March 31, 2005. 5th Aqueduct - Claiming (20-18) - 6 1/2 furlongs - 3 year old fillies A marginal group of 3 year old fillies who have been battling the elements over a New York winter will be challenged today by one invader from the south in this 6 1/2 furlong claiming event for sophomore fillies with claiming tags of $20k down to $18k. Both of the "need the lead" fillies must reverse alarmingly negative form trends. Storm Boot filly, Mission Terrace, was claimed out of a $10k claiming event at Golden Gate by Scott Lake and drops in today from failures against both New York bred allowance company and $50k open claimers. On her best, she would be fighting in the stretch but, still, she is a vulnerable speed element. Fellow New York bred Rodeo filly, Whatatrophy Rack, sends us "Keep Away" vibes based on her tendency to build huge early leads only to collapse by the top of the stretch. Inside starter, Love Trick, a $55k purchase at auction last year, needs to improve her speed. Claramount filly, Lauren's Wish, was caught late at this level here 3 weeks ago. Apprentice Channing Hill is back for the mount and will have to restrain the filly to avoid getting caught in another speed duel, particularly because there is another 1/2 furlong to go today. Tim Hills trainee, Smotheredwithlove, has finished first or second in her last 4 sprints over the Aqueduct inner track. She finally graduated against basement level maiden claimers and faces a much tougher field here. However, her strong closing ability should get her a piece of the pie. A potential underlay is Anna's Place, who was claimed out of the Steve Klesaris barn for $25k and is being dropped to $20k for her first start against winners. Jockey Norberto Arroyo Jr is replaced by a low percentage rider and this filly regressed as the favorite in her second lifetime start. There are enough negatives to send us looking in another direction. The lone shipper, Jazzy Queen, makes just her third career start after graduating against $15k maiden claimers at Fair Grounds in her first sprint. The Texas bred Wavering Monarch filly, campaigned by Gamaliel Vazquez for Michael Gill, came up with a huge closing effort in Louisiana and a duplication of that today gets her the top prize easily. Top New York rider, Rafael Bejarano, has been named for the ride. Router Doral Dancer appears to lack the speed to get close to the leaders today. SELECTIONS #8. Jazzy Queen SCRATCHED #5. Mission Terrace SHOW 2.60 #4. Smotheredwithlove PLACE 5.50 3.00 Apprentice Channing Hill will be the go-to bug boy at this Aqueduct spring meet and, today, he showcased his ability to overcome a rough start, stay focused and get the perfect trip. Lauren's Wish (2-1) was able to avoid a speed duel with front runner, Mission Terrace (2-1), who proved vulnerable at the top of the stretch, then brought the betting favorite home with a bullet move on the inside, winning by 5 3/4 lengths in 1:19.26. Our top choice, Jazzy Queen, was scratched, but, our late running longshot pick, Smotheredwithlove (7-1), was along for the place prize, well ahead of Mission Terrace. The exacta paid $26.80 and the trifecta returned $72.00. March 30, 2005. 5th Aqueduct - Claiming (30-25) N2L - 1 mile - f&m 4+ All the speed in this matchup of 7 four year old fillies is breaking from the inside and all three of the early lead types are dropping into this non-winners of two condition claiming event from allowance races. Formal Evening flashed sprinters' speed in her maiden allowance victory at Delaware Park last summer but has faded after the first or second call in every start since then. She will be pressed early on the outside by Allen Jerkens trainee, Dearest Heart, who was so impressive breaking her maiden by 19 lengths as a 2 year old that Jerkens tried her against some of the top juvenile New York bred fillies of 2003. She simply didn't improve as a sophomore and was dropped to the claiming ranks and moved to the turf by the end of last season, with no perceptible improvement. Inside starter, Little Miss Amanda, delivered one of her career best performances at this distance over this track in the fall, just missing in a maiden allowance for state breds after starting from the 11 post. She finally graduated in a gate to wire effort over the inner track last month, but, will have to improve her speed to hit the board against the closers of this field. First to take a crack at the pace setters will be Runaway Eleanor, who has been nibbling at the edges of this condition all winter. The Runaway Groom filly has a potent late kick which we should see today. The deadly trainer/jockey combo of Richard Dutrow and Rafael Bejarano team up with lightly raced Hennessy filly, Our Time to Shine, who tries a route for just the second time in her 6 race career. Nevertheless, the price should be right and this field has come up awfully soft, making this one our choice for the win. Openly, 1 for 25 in her career is hopelessly outclassed even by these. Strodes Creed filly, Cove Creek, racing out of the Kenneth Nesky stable, enters this out of her long awaited maiden victory over $30k claimers. If one of the top ones fails to fire, it wouldn't take much racing luck for this one to pick up the pieces late. SELECTIONS #4. Our Time to Shine SHOW 2.20 #7. Runaway Eleanor WIN 8.60 4.10 2.20 #6. Cove Creek Betting favorite and our selection, Our Time to Shine (4-5), sent off at ridiculously short odds for a horse with only one route to her credit, was used up early gaining the lead, then fended off longshot, Openly (30-1), before tiring in the stretch. Dearest Heart (6-1) got a smart ride from Jean-Luc Samyn and was able to overtake the leader in the final furlong but was no match for our second choice, Runaway Eleanor (3-1), who came wide for a one length victory in 1:38.57. Rider Jose Espinoza and trainer David Donk both picked up his first win of the meet. The exacta paid $37.00 and the trifecta returned $84.00. March 24, 2005. 2nd Gulfstream Park - Claiming (16-14) N2L - 7 1/2 furlongs - 3 year old fillies Complaints have been rampant at Gulfstream Park concerning the track bias against outside horses. Today, the second half of the early double features a trio of not-so-speedy front runners breaking from the outside at the in-between distance of 7 1/2 furlongs. Heaven's Reply takes her third crack at this condition, lengthening out, after losing ground late at shorter distances in nearly every race in her career. Jorge Chavez sticks with Wise Fantasy, who enters this out of a 7 1/2 length maiden victory at 5 1/2 furlongs. The fractions in that race were syrupy and there is little likelihood that she will find herself alone in the stretch as she did 2 weeks ago. The only one of these 7 sophomore fillies to have graduated from the maiden allowance ranks is Twist the Sword, who will have the early lead and control of the rail. A beaten favorite at this condition 3 weeks ago, she has to be considered the horse to catch. Owned by actor Joe Pesci and trainer Wesley Ward, Nicky Santoro has yet to live up to the expectations set after her impressive second place