1

SBD First Blood

Has been due some post relief for quite some time now, and finally lands on the inside of what turns out to be a short field.  Plenty of early speed, should be sitting very close. 

2

Jaxx

Shook loose down the lane last time to get by #1 and pull off the 33-1 shocker!  Won’t be anywhere near that price here, but appears to be one of many with a shot in a WIDE open crew. 

3

Fox Valley Michael

Absolutely loaded down the lane last time after sitting last, and I don’t think there is any question he would have gotten by #’s 1 & 2 for the win if he found room.  However, he was well beaten by #5 2 starts back. 

4

Catalina Kid

Appears to have tailed off a bit since dropping down to this level a couple of starts back, and it would take a big rebound to take the final tonight. 

5

Heart’s Prince

How can you fault this guy?  Has rounded into quite possibly career best form over the last few starts, and that last win was dominant over #3.  Trainer takes back over the driving duties here.  

1

Cowling Park

Hasn’t proven to have that killer instinct on the end of his miles just yet, but the lightly raced gelding has proven that he can follow speed quite well and hang around late for a piece.  Should sit close once again. 

2

Dana Boko

Just missed picking up a check in the $250k KYSS Final against some tough fillies, but has proven that she can hang with stakes company thus far in her brief career.  Drops down tonight, but not an overly easy group. 

3

Follow My Dreams

Lands in a nightmare field for this level, and I could only consider for the minor awards. 

4

Caribbean Dream

Appears overmatched against these.  Pass. 

5

Etienne

Barn has been on a roll here as one of our leaders this season, but this guy is yet to flash a ton of speed thus far.  I’ll wait until we see some improvement. 

6

Zoli

Picked off some tired ones late last week to finish up 3^rd behind a couple of nice colts, which was the first time we’ve seen him not make a break.  If he minds his manners once again, he should continue to improve. 

7

Raven Victory

We haven’t seen him in almost a month now, but I can tell you that his career debut was VERY impressive here where he romped to an easy win.  After seeing that, I’m willing to hop on board once again. 

1

Park Lane Crystal

Saved all the ground to pick up a nice $30k check in the $250k KYSS Final last time, and should be able to save ground and sit close once again from the pole.  Must respect. 

2

Ultimate Beachboy

I was VERY impressed with his local debut, as he made an aggressive move to the top and fought off a heavy fav the entire way down the lane before getting nailed by another.  Any similar effort should be good enough. 

3

Sadies Scooter

Dominated a lesser crew in the conditioned claiming ranks last time, and now moves into straight NW tonight. Would have to improve even more to hang with the top ones in here. 

4

Shop Talk

Doesn’t appear to pack the speed to hang with these just yet.  Pass for now. 

5

Mortal Combat

Bested a 4 horse field here in his only local try on an off track 3 starts back, and followed that up with a couple of decent tries in Chicago.  Not an easy crew he faces tonight though. 

6

Milburn

Continues to improve with each and every start, but still appears to be a notch or two below the favs in here at this point.  Nisonger opted to #8 instead.   

7

Dancing in Terror

Well beaten by #2 last time, and it would be hard for me to see him turning the tables on him here.  Should have a shot at the minor awards though. 

8

Lacys Friskie Gal

Tough to gage this filly from her OH fair efforts, and she arrives locally after almost a month on the shelf.  On top of that, lands way out in post 8 against a solid crew.  I’ll watch one first.  Nisonger opted here over #6.    

9

Margarita Monday

Went down hard as the 4-5 fav last time, and things certainly aren’t going to get any easier from way out here. 

1

West Coast Arturo

Parlayed a perfect trip to surge by in the final strides to win as the fav in her last start.  No question this is a MUCH tougher crew tonight though.  Not sure I can endorse her against these. 

2

My Surfer Girl

Didn’t fair well up in class in the last couple in Columbus, but this mare has fired with sharp efforts every time we have seen her at this level locally.  Handily beat #5 the last time we saw her here.  Bolon opted here over #6.   

3

Baby Blue Pajamas

Absolutely dominated in a LT best performance the last time we saw her, but barn opted to use Nisonger on #5 instead.  She hasn’t really proven that she can hang with her stablemate here just yet. 

4

Ashley Force

I’m not sure what to expect here.  This mare has made random breaks in 3 of her last 4 starts, but has a TON of speed when she keeps her mind on business.  Dominated in her only start at this level.  Hmmm….  

