Ken Warkentin Selections for Friday, May 17 & Saturday, May 18, 2024

Wednesday, May 15, 2024

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Race 1

3-Final Justice – Thought he might’ve been sitting on a winning effort last week & was chasing a surprisingly good Marty Monkhouser A & looks to continue his positive trend from a better post

 

1-Atta Boy Dan – 15YO millionaire warhorse is 0 for 12 this season, yet was much better last week in his second start off a sick scratch & draws inside again

 

8-Harry Hanover – Harry is 0 for 10 in 2024 & draws a tougher post, yet he showed stark improvement last week & needs some speed to shoot at

 

Race 2

3-Hers Hungry – Flashed a bit of late life in her Big M acclimating mile, she’s revving up on the comeback trail, gets class & post relief & switches to The Money Man

 

4-Bullville Karla – Karla blew up the toteboard when she rallied sharply to beat better three starts back & gets some class relief in a wide-open field

 

9-Pocahontas Du Lac – Has been doing plenty of damage at this TM level @ Freehold for the always dangerous Team Estrada, stuck outside, but gate speed can put her in play

 

Race 3

4-What The Luck – Recently changed barns & was able to turn his game around in his last two @ Freehold, knows way around this oval & draws well in a dartboard field

 

6-Coin Flip – Was trending right @ Freehold before finishing an even fourth back here last week, now his post his tougher, just one for 16 this season & second start for his new barn

 

8-Baileys Rock N – Finished second by a neck twice last month, winless this season in nine starts & stuck outside, but re-united with The Buckeye & worth a long look

 

Race 4

1-Shinkansen – Just one for 15 in 2024, yet moves inside fresh off one of his best efforts of the season, flashing trot at both ends of the mile & note the barn change

 

5-Money Matters – She ventured to Pocono & came up with a big rebound score & returns to The Big M with renewed confidence in a field ripe for the taking

 

3-Fashion Cantab – Has hit the board in three of his last four, draws inside again, retains The Bionic Man & plays the opportunist role

 

Race 5

2-Lincoln Boulevard – More than lived up to the heavy tote hype with a first over crush last week & this Big M lover draws better to follow up

 

5-Rockabilly Charm – Has no doubt come around in his last few, just missed from post nine two starts back & solid runner up from post eight last week

 

7-My Wish Came True – 0 for 14 season here, but steady as he goes, finishing well from tough spots recently & any kind of mayhem breaks his 2024 goose egg

 

Race 6

2-Stellar Yankee – Dropped to this level & finished a hard-used third last week, remains down in class, draws better & Team Stratton in sizzle mode

 

5-Mad Max Hanover – Has the distinction of being a four-time beaten favorite, better in his last two on Lasix & rock solid runner up to a very good Brutallyhandsome A last week

 

7-Kolby Two Step – Gets his third straight class drop after chasing a 1:49.3 winner last Saturday, needed to acclimate, keeps “Thunder” & rates contender status for Team Cullipher

 

Race 7

4-Shrimp And Grits – Harrah’s Philly invader has won six of his last seven for Team Estrada, 8YO took a new mark of 1:51.4 two starts back & draws well here

 

1-Stop Staring – Early February claim has paid off for Team Stratton @ Yonkers & this 1:52.3 winner @ The Big M this season lands the rail in a wide-open affair

 

7-Hurrymiki Hanover – What do you do with a last-to-first bomb fresh off a new lifetime mark? Draws a bit better, but do you think he’s heading for a repeat?

Race 8

6-Bath Bomb – Filly by world champion Lather Up nosed out from post eight in OHSS from going three-for-three & we could have ourselves a future star here for Per Engblom

 

7-Flawless – Captaintreacherous added Lasix, qualified like a bearcat, won her 3YO debut in PA All Stars @ Pocono & looms large for Team Takter

 

1-Tarrific – Winless in seven starts, yet has flashed some major league talent for Team Ryder, won her qualifier with a keen late burst & lands the rail

 

Race 9

2-Sunshine’s Finest – Grinded gamely & held on for third in a TM event last week, draws post two again & has a chance to trip out for a long overdue win

 

4-Marty Monkhouser A – 15YO was somehow able to flip the switch & dominate wire-to-wire from the same inside post for his 60^th career win & now faces a vulnerable bunch

 

10-Way To Close – Slammed with post ten, but fresh off a huge bounce-back effort, almost went all the way from post eight & another blastoff is likely

 

Race 10

6-Stable Genius – Gunned down the favorite Chapercraz with a perfect Hot Toddy trip last week, took a new mark of 1:51.1 in the slop & can’t rule out a repeat

 

7-Lexus Kody – Haven’t seen this track record setter on March 30 in three weeks, but we know that doesn’t matter & if he’s allowed to dictate the terms it’s over

 

