September 30, 2005. 5th Calder - Claiming 16000B - 1 mile - f&m 3yr or 4+ N3L Tasha Sangue was having a fine 4 year old season in 2004 when injuries sidelined her in May and kept the Slew Sangue mare out of action until this past July. Following her gate to wire win in the slop at Gulfstream Park over allowance company, her new connections tried to convert her into a turf runner despite her dirt pedigree. Once again, after the long layoff, she was entered into an overnight grass stakes with predictably unsatisfactory results. Back at a distance on a surface she likes, this outside starter looks to be the one to catch. Luckisalady stole an "off the turf" event for non-winners of two before hitting the bench for 6 weeks. The Top Account filly has not looked the same since her return and trainer Ron Spatz calls on 7lb apprentice, Jeffrey Sanchez, for the ride today. Jean de Actress would need to repeat her career best performance here in June when she skimmed the rail through the slop en route to her victory over non-winners of two races at odds of 29-1. We prefer the classier entrants today, including Inlet Moon, a Malibut Moon filly whose grandsires are A.P. Indy and Spectacular Bid. The 4 year old easily conquered N1X competition at Gulfstream in April before being switched to the lawn and then sent out in a series of sprints in which she clearly needed more ground. Devil His Due filly, Saintly Sue, was having a fine meet at Tampa Bay Downs facing other 3 year olds on the turf before being shipped south for the Calder meet. Something went wrong last out when she finished well back as the chalk. Out since June, we would prefer to give her one and wait for a turf try. Likely favorite, Miss Croft, just missed at this level last out and races first off the claim for Timothy Ritvo, who doesn't hit often with newly acquired charges. Today's field has come up tougher than the one in which she was beaten at 6-5 odds and there is a strong possibility she will go off as the underlay of the day. Irish Class will need the luck of the Irish to get the top prize today. She looks to be out of her class. SELECTIONS #6. Inlet Moon #7. Tasha Sangue WIN 14.20 8.00 5.80 #2. Miss Croft There was no catching Tasha Sangue (6-1), who took her time clearing the field before pulling away to a 2 1/2 length lead at the half mile in 48.98. She was allowed to proceed uncontested to the wire, posting a time of 1:40.39, finishing 4 1/2 lengths ahead of surprisingly tenacious Irish Class (15-1), who held second the entire way. Underlay of the day, Miss Croft (3-5) was outfinished by Luckisalady (3-1) for the show money. The exacta paid $197.60 and the trifecta returned $1,135.60. September 29, 2005. 1st Hawthorne - Claiming 4000 - 6 furlongs - f&m 3+ In the opener at Hawthorne today, a grand dame of the Mid West claiming circuit could pull off a big theft to start the daily double. With a lack of serious pace players in the field, Straitfrommyheart, a 7 year old mare with 10 wins to her credit, should be able to get clear and threatens to go gate to wire for her first win of the season. Exploit filly, Explosive Affair, takes another crack at open claiming competition, racing second off the claim for Jerry Gryczewski who picked her up for $5k out of an even third place finish at Arlington Park a month ago. Even with 7lb apprentice, Denis Rojas, aboard this is a tough spot for the 4 year old who gives away a lot of experience. Ashley's Luck gets a class check shipping in from Fairmont Park where she had been facing entry level allowance company and, today, draws Larry Sterling Jr for the ride. Inside starter, Melrose Nanny, was beating up Iowa bred allowance runners last season before getting crushed in a couple of ambitious starts in Texas. The 6 year old leaves Prairie Meadows once again for this event in the hopes of a favorable class drop. Another Iowa shipper, Stormy Carol, is coming off two strong sprints and will be heard from in the late going. Tricky Truth, the likely favorite, won her last start over this course and posted 3 victories in a row in the spring and early summer at this class level amidst a string of a half dozen first and second place finishes from April through August. Honest Miss Bates, on the shelf for the past 16 months, is not a sprinter. SELECTIONS #7. Straitfrommyheart SHOW 2.20 #5. Stormy Carol #4. Tricky Truth WIN 6.00 3.20 2.40 Rojas, the apprentice rider aboard Explosive Affair (7-2), sent the filly to the lead and got away with fractions of 22.50 & 46.85 before being hauled down late in the stretch by betting favorite, Tricky Truth (2-1), who got the win by 3/4 of a length in 1:12.36. The top two finishers were each claimed by leading Hawthorne trainer Thomas Tomillo Jr. Our top choice, Straitfrommyheart (3-1), was sluggish out of the gate and barely held third after racing close to the pace. The exacta paid $20.40 and the trifecta returned $49.60. September 28, 2005. 