Ken Warkentin Selections for Friday, November 15, & Saturday, November 16, 2024
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
Race 1
5-Firstup – 0 for 12 this season, yet this mare has shown some positive signs this Fall, got parked from post nine last week & still held third & now draws better for Anthony Verruso
1-Kissinbythebeaches – We know when this gelding is on his game he’s tough to knock off, comes off a sick scratch & missed three weeks, but smooth sailing from the rail for Kleinhans
6-Pack Your Bags – Eight-time winner this season has been on a pretty nice roll @ Freehold & longer stretch here suites his stalking style
Race 2
6-Hustlenomics – Winless this season & ships in fresh off a late miscue, but note that narrow loss three starts back & gets some class relief
4-Naranjo – Fresh off a solid qualifier this Muscle Hill 4YO just missed in an excellent acclimating mile for Team Quevedo & draws well again in a wide-open field
8-Fashion Ken – Ken had things his own way again, went a bit faster, yet it wasn’t quite enough as the beaten favorite, tougher draw, yet remains a fresh threat
Race 3
4-Keystone Apache – Forced wide & flashed plenty of late trot after a slow start from post eight & now draws better off that inspiring acclimating mile
6-Dribbling Bi – Dipped to this level & turned his game around with a strong second last week & shows a distinct liking for this oval
3-Town Victor – Tripped out to win at this level at Yonkers recently & draws inside here to facilitate a quick adaptation to the mile track
Race 4
5-Resolve To Win – Made it back-to-back seven-win seasons with an easy repeat @ Harrah’s Philadelphia & continues to ramp it up on the comeback trail
2-Labyad Bros S – Put it all together with a lively effort in his second US start, draws better for the step up in class in a field riddled with mysteries & has license to be better
6-Lexus Cody – 1:49.4 track record setter returns to The Big M after making breaks in three consecutive starts, can beat these on class alone, yet remains a huge question mark
Race 5
9-Hurrikane Ironhead – Fresh off a well-driven new mark of 1:54.1 as the favorite last week, tougher draw here, but can’t rule out a repeat with a speed target
10-Hello Rocky – Closed from the clouds again in :27.2 & just missed a third straight win, stuck outside, yet remains a sharp item & can take advantage of the right set up
5-Rock Jagger – Took a Mark of 1:51.2 @ The Big M this season, fresh off a Freehold blowout he got parked from post eight last Saturday & has a chance to rebound
Race 6
4-Louis Litt N – Equaled his lifetime mark of 1:52.4 before trying a last-to-first from post ten, while stepping up to this TM77 level, finally draws inside & remains a sharp threat
8-Sinatra Hanover – Committed to a late lead & just missed again last week, deals with a tougher post here, yet appears on the verge of an overdue win
6-Speed Snip – Well-traveled gelding with a solid record looks to snap out of a slump with a dose of class relief & makes only his third start in two months
Race 7
6-Going Away – Displayed some late life in her second start here off a sick scratch, 3YO filly with some upside gets some class relief & has a big chance to step up
2-Pull Me Through – 0 for 34 this season, however she was a much better third last Sunday @ Harrah’s Philadelphia & draws inside a real soft spot here
4-EA Mushu – Has won her a couple of times this season, both with Yannick Gingras driving & draws well fresh off a narrow loss @ Freehold
Race 8
5-Lady Wishes – Beat tougher N/W4 @ Pocono in a career best of 1:52.4, just missed when favored in an excellent Big M debut & looms large from mid-pack
3-Rockford Peach – Not liking the two for 36 record this season, but she closed stoutly to hit the board again just behind Lady Wishes & draws inside that rival
6-At The Hop – Squandered a perfect two-hole trip behind Lady Wishes & flattened out fourth, a solid runner up before that & hails from a sharp barn
Race 9
8-Caviart Camden – Former sub-1:50 performer has been strong in the win column this season, tackles a tough draw, but arrives fresh off a winning rally @ Cumberland Run
5-Trey Rockette – Bumps up slightly from the TM72 level off an easy win fresh off the bench & has license to show more in his second trip here
3-Ferragamo Hanover – Took a mark of 1:52.1 here this season, flashed a positive third before getting parked in his last two & draws inside again
Race 10
7-Right Match – Lived up the tote hype with a convincing career best of 1:52.2 last week, tricky draw this time, yet might be the sharpest of this bunch
5-Darlin’s Dream – 3YO Captaintreacherous filly ships back here on a serious form spree, fresh off a new mark of 1:53.3 she is definitely going in the right direction
