Ken Warkentin’s Selections for Friday, Jan 9 – Sunday, Jan 11, 2026
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
Race 1
1-Sprout – Off a three for 31 season she offered a wide late bid & landed on the fringe again, yet gets another shot at this softer TM 71 level from the rail
10-Defamation – Here’s a newcomer from The Meadows, fresh off a perfect trip win, hasn’t raced in three weeks, tackles post ten here & debuts for a new barn
4-Cutting Humor – Took full advantage of a frosty night & stole away from a weak TM 68 field, her only win of 2025 & draws better off that confidence booster
Race 2
5-Sunburnt Silverado – 11-time winner in 2025 only took a couple of starts here on Lasix to romp wire-to-wire for his new barn & continues skyward
8-Kanon Laser DK – Denmark import qualified energetically here, then stormed home to win his US debut for Per Engblom, tough draws, but has high end potential
6-Net Weight – Lightly-raced 4YO won both Big M qualifiers, then tripped out to pay off the chalk @ Harrah’s Philadelphia & Noel Daley has a 1-2 punch to watch in here
Race 3
1-Muscle Factory A – Has finished with a flurry for minors spoils against TM 77 stock & now draws the rail on the verge in a key third start off the bench
3-Warrawee Yankee – 1:51 performer @ The Big M last season has regrouped after a long layoff, closed with crisp late pace in the qualifier & draws inside
6-Marshall Zhukov – Has finally start to ramp it up in his last few since the barn change, not much pure speed on view & at the mercy of the pace & trip
Race 4
1-Bank On Me – Lightly-raced 4YO rebounded by adding trotting hopples, won his Big M qualifier with authority & lands the rail with Brett Beckwith
3-Pisces Rising – Team Burke trainee won his Big M qualifier with a keen late burst, then failed to get involved from post nine, but this is an easier spot for his second try off the bench
4-Velociraptor – Was tracking this one until he was suddenly unleashed a post eight blowout on a cold/windy night & draws better with something positive to build on
Race 5
1-Tie The Knot – 1:50.4 performer @ Pocono has been sharpening her sword elsewhere, lands the rail & this lightly-raced 4YO has license to step up with a smooth trip
5-Tennis Queen – Attacked for a late lead with a :27.2 third quarter & was just a length shy of the favorite More Gooda N, with a 1:51.2 mark @ The Big M she’s been knocking on the door
3-Going Away – Added Mark Herschberger, got hammered down to 8-5 favorite & romped with a well-timed late move & draws inside again to tackle the class hike
Race 6
4-Odds On Sara Sara – Sara flaunted her sharp form & versatility with a rousing rally to repeat last week, draws well again, now faces highly questionable claimers & tough to go against
2-Graceful Gala – Just two for 39 last year, yet a solid runner up in her last three, just missed to Odds On Sara Sara last week & could turn the tables with an inside draw
5-Bout Damn Time A – Off a two for 31 season she was no factor against faster N/W $7,500 foes, her previous form was sharp @ Yonkers, so we’ll give her the acclimating mile
Race 7
4-Manhattan Project – Just missed with a gallant grind here second time Lasix on a frigid night, then burned the chalk @ Harrah’s Philadelphia & draws well for a barn that sends them ready
1-TH Rizzo – Grinded gamely for the deuce chasing a big favorite in an excellent acclimating mile & draws inside again at the same level & figures to be stalking close for Per Engblom
3-Chanceoflightning – Seven-time winner of $123k in 2025 gets some class relief, draws inside & looms as a serious stalking threat for Team Stratton
Race 8
2-Loot – You have toss out her latest after a slow start from post nine, down the road in a career best of 1:52.4 before that & any semblance of that blitzes this bunch
3-Sunburnt – Two for 40 is a hard-to-take season, she couldn’t hold off longshot Illustriousarden N last week & draws inside that rival with an opportunity to atone
6-Shangri La Hanover – Sports a 1:51.1 mark in 2025, broken equipment last out, recent Yonkers form has been good & this is a field ripe for taking
Race 9
1-Be Different – Made a noteworthy mile track transition here with a sterling rally from post ten to land in the photo at 75-1 & moves inside to follow up off a strong 2025 season
3-Wheelzablazin – Off back-to-back on-the-board finishes against $40k claimers @ Yonkers & this stalking type draws inside here to set up an ideal trip
5-Aardiebythehill N – Beaten favorite just missed to a well-rated Sky Box last week, draws inside that rival & expect more in his second start off a sick scratch
Race 10
4-Ambushed – Cory Stratton reclaim a 12-time winner last season, finished well after a slow start in a much-needed acclimating mile & draws better with some back class
9-Tick A Loch A – Took two Big M qualifiers on Lasix to get it right with a :26 kicker in a brisk 1:53.2 with a minus one variant, slammed with post nine, but who knows how good she is?