5

JB’s Cutie

Unleashed a furious stretch rally to win easy in her last try against a lot of male rivals, and now lands back in with only mares tonight.  She WILL be flying late. 

6

Willing Heart

Has held her own at this level locally, and lands on the outside of an ultra competitive crew here tonight in the mini-series final.  Needs her very best.  Your call.  Bolon opted to #2 instead.   

1

Rock With It

Started off the season with a sharp 2^nd place finish, but hasn’t really been able to put the pieces together since and has regressed into some bad habits recently.  I’ll let him beat me if he can.  Jerrell opted to #3 instead.    

2

Sister Gola

Has been in over her head each time we’ve seen her locally, but finally showed a bit of life on the end of it in the last mile.  Any further improvement could put her on the ticket here at a big price. 

3

Patty Says So

No question Patty would have a shot to hit the ticket if she was on top of her game, and I suppose I can excuse the last couple.  She made a break 2 back, and got used very hard early last time.  Price should be right at least.

4

Roscoes Rib Rack

Roscoe has rounded into career best form in his last couple, but he is still going to have to prove to me that he can hang with a field like this. 

5

Blueridge Legacy

I’ve seen this guy go down in flames as a short price here this season, as part of an 0 for 21 record on the year.  However, he appears to be much the best on paper.  May never win another if he can’t beat these tonight. 

6

Bristol

Yet another that is winless on the year, but he has held his own against similar overnight company in Michigan with 10 2nds & 3rds.  Must respect. 

7

Altesse

Pulled early in her only local start against #8, and ended up tiring a bit in deep stretch.  No question her best effort would put her in the mix here, one of many with a big shot. 

8

Miss DW Chip

Packs plenty of early speed if Pryor elects to step on the gas from outside post, and has held her own in our top class here this season.  Drops down a notch tonight, but it won’t be easy against this crew. 

1

GD Rosanne

I can’t even pretend to be able to pick a winner in this crew, what an absolute WIDE OPEN field to kick off the Pick 4.  Having said that, it probably will be the 4 favs in order.  Rosanne keeps improving.  Maybe. 

2

Doc’s Coco

We’ve seen some good tries from her this season, but she is yet to win thus far in 20 career starts.  Again, this is a WIDE open crew.  I can’t say that anything would surprise me here. Your call.  

3

Long Legged Beauty

Indy invader has been LAST in each of her last 3 efforts, and now she is the morning line fav on the class drop.  Probably tells you how much of a head scratcher we have here.  Class drop should wake her up a bit I suppose. 

4

It’s True

Probably one of the softer crews she has faced in her career thus far, but she is still going to have to pick it up a bit to make any major noise against these. 

5

Make a Movenscoot

Finished up 2^nd against a similar crew in Cleveland last time, and any further improvement could put him in the mix against these as well.  Appears to be one of many with a chance. 

6

Jazzie Music

Was fairly decent when she arrived locally at the beginning of the season, but we haven’t seen her best recently.  Got caught up in a big mile last time, hard to gage that effort. 

7

Bens Beach Boy

How about this for ironic twists?  His sire is racing TONIGHT in the 12^th race.  I didn’t know that he had any sons or daughters but apparently so.  Could be the first time a father-son have ever won on the same card. 

8

Dollar and a Dream

Hasn’t been anywhere close against similar company here this season.  Hard for me to make a case for him. 

9

Billtown Road

A bit inconsistent thus far, but we have seen him race well against this kind of company here this season when he is on top of his game.  I would expect Bolon to be on the gas early here.  Big shot. 

10

Show Me Some Skin

I will have to say that she did impress me last time, sustaining a first over move to hold 2^nd behind the runaway winner even after leaving the gate for position as well.  Anything similar puts her close again. 

1

HS Certified

Big effort last time after being gapped off the gate a few lengths at the start, nearly fighting off #2 in here for 2^nd behind the fav.  Should get away very nice behind the fav in here.  Wide open for minor awards. 

2

Atta Girl Ranger

Raced much better than I gave her credit for in her local debut, rallying by #1 for 2^nd in deep stretch after saving ground throughout.  Should sit close once again from inside post.  Maybe underneath. 

3

Marisela

Nearly got by for her first career victory last time, coming up only a head short.  Certainly a step in the right direction, and any further improvement gives her a shot at the minor awards once again. 

4

Fighting Scottsman

Didn’t have much to offer in the AM effort at Indy, and appears overmatched against these.  Pass. 