finish in her career debut at Del Mar last August. A long stretch on the sidelines, a dismal turf experiment and a drop to the maiden claiming ranks tarnished the gleam of this Running Stag filly. On her best, she can beat these. Will we see her best? Personal Notebook, making her second Florida start, rarely beats any horses. Her win at 22-1 at Hawthorne in November is inexplicable and we wouldn't count on a repeat here. My Little Fortune came off the bench with a game effort last month, getting edged out for the victory at this level at a flat mile. The Fortunate Prospect has progresses steadily under the tutelage of Ron Spatz and is our choice to sweep by the tiring front runners today. Inside starter, Sweet Tour, gets a 10lb break with apprentice Josue Acre replacing Early Fires in the irons. The Tour d'Or filly, trained by Milton Wolfson, is a dead closer and will challenge Acre on a tactical level. SELECTIONS #4. My Little Fortune SHOW 2.60 #2. Twist the Sword #5. Nicky Santoro WIN 6.40 4.40 3.00 And, the answer is... yes, we saw the best of Nicky Santoro (2-1), who went gate to wire and ran a third quarter in 25.13, repelling bids, first, by favorite Twist the Sword (3-2) and, secondly, by longshot Heaven's Reply (16-1), who held on for second, clearly ahead of our top choice, My Little Fortune (3-1). Wesley Ward survived the drop in price on the winner, who was not claimed out of a race which saw Wise Fantasy, My Little Fortune and Twist the Sword picked up by new connections. The exacta paid $54.20 and the trifecta returned $194.00. March 23, 2005. 4th Aqueduct - Claiming 10000 - 6 furlongs - 4+ Despite racing at the bottom rung of the Aqueduct claiming scale today, many of these older sprinters are actually moving up in price, if not in class. There is plenty of vulnerable early speed here, starting with 5 year old gelding, City News, who has not recorded a victory since a career best 7 furlong gate to wire performance last July at Belmont Park in the mud. The gelded son of Carson City was claimed from Michael Hushion by Faustino Ramos for $12.5k after his first of four disappointing starts over the inner track. Ramos will be pleased to see him run over the main track, where he was competitive against better last fall. However, it would take another freakish performance to wire this field. There will be some action directed toward inside starter, Biscay Appeal, a veteran 6 year old gelding who won an entry level allowance sprint last summer at Suffolk Downs. Apprentice Channing Hill is still looking for his first win over the main track and will need a career-topping performance by a horse we feel could go off as the underlay of the day. Torre and Zim is a far better horse than his winter meet record indicates. Although inconsistent, this 5 year old gelding is capable of asserting himself in just this situation, tucked in behind a couple of ambitious speedsters. Trainer Kathleen DeMasi sends him out first off the claim and has named Stewart Elliot for the ride. With a little racing luck, he could pick up the big cheque at a sweet price. Illusionary Magic is notable only for the fact that the 4 year old colt has finished second 7 times in 23 starts. He carries 5 extra pounds over his last outing and has a tendency to tire in the stretch. The added distance will likely knock him out of the money today. Trainer Patrick Reynolds seems to be sending out Goldglovekid in a tuneup for a longer race down the road. This is a tough spot for 7lb apprentice, Denis Rojas to pick up his first win over the main track. The classiest horse here is Lott, a 6 year old who gets top jockey, Rafael Bejarano, in the irons once again. The veteran had a useful winter meet and was claimed at a bargain price of $7.5k by his current connections in early February. It has been less than a year since this guy was going off at short odds against tough $50k claimers at Saratoga and Belmont. His win at this price a few weeks ago indicates to us that he is ready to regain his top form. Another with back class is Stars Aligned, claimed for $7.5k from the Richard Dutrow stable two turns ago. The 5 year old has never missed the board in 8 starts over the main track here and is, easily, the most dangerous closer in the field. We feel we must use him underneath. Finn Cantwinatgin got lucky winning at 21-1 odds last out, the first time he had hit the board in 8 starts. Today's field is considerably tougher. Allisons Smile is not a sprinter. SELECTIONS #4. Lott PLACE 3.60 2.60 #2. Torre and Zim WIN 36.60 13.60 6.20 #6. Stars Aligned As the minutes ticked down toward post time, the tote board watching made our decisions very easy. We had decided that Lott (3-2) at odds shorter than 2-1 was unplayable on top and we were willing to back Torre and Zim (17-1) at anything longer than 5-1. It was inconceivable to us that Torre and Zim could be so abjectly disregarded by the public based on his inner track record when his last outing over this surface resulted in a front running win at 6 furlongs at this claiming price. Torre and Zim contested the tepid pace from the gate, putting away City News (3-1) and Biscay Appeal (9-2) at the top of the stretch and held off a charge from Lott on the inside, beating that one by a length and a half. It was just a neck back to Biscay Appeal. The exacta paid $108.00 and the trifecta returned $443.00. Congratulations! March 20, 2005. 8th Fair Grounds - The Fair Grounds Sales Stakes - $75k - 1 mile - 3 year olds (R) Today's feature at Fair Grounds, a $75k stakes race for 3 year olds, sizes up as little more than an entry level allowance in which half the field has not a maiden race. The most accomplished of the group, St. Roch, will be starting from the outside post and likes the lead, posing a problem as the Leestown gelding stretches out to two turns for just the second time in his career. The first route try, in the Carson City Derby here in January, left him 19 lengths back at the finish. Smilin Fine finished second in the Louisiana Futurity on Boxing Day, but was losing ground in the stretch at 6 furlongs. A 7 panel stakes for state breds at Delta Downs proved he couldn't stay with St. Roch. Night Tripper must avoid getting caught in a pace duel with the other front runners. The Albert Stall trainee has experience at the distance and John Jacinto stays for the ride. The only colt we like among the probable early speed types is Catquit, who attracts Robby Albarado, and enters this out of a dominating, pace pressing sprint victory over $40k open maiden claimers. It is notable that the Florida bred has hit the board twice in three tries at this distance over this track. Doc's Diamond appears to be hopelessly outclassed among these. Inside starter, Caratofdiamonds, showed a good closing kick over a wet track at Delta Downs in early December. Still, the Deputy Diamond colt will need to improve his speed to be competitive today. Mr. Kit Kat offered a tough performance, duelling through the stretch to save the show at a mile on the turf against open maiden allowance company at 9-1 odds. Although, a bounce could be predicted, this