Ken Warkentin Selections for Friday, May 12 & Saturday, May 13, 2023

Wednesday, May 10, 2023

---

RACE 1

5-Wiggle My Cookie – Might be on the verge of snapping her 0 for 15 season, parked & forced wide & still came charging home in :27.2 from post nine with Joe Lee last week

 

8-Camlachie Chrome – Beaten favorite got aggressive, worked to clear the lead past a soft :57.3 half & just missed last week, tougher draw, but a live item for a high percentage combo

 

4-Harry Hanover – Suddenly took matters into his own hands & went all the way from post eight two starts back, has a chance to rebound in a field that is a combined five for 102 this season

 

RACE 2

4-Grizzly Bare – Almost parlayed an ideal second over trip into a bombs away last week, nice turnaround & draws well again for his fourth start since a sick scratch

 

7-Congress Hill Eva – A Gabe Prewitt #SendItIn Special somehow stormed home from last to first to nail Grizzly Bare & took a new lifetime mark & must prove it no fluke

 

6-Scirocco Patrick – Grinded gamely first over with a much-improved third last week, so he has something positive to build on & gives Katie Gangell a 1-2 punch

 

RACE 3

7-Heaven Hanover – Filly hit the board in five of six at two, unleashed an eye-catching :27.2 surge in her qualifier & Team Melander has come out flying

 

6-Pure Countess – Three thirds in three starts so far this season, latest two in the NJ Breeders Maturity & lands in a softer spot for Per Engblom

 

5-Strongerwithlindy – Chased the standout Pretender in the NJ Breeders Maturity just two for 36 a concern, but this is a chance for him to assert himself

 

RACE 4

7-Distance Learning – 4YO with some upside was a solid runner up on the pace in his comeback, then got parked first over & now drops a notch for his key third start off the bench

 

2-Wow Lester – Lester has won two of his last four, draws better off a tough trip from post seven & has a big chance to take charge

 

6-Jive Ninety Five – Was a bit better flashing some late trot in his latest @ Pocono, gets some class relief here & makes his third start since a barn change

 

RACE 5

2-Gigi Hanover – Almost converted a perfect trip into her first win in a sparkling 3YO debut, draws inside again for Team Svanstedt & faces a field riddled with question marks

 

7-Wilder Days – Made her second consecutive break in the Lady Suffolk, that SRF upset three starts back stands out & spells talent, but obviously she has to stay flat

 

4-Tactical Takeoff – Miscues have clearly been costly in both 3YO starts, her March 7 qualifier was inspiring & she has a big chance to rebound for Team Orange Crush

 

RACE 6

4-As Always – Almost paid off with a mighty :26.4 fresh off the Justin Sodano claim, gets Gingras & post four again as his back class continues to resurface

 

6-Boiler Maker – Was able to turn his game around with a thunderous rally from post ten fresh off the claim & won’t be too far off the pace in this abbreviated field

 

5-Magritte – Made a nice return to The Big M with a well-rated narrow loss, will likely find him on the engine again & he’s always tough to knock off

 

RACE 7

3-Bettor B Sawyer – Made her second start for Ivan Lopez payoff with an aggressive effort from post eight & equaled her lifetime mark & looms large to repeat from an improved post

 

4-Jonah – Perked up with a win & second here last month, then faded @ Pocono, parked from post eight last week & draws better to rebound in a real dartboard field

 

2-Doc Semalu – 0 for 14 in 2023, yet was noticeably better in his second start off a sick scratch, draws inside to trip out in a field that is a combined eight for 121 this season

 

RACE 8

4-All Class – Displayed plenty of speed winning two divisions of the Weiss Series @ Pocono, fresh off a strong third in PASS & could be tough to knock off

 

3-It’s My Show – Off a pair of impressive qualifiers he unleashed an impressive 3YO debut & draws inside again with pedigree & potential

 

6-Blue Hunt – Prominent player in the Kindergarten Series at two, solid rally for the deuce in his 3Yo debut @ Plainridge & reunited with The Bionic Man

 

RACE 9

5-Lyons Pride – Dropped into this amateur series, took some tote action & came charging home to just miss by a nose last week, now makes his second start for Nicole Dicostanzo

 

3-Sunshine’s Finest – Parlayed a narrow loss into a big :27.3 rally score as the lukewarm favorite last week & draws a bit better while brimming with confidence

 

9-Texas Terror N – 15YO on a three-race form spree, including a post eight win two starts back, dangerous proposition if he gets some pace to shoot at

 

RACE 10

2-Mcmarkle Sparkle – Recent winner @ Yonkers pace compromised in her last two, 10 for 30 last year, recent Per Engblom acquisition in line to trip out

 

3-Jody – Bumped into a revved up Max Contract last time, just missed in her comeback on Lasix, fresh threat draws well & rates highly for Team Burke

