Race 1 Review by Dave Little – Friday, September 25, 2020 [Dave Little is sitting in for Dave Brower who is covering the events of Jug Week for RTN]
1 HEART OF MINE – High money-earner in the field finished fourth in the opening leg of this series in unspectacular try where the mile-track experience was no doubt needed. Figures to be better this time around.
2 DIXIE CHICK – Trainer Erv Miller added Lasix three back, but this daughter of Somebeachsomewhere has not shown any improvement. Tough spot.
3 FIRE START HANOVER – Nifty Norman student destroyed her foes in Leg One of the series last week, using a big move to gain control at the half on the way to an easy 3½-length score. Likely repeater.
4 ADJACENT – Least experienced filly in the field makes her fourth lifetime start. Did win impressively four starts back at Hoosier, but that was six weeks ago.
5 OFF THE RECORD – Super-steady sort from Robert Cleary has never missed the board in four lifetime outings. Kicked home in sub-:28 every time. Merits much respect.
6 EASYRUNNER HANOVER – Stayed in the pocket throughout Fire Star Hanover’s jogola win and did not impress during the final quarter. Hard to recommend.
7 JK ALWAYSBALADY – Two-move win at Harrah’s Philadelphia on July 1 produced a 1:52.1 mile, the fastest lifetime mark in this field. Trainer: Raced well last start but is still really green. Will race from off the pace again.
DRIVER CHOICES:
Marcus Miller 4 over 2 and 5
Scott Zeron 1 over 6
Top Contenders 3-7-5-1
Race 2 Review by Dave Little – Friday, September 25, 2020
1 COMMANDING OFFICER – Snuck through along the rail to provide a surprise in last Friday’s finale. Trainer: Great effort in the first leg. His last start in Lexington was encouraging. We hope the upward trend continues.
2 CAPTAIN SLEAZE – Couldn’t get to Summa Cum Laude last week when that one was revved up once on the lead. Did do well for second showing some class from the tough Pennsylvania Sire Stakes circuit. Consider.
3 DONTPASSME HANOVER – An early break prevented us a chance to see what this gelding has, but that was his second break in his last three starts, so there might be some changes needed.
4 AQUAMAN HANOVER – Hung around at the rail to grab a fourth-place check a week ago and could do something similar in this six-horse field.
5 HURRIKANE GEORGIE – Looked superb in New York Sire Stakes Excelsior B action three and two starts back but brought little to the dance in his first Big M try last week.
6 SHAKESPEARE – Pelling protégé has shown some ability in each of his four lifetime parimutuel starts. Trainer: Very versatile. Chubby fellow who hasn’t been pushed. We think he’ll keep improving.
DRIVER CHOICES: None
Top Contenders 1-2-6-4
Dave Little is an HRI HARNESS contributor