Cat's Career colt isn't out of his element here. A more attractive colt moving from turf to dirt is Pressed, a Chester House colt and the second of an uncoupled entry from trainer Edward Johnston. The well bred Kentucky native has improved significantly since his debut at Fair Grounds in late December. Elvis Perrodin gets the call aboard six time runner up, Saucey Tiger, who tries for his third consecutive victory today. Shipping from Delta Downs, the veteran of 15 starts might find the competition stiffer, but his record and current form suggest we use him in the gimmicks. However, our choice for the win is Arch colt, Drew Lil Slew, still a maiden, but possessive of a mean third gear in the lane. Tracy Hebert rides again and should have the timing down to get this one home in time. SELECTIONS #4. Drew Lil Slew SHOW 3.00 #9. Catquit PLACE 4.40 3.20 #6. Saucey Tiger #8. Pressed WIN 29.60 10.20 5.20 The betting favorite, Catquit (2-1), stalked the moderate pace and took over after going 4-wide on the turn for home, but it was Pressed (13-1), the Chester House colt, who came very wide for the drive with a head full of steam to get the longshot win in 1:38.47. The favorite was second, 3 lengths back and our top choice, Drew Lil Slew (7-2), rallied from last for the show. The exacta paid $140.20 and the trifecta, using all our choices, returned $616.40. Congratulations! March 19, 2005. 9th Aqueduct - The Gotham - Grade 3 - 1 mile - 3 year olds All but one of the three year olds entered in this year's edition of the Grade 3 Gotham stakes at Aqueduct has wintered in New York and a few of these trainers have their eyes on the upcoming Wood Memorial, one of the more important Kentucky Derby prep races. Maddy's Lion, racing for the first time since mid-January, stretches beyond 6 furlongs for the first time in his young career. The Lion Hearted colt faced Better Than Bonds and Kansas City Boy in his debut at Belmont Park, then defeated Benjamin Baby in his second start. On his best, he will be leading the pack into the stretch. But, whether he can hold off some stiff competition is another story. Lieutenant Danz has been soundly beaten by a few of these and hasn't won a race away from the Meadowlands. Inside starter, Distinctive Trick, has rounded into form nicely over a winter campaign facing mostly New York bred allowance company. The Distinctive Pro colt has turned into a nice sprinter. The distance today will be a challenge as will the step up in class. Probable favorite, Galloping Grocer, gets his third different jockey in as many starts. It will be Mike Luzzi's challenge to try to rate the talented son of A.P. Jet who kept up with Rockport Harbor through 9 furlongs here in the Grade 2 Remsen in the fall. Trainer Dominic Schettino will ascertain today whether the gelding peaked as a January foal juvenile or whether he is a "still developing" sophomore. Outside starter, Pavo, finished dead last at 50-1 in the Remsen and the Paraneck Stable owned colt, sired by Marquetry, has repeatedly proven he cannot compete with the upper echelon horses of his generation. Trainer Richard Dutrow has brought Byanosejoe along brilliantly after a green debut in June at Belmont. The Cherokee Run gelding closes quickly and handled the two turn flat mile on the inner dirt course in his first route in January. We will be tabbing the run Mr. Congeniality gets today after a couple of turf tries at Gulfstream Park following his hard fought debut victory here in December. The Chester House gelding races out of the Michael Hushion stable, a barn that has been winning a lot lately. Our choice for the win is the colt with the most experience in routes. Naughty New Yorker has been refining his closing bid under regular rider, Jean-Luc Samyn and threatens to emerge from the shadow of Galloping Grocer as the top state bred 3 year old. Phipps Stable homebred, Survivalist, is the lone colt who did not race over the Aqueduct inner track this winter. Trainer Shug McGaughey ran the Danzig colt a few times at Gulfstream Park in allowance races, and finished second to Sun King 3 weeks ago. His maiden win came at this distance over this oval and we like the focus McGaughey has shown on the middle distances at one turn. SELECTIONS #6. Naughty New Yorker SHOW 2.60 #8. Survivalist WIN 8.90 4.00 2.90 #4. Byanosejoe Once again, Galloping Grocer (6-5) was unable to resist going with the early speed. The betting favorite pressed a scorching pace set by longshots Lieutenant Danz (84-1) and Distinctive Trick (67-1). After fractions of 22.27 & 44.59, the front runners were finished and the favorite was being run down by Pavo (17-1), Survivalist (3-1) and Naughty New Yorker (7-2) on the outside. Richard Migliore had Survivalist flying and he flew by the chalk for the win by 3/4 length in 1:35.61. Galloping Grocer was also overtaken by Pavo, who ultimately was taken down by the stewards for interfering with Naughty New Yorker in the stretch, thereby bumping Galloping Grocer to second and Naughty New Yorker to third. The exacta paid $28.40 and the trifecta returned $68.00. March 18, 2005. 3rd Aqueduct - Alw 50000s - 6 1/2 furlongs - 3 year olds Racing finally shifts to the Aqueduct main track and 3 year olds who broke their maidens with a tag of $50k and have not won one race other than maiden or claiming go 6 1/2 furlongs in the third. Rafael Bejarano easily took the Aqueduct winter racing jockey title and rides the inside starter, Bizzy Trick, a Mazel Trick colt who knocked off $60k claimers twice, once each on the main and inner tracks. Trainer Gary Contessa drops him into this race after a game third against $75k optional claimers. He will be the one to catch. Lemon Drop Kid colt, Kid Ziggy, was benched for 9 weeks following his solid gate to wire debut victory in the mud against $20k maiden claimers. Exciting apprentice rider, Channing Hill, gets the mount and they should be competitive, although trainer John Toscano doesn't send out too many winners off the bench. A more interesting second out starter is Volatility, a Gilded Time colt out of the hot Michael Hushion barn. The $110k purchase at auction last year won at $35k at first asking under a hand ride from Richard Migliore and managed to grab a 10 length lead at the top of the stretch. Migliore is back and, while the going won't be as easy today, an "in the money" finish isn't out of the question. On to Boston goes for his third straight win but he won't be able to dictate a slow pace as he has in his two previous outings and has shown little ability to rate. Trainer Allen Iwinski made a rare claim, picking up He's Hurr Cuelee's for $50k from the Contessa barn last month. The Valid Wager California bred gelding had just come out of a second place finish to Benjamin's Baby and endured a tough trip in his last outing, gets Pablo Fragoso in the irons today, and could get a good trip worked out behind the front running youngsters. Absolute gets blinkers for today but seems a little light in class with this group. Coming off another New York training title, Richard Dutrow Jr goes to apprentice rider, Eriluis Vaz, aboard Stop the Race, a Lite the Fuse colt with a potent late kick. He exits his maiden win and loses Migliore to Volatility. We'll just watch him today. SELECTIONS #1. Bizzy Trick PLACE 3.40 2.60 #7. He's Hurr Cuelee's #2. Volatility SHOW 3.70 On to Boston (19-1) has improved in every start since his New York debut in December and, today, was able to gain control of the pace when the betting favorite and our top choice, Bizzy Trick (3-2), was bumped at the start. On to Boston picked up steam in the stretch and, after fighting off Sir Gallant here a few weeks ago, did the same to both Bizzy Trick and Volatility (7-2) to grab his third consecutive victory, this time by a neck over Bizzy Trick with Volatility another half length back. His winning time was 1:17.98 and the longshot victory produced a $166.50 exacta and a $466.50 trifecta. March 17, 2005. 