 

1-Hot Mess Express – Was able to show her class with a game first over score from post ten last week & looks to step it up further from the rail

 

RACE 11

2-True Blue Hanover – Came charging home to hit the board in a wicked :25.4 two starts back, exits the SRF Series & draws better

 

1-The Turning Point – Crushed the TM 74.25 types with a new mark of 1:53.1 two starts back, now drops a notch & lands the rail

 

3-Ultimate Long Shot – She’s been on a nice recent roll, draws inside again fresh off a solid second in :27.3 & retains Dexter Dunn

 

RACE 12

2-Miss Chantilly N – Flashed a noteworthy :26.3 to grab third in her second US start & moves inside to logically show more with The Hot Toddy

 

4-Huntress – Extended her long form spree with a game speed try & narrow loss, off that nice acclimating mile her post improves for Team Bongiorno

 

7-Got Sexy Scars – Ships back here fresh off a lively upset @ Harrah’s Philadelphia, owns some back class & strong in the win column last year

 

RACE 13

2-Immanuel K S – Swedish import by Sebastian K qualified well in the slop for Team Svanstedt chasing Bella Bellini & draws inside a wide-open field

 

4-Balenciaga – Showed more late trot in his second qualifier on Lasix, tangled with some of the top guns last season & looms as a fresh threat

 

1-Squared Away – Can’t fault that solid third in his 3YO debut, this is lightly-raced a Noel Daley trainee with some upside & smooth trip potential from the rail

 

RACE 14

6-Getaway – Recent Estrada racing acquisition ships in fresh off a much-improved third @ Harrah’s Philadelphia, retains The Buckeye & long overdue

 

2-Brazen Brazilian – Did flash a few hints of late pace before he came roaring home for a new mark as the heavy favorite & rewarded with a better post

 

4-Bruce’s Magic – Just one for his last 49 & winless this season, solid runner up in a deadheat two starts back& draws well with a chance to rebound

 

Saturday, May 13, 2023 Selections

RACE 1

1-Cantstoplying – Gathering momentum on a class descent & addition of Lasix, solid third from post seven last week & gets another shot at this rock bottom level from the rail

 

8-I’m Burlington N – Late-March claim hasn’t quite worked out, while trips not ideal, stuck outside, but drops to the lowest condition in a field that is a combined seven for 93 this season

 

2-Claytons Bettor N – Might be the sharpest of this bunch, came right back to repeat wire-to-wire with Dexter Dunn, 8YO took a new mark of 1:51.1 & looms as the inside speed

 

RACE 2

2-Dragons Revenge – Wasn’t heard from after a slow start from post ten, yet this relatively new acquisition for Team Bongiorno has a big chance to perk up in her second try off the bench

 

4-Ladyzar – Has struggled in just four starts so far this season, yet was tackling Weiss Series & NJSS fillies & now draws well in a much softer spot

 

6-Targaryen Empress – Recently picked up a couple of checks against TM 74.25 mares here, returns to The Big M & picks up The Bionic Man in a real wide-open affair

 

RACE 3

4-Kaddari – $375,000 late-blooming daughter of Walner cruised three-for-three in the Weiss Series @ Pocono & Team Melander might have a potential star on their hands

 

5-Walner Payton – Rated #4 on the Road to the Hambo, dominated the 2YO NJSS Final, Breeders Crown runner up blossomed into a top shelf player & qualifiers were okay

 

3-Blonde Bombshell – Lightly-raced $400,000 Walner filly flashed some talent at two, went all the way as the heavy favorite in her 3YO & draws inside for Nifty Norman

 

RACE 4

8-Kimmeridgian – Matron Stakes winner, just missed to Volume Eight in the Valley Victory, solid qualifier in the slop, outside draw, but a noteworthy Hambo prospect for Ake Svanstedt

 

4-Air Power – Got the jump on Ari Ferrari J & zipped home in :27.1 to break his maiden fresh off the bench, post four again & Team Melander have them hitting on all cylinders

 

1-Ari Ferrari J – Beaten chalk paid the price for a slow start from post eight, flew home in :26.1 & just missed to Air Power, now moves inside to atone & on the verge for Team Alagna

 

RACE 5

7-Special Way – Rated #2 on the Road to the Hambo, Dan Patch Award winner, richest 2YO filly trotter of 2023, set Canadian record of 1:52 in Breeders Crown & very special indeed

 

3-Mambacita – Red Mile Grand Circuit stakes winner back-to-back, much-improved & lively second qualifier & draws inside to make her presence felt right off the hop

 

1-Karaboudjan – Lightly-raced Walner filly took a couple of starts to trip out & break her maiden in upset fashion, lands the rail with her arrow pointing up for Team Melander

 