5th Hawthorne - Claiming 10000 - 1 1/16 miles - f&m 3+ A trio of fillies meets a hardened group of claiming race veterans in today's 5th at Hawthorne. Illinois bred Angela's Pride started her 4 year old season off with a bang, winning by 9 1/2 lengths here in March. That event represented a class break for the Cartwright filly, who had been competing against state bred allowance company as a sophomore. After the win, she was moved back up in class but endured a summer of futility and hard luck. At a flat mile at Arlington with this same tag, she looked to need more room after a ground saving stalking trip. Ten pound apprentice, David Lopez, gets the call again from Pam Little. Turn back the calendar to 2003 and inside starter, Rose of Savannah, would easily get by this field. The 6 year old mare was racing with N3X company two years ago and bringing some solid purse money, but she has failed to impress in 6 starts at this level in 2005. Another pace player, Forever Regal, makes her 73rd start at the course at which she has picked up 6 of her 10 career victories, but this 7 year old mare is well past her best efforts and will likely serve only to keep the pace honest. Beeville was claimed for a mere $5k a month ago after a dismal summer at Arlington Park. She returns to the site of her last win, at 8-1 odds with an $18k tag, but we have to take a pass based on her current form. Iowa bred 4 year old, Farrar, makes her Hawthorne debut and would need her very best effort to beat these. More logical for the win is dependable 8 year old, Buba's Caper, who drops down after a very game closing effort through the mud against $14k claimers at Arlington last month. Trainer Larry Rivelli drops Bella Cobra from $18k to $10k for her first start off the claim after a 6 week layoff. A horse that sneaks into the money is 5 year old Hello My Friend, who looks to be well placed in this event. SELECTIONS #4. Angela's Pride SHOW 3.20 #7. Buba's Caper PLACE 3.20 2.40 #3. Hello My Friend WIN 25.20 7.40 4.20 We were thrilled to see that the betting public allowed Hello My Friend (11-1) to go off at delicious odds and doubly excited that Eusebio Razo Jr worked out a perfect stalking trip behind the tepid early pace setters with plenty of gas left in the stretch to pull away from Angela's Pride (3-1) for the win in 1:48.28. The betting favorite, Buba's Caper (1-1), arrived late to steal the place money from Angela's Pride. The exacta paid $69.00 and the trifecta, with all our choices in, returned $183.00. Congratulations! September 24, 2005. 3rd Hawthorne - Alw N1X - 6 furlongs - 3+ Racing at Hawthorne Race Course has resumed with high hopes and full fields. Today, with a purse of $30k up for grabs, 9 colts and geldings face off at 6 furlongs, each trying to break through the entry level allowance condition. Conquistador's Cat, a gelded 4 year old by Forest Wildcat, will be the controlling speed and has shown some improvement facing conditioned claimers at Mountaineer Park this summer. Another major step forward in development will be necessary today as most of the dangerous types in this field will be racing close to the lead. Conspire was developing into a promising and versatile 3 year old last season before being shut down after a near miss on the turf at Arlington Park at this allowance level. Trainer Charlie Livesay has saddled only 8 winners this year and we would be inclined to give the Run Softly gelding a pass after a 14 month layoff. Well placed with these, Diamond Account should get a strong pace pressing ride from Carlos Marquez, who was aboard for a win over $30k N2L claimers. The 4 year old Northern Afleet gelding put up two consecutive third place finishes at this distance at this condition at Arlington before being dropped and claimed. Our choice for the win, inside starter Regent's Hope, is one of two 5 year old geldings racing in this heat. The Kentucky bred progeny of Mt. Livermore beat open claimers handily at Arlington in early August before being switched to turf by trainer Steven Asmussen for a rather disappointing grass debut. Back at his preferred distance, with Roman Chapa up, a fourth consecutive win on the dirt is not unrealistic. The dark horse here is Te Quiero Viejo (Arg), a blue blood who makes his North American debut after racing in graded stakes company in Uruguay last fall. His connections are sound with Chris Emigh getting the call from trainer Bret Calhoun. Z Z's Fantasy, campaigned primarily as a miler this season, is well out of his class. Frenchburg, a 4 year old gelding by Menifee, has endured many near misses at this level, bankrolling