4th Fair Grounds - Claiming (12.5-10) - 6 furlongs - f&m 4+ Unbridled's Evie is one of three fillies taking on a quartet of veteran mares at 6 furlongs in the 4th at Fair Grounds today. Bret Calhoun claimed this Illinois bred 4 year old for 10k early in January and, immediately, bumped up her price while keeping her in the conditioned claiming ranks. Calhoun was rewarded last month when she went gate to wire at second asking for her new connections at 7-1 odds. The Unbridled Success filly will likely be the one to catch and, likely, will be caught in her first try against open company. Hello Miami is a typical Michael Gill-owned claimer who is racing well below the $20k tag Gill paid for her in early February. Out of jail, she meets a group with whom she can make an impression with her best stuff. The Louis Quatorze filly is making only her second start since finishing second in a minor stakes at Fairmount Park last July. That race ended a very successful sophomore year during which she earned $28k racing exclusively at Fairmount. She beat no horses in her return here 6 weeks ago but we are willing to go with her underneath in the exotics and on top of some of the deeper Pick 3 tickets. The third of the three fillies, inside starter, Beautybeyondbasics, did not like the slop in her last here against open company. She would need the race of her career to win this one. Bobby Barnett trainee, Ms Freddie Bright, is a 5 year old with a 50% "on the board" mark after 22 starts and is headed in the right direction after a nifty 5 1/2 length win at 4-1 odds over 7.5k claimers here a few weeks ago. Jockey Brian Hernandez Jr should be able to get a perfect trip, tucked in behind the front running fillies. Trucker's Special is a Louisiana bred 6 year old who, once again, is being pitted against open company that she simply does not have the talent to beat. Like Hello Miami, Harley Girl made some money at Fairmount last season, winning a few allowance sprints in mid-summer. The 5 year old mare, who has picked up the place prize in both her dirt tries at this track, exits her turf debut, wherein she made a big late move. One of the few in this field who will be moving forward in the stretch, she is useful in exotics plays. Stephen Asmussen fans will be excited about 6 year old Lovely Bonita, whom he claimed for a bargain $7.5k out of a third place finish here last month. While her best days are well past, this tough closer still has a few paychecks to cash. SELECTIONS #4. Ms Freddie Bright PLACE 4.60 3.40 #3. Hello Miami #7. Harley Girl SHOW 6.60 Front speed prevailed once again on the dirt at Fair Grounds and Unbridled's Evie (7-2) was the happy benefactor of the track bias today, getting a hand ride from John Jacinto through fractions of 22.87 & 46.40 and hitting the wire in 1:11.89 for her second consecutive victory and third in five starts at this meet. Our top choice, Ms Freddie Bright (3-1) was well placed to the turn but was no match for the winner and had to settle for the place prize while our third choice, Harley Girl (17-1) ran as good a stalking trip as she is capable an was rewarded with the show money at long odds. The exacta paid $40.60 and the trifecta, with betting favorite Lovely Bonita (5-2) out, paid $299.80. March 16, 2005. 6th Laurel - Claiming (25-20) N3L - 7 furlongs - 4+ Last week, Ramon Dominguez, the leading money earner among riders at Laurel and third in wins, jumped off Silver Broker, the eventual winner in the N3L claiming race, in favor of Middlesex County, who burned money by finishing a flat third. Today, he jumps from Middlesex County in the 6th to inside starter, Wolf's Gem, who makes his second start for the red hot Michael Trombetta barn. A freshening at this same 7 furlong distance against entry level allowance rivals a month ago went badly, but the Diamond colt, who raced most of his sophomore year at that level at Calder, has earned both his career victories when dropped to the claiming ranks. Highly touted New York bred Middlesex County went off as the favorite for the fourth consecutive time last week and came up flat. He was claimed by trainer Stephen Casey, winless at this meet, and gets his price tag jacked up from $15k to $25k. Dominguez is replaced in the irons by Mario Pino and, precious little early speed in the field, they could get loose on the front end. Driven to Gamble should be in contact with the pace from the get-go. This 4 year old gelding won at this price against non-winners of two when last he raced as a claimer. In seven allowance starts since then, the Kenneth Cox trainee has been consistently competitive. Jockey Erick Rodriguez should have him poised to take charge in the stretch. Rookie rider, Erick Ramirez, gets the call aboard savvy veteran, Savannah Road, a 5 year old gelding who has been trying to crack this condition for a year now. Closer Merchandise picked up a win on the drop to claiming races last month but would need a career best performance to crack this conditions today. Myturntopick, an 8 year old gelding who has raced 53 times will likely be badly outmatched again today. Trainer Howard Wolfendale is excellent with horses running first off the claim and has entered Xcape in a N3L event despite being eligible to face non-winners of two. The Polish Numbers gelding was disqualified from a 9 furlong win here a month ago. The latecomer could hit the board today. SELECTIONS #4. Driven to Gamble PLACE 4.20 2.80 #1. Wolf's Gem #2. Middlesex County WIN 8.00 4.20 2.80 Once again, the horse Ramon Dominguez jumped off, Middlesex County (3-1), went on to win at Laurel, perhaps denoting a new and novel betting angle for Maryland players. The New York bred gelding, under Mario Pino, went gate to wire, turned back our top choice, Driven to Gamble (4-1), going into the drive and was pulling away from that one at the wire in a time of 1:25.11. Driven to Gamble was 2 1/4 lengths back in second and Xcape, an underlay at 5-2, was up for third. Even though betting favorite, Wolf's Gem (9-5), failed to fire, the exotics were underwhelming with the exacta paying $35.20 and the trifecta returning $109.80. March 13, 2005. 