9-Santafe’s Appetite – Her sudden speed display two starts back was a positive indicator, then a solid third from the rail last week & remains a serious player despite post nine
Race 11
3-Flying Tiger – The Tiger was flying from well off the pace as the heavy favorite, opened up into strong headwinds last Friday & now draws better in a dartboard field
8-National Sport – Beaten heavy favorite held third despite a tough/uncovered trip from post seven, the draw is more challenging, but gets another sprinkle of class relief
7-Select Friday – Has picked up minor spoils in his last two, while not getting enough speed to shoot at, draws a tougher post, yet sports a nice number in the win column
Race 12
3-P L Portia – Solid runner up to a heavy favorite Right Match last week, this horse-for-the-course is in a nice groove right now, draws inside again & her current form might be enough
6-Kay Sage – Credit Scott Zeron with a great drive from post eight, she responded with a game score & that win gives her the confidence to produce more
8-Raise The Ante – Followed up a rousing romp with a solid third behind P L Portia last week, tougher draw here, but you’ve got to like the way Braxton Boyd has been driving
Race 13
2-Blarney Castle – Added Todd McCarthy & tripped out with the mile of his life last Saturday & now he’s rewarded with another inside draw with something positive to build on
5-Caviart Irish Luck – Six Pack filly has come to hand for Noel Daley, arrives fresh off a new mark @ Pocono & reunited with Johnathan Ahle, who has stepped up his game
6-Forgettable Beauty – Since the October 1st romp this 3YO has bounced back off an early miscue with two straight solid thirds against N/W 4 @ Pocono
Race 14
1-Thndrfrmthethron N – Has been hinting of a long overdue win with late moves on the fringes & lands the rail in a complete pari mutuel puzzler
4-Ferdinand A – 11YO took new mark of 1:51.1 here this season, his dull recent form makes him tough to gauge, yet this is a prime spot for him to turn it around
2-So Take That – One for 28 this season, but note the big rally for second @ Rosecroft two starts back, draws inside & his lone win in 2024 came here
Saturday, November 16
Race 1
4-Oh Coffee Bean – Blasted all the way for a sparkling new mark of 1:50.4 here back on October 18, exits $20,000 claimers & has a big chance to assert himself again
1-Caliber – Lived up to the tote hype & promptly gunned wire-to-wire in a decisive Big M debut & now gets the rail to flaunt more speed for The Judge
2-Gallie Getaway – Has been overmatched in N/W 3 & N/W 5 @ Harrah’s Philadelphia & ships into a softer spot to possibly perk up for Mark Silva
Race 2
1-On Time Delivery – Flashed a bit of late life in a needed comebacker for Per Engblom, 3YO with some speed & upside gets another dose of class relief & the rail
2-Sweet Deal – Wasn’t bad in his first start off the bench against N/W 5 @ Harrah’s Philadelphia, draws inside here & expected to be better in his second start after a long layoff
3-Good Rockin – Horse-for-the-course comes off a rare miscue & still held third, working his way back in shape & draws inside to play a stalking role
Race 3
4-Belmondo – Walner gelding has reeled off three in a row, including the MASS Sires Stakes Final for Team Orange Crush, hasn’t raced in three weeks, yet his arrow points skyward
2-Camera Man – Son of Six Pack has really found his best stride with two straight blowouts in PA for Team Svanstedt & draws inside brimming with confidence
3-Net Weight – Late-blooming Muscle Hill gelding took only a few starts to break through, gamely gunning down Yannick G Kemp & draws inside to stalk n pop again
Race 4
2-Captain Optimistic –Beaten favorite with a tough trip in the Breeders Crown after setting a track record in his elimination & has a big chance to rebound despite the sick scratch concern
7-Manolete – Son of Cattlewash seems to always bring his hard hat, solid runner up from post eight in the Kindergarten Final overcomes another outside draw with his gate speed
3-Tom Horn – Winless in 12 starts, yet just missed to Manolete three starts back, finished third behind that rival in the Kindergarten Final & draws well to be a contender again
Race 5
9-Lyons Liberty – Made a smooth transition to the mile track with a well-driven score two weeks ago, now moves outside, yet remains a serious threat with his relentless style
10-Captain Terminator – His second win in his last three starts is better than it looks, overcame a tough trip & won with authority into strong headwinds & can’t rule out another