over $26k without a win on the season. Always close, it would be foolhardy to leave this one off any of the gimmicks tickets. Otis Ridge will find the racing much tougher here than at Fairmont Park. In 2004, That's an Outrage was on the Kentucky Derby trail, finishing fourth in the Grade 2 Lane's End before being shut down after a last place finish as 41-1 longshot in the Grade 1 Blue Grass Stakes. Times have been tough for the 4 year old as he has been shipped around the country and sent out over a variety of surfaces at a variety of distances in search of his first allowance victory and second lifetime win. This spot does not seem to be an easy one considering his current poor form. SELECTIONS #1. Regent's Hope WIN 8.60 4.40 3.20 #3. Diamond Account PLACE 4.00 2.80 #7. Frenchburg Late rallying closers, as expected, played no part in this race as Conquistador's Cat (5-1) opened up daylight through the backstretch on the two dangerous pace pressers, Regent's Hope (3-1) and Diamond Account (3-1). That pair, our top choices, took over at the top of the stretch and dueled to the wire, with Regent's Hope prevailing by a nose after zig zagging in the late going to avoid a tiring Diamond Account drifting out. Conquistador's Cat held third to complete a trifecta which returned $87.40. The exacta, which we gave you cold, paid $25.60. Congratulations! September 21, 2005. A couple of sprinters, stretching out to a flat mile for the first time in their careers, will be setting the table in the 7th race at Belmont for the more experienced New York bred filly and mare milers trying to break through the 2nd level state bred allowance condition. On the outside, Tiffany's Rodeo, with Mike Smith up, offers quality speed and the ability to rate if the going is crowded early on. The 4 year old Rodeo filly has hit the board in all three of her Belmont starts this season and offers some value to those willing to back a longshot. Fighting Speedy is the rabbit of the dodgy Castle Village Farm entry. Trained by Leah Gyarmati, with Chantal Sutherland (still looking for her first win at the meet) in the irons, the Senor Speedy 3 year old has proven a bargain at her claiming price of $30k in January with earnings this season of over $53k. Our money will follow rider John Velasquez to Zero Probability, who has missed the board only once (her debut) in 8 career starts. The Gorky Park filly crushed the competition at this distance for her maiden victory at Aqueduct in April and followed that up with an equally impressive win in her first against older competition here at 1 1/16 miles. Inside starter, Shady Lane, will be heavily bet, based on the fact that she has beaten Zero Probability twice this summer and her 5 consecutive second place finishes as a 4 year old. A.P. Jet filly, Ms Litigator, has been running on the fringes of the New York Stallion stakes series, which should put her in the mix here, but she so rarely makes a real impact that she is very tough to back today. A season of futility was improved when Velasquez got No Way No How up late for the win at 9 furlongs last out at Saratoga. It could be that trainer Richard Stoklosa's refusal to drop this well bred filly to the claiming ranks was well founded as the Goldminer's Gold 3 year old looks to be rounding into form and could be a significant presence in the stretch today. Veteran 6 year old mare, J.B.'s Annie, has been campaigned primarily on the turf this season and will need an unlikely career topping performance to get the big cheque today. The other half of the entry, Angel Dancer, needs a complete pace breakdown to get a repeat of her winning effort at this distance here in July. SELECTIONS #5. Zero Probability PLACE 3.90 3.50 #2. Shady Lane #3. No Way No How Angel Dancer (9-1), the more unlikely hero of the Castle Village Farm entry, got her pace breakdown and ran back to her Belmont form of late July when she put together a similar performance, winning in a time of 1:39.32. It seems Velasquez made his move aboard our top choice, Zero Probability (2-1), a little too early and the filly was used up after disposing of the early pace setter, Ms Litigator (18-1), the betting favorite, Shady Lane (9-5) and Tiffany's Rodeo (9-2), who had gotten a head in front at the top of the stretch. Zero Probablity had to settle for second (an 8th consecutive on the board finish) and Tiffany's Rodeo finished third for the sixth time in ten starts this season. The exacta paid $54.50 and the trifecta returned $314.00. September 17, 2005. 