7th Aqueduct - Alw N1X - 1 1/16 miles - f&m 4+ This entry level allowance route on the inner dirt track pits five 4 year old fillies against a couple of veteran mares in an evenly matched contest. Fabulosity made the move from state bred to open company here a month ago and tired at 9 furlongs. The filly shortens up and gets a new rider, Mike Luzzi, who will have her gunning for the early lead. Anything close to her Belmont form of last summer gets this girl the top prize. She will have to clear speedy Sultry Song filly, Panina, who will have first shot at the rail with Richard Migliore aboard. It took this Patrick Reynolds trainee three shots each time to clear her state bred conditions and we are willing to give her a couple of races to get clear the open allowance hurdle. Aaron Gryder replaces Migliore aboard outside starter, Dasl Cammy, a Scott Lake charge who has effectively made the move from the "B" circuit to New York racing. The question of distance is the only thing stopping us from backing this sprint specialist. We will use Genevil on the bottom of the exotics tickets. The 5 year old mare has hit the board in over half her starts, most often finishing third. She beat N2X state breds as the 9-5 favorite last out but has been overwhelmed by both Panina and Fabulosity in the near past. Veteran Bound on Bi, an 8 year old mare, has been getting defeated consistently at this level and is apparently waiting for the turf season to re-open. Artax filly, Tax the Queen, owned by Paraneck Stable, is the best closer in this field and just missed at this level 2 weeks ago. The likely favorite gets Norberto Arroyo Jr, Jennifer Pedersen's new go-to guy, for the ride. Bundle of Roses has shown a real affinity for the wet going, so if the track comes up sloppy today, give extra credit to this Patrick Kelly charge. SELECTIONS #5. Fabulosity #4. Tax the Queen WIN 4.10 2.90 2.40 #1. Genevil SCRATCHED Dasl Cammy (12-1) outsprinted the field and had a 4 1/2 length advantage after 6 furlongs with only one filly, Tax the Queen (1-1) still interested. The betting favorite skimmed along the rail on the second turn en route to an easy 4 3/4 length victory over the pacesetter in 1:45.79. Latecomer, Bundle of Roses (7-1) made a strong move in the stretch but was outfinished by a neck for the place. The exacta paid $40.40 and the trifecta returned $121.00. March 12, 2005. 6th Fair Grounds - The Louisiana Derby - Grade 2 - 1 1/16 miles - 3 year olds The Grade 2 Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds has gained a tremendous amount of respect since Peace Rules and Funny Cide finished 1-2 in 2003 and this year's version promises to produce some Kentucky Derby participants as most of the top East Coast trainers are being represented. Todd Pletcher has made a curious decision, entering Vicarage in this event to gain experience at two turns after he faltered late in the 7 1/2 furlong Grade 2 Hutcheson Stakes. Pletcher calls on his go-to guy, John Velasquez, to replace Chris DeCarlo in the irons. To his right in the gate, on the far outside, will be one of the early pacesetters, if not the speed of the speed, Kansas City Boy, one of our favorite sophomores on the rise. The Boston Harbor colt has raced 3 times around two turns with a runaway win in the mud at Churchill Downs, a tough third here in the Lecomte after 7 weeks on the bench and a second place finish in the 9 furlong Grade 3 Holy Bull Stakes, in which he beat High Fly, who came back to score in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream Park last weekend. Highly touted Bobby Frankel charge, High Limit, is undefeated in two starts at Delaware Park and has not raced since late October. While we are interested to see what the hype is all about, we are not going to get sucked in today. Richard Violette has called upon top New York rider, Rafael Bejarano, for the assignment aboard Mt. Livermore colt, Wallstreet Scandal, whose only finish worse than second was in last fall's Champagne Stakes, a Grade 1 event for juveniles won by Proud Accolade over Afleet Alex. After that tough spot, the $125k purchase at auction in 2003 was shifted to the lawn where he narrowly missed closing for the win in a stakes at Belmont at 9 furlongs. After a winter break, he came back with a decisive allowance win at this distance on the Gulfstream turf a few weeks ago. Inside starter, Sort It Out, was purchased by Stonerside Stable after his win in the Whirlaway Stakes at Aqueduct last month. The former Allen Iwinski trainee now races out of the Bob Baffert stable, who can have them ready for big races. Yankee Victor colt, Real Dandy, closed for second in the Grade 3 Risen Star Stakes after an entry level win as 4-5 favorite. The competition suddenly gets a lot tougher for this hometown star. Trainer Dallas Stewart has bounced the impeccably bred, Storm Surge, back and forth between sprints and routes and it is difficult to see a pattern of improvement from the Storm Cat colt. Stewart calls upon Jerry Bailey for the ride and the colt is familiar with the track. There is just a nagging thought that this one will go off as the underlay of the day. Scipion was our choice to win the Risen Star at 10-1 but today's field shapes up much tougher and we don't project the A.P. Indy being able to pick off tired horses in the stretch as he did here a month ago. Blue blood Indy Storm (A.P. Indy - Unbridled Wind, Unbridled) might have excuses for each of his losses at Gulfstream, but, it remains to be seen what this star in the making can really do against top competition. SELECTIONS #9. Kansas City Boy #6. Wallstreet Scandal #1. Sort It Out Bobby Frankel's ace in the hole, High Limit (5-2), charged out of the gate as the bettors' favorite and never looked back, controlling the pace and winning by 4 lengths, nearly equalling the stakes record, putting the Maria's Mon colt squarely onto the Kentucky Derby fast track. Vicarage (21-1) stalked the pace all the way but was not nearly good enough and settled for the place money in his first two turn route. Storm Surge (5-1) once again raced evenly and flattened in the drive but held third just ahead of Wallstreet Scandal (9-1). The exacta paid $149.40 and the trifecta retirned $907.80. March 11, 2005. 