1-Bellucci – Capped off 2025 with her ninth win of the season in an upset @ Harrah’s Philadelphia, sports a 1:51.3 mark @ Harrah’s Philadelphia & lands the rail to trip out
Race 11
1-Iwon’t Backdown AS – Three for for 27 last year, but that was a solid third in the feature on December 19, plus he gets some class & post relief
4-Hat Trick Marleau – Only three for 29 last season, have to toss out his last from post eight @ Yonkers, gets a better draw here to a prominent player
3-Pedal On Metal – Consistent gelding going in the right direction against $40k claimers @ Yonkers & draws inside to play a prime stalking role
Race 12
2-House Blend – Was flying late after a slow start from post ten in a drop down scenario, only one for 21, but moves inside off that inspiring effort for team Cancelliere
10-Cover The Crown – Lightly-raced 4YO has been a fringe player against tougher, moves outside, but gets a class drop, while gathering momentum on the comeback trail
1-Czarette – Flashed a bit of late life when pace/trip compromised in her comeback after a long layoff & this lightly-raced 4YO lands the rail with license to show more
Race 13
2-Seven It Is – Offered plenty from a tough spot in an encouraging Big M debut for her new barn & rewarded with a much better draw in a field with several toss outs
3-Roma Amor – Off a three for 32 season, she rallied to hit the board after a slow start, gets another shot at this reduced level & draws better to show more, while long overdue
10-Twin B Empress – Burke trainee just one for 22 last year & stuck outside, but she’s been on the board three of her last four & can’t be dismissed
Race 14
2-Just My World – Lightly-raced/winless Lazurus N filly has ramped it up in her last two @ Harrah’s Philadelphia & draws well here to set up a stalking strike
6-Miss You Joann – Just two for 32 last season, but she’s been storming home from impossible spots in her last two & lands in a highly beatable field
9-Thaneeya – 10YO mare made her presence felt here last season, she tired while suddenly carving it out in the bitter cold, draws outside, yet remains a TM 68 contender
Saturday, January 10 Picks
Race 1
1-Sono Confuso – Nine-time winner last season had excuse trips in his last two, drops back down to the level of his TM 71 win from post seven & lands the rail to rebound
3-Ginger Tree Pete – Just two for 38 last year, was used pretty hard to grab a brief lead on a frigid night & draws better in a real soft opener
5-Try Line – One for 34 in 2025 is a major knock, but a solid runner up in his last two amateur events @ Harrah’s Philadelphia & gets a chance to stalk from mid pack here
Race 2
1-Fendi Hanover – Fresh off a grinding/narrow loss in 1:51 he settled for the show as the beaten favorite last week, stands out on the rail overdue & on the verge
5-Kwick Sand A – Hasn’t been heard from after slow starts from outside posts, but this is a class drop that can’t be ignored, plus Brett Beckwith was listed on the early entries
4-Soho Skyfall A – Sweet Lou gelding with a mark of 1:52.3 @ Saratoga draws well for another comeback fresh off a rousing Big M qualifier
Race 3
3-Lochinvar Aussie – Lightly-raced 4YO was twice forced to play fringe player against superior foes last month, freshened with a strong qualifier, gets class relief & draws inside
7-Enforcer – No clue where that longshot rally & close second came from last week after a one for 39 season, faces another challenging draw & banks on pace & trip
4-Manhawk – Showed vast improvement as a solid runner up to a well-rated Blue Collar Man last week, draws inside that rival among several stepping up in a wide-open TM 77.5
Race 4
3-Thong Control – Just missed first time Lasix, then had no chance in his last two from post eight @ Yonkers & now gets class & post relief here in a prime spot to get aggressive
5-Hiranya N – Moves to mid pack off a no chance acclimating mile from post ten, proven competitor at this level @ Harrah’s Philadelphia can rebound for Team Pollack
2-Primary Colors – Capitalized on his second try at the bottom condition & waltzed all the way to flaunt his class, gets the double class hike, yet draws better
Race 5