7th Belmont Park - The Floral Park Handicap - Grade 3 Regally bred Smokey Glacken put together a string of nine consecutive top three finishes at the start of her career, beaten decisively during that stretch only by Madcap Escapade and Bending Strings, two of the best of her generation. The 4 year old Forestry filly breaks from the outside post and must outsprint the two speed horses to her immediate left. John Velasquez returns to the saddle after they teamed up for a gate to wire victory at Saratoga in an optional claiming heat during which she was able to secure the rail early on. In her first Belmont Park start, the Grade 2 Astarita, she was beaten a length and a quarter by fellow juvenile phenomenon, Feline Story, who went on to win the 2004 edition of this event. Her two Belmont tries this summer do not inspire confidence. Molto Vita, a 5 year old mare, tops this field in career earnings with over $500k in the bank. The Carson City mare, trained by Dallas Stewart, drops in from a third at 24-1 odds in the Grade 1 Ballerina through the mud at Saratoga. The graded stakes veteran attracts Jerry Bailey, who was aboard for her 5 year old debut, a third in the Grade 3 Hurricane Bertie at Gulfstream Park. The third, and potentially, most dangerous pace player is Gilded Gold, a Gilded Time filly who has been progressing steadily at Monmouth Park in a series of 5 furlong dashes. The 4 year old has consistently delivered excellent performances when racing just off the pace from the outside, which is the projected pace scenario today. Travelator is a better runner than she was last year when she finished third in this event behind Feline Story and Cologny. Still, the 5 year old New York bred may be a notch or two below the best of these and needs a bit of a pace breakdown ahead of her to sneak onto the board again. Another Monmouth shipper, Areek, is the best of the bunch from off the pace. The 4 year old Deputy Minister filly, trained by Mark Hennig, has blossomed this season, winning 5 of 6 starts at Gulfstream Park and in New Jersey. Inside starter, Baldomera, closed well for fourth at 48-1 here in June in the Grade 2 Vagrancy Handicap, but needs her very best effort to make an impact at the shorter distance against, arguably, a better field. Lilah, a tough 8 year old veteran, returns to the Allen Jerkens stable after being claimed by Bruce Levine for $100k out of an optional claiming win here in late June. This versatile perfomer is capable of taking home the top prize off a top effort. SELECTIONS #6. Gilded Gold #4. Areek PLACE 4.00 2.90 #2. Travelator SCRATCHED Betting choice, Smokey Glacken (8-5), got an alert start under John Velasquez and sprinted to the lead, setting fractions of 22.07 & 45.60. The Forestry filly turned away Lilah (8-1) and Gilded Gold (12-1) at the quarter pole and pulled away to an easy 2 length victory over our second choice, Areek (3-1). Jorge Chavez coaxed a strong late rally out of Baldomera (28-1), the longest shot on the board, and they picked up the show money, adding value to the trifecta, which returned $95.00. The exacta paid $16.20. September 15, 2005. 1st Monmouth Park - Claiming (7.5-6.5) B - 6 furlongs - 3 year olds or 4+ N2L Pete's Fortay, the only multiple race winner in today's opener at Monmouth Park, will be the controlling speed breaking from the outside post. The 3 year old Wild Rush gelding trained by Joe Orseno is coming off a gate to wire win at this distance at this very level from an outside post position and, today, attracts high percentage rider, Rajiv Maragh. Symphony Salute turned some heads, winning at 23-1 in his debut at Aqueduct in February. Since, the 3 year old Sea Salute gelding has endured a number of disappointing outings, marking him as a one hit wonder. He will likely provide some pace for a half mile or so, but don't expect to spot him battling hard in the stretch.Stefs Silentknight was placed well out of his class after beating $15k maidens on the grass at Atlantic City in May. The 4 year old New Jersey bred colt didn't make any impact against state bred allowance foes and collapsed on the drop to this level. On his best, he can compete with these, but his speed is second rate. New York Token couldn't quite keep up with Pete's Fortay six weeks ago in his first try against winners. Today, regular rider Aaron Gryder should be able to work out a better trip, staying back a little off the pace. Stringtown Wonder, who was racing with a $40k tag last fall, drops further down the ladder today and trainer Dennis Manning sticks with apprentice rider, Melvin Perez, aboard the closer who has 7 on the board finishes in 17 starts, but only one victory. Regal Humor colt, Ganeska, has raced just once since January 3rd. Make a Bee Line couldn't beat maiden allowance competition at Philadelphia Park in the winter, was shipped to Penn National for his maiden breaker against $5k claimers and needs an infusion of speed to compete with these. SELECTIONS #3. New York Token #7. Pete's Fortay PLACE 4.20 3.00 #2. Stringtown Wonder The 10lb advantage held by Ganeska (8-1) proved the difference as the lightly raced colt got a clear shot at Pete's Fortay (9-5) in the stretch and prevailed by a half length in 1:12.43, shaving a full second off his previous best, accomplished last December at Calder Race Course. Stefs Silentknight (14-1) added some value to the trifecta by holding on to third after racing evenly behind the front runners. The exacta paid $74.00 and the trifecta returned $522.00. September 14, 2005. 