3rd Fair Grounds - Claiming (7.5-6.5) N3L - 6 furlongs - f&m 3+ Two questions need to be answered before handicapping today's 3rd at Fair Grounds, a claiming sprint for non-winners of 3 races. Firstly, can the horses with back class fire off the bench and, secondly, who is going to be sent for the lead early. Bold Snow Dancer, the least experienced of this field, may figure prominently in answer to both questions. The Arkansas bred filly, making her 4 year old debut, showed some speed racing at 7 1/2 furlongs at Evangeline Downs last summer. Jockey Michael Talarico got the monkey off his back by getting to the winner's circle for the first time at this meet yesterday aboard a 4-1 front runner in the 6th race. Lady Leslie gets a class break from unconditioned claimers but has had trouble in the early going of her sprints. Ascot Girl, trained by Carl Bowman, appears to want more distance. Outside starter, Peccadillo, has had 8 chances to break this condition and has come up short both routing and in sprints. Gerry Melancon replaces James Graham in the irons and they will be struggling to close and what could be a very tepid pace. Delta Miss, a Pentelicus filly, also prefers to close from off the pace and will be compromised by the lack of zip in this one. The class of the field is 5 year old Tale of the Cat mare, Miss Tale Cat, who was competitive with the allowance ranks last summer at Louisiana Downs before hitting the bench in September. A return to action in early January at Delta Downs didn't clarify her status and she gets dropped way down in price today for a new trainer. Two positive signs are the reappearance of jockey Corey Lanerie and the inside post position. Two seasons ago, Ant Cara came up with an uncharacteristically good performance before settling back to her role as also-ran in claiming races for Louisiana bred fillies and mares. Twosteppincowgirl might be another filly who needs more real estate than the 6 furlongs to be run today. SELECTIONS #1. Miss Tale Cat #2. Bold Snow Dancer #8. Peccadillo WIN 7.20 4.40 3.00 Twosteppincowgirl (19-1) was sent to contest an early lead for the first time in nearly a year and the strategy paid off as the filly held on for second after a long duel with Lady Leslie (9-1). Both of those were caught in the stretch by closer Peccadillo (5-2) who got the victory in 1:12.85. The exacta paid $103.00 and the trifecta returned $645.80. March 10, 2005. 3rd Turfway Park - Claiming 5K N2L - 6 furlongs - 3+ Many of the non-winners of two in tonight's 3rd at Turfway Park are either off form or coming back from extended layoffs. A promising state bred racing at Hoosier Park two years ago, Pizza Boy hasn't competed since a disastrous comeback last April as a 4 year old at Indiana Downs. Dropped for a tag, with a low percentage rider and very little to show in the way of workouts, we will have to pass. Fellow Indiana native, Turn Your Radio On, turned in a couple of decent performances at Hoosier in the fall as a 3 year old (although his win came via disqualification) but has been a major disappointment versus both state-bred allowance foes and open claiming company here at Turfway over the winter. Charismatic colt, Toscanini, has finished ahead of only 3 horses in his last 6 starts. It's been 10 months since his gate to wire maiden victory at River Downs and this $30k colt shows no signs of coming out of his funk anytime soon. The only threat on the front end in this field is Wave Walker, who hit the board under this condition in the mud here in his last outing, after failing to fire at a flat mile. The lightly raced 6 year old gelding is a son of Meadowlake and tis is his distance. He should be the one they're all chasing in the stretch. Top rider, Dean Sarvis, lands on Purist, who makes his first start since New Year's Day. The 5 year old son of Alydeed has a habit of making a run at the leader but failing to sustain a drive. Inside starter, Undertheinfluence, faces winners for the first time with Rafael Mojica Jr, who won 2 yesterday, aboard again. This isn't a tough field but the 4 year old gelding usually packs it in at any sign of late speed. Goodtogonow is a 6 year old gelding who hit the board only once last season in 11 starts. Closers were winning here last night and Gulcharama has a serious late kick. If the price is right, we would take the plunge. SELECTIONS #2. Wave Walker #4. Purist WIN 6.20 4.60 2.80 #7. Gulcharama SHOW 2.80 Turfway's leading jockey, Dean Sarvis, made it three wins in a row tonight by sending second choice, Purist (2-1) to the lead, forcing the issue with some very negligible speed, gaining a two length advantage by the top of the stretch and hanging on for a length and a quarter victory over game longshot Turn Your Radio On (13-1). Our third choice, Gulcharama was up for third. The exacta paid $89.40 and the trifecta returned $464.00. March 9, 2005 2nd Laurel Park - Claiming (15-12) N3L - 7 furlongs - 4+ Most of the assembled veteran non-winners of 3 races will be scrambling for the Laurel golden rail in today's second race, a 7 panel affair with a field of seven. Ninety Day Note had hit the board at a 56% rate in 2003 when he was claimed for $4k at Penn National and moved up in price by his current connections. The 5 year old gelding was even entered against allowance company a couple of times over the winter with disastrous results and beat only one horse at Philadelphia a month ago facing non-winners of four races with a $5k tag. Even on his best, this one is outmatched in this field. Outside starter, Bring Him Gold, returned from a 10 week layoff with an impressive gate to wire victory against $7.5k non-winners of two at 12-1 odds here 4 weeks ago. That day, the 4 year old gelding was able to secure an inside trip and today, facing tougher, will have to clear the field and resist bouncing off a career best. Richard Monterrey, the leading rider at the meet, should be able to get inside horse, Tacaro's Heaven, a dream trip on the rail. The only one of these to have broken his maiden against open allowance runners, the lightly raced 6 year old gelding appears to be rounding into the form he showed as a promising odds on favorite here a year ago. Tough to beat on his best stuff is $100k New York bred gelding, Middlesex County, who drops in from a troubled trip against state-bred entry level allowance company. Both of his wins have come in one turn mile heats, here and at Belmont Park and the Runaway Groom progeny has demolished claimers each time he has faced them. Trainer Ben Feliciano has had success with runners cutting back in distance, but B K's On the Park appears to be more of a two turn specialist who won't enjoy being outrun early by these sprinters. Silver Broker is a strange one, a winner on the front end at 5 1/2 furlongs and as a closer at 1 1/16 miles. We have to follow Ramon Dominguez' lead and jump off this one as the jockey has chosen to go with Middlesex County. One closer we love today is Winged Sumac, who just missed against better and will be the primary benefactor of a pace duel. SELECTIONS #3. Middlesex County SHOW 2.10 #1. Tacaro's Heaven PLACE 5.40 2.10 #5. Winged Sumac SCRATCHED After our top choice and betting favorite, Middlesex County (3-5), came out flat, it was our second choice, Tacaro's Heaven (9-2) who challenged pacesetter B K's On the Park (4-1), grabbed the lead and dug in for the drive, only to be headed at the wire by Silver Broker (4-1), who went wide and raced gamely for a hard fought victory in a quick 1:25.30. The exacta paid $46.40 and the trifecta returned $117.60. March 6, 2005. 