By Dave Brower —
| Race 1 Review – Friday |
1 CINDER RITA – Awfully good right now! Every one of her efforts here has been solid. Will get another chance to chase down #2, and that mare’s been good too! Marcus knows her now. Might opt for a bit more speed to stay close. Trainer: Happy with how she’s been racing since joining the team. Should be a contender.
2 DANGEROUSPRECEDENT – I was “skeptical” of her all out win two back, but then watched her sprint away last week. A much stronger mile. So, we now know she’s in top form and she meets the same bunch, in for the tag. One to beat.
3 SILK Z TAM – First go off the layoff here and so far, the barn’s starters have needed a race. I will watch one.
4 DRAGMETOGLORY – Did a fairly good job of chasing an uncatchable winner last week. The inner post helped accomplish that. Moves out a few gates here and will get a new driver. Corey sticking with #2 as expected. Needs more.
5 PRINCESS HOLLY N – Missed a week with that scratch. They always worry you! Her best weapon is pure speed, so expect the gas pedal early. Would love to sit that pocket trip behind #2. That’s the goal. Can she get by late?
6 TEAL HANOVER – Gave it ALL she had in the stretch war with #2 last time. It was top effort and I actually like that she got the extra week off. The follow-up win by #2 flatters her effort. The only knock now is the post. Can she blast?
7 LOVE LOVE ME DO – MIA for a couple week sick, so that’s a problem. Drew outside the main contenders, so that’s a problem. Wasn’t Marcus Miller’s choice, so that’s a problem! I’ve got too many problems!
8 HURRIKANE LORI ANN – First start back up from Florida is usually a no-no for me. Drew bad post, so we’ll keep her on the longshot list for now. I will be watching for later on.
9 FINNISH YOUR WAY – Gets slammed with second start tough post. That part isn’t fair! She’s now tried to chase down #2 twice and it doesn’t get any easier. Hoping somebody softens up that foe. She will finish, IF the pace is hot.
DRIVER CHOICES:
Marcus Miller 1 over 7
| Top Contenders 1-2-6-5 |
| Race 2 Review |
1 SAY YOU DO – Has been just a tad overmatched at this very top level lately. He does get a touch of needed post relief, however. Will probably just sit in, save ground and try to get lucky late. It could work for a minor share.
2 MISSLAROSE – Looks like everybody in here got a week off, with no Preferred last week. Rose too! Unfortunately, you hate to see that miscue over at Yonkers, but she almost never breaks here. Back to the speed. Will threaten #5,6.
3 EYE OFA TIGER AS – That was some try here two weeks ago! A good, stout brush into Dayson, who held on. Andy will need that kind of patience again, but I don’t see the Tiger getting by the Harris pair. IF you do, demand fair value.
4 MUSCLE DIAMOND – He’s the wild card in here! We all know about his prowess over this oval. After that sterling rally here, they took him to Dover and that didn’t work out as well. Back to Club Med and back in contention. IF primed.
5 JOEY BATS – Joey was pretty good when we saw him here late last year. Also tried Dover, with one good one, and one mistake. Has more than enough pure speed to “test” his stablemate, if that’s the plan. They will try to control this.
6 PAPPY GO GO – The outside post cost Pappy big time last time. It might again! But, with a smaller bunch on view, it shouldn’t matter that much. IF he gets to the front, he loves to dig in and fight you. Clearly the one to beat.
DRIVER CHOICES:
Andy McCarthy 5 over 4
| Top Contenders 6-5-2-4 |
Dave Brower, Meadowlands handicapper, author, television analyst, is an HRO Harness Racing contributor
