Monday Musings

A very tough card to figure, but some bettable horses and having Danny Noble in the mix helps, too. Good luck.

Race 1: 9 Doowrah’s Trifold- Fresh horse has best strike rate -- an impressive 11% -- in 2010; 3 Lashas Last- Not finishing strongly enough; 4 Sultan Desbi- A chance if he finds the pylons.

Race 2: 9 Rebel Zeus N- Class dropper gets my lukewarm call, speed up top helps; 6 Mr Shady-We know he’ll be on top, but for how long? 7 Hickory Hunter- Another dropper, but post hurts.

Race 3: 2 Stromont Caviar- A good qually and faced far better last time, should be tighter; 1 Stonebridge Romeo- Has speed, but needs to trot under the wire (and the rest of the mile); 7 Reel Me Over- May be better with Stahl driving.

Race 4: 4 Lima Ritch- Monster driver change for a 1:56.1 winner; 6 U Betta Winna- Consistent and Danny made the trip up to drive the two Evans trainees; 5 Dalcroft Toby- Best effort at this level was with Stahl; 2 Roamin- Decent qualifier and can get a small piece with the right trip.

Race 5: 7 Lucca’s Revenge- Granted, he has to trot leaving the gate, but should cruise; 2 Count Till Dawn- Safe trip in last after the break; 3 Super Rapper- Has faced better and gets Aaron.

Race 6: 1 Nuclear Cam- Charlino chose over the 5/6/7 off a good race last time; 3 Dragon Seeker- Will get most of the calls here; 5 Guile’s Boy- Gets Stahl off two good efforts.

Race 7: 3 Shez Good Osborne- Part of one of the best Ohio pacing families ever; 4 Native Flower- Seems to be figuring it out; 2 Go Cowboy Go- Has been consistent and draws well; 9 Oaks Luck- Has been caught in some fast miles since getting Lasix.

Race 8: 4 Call Me Merkle- Was an easy winner first time Dan drove, moves up here and has a shot; 6 Mickey Deez- Nice trotter just doesn’t win enough for me; 1 Valantine De Vie- Tacticla speed makes him a factor tonight.

Race 9: 5 Ohio Star- Gets class relief and has picked up a check in 4 of last 6; 4 Houdini Sahbra- Third start back and fresh; 3 Rella’s Trick- Sort of, kind of a third back angle for Aaron.

Race 10: 2 Dragon Fires K- Trip didn’t work out last time, a slight call in a well-matched group; 4 Hula Lu- Very consistent, especially back in for a tag; 8 Jennys Spirit- Ryan chose over the 3 and the 5 (who I like) but snowman concerns me; 5 Palmach- Could surprise with Noble.

Race 11: 1 Samsawinner- Gets class relief off a tough effort in last; 6 The Perfect Man- Doesn’t finish as strong as I would like, but fits; 2 Come Along Fred- Raced well for the trainer last time.

Race 12: 2 Met- Has generally been facing better, a value play; 1 Oaks Enforcer- Has back class and was very good last time at this level; 4 Snappy Sport- Class relief, but has really fallen off form lately.

Race 13: 1 I Look Dynamic- Third start back, but first decent post; 9 Jessesjo- Has been racing well, but would like his nose on the gate; 6 Red Raider- Kind of hangs around, needs to do more.

Race 14: 1 Goin Home Ray- A decent closer who should be pretty close up early; 2 Rich man Poor Man- The old guy keeps hanging around, tough trip in last; 3 Bahama Bomber- Post is key for him; 9 No Escape N- Interesting driver change, but not sure if the horse has enough.