As many of you know, in addition to my full-time duties here at Northfield, I am also a soccer coach. For the last three years, I have been the head coach of the Cleveland Heights High Lady Tigers, where we turned a preatty disorganized team into a well-respected program. Now, i am being called on to do the same a little closer to the track, at Pepper Pike Orange, which makes me a Lady Lion coach. Lions and Tigers and Trotters, oh my.
This is a great opportunity-- less time away from the track, great facilities and a team that wants to get better and compete in the very tough Chagrin Valley Conference Valley Division. It may take us a couple years, but the AD has assured me the resources will be available to do the job. If we succeed, it will be because of the girls; if we fail, it is on the coach. And that is how it should be.
Here are the Saturday picks:
Race 1: 7 Diamond Hunter- Will only get better with a few races; 3 Dunkster- Not real sharp, but is still a World Champ; 2 This Sands Hot- Classy oldster still competes, so does the horse.
Race 2: 3 Broadway Petera- Trip from Hades in last - she can race from a hole if forced to; 9 She’s So- 2nd tier hurts, but can compete with class drop; 4 Secret Affair- Break cost all chance.
Race 3: 2 Conductors Timeout- Always does good work, when will Kurt make his move? 3 Sierra’s Joy- Will be tighter after last week; 4 Stonebridge Romeo- I think he’s on the chooch.
Race 4: 3 Stand N Shout- Stopped badly under pressure, will be better; 2 The Big Wazzoo-followed a fast one, not convinced; 4 El Personal Pace- Always picks up horses late and will add value; 5 Five Card Cam- No chance from the snowman off the drop, a major player here.
Race 5: 4 Fox Valley Galaxy- Impressive Smith to Merriman in last, rolls; 2 Lolas Cruiser- Quality freshman racing back to form; 3 Armrbro Deck- Has leveled a bit, but fits from this post.
Race 6: 2 Free For Life- Huge at Hoosier in last and has beaten better here; 3 Go Bogart- 3rd start back and a competitive draw, finally; 6 Up Front Hanover- One more chance at this level.\
Race 7: 3 Elm Grove Gerson- Not sure he can take the class jump, but has been awesome for Knipper; 2 Zakman- Best of the legit eights in this one; 4 Liftoff Bayama- Consistent sort draws well here; 8 Painted Speed- Post is a killer, but you usually get your $2 worth with him.
Race 8: 3 Whatanartist- Still not in 1:49 form, but benefits from a good draw; 5 Up front Guy- Looked like a different horse last week for Charlino; 8 Dontgetintheway- Couldn’t overcome the outside assignment, but could easily get on this ticket.
Race 9: 3 Honorable Guy- Extraordinarily sharp right now, no value but must play; 2 Bacon Hill Bob- If he can be 2nd over behind the top pick; 4 Yankee Coburn- Could be anything, why not?
Race 10: 5 Pat’s Fantasy- Showed nothing dropping to this level from the 8, but that is a legit excuse; 7 La Suvera- Kurt’s choice has never been one of my faves; 1 Tell-me-patty- Wildly inconsistent, but the rail makers her worth considering; 6 Fairground Lady- Best of the rest.
Race 11: 2 Giulio- Only horse who can beat Giulio may be Giulio; 1 Chippendale Dancer- Or maybe this one, whose form has leveled of late; 4 Mighty Looker- Trainer Sugg is 67% on the board off a layoff in ‘09.
Race 12: 3 Whos Yur Daddy Now- Another Knipper turn around; 2 Fancy Schmansy- Just needs some more pop in the last 16th; 8 Earnhardt Hanover- Stahl chose over the 7.
Race 13: 2 Players Ball- Credible local debut and draws decent; 3 Allamerican Viper- Moves up in great form; 5 I’m Faster- May be a bit “short” here.
Race 14: 9 Sneaky B Skipalong- $200ps off a 56.3 Q? Go cash; 2 Blue My Mind- Back to level of last win but meets a bearcat here; 1 Southwind Menlo- Does some work against similar; 5 Jd’s Houdini- Will roll late.
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