Ken Warkentin Selections for Friday, May 10 & Saturday, May 11, 2024

Wednesday, May 8, 2024

---

Race 1

 

6-Bilbo Hanover – Has been finishing well from tough spots in his last three, beaten favorite two starts back draws a bit better & could be on the verge of snapping his 2024 winless skid

 

 

 

5-Lincoln Boulevard – Beaten favorite severely pace compromised in his last two in this series, just one for 15 this season, moves to mid-pack & can stalk from close range

 

 

 

10-Marvalous One – Beaten chalk hasn’t won in a long time, yet has picked up his game, almost went all the way last week, stuck outside a field that is a combined two for 110 this season

 

 

 

Race 2

 

6-Our Shell Belle – Too far back after a slow start, yet that was a decent bounce-back effort & this lightly-raced 3YO has flashed some late pace & potential

 

 

 

3-Lets Ryde Girl – Beaten chalk gave it up to the pocket sitter @ Tioga, still a with a lively effort & draws inside back to familiar ground in a wide open field

 

 

 

9-Miss You Joann – Not sure what we’ve got here, but this 4YO Saratoga shipper has caught fire, arrives off a career best there & will need some trip luck from post nine

 

 

 

Race 3

 

3-Sister Diane – Arrives fresh off her first career win in a Weiss Series consolation from post eight @ Pocono & draws inside for her Big M debut for Team Svanstedt

 

 

 

2-Graceful Design – Progressed in her qualifiers, just missed with a solid finish in her latest, draws inside & has the pedigree/potential to break through for Team Alagna

 

 

 

9-Sister Mary Maude – Jogged in both Big M qualifiers & just missed in her 3YO debut with a perfect trip @ Yonkers, she’s stuck outside, yet has high potential

 

 

 

Race 4

 

4-Lindy the Brave – More than lived up to the first time Izzy hype with a first time Big M blowout in a career best 1:51.1, draws better & tough to go against off that sizzler

 

 

 

5-Texas Miki – Got some class relief, yet had the misfortune of bumping into a white-hot Lindy The Brave last week & can stalk that headstrong opponent again

 

 

 

6-Buckeye Emery – Posted back-to-back wins in a series @ Pocono recently, finished well shaking loose late out of a shuffle last week & remains in top form

 

 

 

Race 5

 

8-Final Justice – Has ramped it up to hit the board in his last two, just missed two starts back, tough post here & banks on the right speed target & rally

 

 

 

1-Stolen Art – Rallied to score the upset two starts back despite broken equipment & lands the rail fresh off a solid third last week in a field that is a combined 10 for 104 this season

 

 

 

2-Kissinbythebeaches – Faded after a quick start from post seven, has missed three weeks, but draws better & we know he’s capable of more

 

 

 

 

 

Race 6

 

8-Number Cruncher – Captain Crunch gelding was airborne late after getting away last from post ten, slammed outside here, yet he’s got license to swoop these

 

 

 

5-Steely Knife – Team Burke pupil was nosed out in his debut here, then hit the board in a pair of excellent N/W 4 efforts @ Pocono & stands out

 

 

 

6-Rock The Captain N – Won his Big M qualifier with a wicked :25.4, then finished a solid third in The Stallion Series @ The Meadows for Team Alagna

 

 

 

Race 7

 

4-Photobombr Hanover – Note the recent improved vigor @ Pocono since the switch to the white-hot Per Engblom, dips in price & draws well in a camera-shy field

 

 

 

7-Concur – Chased a sizzling Needham Hanover last out, gets a bit of class relief, yet has that one for 16 season stigma hanging over him

 

 

 

5-Rose Run Uriah – Here’s a newcomer in a new barn, beaten favorite in his last four @ Miami Valley figures to make an immediate impression with his speed

 

 

 

Race 8

 

5-Chapercraz – Just missed to his stablemate & track record setting Lexus Kody last out, his needle points skyward & looks to be on the verge for Team Burke

 

 

 

6-Stable Genius – Solid runner up to Lexus Kody two starts back, kicked home in a crisp :26.3 when chasing a track record & remains in top form for Team Cullipher

 

 

 

7-Interview Fra A – Reeled off three in a row on the rise for Noel Daly, picked up third in a track record mile, tougher draw here, yet still a hot commodity

 

 

 

Race 9

 

4-Warrawee Yankee – Beaten chalk continues to pick up minor spoils, chased some sizzling winners in his last two & draws well with no apparent standouts

 

 

 

2-Lovethewayyoulie – 1:52.4 performer @ The Big M this season has cranked it up since the early April sick scratch & finally draws inside off some big rallies

 

 

 

5-Queen Sun Ryser – This mare has been good recently, parlayed a great trip from the trail & took a new mark of 1:53.4 & rates a long look

 

 

 

Race 10

 

4-Brutallyhandsome A – Has been regaining form while dropping in class, just missed with an aggressive effort from post nine & draws better for Team Stratton

 

 

 

