Monday Musings

I am posting these picks early, so enjoy your weekend. Several horses here are a bit suspect on sloppy tracks, so check the weather. You should also check the Northfield Handicapper's Board and get some track condition insight from Cliff Gregory, a great Northfield 'capper at http://thebeliever2.proboards83.com/index.cgi?board=board5

Race 1: 3 Detective- Kakaley’s choice over the 7 has license to improve; 5 Ben Mor Lane- Wake up call 1st time Josh in last, can contend; 1 Pick Me A Rose- Solid breeding, but still green.

Race 2: 5 Eaglewingsdorado- Good seasonal debut, maturing; 3 Splish Flash- Has done work but hasn’t sustained; 3rd back; 7 Boogie Wonderland- Has shown speed in Qs, can she finish more strongly for Edwards?

Race 3: 4 Hylite Lavec- Drops to level of last win, that was with Stahl, too; Stonebridge Romeo- Has speed and showed a new dimension in last start, don’t ignore; 2 Striking Karat- Rarely passes a horse and Romeo can outleave him if he chooses to.

Race 4: 5 Aviator Bluegrass- Just missed a lifetime mark in 1st start for trainer/driver combo; 2 David Erol- Best post draw in a year, or at least it seems that way; 1 Damien De Vie- Showed improvement in last; 6 Bobbys On The Move- Up in class for his third start back.

Race 5: 4 Beach Partner- Drops to level of last win and last Aaron; 3 Thisoldartofmine- Good effort dropping in last, despite the snowman; 9 Stonebridgefalcon- 1st time at this level is always a good angle, but this one rarely wins.

Race 6: 4 Sophia- Was impressive with these two back, faced better in last; 2 Sweet Ashtin- Usually does some work, will it be enough? 1 Nuclear Beauty- Consistent, especially when drawing well and you can’t draw better than this.

Race 7: 2 Super Max N- Good form, good post, decent speed. Winner; 5 Breeze On By N- Tough trips of late but can compete here; 9 Slide Lock- Will he Stahl? Was great for Shetler, not so much for Wyatt; 8 Allamerican Raider- Huge trip from same bad draw in last, needs cover.

Race 8: 8 Bacon Hill Bob- Speed is suspect, err, non-existent here, closes from way back to win; 1 Hogue’s Rockie- Good post draw helps this speedster; 2 Conductors Timeout- Last start was better than the line looks, needed room and appeared to have trot.

Race 9: 2 Idealized Print- Faced better before last week, no Constantinoble tonight; 3 Crazy Train- Good 1st back, but was short, will he improve or bounce? 9 Diana Court- 1st time Matt K.

Race 10: 1 Cg’s Wonder- Stahl chose over 3 & 9, always does work; 3 Jack’s A Cruisin- Very consistent, my original choice, knocked down when Stahl chose off, now “stuck” with Matt K; 8 Shannons Boy Scout- No decision for Hall- circle the field; 4 French Attack- Draws a bit better.

Race 11: 4 I’m Faster- 7-5 ML? He’s good but not that good here; 1 Engine Hanover- Yes I said Engine Hanover, but not to win; 3 Uphill Battle- Classy old guy is usually good off the break.

Race 12: 3 Ryans Hall- Lukewarm call in a suspect group; 4 Guile’s Boy- Usually gets into the flow; 1 I’m Patrick- Leaving aggressively would be the Wright choice against these.
Race 13:1 Art’s Baker- Class relief, Matt K., the rail, what more do you want? 9 Take Down Hall- Very consistent, contender but not a winner from the second tier; 5 Mike’s Heir- Prefers a fast track- check with Betsy Kling; 6 Chips Treasure- Guts it out weekly (and sometimes weakly