Ken Warkentin Selections for Friday, September 9 & Saturday, September 10

Wednesday, September 7, 2022

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Selections for Friday, September 9

RACE 1

7-Gentlemensattitude – Sat a pocket behind longshot Make It Big & shook loose late to finish a solid third, tougher post, but that was an excellent acclimating mile

 

3-Haymitch – 1:54.3 winner here this season showed some late life for part of it last week, lands post three again & could be turning a corner since the mid-August injury scratch

 

5-Svengali – Owns a mark of 1:52.1 @ The Big M this year, forced wide from a tough spot & sputtered late last week, we know he’s better than that & gets another midpack launch

 

RACE 2

2-Temporal Hanover – Picture of consistency & right there a close third from post seven in the Hambo Final, then a well-rated wire-to-wire in the Beal

 

1-Pretender – 1:51.4 performer @ The Big M this season was clearly second best in the Beal @ Pocono, but has a chance to turn the tables from the rail for Team Takter

 

3-Periculum – The other Marcus Melander trainee made an uncharacteristic break in the Beal, Hambo finalist just missed to stablemate Temporal in the Zweig & owns a big kick

 

RACE 3

1-Rocknation – Lazarus N sister to millionaire Rocknificent & fourth foal from double millionaire Rockclamation, flashed a :27.1 in her career debut chasing heavy favorite Anneliese Hanover & draws inside that rival to follow up

 

9-Anneliese Hanover – Looks like a bargain $10,000 yearling from a limited offering of 2017 Dan Patch Award winner Keystone Velocity, quickly caught fire @ Harrah’s Philadelphia & looks up to this post nine challenge

 

5-Make Sweet Magic – Just missed in a NJSS division with a :26.3 back in early July, tough to gauge off her modest Freehold qualifier, yet might be ready for a comeback

 

RACE 4

1-EL Lincoln – Team Svanstedt son of Walner from a family of winners chased a strong Kindergarten winner in Purple Lord & has a big chance to step up from the rail off that much-needed start

 

4-Air Power – Muscle Hill colt was freshened with a month off & rallied past EL Lincoln to win his qualifier, draws inside & that kind of effort would suffice for Team Melander

 

8-Southwind Admiral – Won two of three & hasn’t missed the board in four starts before the sick scratch, stuck outside, but has exhibited some talent & potential

 

RACE 5

1-Takeittotheface – Steady gelding took aim from a second over trip & finished a close third last week, draws inside again & on the verge to kick off a Symon Spicer 1-2 punch

 

5-Chief Of Staff – Lands midpack again on a three-race form spree, forced into a big, wide rally to just miss by a nose last week for Christopher Petrelli

 

6-MV OK Palacio BR – Fast-closing Brazilian bred was took far back last week, solid runner up in his previous two off a sick scratch, draws a bit better to pounce on them late

 

RACE 6

4-Fashion Schooner – Impressive post ten Hambo Oaks winner simply picked up where she left off with a dominant prep last week first time Lasix, she’ll be tough if allowed to dictate her own terms

 

2-Raised By Lindy – Raised a few eyebrows with that emphatic 1:51.4 @ The Red Mile, talented filly spent a few weeks in the Hambo Top Ten this season, draws inside & has definitely turned a corner

 

8-Jiggy Jog S – Hambo elimination upsetter was Dexter’s choice in that final, then broke on the lead @ Pocono, now trying to rebound from post eight & has the talent to do it

 

RACE 7

1-Landing Strip – Tactical Landing brother to 2015 Hambo champ Pinkman, finished third out of a shuffle in the Wm. Wellwood & draws the rail set up an ideal stalking trip

 

2-Dyladmar – Bounced back & was a bit better finishing fifth behind Landing Strip in the Wm. Wellwood, draws better here with a chance to trip out & improve

 

5-Chef Rocco – Walner brother to 1:51.2 performer Wolfgang has stepped up his game by hitting the board back-to-back & rates contender status in this wide-open elimination

 

RACE 8

1-Misswalner Fashion – Stormed home from post ten to upset the Continentalvictory in 1:52.2, came right back to dominate the Delmonica Hanover Consolation @ Pocono, Jim Campbell trainee has certainly gotten her act together

 

2-Penelope J – Fired hard in :26.4, stole a :57 half & romped to a new mark of 1:53.3 last week, now the Team Toscano trainee moves inside to be part of the speed equation

 

5-Brickhouse Babe – Finished a hard-charging fourth in :26.4 last week, now makes her third start off a sick scratch, can stalk the speed from midpack & long overdue

 

RACE 9

2-Testing Testing – Qualified with vigor against Maple Leaf Trot upsetter Back of The Neck, then got underway too late in the comebacker, draws better for that key second try off the bench for his new connections

 

1-Robertsin – Prevailed in a bitter battle with Abruzzo last week, 1:51.3 Muscle Hill upsetter lands back on the rail & looks like the one to beat with Dexter Dunn

 