8th Aqueduct - Alw N2X - 1 1/16 miles - 4+ Today's feature at Aqueduct is a second level allowance race with a number of promising 4 year olds facing some veteran performers at two turns on the inner track. Inside starter, Favorite Sweep, a veteran of 53 races, tries the distance for only the second time in his career. Claimed out of the Richard Dutrow stable after a sprint victory in September, the 6 year old has continuously failed at this allowance condition. Trainer Peter Kazamias has enlisted apprentice Channing Hill for the ride but the stretch out strategy looks to be a last gasp attempt before he drops this one back to the claiming ranks. Trainer Linda Rice chose to scratch Saratoga Jules out of a $27.5k claiming race here on Friday in favor of this heat. The speedy front runner has had his best showings on the slick Meadowlands track where early speed usuallly rules. Impressive, however, was a second at Pimlico off the bench on New Year's Day. A duplication of that performance would land the Jules progeny in the thick of things in the stretch. Top New York rider, Rafael Bejarano, replaces Mike Luzzi, who sticks with Christmas Away. Our choice for the win is exciting 4 year old gelding, Chelyan, who racked up $87k in earnings last season. Formerly trained by Allen Iwinski and Stephen Asmussen, the son of Editor's Note took one race to get acclimatized to this oval in a tough entry level allowance race in which Salic Law finished second before finishing ahead of Diligent Gambler in mid December then winning a tough one in the slop before going to the bench for 6 weeks. The Richard Schosberg trainee won at 7 panels last May at Belmont out of a similar layoff. Highly regarded and lightly raced 4 year old gelding, Necropolis, was purchased for an eye popping $2.15 million at the September Keeneland sale in 2002. We have to wonder whether his poor showing here a month ago was a bounce after winning off the bench two weeks previously or whether this one just doesn't have the speed or experience yet to compete at this level. Tough as nails Diligent Gambler has won an astounding 50% of his races and hits the board at the 85% mark. Trainer Leah Gyarmati has campaigned this Diligence colt brilliantly and it would be foolhardy to not include this one in the top two spots. Uncle Bruce offers up a good race once in a while but he drops enough bombs to scare us away from this 5 year old winner of two races. While we consider it unlikely that Christmas Away will score for his third straight victory this afternoon moving up from claiming competition, this accomplished closer has a late kick which should have the turf specialist picking up some of the pieces after a bit of a pace breakdown. Richard Dutrow enters Monocular who has been beaten twice by Salic Law at longer distances. The 4 year old leaves a lot to be done in the stretch and might need more distance. SELECTIONS #8. Chelyan #5. Diligent Gambler WIN 6.60 3.30 2.40 #3. Christmas Away Diligent Gambler (2-1) stalked front runner Saratoga Jules (9-2) through the first 3/4 mile, made his move at the top of the stretch and outdueled latecomer, Monocular (5-2), to the wire in a time of 1:44.14 for his second win in four outings at this winter meet. The victory pushed the colt's lifetime earnings over the $250k mark, a huge figure considering he was purchased as a 2 year old at auction for only $5.5k. The exacta paid $22.80 and the trifecta returned $67.00. March 5, 2005. 3rd Gulfstream Park - The Bonnie Miss - Grade 2 - 1 1/8 miles - 3 year old fillies The first of five stakes races for 3 year olds on today's star studded Gulfstream Park card is the Grade 2 Bonnie Miss, a 9 furlong event for sophomore fillies which has attracted 7 starters. Having a tough meet, Jose Santos stays with his mount, Annette's Jet, one of two daughters of Golden Missile who is attempting to make the rather giant leap from her debut maiden allowance win here a month ago. As the sloppy track dried out yesterday, front speed became more optimal and In the Gold has plenty of early zip. Trained by Nick Zito, this Golden Missile filly is one of only three in this field who has run the distance, finishing a distant second to the phenomenal Sis City in last month's Grade Davona Dale. Pat Day replaces Edgar Prado in the irons and the two will try to duplicate the excellent pace pressing performance she delivered in the Grade 2 Alcibiades at Keeneland in the fall. Pleasant Chimes blew away entry level allowance company on the stretch out to 9 furlongs in her second career start here last month. Trainer Mark Hennig is having an outstanding meet and Eibar Coa rides. This Pleasant Tap filly could be an exotics booster. Inside starter, Cool Spell, got to within 6 1/4 lengths of Maddalena in her debut at 5 1/2 furlongs at Churchill Downs last April. The Grand Slam filly was benched after a third in the Grade 3 Debutante in July, then returned to action with a tough closing win in the $60k Gasparilla stakes at 7 panels at Tampa Bay Downs. There's no reason to suggest a move forward is impossible, but this is a tough crowd to encounter when trying two turns for the first time. Buckram Oak Farm purchased Aspen Tree, a daughter of Holy Bull, for $200k at auction a year ago and hope for the payoff today after consecutive "on the board" finishes in stakes company. Another victim of Maddalena in the Grade 3 Old Hat, this one just missed catching Punch Appeal in the $109k Pocahontas stakes at a flat mile at Churchill in November. The useful tuneup in the Old Hat suggests she can close for a piece of the action. Outside starter, Sweet Talker, will take a lot of support due to the gaudy speed figure she conjured in the $71k Caressing Handicap on the turf at Churchill in the fall. However, her breeding suggests sprinting, which she did well before hitting the bench in late November. Trainer Ken McPeek doesn't score with a lot of winners running horses out of a layoff and the price will be tough to swallow. The most experienced filly in the field, Jill Robin L, with 10 races under her saddle, exits an innocuous third in the Davona Dale after failing to clear the entry level allowance condition twice here and at Calder. SELECTIONS #6. In the Gold PLACE 4.00 2.80 #4. Pleasant Chimes #3. Aspen Tree SHOW 2.60 After Aspen Tree (5-2) had set the table, experienced runners, In the Gold (2-1) and Jill Robin L (10-1), took their runs at the top of the stretch, with our top choice getting the lead before being nosed at the wire by the longshot in a thrilling finish to the first stakes race on an exciting afternoon of top quality racing at Gulfstream. Jerry Bailey won his first of two Grade 2s aboard Jill Robin L (he later won aboard High Fly in the Fountain of Youth). The exacta paid $54.60 and the trifecta returned $178.80. March 4, 2005. 