3rd Arlington Park - Claiming 5000 N2L - 7 furlongs - 3+ There is an abundance of suspect early speed breaking from the inside in the 3rd at Arlington today, a 7 panel event for non-winners of two races. Scrubbin Speed, a gelding by Kipper Kelly, destroyed a field of $12.5k maidens at Tampa Bay Downs in April at odds of 7-1 and flashed a little speed in his first race for his current connections here at Arlington versus $30k non-winners of two. His current form is frightful, however, as many of the punters who backed him as the favorite in late August can attest. He ran dead last at 2-1, not responding at all to the Lasix treatment he received. Wildwood Firebird, a 4 year old Stravinsky gelding, will keep the pace honest. Most of his best racing has been done at Hawthorne Race Course and he debuted at Arlington in a tough spot, racing first time on the grass with an inflated $30k price tag. On his best effort, he can be there at the end, but he will be hard used through the first half. In the best position to put away the front runners will be Westerncard, a Michael Reavis trainee, who closed well enough in his first try against winners last out that we feel the slight class break here will make the difference. Another decent closer is Sweet Sir Galahad, who is a good bet to hit the board at a fair price. Sir Bunny could go off as the underlay of the day. The Sir Cat gelding was impressive breaking his maiden last year as a juvenile at Ellis Park, but, subsequently, missed nearly a year of competition. His speed held up through a half mile here 6 weeks ago. The added distance today won't be helpful. Petionville gelding, Casual Cash, has been developed as a miler by Nick Canani and makes his Arlington debut out of a syrupy front running effort at Ellis Park last month. Another miler, King of the Valley, gets 10lb apprentice, David Lopez, in an effort to break him out of his downward form pattern. SELECTIONS #6. Westerncard SCRATCHED #7. Sweet Sir Galahad PLACE 3.60 2.20 #3. Sir Bunny WIN 4.00 2.60 2.60 Sir Bunny (1-1) got a smart stalking trip under Ruben Rodriguez, angled out and engaged Sweet Sir Galahad (7-2) in the stretch, prevailing by a head in 1:25.55. There was less traffic going into the drive due to the scratch of our top choice, Westerncard, allowing our other choices to air it out to the wire. Those two were joined late byh Wildwood Firebird (13-1), who got the show prize. The exacta, with our remaining two choices, paid $12.80. Congratulations! September 10, 2005. 7th Arlington - Alw N2X - 1 mile - 3+ Most of the entries in this field of N2X allowance competition are in peak form, coming off wins or near misses at this level. Chris Emigh passes over two others to take the mount aboard Prospective Kiss, who was caught at the wire after a prolonged duel in a very quick heat here at the end of July. Today's pace scenario shapes up much the same way as the 4 year old Prospect Bay gelding will hook up early with Tap Dancing Mauk, who will be compromised breaking from the outside. The Louis Quatorze progeny prefers the rail. A third pace player, Scat Cat Jamey, is, by far, the highest earner of the group. The Churchill shipper was claimed in January for $8k and again for $10k, the second time by Ralph Nicks, who moved the 5 year old gelding into allowance company at Oaklawn Park. The Wild Rush gelding responded with a win in a starters' allowance and two on the board finishes against entry level allowance foes. After 4 spectacular starts at Churchill, he hit the sidelines for 2 months and has resurfaced here rather than at Turfway Park as many Kentucky horsemen await a resolution of the conflicts in that state. This spot appears to be soft enough and Sean Bridgmohan in the irons will further drive the price down on the probable favorite, but we will use him mostly in the middle of the trifecta and the bottom of the exacta plays. Tupper Lake, a 3 year old colt by Honour and Glory, broke his maiden around one turn over 7 panels at Keeneland, but has shown a desire to stretch out to the classic distance. He was completely outmatched at Saratoga by a strong N2X field so the move back to the midwest represents a significant class drop. Proud Comic has yet to exhibit the speed necessary to win at this level. Our choice for a