6-Abruzzo – Brushed to the top from post eight & lost a tough fight with Robertsin last week, this Team Miller trainee remains on a form spree & can turn the tables

 

RACE 10

1-Bella Bellini – The division queen set a stakes record of 1:49.4 in the Steele Memorial, then was outsprinted third again @ Pocono, Big M lover lands the rail in a competitive fifth leg of this series

 

2-When Dovescry – Classy Brett Pelling trainee was a runner up in the Six Pack & Steele Memorial, made a rare miscue @ Pocono last time, dominated a division here from post two back in mid-July

 

7-Next Level Stuff – Despite missing a month she angled sharply & beat the boys here last week to signal a turnaround, 1:51.4 performer here this season has the speed to overcome the outside draw

 

RACE 11

1-Defacement – $500,000 Muscle Hill filly out of a sister to Muscle Massive, finished a good third to big favorite Instagram Model & gets a big chance to step up further from the rail for Team Orange Crush

 

8-Saint Trixie – Trixton sister to Ambassador Hanover, 1:51.2 ($669,433) caught fire winning her first two @ Pocono, then a gutsy runner up to Mirasol S, switches to Tetrick & worth a long look despite post eight

 

9-Mirasol S – Sister to Green Manalishi S, 1:51.3 ($1,182,017) for Team Melander stuck outside again off a nondescript Big M debut, her previous Pocono maiden breaker is worth noting

 

RACE 12

4-Sweet Tactics – Tactical Landing from three-time Dan Patch Award world champion Buck I St Pat finished a decent third last week after missing all of August & draws well again for Team Orange Crush

 

6-Southwind Cherry – Muscle Hill filly from a family of winners returns to The Big M fresh off a post ten second tier romp @ Hoosier Park, this Team Cullipher trainee has something positive to build on

 

8-Quietly Brilliant – Muscle Hill homebred for top connections finished an even fifth in both Kindergarten miles, tough draw, but this is an easier match up for the Team Svanstedt pupil

 

RACE 13

1-Unicorn Blue Chip – $475,000 Chapter Seven sister to world champion Plunge Blue Chip has been a fringe player in the Kindergarten Series, yet now gets the rail in a prime spot

 

8-Secret Volo – Was knocking on the door in NJSS, picked up a check in that final & the Jim Doherty from post ten, another outside draw & 34-day layoff, but might still hold an edge on these

 

6-Destiny’s Darling – Chapter Seven second foal from her Kadabra mare, the first was Molotov Cocktail, 1:52.2 ($378,902), added trotting hobbles & romped @ Tioga Downs, she’s a hot prospect for Team Toscano

 

RACE 14

1-Zira – First foal from $1.7 million O’Brien Award winning dam bounced back with a real strong qualifier here last week, lands the rail for Team Burke & could surprise

 

8-Southwind Guiness – Captaintreacherous sister to millionaire Southwind Gendry was a pace compromised fifth in a Kindergarten division for Trainer of the Week Chris Ryder, tough draw, but oozing with upside

 

3-Light And Tight – Draws inside for her Big M debut fresh off a comeback first win @ Pocono in which she was allowed to steal a :59.3 half, makes her third career start for Nifty Norman

 

Selections for Saturday, September 10

 

RACE 1

1-Varney – Interesting Huntsville 3YO closed from a long way back to grab a share in a nice acclimating mile, moves inside & gets Gingras, chance to surprise this bunch

 

2-Saratoga Blue Chip – Beaten heavy favorite just missed with an ideal second over trip last week, now draws better & gets another good shot at this lower level

 

3-Purple Sky – Has picked up minors spoils in his last two, flashed some early speed last out, posted a pretty convincing win when last seen here against these

 

RACE 2

4-Street Smarts – Lightly-raced Walner colt won his 3YO debut here & tasted some stakes action, freshened/qualified with late trot & draws well with Dexter Dunn

 

7-Angels Folly – Team Orange Crush filly was able to take control from post nine & got gunned down late, another challenging post, but heading in the right direction

 

3-Nineteen Crimes – Roughed it first over from post nine in a strong Big M debut, draws an improved post & makes only her fourth start after missing her 3YO season

 

RACE 3

2-Spectacular Sunset – One for 19 this season, was struggling against tougher @ Hawthorne, needed his last start @ Freehold & draws inside a complete dartboard field

 

4-Illusionist Hanover – 0 for 30 lifetime, did flash some late life trying to close from last, was racing well @ Harrah’s Philadelphia before that & draws better in a wide-open affair

 

9-Bruce’s Magic – Classy Bruce is 0 for 23 in 2022 & stuck outside again, yet his current form is more than adequate & the right pace set up could make him a late threat

 

RACE 4

7-Best Keepsake – Fresh off an aggressive acclimating mile, finishing second to a solid favorite Eager To Please, tougher post, but gets another chance at this reduced level

 

8-Better Watch It – Broke in both starts after the Team Burke acquisition, qualified cleanly here, draws outside, yet gets some significant class relief for her comeback

 