3-Peter Petrify N – Lived up to plenty of tote action with an energetic/narrow loss to Rockme Rollme last week & finally draws inside while knocking on the door
6-Acapulco Sunburn – Made it two-for-two here with a sterling rally off the speed, this gelding is on a roll, hasn’t raced in three weeks, but note the barn change
2-Smooch In The Dark – Came to life with a solid deuce second time Lasix & gets another serious shot at the claiming wars with an inside draw in a very competitive affair
Race 6
3-Blaze On N – Launched another comeback & got parked/pace compromised, gets some class relief & draws inside with a chance to show more in a supreme handicapper’s puzzle
7-Fasting – Beaten chalk got his own way on the engine & was collared by the pocket sitter two weeks ago, sharpening his sword, yet tackles another class hike & challenging post
4-Dontbothermenone N – Suddenly tried speed, simply went too fast & got nosed out in the final steps, draws better & perhaps a more patient stalking trip is in store at this tougher TM 83.5
Race 7
5-Aces Or Bettor – Liking the way he’s finished in his last few, second to a uncatchable Laser Speed three starts back & fresh off a solid season he launches mid pack again in a pari mutuel puzzler
2-Pineapple Crunch – Still can’t believe he got away with a :58 half two starts back, then no factor after a slow start, but now gets class & post relief to step up with a 1:50.1 mark @ The Big M
8-Stellar Yankee – Took full advantage of an ideal set up as the favorite three starts back, caught in never-never land in his last two, stuck outside, yet remains razor sharp for Team Stratton
Race 8
5-Twiggs Pub – Forgive the three for 43 last year, he’s been charging hard from impossible spots recently, moves to mid pack & could unleash his rally past a field riddled with question marks
6-Belmont Major N – Beaten favorite left alertly, got stuffed inside & finished well for minor spoils, dominant post ten winner before that can rebound despite a tougher post
1-Caviart Lotus – Three for 42 last season, post ten again, yet he’s uncorked some vicious rallies since the latest claim & maybe some mayhem can set him up
Race 9
1-Imtheblackflash N – Left into a wicked opener, got shuffled & angled with raging late pace for the deuce in an excellent acclimating mile two weeks ago & looms large from the rail again
6-Boston Bound – Reeled off two in a row fresh off the bench for Bongiorno, claimed after equaling his lifetime mark & gives trainer Chris Height a strong 1-2 punch in a wide-open
3-Bondi Lockdown A – Catapulted off a hot pace to get within a length in a sub-1:50 mile, hasn’t raced in a month, but finally draws inside & owns an exceptional late kick
Race 10
3-Soho Spectre A – Had the table set ideally & settled for minor spoils chasing Captain Crusader A, just missed from post seven before that & drops back down to that level
1-Don’t Drop The Ball – More than lived up to the heavy tote hype two weeks ago, moves inside off that bounce-back score & remains a major danger
2-Jack’s Shadow N – 12YO warhorse has reeled off four in a row @ Harrah’s Philadelphia, Scottie D has sparked something here & this one draws inside to keep it going
Race 11
6-San Jose – Nine-time winner last season drops back down to the TM 80.5 he beat with a two-move effort in late December faces several easy toss outs
3-Lovethewayyoulie – Off a one for 32 season he had everything go his way for a rail-skimming upset from post nine, bumped up to TM 80.5, but moves inside an uninspiring field
10-Whammer Jammer – Went after it first over & got the cold shoulder two weeks ago, slammed with post ten, but his previous narrow loss stamps him a contender here
Race 12
6-Rydingtothewire – Beaten favorite tried to close from the clouds & still hit the board last week, kicked home in :26.2 before that & seems poised for an overdue win
2-Steely Knife – Team Burke trainee fired out to an early lead & settled for the show in a much better effort last week & rewarded with an improved post in a dartboard field
8-Son Of A Tiger N – Stormed home from tenth/last to just miss two starts back, fresh off a solid third he looks to keep his positive trend going from a tougher post