winner from off the pace is inside starter, Summer Book, who races third off the bench for Niall O'Callaghan after missing the better part of his 4 year old season due to injury. Even the slightest improvement from this Notebook colt will get him the top prize. Closer Gold Hornet, a turf specialist, is a good one to use on the bottom of the trifecta tickets. SELECTIONS #1. Summer Book SHOW 2.80 #3. Scat Cat Jamey #5. Prospective Kiss PLACE 4.60 3.00 Tap Dancing Mauk (13-1) had no trouble clearing the horses to his left out of the gate and raced just off the outside flank of Prospective Kiss (5-2) through fractions of 23.98 & 46.73, wearing down the front runner and prevailing at the wire by a head in a time of 1:34.70. Our top choice, Summer Book (3-1), was well placed behind the pace setters, but lacked a winning bid and settled for third. The exacta paid $99.00 and the trifecta, with betting favorite, Scat Cat Jamey (6-5), out of the mix, returned $435.00. September 9, 2005. 7th Calder - Claiming 25000B - 5 furlongs - 3 year olds or 4+ N3L A lone 4 year old non-winner of 3 races, Lotsa Macho, takes on a tough sextet of promising sophomores in a potentially speedy 5 furlong dash at Calder Race Course today. Trainer David Braddy takes over from Cecil Stewart, who had tried to convert the Florida bred gelding into a turf sprinter. This race marks his first outing since the Gulfstream Park meet ended in the spring and is likely a tuneup for a move back into the allowance ranks. An "on the board" finish is not unrealistic. Although Agent Won has owned this course throught his 14 race career, we prefer the speedy Formal Dinner gelding starting from an inside post position rather than the outside spot he finds himself in today. Montbrook colt, Monti's Lad shocked the Calder fans last fall when he wired a $50k stakes field of juveniles in an "off the turf" event at this distance. He hit the bench after that one and has not shown more than flashes of speed since. A threat from off the pace, Harold's Halo, was claimed by Edward Plesa Jr for $50k from Braddy and brought along slowly as a 3 year old. He enters this out of two consecutive victories in which he was dominant throughout. Eddie Castro, the leading rider at the meet, should be able to work out a nice trip. A winner of 10 races with earnings this season alone of over $120k, My Buddy Richie gets dropped back to the claiming ranks after a couple of tough tries versus N3X company. Trainer Dan Hurtak will likely lose his golden egg sophomore at the claim box, ending a relationship which resulted in a 6 race win streak this summer. Ruby Do needs better speed out of the gate to make an impression with these. Another Montbrook colt, Capitol Panic, will probably be put away early. SELECTIONS #4. My Buddy Richie WIN 4.00 3.00 2.60 #5. Harold's Halo #1. Lotsa Macho Dan Hurtak must have been watching My Buddy Richie (1-1) with mixed emotions as our top choice for the win put pressure on front running Ruby Do (9-2) on the turn, took over and sped away through the stretch for another workmanlike winning effort in a time of :59.63. It was his 8th victory of the season pushing his earnings for 2005 over $133k, but, as we expected, the 3 year old was claimed, thus ending his tutelage under Hurtak for the time being. Agent Won (4-1) closed for second and Ruby Do faded late in the stretch but held on to third. The exacta paid $10.40 and the trifecta returned $25.20. Congratulations! September 7, 2005. 6th Arlington - Claiming 20000 N3L - 6 furlongs - f&m 3+ There is very little not to like about 3 year old filly, My Girl Alish, as she takes on older fillies and mares who have not won 3 races today at Arlington Park. Leading rider, Sean Bridgmohan, sticks with the sophomore who is trained by high percentage conditioner, Steven Asmussen. The Eltish filly races third off the bench and in her last outing she easily disposed on non-winners of two, going gate to wire in fine time. The problem for her today will be the potentially lethal three way duel in the early going. Inside starter, Lookatthoselegs, a 4 year old Defrere filly is a tough customer and won't be put away easily. Most of her season has been spent facing Illinois bred allowance company and this is only her second start with a tag. An even speedier entry is Goldie's Baby, an Awesome Cat filly for whom trainer Frank Kirby Jr has called upon his go-to rider, Mark Guidry. Hampered by injuries throughout her career and also dropping in from the state-bred allowance ranks, a top effort gets her to the winner's circle today. Claimed by Percy Scherbenske from the Michael Reavis stable for $20k, Clever Comique gets a third try at cracking this condition. Scherbenske campaigned the Comic Strip filly last year in her sophomore season