2-Uptown Lady N – Has been landing on the edges against saltier opposition, with some class & post relief she lands in a spot where her closing style can be more effective

 

RACE 5

4-Secret Bro – Pegged him last week when he closed in :26.4 at 18-1, with that beneficial trip under him he can be more successful for Team Bongiorno from another inside post

 

7-JL Cruze – The King has burned some cash recently @ Harrah’s Philadelphia, lands a tricky post, but gets some class relief & we all know how much he loves The Big M

 

6-Toccoa Falls – Took a mark of 1:53.1 here this season, has been playing his stalk n pop game effectively @ Yonkers recently & strong in the win column

 

RACE 6

1-Major Fernco N – NZ import an impressive two-for-two on Lasix with some noteworthy efforts @ Harrah’s Philadelphia, steps up with the rail here & might be this good or better

 

3-Better Not Talk – Sharp PA invader hit the board in his last two with strong late surges, 4YO Betting Line gelding draws inside here where he can adapt quickly with his style

 

5-Dina Bolt N – Took a mark of 1:50.3 @ The Big M this season, racing well elsewhere, drops further & launches midpack as a possible price play

 

RACE 7

1-Golden Quest N – Last Saturday’s Best Bet was able to take control & cruise to a new mark of 1:52, third start off a sick scratch & stands out on the rail for Team Bongiorno

 

3-Onecrookedleg – Benefited from her stakes experience by dominating easier & took a mark of 1:51.1 in the process, this improving filly draws inside again

 

8-Always B First – Makes her 4YO debut from a tough post, but her second qualifier here indicates readiness, PASS winner in 1:50 has the speed & class to contend off the bench

 

RACE 8

5-Billy Clyde – One of the hottest horses here this summer sizzled in 1:47.3 on Hambo Day, chased Allywag Hanover in the Pocono Invite & ready for this competitive match up

 

2-No Lou Zing – Just missed the Yonkers repeat first time Lasix, on his toes right now for Team Bongiorno & draws inside to stalk the ample speed on view

 

4-Carbine – 1:47.4 performer here this season can motor home like a rocket, draws well & poised to pounce fresh off the bench for Team Alagna

 

RACE 9

8-Dontpassme Hanover – Lands outside, but brings a four-race form spree to the table & just missed with a wicked rally last week

 

5-Imaginary Line – Forced to grind first over & was right there a close third first time Lasix, launching midpack again on a roll for Team Bongiorno

 

7-One Eight Hundred – Classy 4YO caught fire in his last two narrow losses @ Yonkers, tricky post here, but note the barn change to Team Burke

 

RACE 10

1-Southwind Tyrion – Beaten heavy favorite here two starts back greatly needed his last @ Pocono, classy 4YO lands back on the rail @ The Big M for Team Svanstedt

 

6-Storm Is Raging – Set the tempo & outsprinted by a couple of good ones last week, versatile Team Burke gelding remains on a long form spree

 

7-Double Account – Went all the way in a front end masterpiece last week for Team Cullipher, just a fifth off his lifetime mark, threat to repeat with a similar effort

 

RACE 11

6-Chuck The Cheese – Switches barns & venues fresh off the mile of his life @ The Meadows, not sure how he matches up with this group, but this improving 4YO arrives brimming with confidence

 

4-Trashytonguetalker – Got involved in a cut-throat speed duel & broke at the wire in his Big M debut, draws better & can rebound with more patient handling

 

2-Rocks Noble Artist – Ships in on a roll @ Harrah’s Philadelphia & has really sharpened his sword recently, draws inside an even field to stalk or take charge

 

RACE 12

8-Esplosione – Just missed in his return to the Nifty Norman barn @ Pocono, stakes quality 3YO gets some class relief & has the gate speed to overcome post eight

 

6-Fix-It-Up – Dropped to this level & popped with a mighty late surge as the favorite, looks like a solid threat to repeat for Team Bongiorno

 

1-Warrior Way – Was able to steal away & wire weaker for a confidence boosting win as the heavy favorite & can easily go further from the rail tonight

 

RACE 13

5-Eager To Please – This bright Sweet Lou filly lived up to her name & was never better last week, takes only slight step up in class for a high percentage barn

 

9-Lookatmyart – Piling up the wins @ Yonkers recently, faces a blastoff attempt from an outside assignment here, while racing for less than half the prize money

 

10-Rable – Stuck outside, but ships in fresh off the mile of her career @ Harrah’s Philadelphia with sharp pace @ both ends, she has ignited her form for Bruce Saunders

 

RACE 14

6-Henderson Seelster – Committed to a late lead & broke as the heavy favorite @ Harrah’s Philadelphia, continues to plummet down the condition ladder & likes The Big M

 

5-Cash Machine Girl – Finished an aggressive third against better two starts back @ Harrah’s Philadelphia, class relief & midpack draw makes her a threat here for Team Orange Crush

 

8-Max Volo – Perked up with a close second on the class drop @ Harrah’s Philadelphia, lands outside a wide-open finale, but knows his way around this oval