5-Benjamin Hanover – Ships in fresh off a strong string @ Harrah’s Philadelphia since switching to Joe Holloway & this improving 4YO demands respect

 

Race 11

5-Shake It Twice – Romped to a new mark of 1:51.4 two starts back, then just missed with a game speed try from post 10, better draw here & willing to dismiss her three-week layoff

 

2-Tesla Power – Consistent 4YO on the board in seven of eight starts this season, draws post two again fresh off a narrow loss to Corsini A & retains Dexter Dunn in a supreme puzzle

 

7-Roma Amor – 4YO cycled forward & rallied to a new mark of 1:53.1 with last week’s post ten upset & she could take advantage of that sharp form with the right set up

 

Race 12

1-Aperitif – 4YO Sweet Lou gelding has blossomed into a 1:52.1 winner @ Dover Downs in the slop, lands the rail to quickly establish his presence here to give Chuck Crissman, Jr. a 1-2 punch

 

3-Bettor At Hightide – Has shown improvement by hitting the board in his last two @ Harrington & draws well in a field riddled with question marks

 

6-Captain Terminator – Was landing on the edges here before fading for sixth last week, yet was involved in a fast early pace & this is a prime spot to exploit

 

Race 13

6-Devastate – Chapter Seven second dam is Hall of Famer Solveig from the family of highly-decorated Shake It Cerry & this lightly-raced Hambo eligible qualified sharply for Team Takter

 

1-It Wasn’t Me – Was able to steal his second qualifier after a narrow loss, so this $200,000 Chapter Seven colt has prepped well for Team Alagna & Yannick Gingras lands the rail

 

4-Lindy’s Coyotito – Beaten favorite, yet offered an encouraging 3YO debut with a :26.4, then made a miscue & this colt draws better to rebound for Team Orange Crush

 

Race 14

2-International Model – Exhibited some talent winning back-to-back Kindergarten divisions here last Summer & draws inside fresh off sharp qualifiers for Team Takter

 

1-Graceful Design – Winless Father Patrick filly prepped nicely, yet lacked the knockout punch as the heavy chalk, yet draws the rail while trending right for Team Alagna

 

10-Go For Gaagaa NO – Flashed some talent & potential here in the Kindergarten Series last Fall for Per Englom, both qualifiers were adequate, yet post ten no picnic

 

Saturday, May 18 Selections

Race 1

1-Volcanic Blue Chip – $325,000 Walner filly blossomed late in her 2YO season, almost stole away from Buy A Round in an excellent 3YO debut & moves inside for Team Svanstedt

 

5-Kinesiology – Pace compromised by a slow :58.4 half & zipped home in a brisk :26.3 chasing standout Buy A Round & did some nice aggressive work in the Weiss Series

 

3-Tactical Lori – Consistent Nifty Norman trainee finished a solid third to runaway Spy Coast last week, kicked off her season in winning style in the Weiss Series & draws well

 

Race 2

1-Mars Hill – Moves inside fresh off a superb two-move 3YO debut for Team Alagna, charging home in :26.4 to finish a close second to heavy favorite Benny J

 

2-Bella’s Musclehill – Twice beaten favorite just missed in his opener, then almost went all the way last week & draws inside with plenty of upside

 

5-Caballero – Rebounded from broken equipment in his 3YO debut, suddenly came to life & exploded along the cones in a sharp :26.3 for a 17-1 upset

 

Race 3

1-Miss I La – $275,000 Walner filly was a Bluegrass winner at two, just missed in her 3YO debut with trot at both ends & draws inside again for Noel Daley

 

5-Spy Coast – Team Burke Walner filly has effortlessly made it two-for-two this season, post eight proved to be no obstacle last week & she could be anything

 

7-Allegiant – Won half of her ten starts as a 2YO & finished third in the Mohawk Million, solid runner up to Spy Coast in her comebacker & draws outside that rival

 

Race 4

4-Muscle Factory A – Advanced off a solid third to a 1:50.4 Random Hanover to prevailing in an ultra aggressive score from post eight last week & draws better

 

3-Meet The Creeper – The Creeper tripped out to a new mark of 1:52 with a 36-1 upset two starts back, then finished a good third from a tough spot chasing Muscle Factory A

 

8-Heza Real Diamond – Badly beaten favorite draws outside, but goes back to Tony Beltrami & that was a sharp second to Random Hanover on May 4

 

Race 5

1-Century Jamila – Fresh off an eye-catching narrow loss with pace at both ends from post nine & now draws inside the main concerns for Team Cullipher

 

7-Odds On Hail Mary – Won the PASS Championship with a world record 1:48.2 @ Harrah’s Philadelphia & her second qualifier was against Twin B Joe Fresh

 

5-Caviart Belle – Polished off her 2YO season winning the Kindergarten Final & Three Diamonds & scooted home in a nifty :25.2 in her first qualifier for Team Takter

