Wednesday Picks and a huge announcement

As many of you have heard, I will be leaving Northfield Park's full-time employment after the February 4 race card. While I did not initiate this action, the split is a friendly and professional one and I am excited to explore new opportunities, both in and out of racing.

I will continue to do picks for the program and for this blog for the foreseeable future, with breaks for my out of town herpetology exhibits. I will also continue to write the Keeping Pace release and will be doing a lot of the media work for major events at the track. While I will miss this place- hell, I have been coming here as a patron, contractor or employee for nearly 40 years, I am energized about what the future holds. As the band Semisonic, wuoting Seneca the Younger, said in the song Closing Time, "Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end."

Here are the Wednesday picks. It's the kind of night where you need to watch the odds board and look for value, because a couple of these are easily reversed if the value falls that way. Good Luck!

Race 1: 2 Wannabee Fast- Good local debut for Ben Miller & The Master; 9 Miss Tilly- Passes horses late, but second tier a concern; 1 Jazzy’s Boy- Rail helps, but he’s his own worst enemy.

Race 2: 3 Dashes Dreamer- Second time Lasix and class relief; 9 Ben’s Big Bird- Drops from better, but current form is suspect; 4 Mcfriendly- May have received a wake-up call Jan. 18.

Race 3: 1 American Grace K- Looked to be a winner when she broke and now Tye steps off; 2 Abba Zabra- Has speed and his best draw in two months; 7 Susie’s Return- Another speedster with a red-hot driver, but she draws poorly.

Race 4: 1 Show Me Big Slick- Good draw & he wins with effort of 1/11. Bounce or post the issue in last? 6 Gina Marie P- Eligible at time of entry and always does work; 3 J D’s Turismo- Not impressive, but gets Noble; 2 Chris Lee- Contends with his best, but very inconsistent.

Race 5: 7 R U A Looker- Very sharp; consider if he’s a decent price; 4 Smok’n Coalburner- Racing very well against lesser; 2 Pro Vision- Always does work & must use in exotics.

Race 6: 3 Red Star Buck- Looks to repeat from a repeat post in same class; 9 Balin Hanover- Couldn’t beat my choice from rail; 4 Gold Fever- Fresh hands for relatively new Rideout-trainee.

Race 7: 1 Pembroke Touch- Rail makes him very competitive with these; 2 Laag The Mile- Unproven at this level, but draws well off a tough trip; 4 Jd’s Houdini- Moves up off his annual win; 6 Avenue A- Just a hunch, not sure why.

Race 8: 5 Lucca’s Revenge- Former Open Trotter on the way back up. Is that better, Kev? 4 Philly B Leebrook- Always hangs around; 2 Actions By Chip- Moves up in good form.

Race 9: 1 Red Heads Star- Upward form cycle, but no value here; 4 Christmas Photo K- Needs to sustain work in first try for Stahl; 7 Oh My Sam- Raced evenly in return, can go forward.

Race 10: 3 Rocco’s Revenge- Third back angle off one of his best efforts in years; 7 The Big Wazzoo- Sharp, but not sure he can overcome the seven; 2 House Of Green- Has put in several recent big efforts; 6 Western Empire- Back class, but nor sure he will get the needed trip here.

Race 11: 5 Master Wheels- In as cheap as he has been in years, now or never; -9 Ab’s Speedy Hall- Not an easy one to drive, post hurts; 2 Mr Sam- Would pick on top if not for the sick scratch.

Race 12: 3 Kaden- Drops back & should get an easy lead; 2 Mac Only Bill- Also gets fresh hands, serious player; 6 Goodbye Mr Yankee- Needs to sustain his work for Tharps per and fils.

Race 13: 3 Free For Life- Has won four of his last six, should roll here; 6 Dakotas Bridgeman- Newcomer could be anything, risky, but may be worth it; 2 Rhino- Can horn in on the exacta if he improves a bit; 4 Saltea’s Sanjay- Owned this class for a bit, form poor, but 1st time Noble helps.