Race 13
1-American Mercury – Dropped into a TM 71 & tripped out with a mild upset in a huge turnaround & lands the rail in a wide-open TM 74.5 as a repeat threat
10-Gaitway Patriot – Just one for 18 last season & moves outside, but has been on a nice recent roll & this lightly-raced 4YO could easily find his way into it
2-National Sport – Results at the end of his 2025 season were repeatedly dismal, but with class & post relief he could easily flip the switch
Race 14
6-Aladdin – Just two for 34 last season, but came to life in his second start off the recent claim, just missed as the beaten favorite & hits the rock bottom condition
7-Caveman A – Beaten chalk off a disappointing third @ Harrah’s Philadelphia, tougher post here, yet he returns to a much easier level
3-Gandalf The Bay – 11-time winner in 2025 made a smooth transition from Rosecroft with a decent showing, so he factors in with class & post relief
Sunday, January 11
Race 1
6-Select Friday – 1:52.4 performer at The Big M banked over $50k last season, hasn’t raced in a month, but that was a solid second two starts back & this is a soft TM 68 for him to exploit
1-Stolen Art – 11YO comes off a 0 for 37 season & 24-day layoff, yet has stepped it up with back-to-back on-the-board finishes & he’s in line for smooth trip from the rail
9-Moonwards Hanover – Hasn’t been seen in 29 days, drops back to the TM 68 level & that wire-to-wire from post ten on a frosty night two starts back capped a three-race form spree
Race 2
4-In The Moonlight – Cancelliere homebred grinded gamely again to just miss to a heavy favorite in Seaworthy Hanover & draws much better while on the verge
5-Rider Hanover – 4YO no worse than second in only four career starts, while burning chalk, returns to The Big M & continues to sharpen his sword for a high percentage barn
3-Onefortheroad GB – Draws inside fresh off a pair of energetic Big M qualifiers, owns a mark of 1:51.3 here & looks like a threat right off the hop for Team Tritton
Race 3
2-Ourmomentntime – Fresh off a new mark of 1:57.1 he made another early miscue to burn the chalk & now moves inside to rebound after further Per Engblom tinkering
4-Hunters Gal – She was only three for 41 last season, but a solid runner up in her last two, while closing from tough spots & draws better today with the hopes of snapping a long losing skid
7-Bar Keep De Vie – Unleashed a gallant/uncovered effort to finish a close second in an inspiring Big M debut, then squandered a second over trip as the beaten favorite & faces a tougher draw
Race 4
2-Somesurfsomewhere – Off a one for 25 season he draws better after one of his best efforts in awhile, a nice rally to hit the board & has a chance to stalk n pop for an overdue win
6-Stone Cold Savage – Attempts to rebound off a three for 32 campaign & trailed in his last start a month ago, but his previous out-of-the-blue second gives some reason for hope
5-Its Rockin Randy – 0 for 20 in 2025, but that was a positive display of speed 24 days ago, so he has something to build on from a mid pack launch
Race 5
6-Benny J – Crushed here in a sharp 1:52.4 two starts back, then wheeled right back to romp @ Harrah’s Philadelphia for Team Alagna & reunited with Jason Bartlett
7-Diplomacy – Late-blooming 5YO has gone three-for-three since switching to Per Engblom & adding trotting hopples, challenging draw, 25-day layoff, but looms large
3-Clear For Landing – Lightly-raced 4YO eight for 14, long form spree, solid runner up to heavily favorite Benny J 24 days ago & draws inside that rival as part of a Per Engblom 1-2 punch
Race 6
5-Dancing Lew – Wiped out by an early breaker when heavily favored, just missed with a mighty late surge in the previous comebacker & has license to rebound from mid pack
1-Lyons Liberty – Beaten favorite got parked uncovered into a quickening pace, solid runner up before that draws inside again goes back to claimers for Team Tritton
6-Born To Dance – Took advantage a breaking favorite (Dancing Lew), rallied for the mild upset on a frosty night & continues to ramp it up off the recent sick scratch
Race 7