6-Whammer Jammer – Woke up from his recent slumber, battled bitterly & settled for second to Captain Terminator & figures to show the same enthusiasm again
Race 6
8-Music Hall – Has been on a nice form spree, just missed going all the way two starts back, then rallied prematurely last week, keeps Yannick & his speed can overcome post eight
2-Alta Blues A – Scott Zeron stuck with this one & roared home to repeat in style & continues to ramp it up with another inside draw in a wide-open claimer
5-Hunt For Cash – Suddenly took no prisoners for the post ten upset last Friday, took a mark of 1:50.4 here this season, moves to mid-pack & has license to show more
Race 7
2-Beach Club Monty – Lightly-raced freshman son of Papi Rob Hanover scored back-to-back @ Pocono, including a division of the Simpson & draws inside for Brett Pelling
3-Cocco Puff Power – Captain Crunch filly shows narrow losses in 1:48.1 & 1:50.3 here, returns from a long layoff, yet qualified well for Team Toscano & draws inside
5-JK Together Again – Late-blooming 3YO took only two starts to break through @ Harrah’s Philadelphia & this Team Toscano trainee appears to have a bright future
Race 8
7-R Charm – Winner of the NJ Classic Final paid the price for a slow start from post nine in the Kindergarten Final, she’s a major threat with her big late kick & right set up in a tricky puzzle
5-My Honor – Came back from a long layoff with a solid third in the Kindergarten Series, then got parked from post eight in that final & has a chance to break through for Team Svanstedt
10-Miss Belmar – Has come a long way in a short time, just missed a Grand Circuit shocker in Lexington, solid runner up in the Breeders Crown Final, consider despite post ten
Race 9
7-Nicholas Beach – Off three weeks & faces a challenging draw, but flashed some of his back class with a 1:48.3 best mile of his season this Fall & this stalking type drops dangerously
6-Sporty M Three – Thundered home to beat better in 1:49 with a crazy speed set up three starts back @ Pocono & gets some class relief here for Team Burke
5-Stone Hanover – Offered some late life from post eight @ Pocono off a sick scratch, returns to The Big M at a reduced level, launches mid-pack & long overdue
Race 10
4-Winner’s Bet – Fastest & richest son of Walner & track record setter has reeled off four in a row, fresh off a gallant score in the Breeders Crown & closing out his career in fine style
7-Periculum – Leading money winner among older male trotters capping a huge bounce-back season, towered up late to just miss in the Breeders Crown & remains a steady threat
5-Oh Well – Tripped out to score decisively fresh off the bench, then got roughed up from post 11 in the Breeders Crown, look for this proven major player to rebound
Race 11
5-Wry – Offered some crisp late pace just slightly out of striking range last week, still a useful acclimating mile & look for him to stalk again from mid-pack for Team Cullipher
4-Decision Day – Comes a rare miscue two weeks ago, recent form not special, but now he drops into a prime spot & draws well to flaunt his liking for The Big M
9-Bet A Bundle – Sparked his form with an easy win three starts back, simply to far back in his last two, now stuck outside, but drops a notch in a complete headscratcher
Race 12
1-Village Jade – Has come around in her last two @ Yonkers, gets further class relief off a no-chance trippicks up Todd McCarthy & lands the rail to give her stalking status
6-JM Betonsix – Closed stoutly to finish second to a big favorite Uptown Hanover, shows some decent lines @ Yonkers before that & one of the brighter prospects in this one
4-Madrid A – Owns a mark of 1:50.1 @ The Big M this season, on board in both starts after a long layoff, solid runner up from post eight last Friday & draws better
Race 13
10-Magnifico Hanover – Rallied sharply out of a late shuffle & got nailed late in a very inspiring Big M debut, moves outside, but this Captaintreacherous 3YO has an engine
8-Eminem Hanover – Third by a neck with a nifty :27.3 off a perfect trip, excellent acclimating mile, tougher post, but remains at this reduced level
7-Twin B Seamonster – Made a fierce late bid & came up a buck shy last week & the eight-time winner this season drops another notch for Team Stratton
Race 14
7-Velociraptor – Newcomer arrives in good form & strong in the win column, beaten favorite was pace/trip compromised @ Harrah’s Philadelphia last out & we’ll look for a late move here
5-Allindotime – 9YO was suddenly able to turn things around in shocking 28-1 style last week & we can’t rule out another stalk n pop effort from mid-pack
8-Massive Matter – Consistent gelding hit the board with a solid rally from far back, draws post eight again & remains a serious consideration for The Judge