6-Stellar Yankee – Landing on the fringes in his last two, drops another notch after getting blitzed by a 1:48.4 winner & gives Team Stratton a strong 1-2 punch

 

 

 

8-Mad Max Hanover – Three time beaten favorite added Lasix fresh off a season’s best 1:48.4, moves outside, but drops further with back class in his corner

 

 

 

Race 11

 

4-Threshold – Flashed plenty late while pace compromised from a tough spot in his comebacker & draws better for his second start for Richard Johnson

 

 

 

8-Mister Spot A – 10YO has gotten on a roll winning two of his last three, fresh off a post nine upset this sub 1:50 performer here last season rates contender status

 

 

 

1-Cahoots – Took a new mark of 1:53 with an aggressive effort here three starts back & returns to The Big M with the rail & Andrew McCarthy

 

 

 

Race 12

 

3-Fade Out – 10-time winner last year has made an immediate impression here hitting the board in both legs & was right there a close second with a mighty late surge last week

 

 

 

2-Anna’s Wish – Just missed to Pattycake Moose in Leg 1, then got a bit too aggressive & just missed as the beaten favorite & draws inside on a serious roll

 

 

 

1-Pattycake Moose – Leg 1 winner with a career best 1:51.3 hampered by a slow start from post ten last week, moves inside & retains Yannick Gingras

 

 

 

Race 13

 

2-Lavishness – Muscle Hill colt draws inside fresh off a solid rally for second in his career debut @ Harrah’s Philadelphia & gives Lucas Wallin a strong 1-2 punch

 

 

 

9-Wild Ticket – Two-time NYSS winner as a freshman uncorked an eye-catching qualifier for Team Melander, draws outside, but gets Dexter Dunn

 

 

 

7-Smart Schooner – Well-regarded Greenshoe gelding was a 1:53.2 Bluegrass winner as a freshman, broke early in his 3YO debut & draws tougher to rebound

 

 

 

Race 14

 

5-Two For Tripping – Beaten chalk gave it a gallant try in a beneficial acclimating mile, draws mid-pack & has a solid effort to build on

 

 

 

6-Desire’s Captain – Was a better fourth in a much-needed re-acclimating mile & expect more in his third start off a sick scratch

 

 

 

2-Sunshine’s Finest – Regular in the MADC Series has finished with more vigor recently & draws better with a chance to set up a stalk n pop attempt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Race 1

3-Heza Real Diamond – 1:50.1 winner @ The Big M in 2024 bumped into a red-hot Random Hanover two starts back, just missed to that one with a late surge last week & draws inside again

 

4-Rock On Line – Just one for 15 this season, yet has been pretty consistent, chased the sizzling Random Hanover in his last two & draws better to be within closer striking range

 

6-Meet The Creeper – The Creeper had been hinting & snapped his season skid with a perfect trip & new lifetime mark @ 36-1 last week & can’t rule out a repeat

 

Race 2

4-French Champagne – Welcome back Ake Svanstedt, 2023 Trainer of the Year, this Muscle Hill filly did most of her damage in KY, draws well & might be ready to fire fresh off the bench

 

7-Tove Palema – Won her first two starts this season in the Weiss Series @ Pocono for TOC, finished a solid second in that final & can overcome post seven with her controlling speed

 

6-Walcango – Steady filly thrived here in 2YO stakes action for Jim Campbell, runner up to the favored Spy Coast in a beneficial comebacker & looms large

 

Race 3

1-Bella’s Muscle Hill – Muscle Hill first foal from Barn Bella, 1:51.3 ($765,990), just missed with a solid surge when favored in a noteworthy debut & back on the rail for Nifty Norman

 

7-Lockheed Martin – Tactical Landing first foal from a sister to Muscle Massive, displayed some talent at two & jogged in both Big M qualifiers for Team Alagna

 

3-Waterfall – Walner first foal from his Father Patrick dam broke his maiden in style here last Fall, chased Lockheed Martin, then T C I in his qualifiers & draws well for Team Alagna

 

Race 4

7-Karl – Capped a Dan Patch Award nine for ten season with a Valley Victory stakes record, millionaire & early Hambo favorite looked tremendous in his lone qualifier for Team Takter

 

2-Bright Star – Seemed to tail off at the end of his freshman campaign, yet has bounced back with a pair of commendable qualifiers, his latest a close second to the highly regarded T C I

 

3-Southwind Metric – Was competitive at Grand Circuit level last year, tough to gauge off an even qualifier, but draws inside & no doubt Team Svanstedt sends them ready right off the hop

 

Race 5

1-Hankins Hanover – Ranked #7 on the Road to Hambo Top Ten list, second to Karl in the Bluegrass last Fall, pace compromised in his 3YO debut & draws better in a wide-open field

 

7-Mars Hill – #10 in the Road to the Hambo rankings, Bluegrass winner at two, miscued in his first qualifier, then rebounded with a wicked :26.2 & Team Alagna has a strong 1-2 punch in this one

