post, but now 10 for 14 & Andrew Harris has a special filly
4-Champagne Problems – Dan Patch Award winner bounced back with a well-earned second to runaway Yo Tillie despite a tough trip from post nine & draws inside the main concerns
7-Lady Landia – Breeders Crown champion turned in back-to-back morning breezes for Team Svanstedt, tricky post, but has the talent & class & seems primed for her 3YO debut
Race 6
5-What A Bid Hanover – Goldsmith Maid winner was too far back in the NJSS Final, barely outgamed by Torrisi in the Zweig & poised from mid pack to turn the tables for Team Svanstedt
1-Torrisi – Has blossomed into a top level contender for Team Takter, fresh off a well-rated upset in the Zweig she lands the rail & retains Yannick Gingras in very competitive division
10-Conversano – NJSS champion has been on a serious roll this season winning five of six, dug in gamely to hold off R Dutchess in the Reynolds, tackles post ten, but remains a top threat
Race 7
5-Captain Albano – Two-time Dan Patch Award winner worked out a second over trip & couldn’t threaten late with a :26.2 as the beaten favorite, but with a better post he looms large again
3-Coach Stefanos – Breeders Crown champ got the speed target he needed & uncorked his big kick to upset the Brower, equaled his mark of 1:47.2 & draws inside to set up a stalking trip
11-Sabonis – Gutsy Graduate winner in a career best 1:47.3 saddled with the second tier, but sports an 18 for 24 record, just revving up his season & Brett Pelling has him on his toes
Race 8
1-Twin B Joe Fresh – Defending champ & 2024 HOY grinded gamely through hot fractions & was a gallant runner up in the Perfect Sting, so look for her to atone from the rail
9-Sylvia Hanover – Canada’s HOY in 2023 was third in this event last year, moves outside, but comes off a mind-boggling upset in the Perfect Sting & retains the Bionic Man
6-Kobe’s Gigi – After a romp in the Oak Grove Open switched to the Burke Stable & unleashed a sizzling 1:50.2 tune up @ Gaitway & this classy mare has the class & speed to contend
Race 9
6-Elista Hanover – Exploded with late trot to just miss again in the Graduate Final, continues to build momentum, draws better for The Buckeye & figures to appreciate the added eighth
5-Warrawee Michelle – 2YO Breeders Crown champ & 2024 Hambo Oaks winner stormed home from post eight to upset the Graduate Final & lands mid pack as a repeat threat
2-Private Access – Beaten favorite in the Graduate Final used hard after starting his season three-for-three, remains sharp & draws inside to control his destiny to spark a Luc Blais trio
Race 10
5-Captain Luke – Knocking on the door in the Graduate Series here, just missed in that final with a :26.1 on both ends, remains razor sharp & moves ro mid pack
9-Ken Hanover – Hottest FFAer this season extended his winning streak to five with a career best 1:47.4 in his Brower division, faces another outside draw, yet might be too good right now
11-Bythemissal – Back-to-back Ohio HOY & double millionaire a hard-charging third in his Brower division off a track record 1:47.1 @ Scioto Downs & huge threat despite the second tier
Race 11
4-Prince Hal Hanover – Dr. Ian Moore won the 2021 Pace with Lawless Shadow in a DQ, this colt just missed in his NA Cup elim with a :25.4, had no chance in that final, sharpened up @ Mohawk last week & draws well for The Hot Toddy
5-Captain Optimistic – NA Cup elimination winner hasn’t really done anything wrong in just four starts this season, Nancy Takter won the 2020 edition with Tall Dark Stranger & Dexter Dunn has a big chance to add this to his stellar resume
9-Madden Oaks – Gallant runner up from post ten in the NA Cup @ 53-1, equaled his mark of 1:51.3 in a Tioga tune up, stuck outside, but another blastoff expected for this red-hot contender
Race 12
2-Rodeo Drive Deo – Just missed with a sterling rally in the Fan Hanover, then upset Miki And Minnie in PASS @ Pocono, draws well for Team Burke to keep her form spree going
11-Miki And Minnie – 2YO Dan Patch Award winner kicked off her sophomore season three-for-three, just a fifth off the Fan Hanover stakes record, added Lasix off a narrow loss @ Pocono, qualified with plenty & tackles the second tier
6-Three Times Bettor – Lightly-raced Bettor’s Delight filly arrives three-for-three on Lasix this season for Brett Pelling, sparked by a 1:50.3 career best here & primed to step up
Race 13
6-Nelsonbriteeagle NO – Missed three weeks prior to her solid third in the Six Pack, won this series final last year @ Delaware, 1:49.4 FanDuel champ retains Dexter Dunn & has a chance to upset
1-Call Me Goo – 2024 O’Brien Award winner & Breeders Crown champion, off a close second in the Armbro Flight she dominated the Six Pack from post seven & lands the rail for Team Svanstedt
2-M-M’s Dream – Classy Team Burke trainee was a solid runner up in the Six Pack, post gods are kind to her again & she has license to trip out & possibly turn the tables on Call Me Goo
Race 14
5-Louis Litt N – Fresh off a gallant narrow loss with a nifty :26.2, rallied stoutly before that, launches mid pack to work out a trip similar to June 7 when he took a new mark of 1:50.4
2-Sweet Ideal – Often finishes well, hit the board in his last two, his latest with a :26.2, draws post two again & resumes his stalking role in a very tricky Hi-5 finale
9-He’s Half Naked – Was all alone when he fully exposed his opposition with a career best 1:51 as the heavy favorite, bumps up with an outside draw, but no doubt he’s at the top of his game