1-Stormont Happy Day – Slow starts, forced wide & flashed some sneaky late trot for minor spoils in a useful acclimating mile, moves inside & retains Brett Beckwith
3-Magic Melvin – Melvin has been a pretty steady presence, hitting the ticket in his last four, displayed some positive speed last out & draws inside to pave the way again
4-Parody – Consistent gelding hit the board again with another solid finish, draws well once more & this is a prime scenario where his persistence could pay off
Race 8
1-Captivated – Sports a mark of 1:51.4 @ The Big M last season, has been tackling tougher TM stock recently & has a big chance to rebound from the rail in a field of question marks
4-Lyons Music – Rebounded big time with a much better rally for third in his second start off the claim & draws better in a truly wide-open affair
3-Lindy The Brave – Stepped up his game with a more energetic effort just behind Lyons Music last out, draws inside again & reunited with Brett Beckwith
Race 9
1-Northern Skyway – Went all the way as the favorite from post six three starts back, his 50th career win, lands the rail off a solid third & this classy gelding seems to be going in the right direction
4-Soeur Mary – She somehow overcame a pace/trip compromised scenario & rally stoutly to equal her lifetime mark despite missing 42 days, now she’s back after missing a month
2-Mr Instigator – We tabbed this upset when he brushed n crushed for the upset in a key third start off the bench on a frigid night & draws inside to face a class hike
Race 10
2-Big Ego – This lightly-raced 4YO has quickly found his best stride since the recent barn changes, crushed in a career best of 1:51 in a Pop Up Series Final & stands out with another inside draw
6-Pack A Punch – Lightly-raced 4YO on a long form spree, used pretty hard & just missed going all the way from post nine & remains a very live Team Cancelliere contender
8-Blue Onyx – Added Lasix & came charging home to hit the board from a really tough spot, stuck outside, but has plenty of speed to shoot at in his key third try off the bench for Team Burke
Race 11
1-Frazier Hanover – Frazier almost delivered a knockout punch when he just missed going wire-to-wire from post ten & now he moves inside off that big rebound in a soft TM 71 match up
4-Xmarxthespot – After only four starts last season he rallied stoutly to hit the board in an eye-catching comebacker & draws better with something positive to build on
9-Rockabilly Charm – Beaten favorite was well-rated & just missed by a neck in a noteworthy bounce-back effort, moves outside, but his gate speed can put him in play again
Race 12
4-Bizys Beatle – The Beatle lived up to the tote hype & stormed home to a decisive score at the TM 71 level & draws better to loom as a repeat threat
5-Crunch The Numbers – Rallied to upset $10,000 stock @ Harrah’s Philadelphia two starts back & moves to mid pack off a no-chance trip here
6-Ithaca Hanover – Scored a couple of late-season tallies against TM 68 types & drops into a softer $7,500 claimer after a slow start & tough trip
Race 13
1-Masster Blue – Trip compromised in his last two, a solid third three starts back, just two for 32 in 2025, can ride the rail to play a prime opportunist role in a pari mutuel puzzler
5-Chasing Crystals – One for 26 last year, yet he’s been on a nice roll recently, draws a bit better off a solid second & rates serious contender status in a camera-shy field
7-Vanguard – One for 36 last season & tackles a challenging post, but he’s on a form spree, almost went all the way last out, that was 24 days ago, so he’s tough to gauge
Race 14
4-Full Disclosure – Draws well to rebound off a complete debacle 33 days ago, his previous two here were sharp off the barn change, so he might be worth a swing in a wide-open finale
5-Gatsby Hanover – Lightly-raced 4YO with some upside, towered up late from far back to grab the deuce last out, that was 30 days ago, so we must guess his current form
8-Big Jack Hammer – Tried to step up to TM 74.5 off the upset & was simply too far back, now he’s slammed with post eight, but the right set up could make him a factor
Track Conditions
Updated
01/10/2026
Sloppy
Variant: -2