RACE 6

2-Ucandoit Blue Chip – Unleashed a mighty relentless late surge to nail Anna’s Wish in a sparkling 1:50.4 & rewarded with an improved post for her second start off the bench

 

3-Two Pistol Annie – Re-acclimated & promptly let them have it with both barrels off a pedestrian :57 half & crushed foes in round one, now draws inside going for three in a row

 

4-Anna’s Wish – Responded to her tote hype with a well rated & gallant narrow loss to Uncandoit Blue Chip, post four again for the rematch & makes her second start for Team Bongiorno

 

RACE 7

1-Mad Max Hanover – Meadowlands Pace/Cane Pace runner up & major stakes player at three with a pair of deceptively good qualifiers under him & 1:47.4 performer returns with the rail

 

2-Blue Ocean – Beaten favorite in the slop two weeks ago, almost got there with a sharp :26.3 two starts back, improving 4YO on a form spree lands post two again to trip out

 

7-Marcus Seelster – Has been on a nice roll in a revival season, took a mark of 1:51.4 three starts back, just missed in 1:49.4 last week & his gate speed puts him in play

 

RACE 8

2-Voukefalas – 2YO NJSS champ stamped himself as a serious Pace prospect with an effortless 3YO debut off two vicious qualifiers & this special colt stands out with another inside draw

 

4-Handlelikeaporsche – Last year’s NJSS Final runner up & Grand Circuit winner clearly second best last week, post four again, will come up with more, but will it be enough to turn the tables?

 

1-Life’s A Puzzle – Rebounded with a flat mile & solid third in round one second time Lasix, back on the rail to play a prime opportunist roll with a formidable top two to tackle

 

RACE 9

7-Oh Well – Rated #5 on the Road to the Hambo for Team Melander, NJSS champion 2YO, also a Mohawk Million & NJ Classic A Final winner & Peter Haughton Memorial runner up, won his qualifier with a :26.1 in the slop

 

5-Tactical Approach – Tactical Landing brother to Double Deceiver (1:50.2) won both qualifiers with zeal, aired it out in an eye-catching comeback & has Hambo aspirations for Team Takter

 

6-Dyladmar – Team Wellwood Hambo eligible has stepped it up winning his second start as a 3YO with a snappy :27.2 @ Harrah’s Philadelphia & continues to progress

 

RACE 10

6-Stonebridge Reef – Shook off the seconditis & delivered as the heavy favorite with an emphatic romp & equaled his lifetime mark of 1:50.1, can’t rule out a repeat on his current form spree

 

8-Workin Ona Mystery – Capitalized on a class dip, took charge & went all the way for an overdue win, classy Team Burke millionaire makes only his fourth start of the season, so look for more

 

4-Love Your Work A – Sharpened his sword in his last two, tripped out to his first US win, a sparkling 1:49.4 last week & draws well again to handle the class hike

 

RACE 11

6-Anneliese Hanover – Regaining her form, chased a raging Two Pistol Annie last week, no such standouts in this soft division & continues to ramp it up

 

3-Twin B Allure – Scored her first three wins in a row recently, pace & trip compromised in an acclimating trip here last week & draws better in a division ripe for taking

 

2-Showmemagic – Has found her best stride with her first two wins @ The Meadows, arrives @ The Big M for Ricky Bucci with an inside draw & chance to advance further

 

RACE 12

3-JK Standingovation – Landing on the edges against much tougher @ Yonkers, all three wins this season have come @ The Big M, prime time drop n pop candidate for Team Bongiorno

 

6-On Dayboo – 3YO has caught fire in his last three, came right back to lower his mark to 1:51.4 at the bottom condition & has license to handle the double class hike

 

2-JK’s On The Move – 4YO has raced much better in his last three on the board finishes, bumped up another notch, moves inside & presents a stalking threat in a field of question marks

 

RACE 13

8-Imaginary Line – Draws a tougher post, but left hard & finished a solid second to heavy favorite Will The Wizard A last week & gets another shot at this reduced level for Team Bongiorno

 

2-Exotic Sand – Reeled off three in a row recently with some nice rallies, gets class & post relief in a sort of camera shy field & might hold a slight edge in a very tricky puzzle

 

5-Rockin The Aces – Stung early while involved in the hot pace & still finished well under awful conditions two weeks ago, just one for 14 this season, yet still a consideration

 

RACE 14

2-Lightfootedlegend – Has been dropping positive hints in his last three on the ticket, rallied from a tough spot at long odds last week & gets post two again to stalk within closer range

 

6-Deliciousstone DK – Bounced back & steamrolled to his first US win as the favorite, draws a bit better for the bump up in class & now brimming with confidence for Team Burke

 

1-Amador – Parlayed his first win of the season into a second chasing a runaway Shinkansen, back on the rail for a quick start & smooth trip in a wide-open finale