Ken Warkentin’s Friday, January 26 Selections

Wednesday, January 24, 2024

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RACE 1

6-Sneak On Bye – Proven winner for this price back in early December, chase a runaway winner last week fresh off the most recent claim & retains Brett Beckwith

 

5-SGT Pappa Daddy – Reeled off three straight romps & claimed each time, flashed speed & stopped when hiked up with the trainer driving, drops back down & gets The Buckeye

 

9-Mister Godro – Late-December claim has continued to do good work recently, beaten even money favorite gave it a good try on a frigid night, tougher draw, but in good form

 

RACE 2

7-JK Lucky Charms – Note the stark improvement in his Big M debut for Team Estrada, that acclimating mile came after missing a month, so look for more

 

4-Transfer The Era – Parlayed a sudden Freehold blowout with a fraction stealing wire-to-wire here, then missed three weeks, but draws well brimming with confidence

 

5-Century Fury – Drops back down in class off a no-chance mile, sharp runner up before that stalks from midpack & eligible for a rebound effort

 

RACE 3

3-Smart As Hill – Only three for 31 last year, yet missed 42 days prior to last week’s start, has tumbled down the class ladder & moves inside

 

2-Rose Run Yankee – Seems to be a logical contender off the sharp narrow loss in his comeback, drops a notch & lands post two again

 

7-Chake – Unleashed quite a turnaround & rallied a close second after missing three weeks & with the way Per Engblom is going she’s tough to leave out

 

RACE 4

2-Dynomites Peak – Flashed some sneaky late pace from a near impossible spot last week, finally moves inside, reunited with Eric Davis & long overdue in a dartboard field

 

3-Rockabilly Charm – Only four for 43 last year, nothing to write home about recently, yet several pace compromised trips recently & rates horse-for-the-course status

 

1-Xmarxthespot – No factor in three starts on the comeback trail, but double drops to face a bunch of form challenged foes & gets post relief

 

RACE 5

4-Bully Boy Hill – Was freshened & aired it out in the qualifier, then caught out of position from post ten in the comeback & now moves inside for the drop n pop

 

2-Top Me Off – Gathering momentum since the Per Engblom acquisition, beaten favorite just missed with a game uncovered grind & draws inside again for another shot at this reduced level

 

3-Kasha V – Took advantage of some class relief & came up with a much-improved effort last week, drops another notch & lands post three again

 

RACE 6

8-Kickupyaheels N – Forced wide from a real tough spot & grabbed a minor share in her comeback, slammed with post eight again, but drops off that tightener

 

2-Santafe’s Appetite – Reeled off three straight blowouts, then stepped up to this level, got underway too late & missed by a nose last week, now she draws better in career form

 

5-Pattycake Mooss – One for her last 18, yet fresh off a hard-charging second by a nose last week, remains at this reduced level & plays a stalking role from midpack

 

RACE 7

8-Watch Me Now – Was a post eight winner in 1:50.2 back in early September, exits a strong qualifier & this fresh threat returns at a winning level for Team Alagna

 

3-Phenom Seelster – Took three starts after switching to Per Engblom to trip out & post a new lifetime mark, tackles a double class hike & lands post three again

 

5-Dandy Idea – She came right back to capitalize on a perfect drive by Yogi Sheridan three weeks ago & note the sharp new mark of 1:51.4 back on December 15

 

RACE 8

5-Im Princess Bella A – Closed from the clouds to hit the board at long odds in a noteworthy comeback & has license to show more in a field of several easy toss outs

 

2-She’s So Sweet – 10-time winner last year perked up & gave it a nicely rated try from post nine, moves inside, so expect her to be on a near the lead

 

4-Western Stepp – Solid runner up in her much-needed Big M debut after missing 26 days, strong in the win column, draws well again & trending right

 

RACE 9

1-A Better Game – Solid runner up to the raging Santafe’s Appetite three starts back & moves inside after two straight no-chance eight-hole trips

 

5-Shezafreaklikeme – Last time at this level she romped to a new mark of 1:50.4 back on December 15 & there is much in her way this time around

 

8-Shake It Twice – Her form cycled nicely & she got up for a new mark of 1:54 as the heavy favorite & remains a big threat despite post eight

 

RACE 10

7-Shinkansen – Beaten favorite nosed out with a suddenly aggressive effort two starts back, any semblance of that mile gives him an overdue win

 

5-Senna – Has been landing on the fringes in three starts on the comeback trail after a strong season & eligible to step up in a field full of question marks

 

3-My Big Kadillac – The Kadillac was hitting on all cylinders going wire-to-wire @ Freehold, 10YO draws inside & knows how to get it done @ The Big M

 

RACE 11

5-Slick N Quick – Pretty consistent 4YO finished well from a tough spot last week after missing three weeks & launches midpack again in complete headscratcher

 

7-Gotafoolishdesire – Just one for 32 last year, yet note the improved effort last Saturday & rates contender status with the right pace & trip set up

 

10-Lovethewayyoulie – Rallied stoutly for the upset in his Team Chiodo Big M debut, then flashed some sharp late pace from an impossible spot & rates a long look despite post ten

 

RACE 12

2-Penthousepalace – Off a one for 20 season she’s now had a couple of acclimating trips here, on the fringe fifth last out & draws inside again while trending right

 

5-Bean Shooter – Only three for 41 last year, yet achieved a better result when closing for minor spoils last week & rates midpack contender status

 

4-Samosa Hanover – Was shuffled out of it in her return to The Big M, only two for her last 44, but draws well to set up a stalking trip in a real camera-shy field

 

RACE 13

1-Mount Royal – 8-time winner last year has been knocking on the door off two straight runner up finishes & draws the rail after missing three weeks

 

3-Briar’s Desire – Off a one for 19 season he was a solid third behind Mount Royal in his last two & draws better to trip out & possibly turn the tables

 

9-Sunshine’s Finest – 8YO has sharpened his sword & comes off a nice rally from post eight & was placed first, stuck outside, but improved form an asset

 

RACE 14

3-I’ll Owe You One – One for 19, but just missed with a sharp :27.2 in his Big M debut, drops & draws inside with a sick scratch adding to his mystery

 

6-Striking Tactful – One for 34 lifetime, but off a much better second last week, so look for him to pounce off a stronger pace scenario

 

8-Importer Exporter – Off a one for 28 season he finished a pretty solid third in his Big M comebacker, moves outside, yet has license to step up