and had to ship to Canterbury Park for her maiden breaker before losing her at the claim box for $17.5k in her 2005 debut. The classiest and richest horse is If Nine Was Six, owned and trained by Hugh Robertson, who is gambling that he can sneak her through this claiming event after a dismal last place finish at 7 panels last month against N2X company. A versatile 5 year old mare, this veteran has not won since 2003, but hits the board regularly and can capitalize on the drop in class today as well as the opportune pace scenario. Outside starter, 3 year old Lisa's Cat, has struggled mightily versus older horses. Tactical Tina loses her regular rider, Bridgmohan, for this and trainer Kirby has given low percentage jockey, Tim Thornton, the call. SELECTIONS #2. If Nine Was Six #4. Goldie's Baby SHOW 5.60 #5. My Girl Alish Lisa's Cat (10-1) ran back to the form of her 2005 debut by dogging the pacesetting favorite, My Girl Alish (4-5), into submission, gaining the lead in the stretch before being caught in the final yards by closer, Clever Comique (4-1). The Scherbenske trainee got to the wire in 1:11.05, the fastest time at this distance in her career. Goldie's Baby (7-1) raced evenly and held third. The exacta paid $91.20 and the trifecta returned $646.20. September 3, 2005. 10th Saratoga - The Forego - Grade 1 - 7 furlongs - 3+ This year's edition of The Forego, a Grade 1 sprint event run at 7 furlongs, has come up with some intriguing handicapping angles. Trainer Bobby Frankel has been consistently campaigning Mass Media, a 4 year old Touch Gold colt, since his upset victory at Aqueduct last fall over Lion Tamer and Gygistar in the Grade 3 Sport Page Handicap last October. Despite earning over $77k this season, the Kentucky bred colt has yet to win a race, beaten as the favorite 3 consecutive times at Santa Anita before getting walloped in the Grade 1 Carter Handicap upon his return to the East Coast. Perhaps his game effort at a mile on the turf here 5 weeks is a good omen, but, more likely, he will be thrown to the wolves on the front end breaking from the outside post. Australian bred Keep The Faith, owned by Godolphin Stable, makes his second American start after breaking the course record at 6 furlongs on the grass in July against conditioned allowance company. The turf specialist was outmatched in graded stakes events Down Under, attracts Gary Stevens as a replacement for John Velasquez, races on dirt for the first time in his career and may find the move up in class daunting. Forestry colt, Forest Danger, could get a similar trip to the one which netted him the win in the Carter. This is his preferred distance and the Todd Pletcher trainee has come up big off the bench in the past. A game competitor, Battle Won, returns from a hard fought second in the Grade 1 Bing Crosby Handicap at Del Mar. The 5 year old will surpass the $500k mark in earnings today and has the speed to sneak onto the board at a nice price. Inside starter, Silver Wagon, won two starts at this distance at Saratoga as a juvenile in 2003 before embarking on his injury shortened sophomore campaign, cut short after a third in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth. Not as dominant as a 4 year old, the Ralph Ziadie charge did show a strong closing effort in his second to Ghostzapper in the Met Mile. This distance may not be the best choice for this former start at this point in his career. Trainer Richard Dutrow Jr will attempt to move Yankee Mon way up the class ladder from facing New York bred stakes competition to this group. The Maria's Mon colt, with Edgar Prado up, will be in tough right from the bell. Last year's Iowa Derby winner, Swingforthefences, tries again to shorten up and use his closing kick to pick up a piece or two. His meek move in the Grade 2 Tom Fool indicates to us that the Boston Harbor colt needs two turns. SELECTIONS #2. Forest Danger #3. Battle Won PLACE 5.70 4.10 #6. Keep The Faith (Aus) Tough customer, Battle Won (4-1), controlled the pace out of the gate, getting through the opening half mile in 44.80. The gelding turned away upstart Yankee Mon (14-1) and prevented the favorite, Forest Danger (1-1), from getting to the front but could not hold off Mass Media (15-1), the fittest of the field, from a determined closing bid for a half length victory in 1:22.59. The exacta paid $143.00 and the trifecta, with Silver Wagon (4-1) up for third, returned $456.00. September 2, 2005. 