5

Glad Glidings

Plenty of options from perfect mid-pack post, and is one of many with a shot at the minor awards in here behind the heavy fav. 

6

Baby B

MI invader has held her own against similar company at Hazel, and should improve even more with the stretch out to the mile strip.  Needs her very best though. 

7

Ranggo Kid

Typically picks up some of the pieces late, and might want to toss him on the bottom of your superfecta tickets with that in mind once again.  Would take a lot more to make any major noise against these. 

8

Uncommon Night

Speaking of uncommon, when is the last time you have seen a maiden that has made $127k??  Yes, it has been a while hasn’t it.  Should win from here to Commonwealth Stadium with anything close to her best. 

9

Kacy’s Photo

Has continuously improved here this season, but hooks a tough crew for her final local start of the year.  Will have to find a way to get worked into the race from way out here. 

10

Maxaman

Was actually moving fairly well before the break last time, and I suspect he would have been very close without it.  Having said that, this appears to be a much tougher group.  Needs more. 

1

My Cup of Tea

MI invader lands in a tough crew for her local debut, and I’m not sure that this will be her cup of tea.  However, you may want to see how her stablemates performed in races 5 & 7 to see if you want to try her underneath.

2

Rapids N Currents

Picked up $20k for a 4^th place finish in the $250k KYSS final last time against some tough colts, but hasn’t landed in the easiest of crews here tonight.  Will need his very best. 

3

Felipe Makaay

Nice effort to finish up a close 2^nd behind the heavy fav last time, but lands in what may be an even tougher group for this level tonight.  Would have to improve even more to hang with these. 

4

Chinese Cuisine

Held his own against some solid overnight company on the east coast, anything close to his best effort puts him squarely in the mix here.  Must respect. 

5

Sterling Volo

Finished up right with a nice filly last time to be 2^nd, but may be a notch or two below the top ones in here.  Finished far behind #4 when they hooked up in Jersey.  Your call. 

6

Tometta Byrd

Would take a LOT more to hang with the top ones in here.  Not tonight. 

7

Mikesbrother frank

Dominated overnight company last time in Philly as the fav, and lands in a fairly competitive crew now for his local debut.  One of several that should have a big say here. 

8

Feel The Pressure

Knocked down the biggest payday of her career with a 2^nd place finish behind the heavy fav in the $250k KYSS Final in her last.  Has some speed if Jerrell elects to put her in play early, but not an easy spot. 

9

Voluptuous Ronda

Another that packs plenty of speed if Lachance elects to put her in play early, and she has knocked down some nice checks against stakes company on the east coast.  Barn has been red hot.  Maybe. 

10

Rome

Appears to be overmatched against these right now.  Pass.

1

Here Kitty Kitty

Not sure she is ready to hang with the top ones in here just yet.  Pass.  

2

Sexy Smile

Sprinted away from a MUCH easier crew last time, and she would have to improve even more to hang with the top ones in this crew.  This has come up very tough for this level, but she should sit close.  JN opted to #7.      

3

Caribbean Girl

Never in it in the $250k KYSS Final last time, but the KY Fair Champ should find this level more to her liking.  It would still take her absolute very best against this particular crew though.   

4

Sax Solo

Yet another close call last time, as he picked up his 3^rd consecutive 2^nd place finish.  No question he fits with these, but hasn’t shown that killer instinct needed for the win just yet.  Underneath only. 

5

Yakkity Yak Jack

Barn has quietly put together a nice season here with a limited number of starters.  Jack was in against some of the top colts in the country recently, yet still knocked down some nice checks.  Looks ready to pop on the drop! 

6

Through My Eyes

Raced evenly in her first local start after saving ground throughout, but faces a couple of the rivals that beat her in there back in here tonight.  Should be able to work out a nice cover trip if she’s good enough. 

7

Franchise Attack

Has been ok against overnight company in OH, but this is no easy spot for his local debut.  Hard to see him launching any kind of big attack in here.  Nisonger opted here over #’s 2 & 10.   

8

Springhouse Rebel

Absolutely flying on the end of it last time, coming up only a neck short of winning the whole thing.  Another that hasn’t shown me he likes to win a lot though.  However, he is always right there.  

9

Unreal Appeal

Appears to have tailed off just a bit after having a couple of sharp efforts when we first saw her last month.  Lands way out in post 9 to make matters worse.  That doesn’t sound too appealing to me. 