3rd Fair Grounds - Claiming (7.5-6.5) - 5 1/2 furlongs - 4+ All the speed in this field of veteran claimers is on the inside and all the closers have optimum outside posts. Tooth Doctor, a bridesmaid six times in 14 starts last year as a 5 year old, looks to be the speed of the speed racing for the same tag for which she was just caught in the stretch here 2 weeks ago. Regular jockey, Tracy Hebert, has had trouble keeping this accomplished turf runner under wraps on the dirt. Inside starter, Tasty Caberneigh, was beaten 4 1/2 lengths by that one in their last meeting. Reclaimed last month by Michael Gill, the 7 year old gelding appears to be well off the form that saw him competing against N3X company at Delaware Park last summer. The Go for Gin progeny seems to want more distance. Noon Affair has seen much better days and has only one win in 11 career starts at this distance. The 8 year old veteran of 66 races couldn't best $5k claimers here on New Year's Eve. With only 3 wins to his credit it is hard to believe that 6 year old gelding, Unbridled Trick, has managed to accumulate nearly $150k in earnings. Plain and simple, this one knows how to hit the board, and, therefore, it would be foolhardy to leave him off the exotics tickets. Rider John Jacinto jumps from the Gill horse to Donthatetheplayer, who will have first shot at the tiring front runners. Racing for new connections, this 6 year old gelded son of Sunny's Halo has been soundly beaten numerous times lately by $5k claimers. Sutter's Galaxy is utterly outmatched moving up from conditioned state bred claiming races. We will be looking for a price, but our choice to win is 4 year old gelding, Private Harbor, claimed in early January by Bret Calhoun out of the Tom Amoss stable for $10k. Possessing a huge late kick, the Private Terms progeny should be served well by the all the speed on the inside. Torque Man is not a sprinter. SELECTIONS #7. Private Harbor SHOW 3.00 #4. Tooth Doctor #3. Unbridled Trick On a day when 5 of the 10 winners went gate to wire, Tasty Caberneigh (3-1) came to be in the right place at the right time, setting fractions of 22.60 & 46.39 before holding off Tooth Doctor (5-2) in the stretch and pulling away for his 10th career victory, set in a time of 1:05.51. Sutter's Galaxy (19-1) added value to the gimmicks by rallying for place and finishing a length up on favorite, Private Harbor (2-1). The exacta paid $112.60 and the trifecta returned $559.80. March 3, 2005. 2nd Aqueduct - Claiming (35-25) - 1 mile & 70 yards - 3 year old fillies Today's 2nd at Aqueduct looks like a repeat of the speed duel here on February 11th between Its True Its True and Beautiful Mistress. On that occasion, Its True Its True was moving up in class and trying two turns for the first time in her career. While the Yes Its True filly gained some experience that day and Mike Luzzi stays with the mount for Philadelphia based trainer Edward Allard, there is an awful lot of tactical speed looking to take down the front runners in this heat. Beautiful Mistress got her win by clearing the field early and staying well out in front through modest fractions at Philly Park. Today's pace scenario sets up much tougher for the Robert Mosco trainee. Our Miss Jones, a daughter of Alphabet Soup, is the only filly with a win over open maiden allowance company. She picked up her victory while being campaigned as a juvenile at Monmouth Park last summer over a flat mile. In her first race against winners, she was bumped up to stakes company where she encountered top filly, Sis City, with predictable results. The Line in the Sand filly did, however, stay on for third, making her, by far, the top earner in this field. Today, she races third off the bench for James Ryerson and stretches out for her first route over the Aqueduct inner track. Apprentice Channing Hill has been getting noticed during this meet and today gets the call aboard Flower Flag for Michael Brice. The California-bred filly makes her second East coast start after an uninspiring fourth behind Beautiful Mistress on the 11th of last month. Honour and Glory filly, Honorable Path, makes her second start off the bench after a dull effort against entry level allowance company and $75k optional claimers. Trainer Mark Hennig drops her way down for today's race and she runs with the lowest price tag of her career. The Edward Evans owned home bred retains rider, Pablo Fragoso. Inside starter, Doral Dancer, a New York native, races against open company for the first time in her career and will have to speed things up to be competitive. Top New York trainer, Richard Dutrow, hits with a huge percentage of "first off the claim" runners and Snitch fits the bill today. There will be a lot of backers for the Dixie Union filly who demolished $25k maiden claimers here a month ago at this very distance. SELECTIONS #2. Our Miss Jones #5. Snitch WIN 5.10 3.20 2.80 #6. Flower Flag PLACE 8.40 4.50 The anticipated speed duel happened and Beautiful Mistress (8-1) got the lead on the turn only to be overtaken by the favorite, Snitch (3-2), who went 3-wide to get clear and cruised home for her second consecutive victory in a time of 1:44.54. Our longshot choice, Flower Flag (10-1) was always close to the pace and, while no match for the winner, closed well for the place to add punch to the exotics payouts. Early front runner, Its True Its True (5-1), held on for the show. The exacta paid $28.20 and the trifecta returned $125.00. March 2, 2005. 4th Gulfstream Park - Claiming (25-20) - 6 1/2 furlongs - 3 year olds There won't be much of a scramble for the lead out of the gate in the 4th at Gulfstream Park today, as most of the seven 3 year olds assembled prefer to race from off the pace. Shortening from a second disastrous route attempt, Dear Soldier is a candidate to vie for the lead. The Norman Pointer trainee put together a couple of solid performances at Monmouth Park in the late summer and showed some speed here a week ago. Pointer has had success wheeling them back quickly. The Lost Soldier colt will have to contend early on with Fast Market, racing first off the claim for the highly successful Peter Walder stable. Walder is a high percentage winner who often gets a good race out of a recently claimed horse and this gelded son of Lord Carson was racing against much better in the summer and fall in Chicago. Jorge Chavez gets the call aboard our choice to win today. Catmeifyoucan has won twice at a flat mile but gets cut back in distance and dropped in price today. This Tale of the Cat colt should turn into an accomplished sprinter and has shown the ability to race with the lead or come from off the pace but, frustratingly, he has yet to put the whole thing together. If Fast Market is on his game, inside starter Ice Skating will have trouble catching him. Trainer Daniel Hurtak has been sending out winner after winner at this meet and today enters Rocketeightyeight, who can beat these on his best day but faces this field after a 2 month layoff. When outmatched, however, this gelding spits the bit in the stretch. Another from the Pointer barn, Schultzie tries winners the first time out of his maiden win here two weeks ago. Hot apprentice rider, Rajiv Maragh gets the call. Deep closer, Bogart's Cat will need a quick pace up front. Racing first off the claim for Bob Klesaris, the Catienus colt has to have a lot of things go right for him to hit the board in only his sixth career start. SELECTIONS #2. Fast Market PLACE 2.80 2.20 #7. Rocketeightyeight #4. Dear Soldier SCRATCHED Everything went right for Bogart's Cat (7-2) who came late on the outside to get the nod at the wire over our top choice, Fast Market (1-1), who had dueled the entire 6 furlongs with a surprisingly game, Schultzie (7-1), who was a close third racing against winners for the first time. The exacta paid $22.20 and the trifecta returned $89.80.