By Newswriter — Early Double Analysis — February 3, 2023
Race 1
1 HAYMITCH Just missed against easier two back up at Monticello, but couldn’t get a whole lot going last time out down at Freehold. Takes on tougher tonight, but did have three wins last season, including a 1:54.3 mile over this track.
2 BEACHY BOY HILL Hasn’t been seen since the middle of October when he made a break at Pocono. Not a whole lot going in the recent form, but he did kick :27.2 here in a Q last week, so we’ll see how the big track treats him tonight.
3 DOC’S HOOLIGAN Post 10 was a tough ask last time out against GSY foes as he had to take back early as expected. He did kick home pretty well, though, despite the tough journey in the outer flow. Better draw to work with in here.
4 TAKEITTOTHEFACE Well, I liked him last week, but that outside post made the trip pretty tough when he had to take back early. Draws better tonight and does show some speed in those Freehold lines, so we’ll give him another try.
5 STOLEN ART As expected, the post relief last time out caused him to take a lot more money, but his lack of gate speed still saw him get away sixth. Draws well again, but will still likely be trying to make the trip work off the pace.
6 MCNULTY Z TAM Tough spot last time out from Post 9, but there just isn’t a whole lot going in the recent form down at Philly against claimers either. Did go a 1:52 mile over this track a few seasons ago and does draw well here.
7 LOU ED ZEPPELIN Tried speed off the gate last time out after taking back two starts ago, but both resulted in out of the money finishes for him against GSY foes. Hard to make a strong case for him tonight in this spot.
8 JOHNNY Q He’s been beaten less than two lengths in each of his last two GSY tries and he picked up a third place check last week. Outside post again, but should be in with a chance if he can get a trip here. Won 7 times in 2022.
9 ALWAYS A PANTHER Lukewarm 2-1 favorite against GSY foes two weeks ago and finished third when losing just by a neck, backing up a solid second the week before. Tougher post assignment tonight, but certainly has a big chance.
10 ROCK TO GLORY Got away well form the inside last time and was able to work out a trip for fourth and was placed third after a DQ. Has had a month off now and has to deal with Post 10 on his 15-year-old debut in this spot.
Top Contenders: 4-9-8-3
Driver Choices: Tony Beltrami 2 Over 6
Race 2
H Horse Comments
1 RAINBOW RISING She’s had about two months off now since she was last seen at Monticello and has moved to the Pierre Paradis barn. The Q looked okay over this track last time out, but I’ll take a pass here and watch one from her.
2 VIRTUAL SUCCESS Took 5-1 support last time out on the ship in from Cumberland against similar from Post 10. She ended up parked the entire way and tired in the back half of the mile as could be expected. Draws much better tonight.
3 MARTARITAONDAROCKS Has picked up a pair of checks in the last two starts when racing against the likes of ON THE MONEY GB and SUPER GIRL. Just missed against similar four starts ago and I’ll take a chance with her here.
4 STARLITSIMPLE RIG Recent form doesn’t look the best, but there have been several tough posts and trips in her recent starts. Line three starts ago against similar wasn’t too bad and she draws well again here to work out a trip.
5 WIGGLE MY COOKIE She’s been racing against easier company up at Monticello lately and has started to get something going in the last two starts when on the lead. Had six wins last season and draws well in this spot.
6 PRINCESS GLYDANA Big longshot in the last two against similar and the race last time out was a lot better than two back from a tougher post, but still don’t quite think there’s enough in the form for me to make a case here.
7 CRUZIN COCO She comes out of a $60,000 Stakes race out in Minnesota and was the 9-5 favorite, but made a break. There’s gaps between her recent races, but the qualifier last week looked okay and she could be usable in the exotics.
8 LOVIN MISS DAISY N Softer spot here than her last race over at Yonkers, but she wasn’t able to show a whole lot here at the Meadowlands two and three back against similar. Current form not as sharp as it was at times last year.
9 SAUBLE DELIGHTFUL He’s taken some support in the last two starts against similar and has shown some gate speed in her recent starts, but she’s given way in the stretch in both. Much tougher post for her to work from here tonight.
10 TRANS MEANIE There’s not a whole lot going for her in the recent form, but she did look very good last week in a Q over this track when moving to the Jenn Bongiorno barn. Post 10 tonight, but I’ll use on the move to the big track here.
Top Contenders: 3-2-10-7
Driver Choices: Yannick Gingras 1 Over 5