10

Radical Cam

Gelding has been lightly raced over the last couple of seasons, and the recent scratches tell me that everything still may not be quite on track.  I’ll wait until we see some signs of improvement.  Nisonger opted to #7 instead.    

1

Shaghai Lil

Millionaire mare returns to a track where she has had a LOT of success, including wins in the $300k KYSS Finals in her 2 & 3 yr old years.  Hasn’t been quite as sharp recently, but I’m thinking she is going to like the sight of this red clay once again.  Will need her very best punch to take on some tough male rivals.  I’m on board 

2

Royal Meeting

Absolutely annihilated a field of overnighters a couple of weeks back, and I must admit that I wasn’t a big fan of his that night.  He certainly proved me wrong (seems like that happens sometimes), but this is a MAJOR step up. 

3

Real or Magic

Long story short, he should have won in the last start where he hooked up with a fairly weak crew for what we are used to seeing at this level.  If he couldn’t beat those, he WON’T beat these. 

4

Crime Scene Cruzer

Parlayed a perfect trip from his pilot last time to get up for the victory and hold off a hard charging ABB.  Steps up to take on some very tough rivals here though, will have to pick it up even more to be on the scene here. 

5

Jagger Blue Chip

Well, I don’t think there is any question this has been our Horse of the Meet, and it wouldn’t be a closing night card unless we saw him one last time.  He hates to lose and they will have a fight on their hands down the lane. 

1

Last Second Shot

Finally showed some signs of life last time, finishing up a nice 2^nd behind a runaway winner.  Lands back in a similar level here, but will need his best to knock off a couple of solid class droppers. 

2

Duck Hook

The Hook has held his own with similar company here this season, and will need his very best once again to hang with the favs in here.  Should sit close from inside post. 

3

Ndana Favorite

No arguing that he has been in extremely tough since arriving locally here earlier this month, but we’ve yet to see any type of late punch and it would take a lot more against these. 

4

Arringarosa

Rebounded with a dead game try last time from post 10, digging in for 3^rd after getting sizzled through some quick early fractions.  Takes another drop down here, and his best makes him the one to beat. 

5

EJ’s Pocket Rocket

Was hopelessly pinned in 2 starts back, and I expected a big effort last time.  However, we got a fairly even 3^rd place finish.  Wasn’t all that bad and maybe I was just expecting a little much.  He fits with these. 

6

Blazing Tower

Pulled off what may have been the biggest upset of the meet last Sunday, paying $118 for the win which created a Pick 4 carryover.  Steps up to take on a much tougher group here though. 

7

Azim Bluegrass

Indy invader has landed in a tough group for his local debut, not sure he is ready to hang with the top ones in here just yet. 

8

Yndra Hanover

Tired late after being used very hard in her last couple, and I would expect her to revert back to off the pace tactics here on the outside of a tough group.  May pick off some of the tired ones late. 

1

Powerful Odds

Finished up a hard charging 3^rd at this level in his only local try 2 starts back, but lands in what appears to be a bit tougher group here in the finale of the early meet.  Should sit close and may be able to hang around for a small piece late. 

2

Blissful Knight

Hit the board in his only 2 local tries as big prices both times, but faces what is probably the toughest crew he has hooked up with thus far tonight.  Would take a lot more.   

3

Do It Best

Not sure if he has missed a check here all season, but yet to break through for that victory as he has faced some very tough rivals.  Likely blasting early, should sit up close once again. 

4

Hillcrest Domingo

Appears to have tailed off a bit in his last few tries, would take a complete turnaround to hang with the top ones in here.  Not tonight. 

5

Hereiam Coolwater

Easy winner the last time we saw her, and anything close to that effort would put her in the mix tonight.  Can do it from on or off the pace.  I’ll toss her on the ticket. 

6

Papaknows best

Absolutely crushed last week, and really appears to have landed in another fairly comfortable crew here.  Barn is in a race for leading trainer here, this guy could put them on top if it comes right down to the wire. 

7

AB’s Beach Boy

Talk about bad luck?  This guy was hopelessly buried at the top of the lane last time, but he unleashed a furious rally when he finally shook loose to finish up a close 2^nd.  Likely to be flying late once again. 

8

Jen Finn

Didn’t have a lot to offer against similar in her first local try, and we haven’t seen her for 3 weeks since.  Not sure I can hop on board against these.