1st Calder - Claiming 8000 - 5 1/2 furlongs - 3+ Today's opener at Calder Race Course serves as a rematch to a similar 5 1/2 furlong sprint run here two weeks ago. Columbian import, Alto Voltaje, will be involved in the pace early on but it will be 4 year old Count Montbrook, a $250k purchase at auction as a juvenile, and the 7-1 winner versus these a fortnight ago that this field will have to take down. The Montbrook colt was an allowance runner a year ago but trainer Edward Plesa Jr brought him back this season in the claiming ranks. He drops off the win, which suggests to us that he is a vulnerable favorite. Veteran 7 year old gelding, Timothy Mac, has chased and faltered against Count Montbrook twice in the recent past. Not out of this by any means, if the warhorse can get clear early he can be tough to catch. Hot Weather is another veteran who will be there to soften up the front runners. The 7 year old gelding moves up in class off a win against $5k claimers. The pace scenario sets up perfectly for closer, Touchdown Run, who has knocked at the door all season without a win. Trainer David Vivian Jr sticks with Aurelio Toribio Jr, who guided the 5 year old to a near victory against these last out. The only 3 year old in the field, Ruperts Valid Dawn, has not shown the speed necessary to haul down these horses. Amtodd, racing first off a 2 month layoff, needs a better early turn of foot to be competitive today. SELECTIONS #3. Touchdown Run PLACE 2.60 2.10 #2. Count Montbrook WIN 5.00 3.20 2.20 #4. Hot WeatherCount Montbrook (3-2) was allowed to get loose on the lead, clearing Timothy Mac (7-2) quickly, and unchallenged by Hot Weather (9-1), who broke in air and bled. The 4 year old got to the wire in 1:05.74, only slightly faster than his previous victory over these, and, once again, Touchdown Run (7-5) fell short in his closing bid, missing this time by a half length. The exacta, using our top two choices, returned $12.80 and the trifecta, with Amtodd (8-1) up for third, returned $59.40. September 1, 2005. 2nd Monmouth Park - Claiming (16-14)B - 6 furlongs - f&m 3+ or 4+ N2L There are three multiple race winners going in the 2nd at Monmouth Park in a field primarily made up of 3 year old fillies facing a pair of 4 year olds at 6 furlongs with claiming prices of $16k down to $14k. Arlene's Wildevent races first off the claim by Kathleen DeMasi after winning with as high a tag as $50k while under the guidance of Steve Klesaris. She will have to race back to her performance last out in order to clear this field under new rider Jose Lezcano. T.C. Blue Eyes enters this out of her maiden breaker, in which she went gate to wire as 7-5 favorite against $10k claimers. Well regarded in the spring when she was in the Gary Contessa stable in New York, this Honor Grades filly's stock has fallen significantly over the summer. Our choice for the win, Mt. Moriah, should be sitting pretty in the pocket behind the duelling front runners. The Holy Bull filly, trained by John Hennig, keeps regular rider Aaron Gryder (who had 4 options in this field) and has never missed the board in her 4 career sprints. She enters this out of a tough victory at this level here a month ago. Tactical Advantage filly, N'Bearsohmy, is more comfortable racing on the inside and tends to encounter trouble breaking from a spot such as this. Eightofus is capable of producing a big off the pace effort but it would take a brave player to back this modestly bred New Jersey native with much of an investment. The classiest and most experienced runner in the field, 4 year old Franscat, is trained by Edwin Broome, who drops her from the $25k claiming level after picking up the Stormin Fever filly at the end of the Gulfstream Park meet. A route and turf specialist throughout her career, she makes just her second start at the distance. Outside starter, Maid of Sunlight, has suffered through a series of on the track mishaps since being acquired by trainer Paul Parisi Jr in May. Her Aqueduct score, while trained by Bruce Levine, was impressive and, at a price, she may be the value in this race. Andriana flashed a little speed in a two turn try here in July but the once highly touted Outflanker filly has hit the board only once in her career, her maiden breaker against New York allowance types last season. If the price is enticing, take a long look at closer Lady Byar, who produces big efforts nearly every time out. She makes a move up in class, but if the pace breaks down even slightly, she will be there to pick up a major prize. SELECTIONS #3. Mt. Moriah #1. Lady Byar PLACE 4.80 3.80 #8. Arlene's Wildevent SHOW 3.60 Class and experience held up as Franscat was allowed to rate on the lead through tepid fractions of 22.49 & 46.35 on the way to a gate to wire victory in 1:12.27. Our choice from off the pace, Lady Byar (4-1), missed by just a half length and might have gotten the top prize had she not hesitated noticeably at the break. Arelene's Wildevent (7-2) chased the winner all the way and faded to third in the final yards. The exacta paid $32.60 and the trifecta returned $100.20.