Night of Champions

Due to software issues, I am unable to start new lines and paragraphs today. Sorry. While I am disappointed that Standupnkissme is not coming to the Night of Champions Saturday, there are several great races, although there are a few short fields as well. Clair Umholtz once told me that this program (Night of Champions) was like racing for your own money, and I understand his point, but with the current state of racing-- fewer foals, etc, and the ease at which you can "hang out " at the fairs and still get enough points to get in (only half of the finals "filled,") so why not take a shot? You go for $15-16K, instead of $2500 in NW2 (where most of these still fit) so if you finish 4th you earn 1200, as opposed to 1250 for winning your overnight. Okay, enough pontificating, on to some picks. I love Sadies Legacy in the two-year-old colt pace (with no Standupnkissme), but there will be little value in a short field, so I will tie him to Rose Run Keepsake and Chippedstarwberry in the double and hope I get a decent price. Steve Carter seems to pull off a couple wins in this event every year,= so he could get the job doen with Keepsake, despite breaks in her last two (DANGER, WARNING, DANGER!) Rompaway Beau is my pcik in the freshman colt trot, off a 15 length win at Raceway in their Coutny Fair championship. Of course, that was a three-horse field with no wagering--here he has a full field of nine to deal with. The Jimmy Smith entry could both be onthe board in the three-year-old colt trot so I may be watching the show pool. I have a lot of respect for Jimmy Kiesel and wish him the bets with Shell I Attack, but I am not sure why he felt the need to go to Coshocton 9/29 off a 1:54.1 win here Friday, knowing he was going for $16K Saturday. Shell I Atatck made a break and that makes the seemingly invulnerable filly slightly vulberable-- Precious Susie and Sugar Scoot Brown could pick up the pieces. I am guessing Ryan Stahl will get the call on Sugar Scoot, and I have no idea who will drive Precious Susie. Of course, if Brett chooses off Shell I Attack, pay close attention. GOod luck!