 

3-Magic Hill – NJSS winner in his first career start here & developed into a GC competitor, strong finishes in both qualifiers & draws inside a competitive division for Team Takter

 

Race 6

4-Buy A Round – 2YO NJSS champion got on a late-season roll, just missed in the Breeders Crown, kicked home in familiar style to win her lone qualifier & draws well for Noel Daley

 

2-Cool Ma Belle – Had a taste of GC action @ two, prepped well & jogged in her 3YO debut @ Mohawk, draws inside & gets our leading pilot for her Big M debut

 

7-Volcanic Blue Chip – Sharp runner up in a KYSS Final went winless @ two, yet has come back to score a Big M qualifier with a strong :27 sprint & must respect Team Svanstedt

 

Race 7

2-Allegiant – NJSS & KYSS winner @ two finished third in the Mohawk Million, won both qualifiers in PA, draws inside to employ her stalking style

 

4-Tactical Lori – Reeled off her first four this season, including three straight in the Weiss Series, finished a solid third in that final & draws well here for Nifty Norman

 

8-Spy Coast – Lived up to the favorite hype with an easy wire-to-wire first win from the rail & despite post eight here her arrow points skyward for Team Burke

 

Race 8

8-Shazam Blue Chip – Made an immediate impression here with a sparkling Big M, fired hard for the pocket & just missed to Captain Crusader A & gives Per Engblom a strong 1-2 punch

 

6-Captain Crusader A – Finished a hard-charging second in :25.4 before holding off Shazam Blue Chip with a career best 1:49.2 last week & leads a formidable Team Cullipher duo

 

3-Primary Colors – Fresh off a 1:49.3 romp he stepped up in class remarkably with rousing 1:49 repeat in Leg 1 & draws well to extend his form spree for leading trainer Per Engblom

 

Race 9

3-Better Is Nice – Highly ranked Pace prospect settled for second to Arbitrage as the chalk in solid 3YO debut, NJSS & KYSS champion @ two now draws much better for Team Alagna

 

2-Arbitrage Hanover – Bettor’s Wish gelding took charge & proved to be a decisive round one winner to come out two-for-two & draws inside for Brett Pelling

 

6-Swimwiththecurrent – This Bettor’s Wish gelding landed on the fringe chasing Arbitrage Hanover, putting together a nifty back half of :54.3 & no doubt has some upside for Team Burke

 

Race 10

2-Mr Three O Five – His lone win @ two came in a NJSS division, finished well from a tough spot chasing Endofstory in the first leg & draws much better for a Team Takter follow up

 

1-Endofstory – Exploded to a post eight upset & barn change bonanza in Leg One last week, rewarded with the rail off the mile of his life & hence the primary focus

 

3-Alritealritealrite – Finished an energetic third to the impressive Abitrage Hanover in a much-needed round one acclimating mile & draws inside to step up further

 

Race 11

5-I Did It Myway – Took a sparkling mark of 1:47.3 in a Graduate division last year, beaten favorite in the comebacker @ Harrah’s Philadelphia & this millionaire gets some class relief here

 

7-Early Action – Added Lasix & had a chance to shine @ Rosecroft recently, draws a challenging post here, but seems well spotted, knows this track & his style suits the long stretch

 

9-Handlelikeaporsche – Hitting on all cylinders against a tough Voukefalas in the NJ Breeders Maturity, slammed with post nine, but back to rev up @ The Big M

 

Race 12

6-Coaches Corner – 4YO slugged it out in the Borgata Series for Per Engblom, runner up in that final switches to the mile track after three weeks off & liking his relentless style

 

5-Maximus Miki – Has really taken to The Big M, dominating his last two & fresh off a career best 1:49.1 with more in the tank & he’ll need it in this serious match up

 

1-American Dealer N – Has ramped up his game in his last three @ The Big M, runner up to Maximus Miki in his last two, lands the rail with a chance to turn the tables

 

Race 13

1-Hunt For Cash – Has done well in both starts since the recent claim, 1:50.4 performer here this season gets some class relief & finally draws inside a field lacking spark

 

7-Air Guitar – Working on an 0 for 16 season, steady sort draws a tougher post off another solid second, retains Dexter Dunn & as usual banks on a speed target to shoot at

 

5-Sports Fan – Transitioned to the mile track & got parked, so chalk up that acclimating mile, remains a mid-pack stalking threat & switches to Yannick Gingras

 

Race 14

1-Pulp Fiction – Swept the NJSS Series as a 2YO, including a trouncing of Odds On Steno in that final, had her own way & yielded to that rival last week & now moves inside for revenge

 

5-Odds On Steno – Came roaring fresh off the bench by equaling her lifetime mark of 1:52.2 with a perfect trip for Team Alagna & logically she’s tough to go against

 

7-Quick Fire – Stablemate to Pulp Fiction prepped well & finished third to that Bettor’s Wish filly in a beneficial tightening mile, faces a tougher draw, yet retains The Bionic Man