 

Race 6

4-Oakwood Ardan IR – Was the talk of the Big M earlier this season, came roaring back from a foot injury & steamrolled to a new mark of 1:49 last week

 

3-Captain Crusader A – Beaten favorite took a new mark of 1:49.2 in Leg 1, then left in the wake of Oakwood Ardan IR devastation, draws better & remains razor sharp for Team Cullipher

 

2-Primary Colors – Really stepped up to this level & repeated in style in Leg 1 for Per Engblom, draws inside, yet tough to gauge off a sick scratch

 

Race 7

1-River Ness – Decisive upsetter with pace @ both ends from post eight two starts back, drops back to that level & lands the rail for The Big M’s top barn

 

3-Parklane Terror – Added Dexter Dunn, stepped up & tripped out to a 16-1 upset in the slop last week, bumps up another notch & draws inside again

 

7-ER Vegas – Post eight upsetter at this level back on March 30, commendable third last week after chasing a 1:48.4 sizzler before that & rates a long look

 

Race 8

6-French Champagne – Won half of her ten starts in 2023 for Team Svanstedt, took advantage of Walcango’s miscue, tripped out to win her comebacker & can pop the cork again

 

5-Buy A Round – NJSS champion & Grand Circuit star lived up to the hype to win her 3YO debut for Noel Daley & hence has a big target on her back

 

1-Walcango – Beaten favorite launched a late bid off cover & made a rare miscue last week, now she moves inside her main rivals to bounce back for Jim Campbell

 

Race 9

3-Captain Luke – Governor’s Cup winner won his first qualifier with authority, then went evenly chasing highly regarded Captain Albano & draws well to make a strong first impression

 

4-The Dragon Reborn – Late-blooming brother to Stay Hungry & Treacherous Dragon tripped out to an effortless winning debut & lands post four again with big license to show more

 

2-Remember The Alamo – Completes the titanic Team Alagna trio, this Captaintreacherous colt was a Grand Circuit player at two & just missed to Captain Albano in his latest qualifier

 

Race 10

4-Karl – Qualified impressively, crushed his 3YO debut despite hitting the race bike on the final turn & this unflappable Dan Patch Award winning millionaire draws better for Team Takter

 

5-Duke Of Walner – Offered some late trot to hit the board in his comebacker for Team Wallin & looks to keep the incomparable Karl in his sights in an opportunist role

 

3-Lockheed Martin – Won three of four as a freshman, off two handy qualifiers he regressed into multiple breaks, yet if Team Alagna can figure him out he can capitalize on a better draw

 

Race 11

7-Jiggy Jog S – 2023 Dan Patch Award winner off a sensational million dollar season, set a Hoosier Park track record in the Breeders Crown & looks ready to flash her signature late kick

 

5-Southwind Tyrion – Team Svanstedt going for their fifth Cutler with a terrific trio in here & this Breeders Crown & Fan Duel champ looms large fresh off the bench

 

1-Dover In Motion – Indiana invader off to a impressive start this season, just missed in his latest @ Hoosier Park, gets The Buckeye & lands the rail for his third start off the bench

 

Race 12

3-Allywag Hanover – 2021 Dan Patch Older Pacer & world champion gunned down Bythemissal in the 2023 FanDuel, just missed to that rival in his latest qualifier & draws inside

 

5-Maximus Miki – Tried to give them the slip & just missed in a three-way photo last week, romped to a new mark of 1:49.1 before that & remains red-hot for Team Cancelliere

 

8-Abuckabett Hanover – Classy 1:47.2 Mohawk Gold Cup winner last year won his second qualifier with a wicked :25.3, tough draw for his 2024 debut, but can sprint with the best

 

Race 13

5-Waterfall – Had dead aim & got nosed out by a surprising Caballero, launches mid-pack off that inspiring 3YO debut & gives Team Alagna a 1-2 strong punch

 

3-Benny J – Delivered the chalk when he got the slight jump on Mars Hill & draws a bit better for Team Alagna off that first win & continues to ramp it up

 

1-Pantoran – Lightly-raced Walner colt shot home in an eye-catching :25.4 to win his qualifier, lands the rail & could be poised to blossom for Team Svanstedt

 

Race 14

5-Bet A Bundle – Chased a revved up Random Hanover with a :26.2 from a tough spot, dips back on the TM scale, switches to Hot Toddy & stalks mid-pack in sharp form

 

1-Passa-Grille Beach – Took advantage of a drop to this TM 80 level & almost tripped out to score from post seven & finally draws inside with his speed a big asset

 

2-Posh On the Beach A – 0 for 15 this season & one for his last 54, but on the ticket in his last four, was ultra aggressive from post nine in the slop last Friday & now moves inside