Race 1
3-Late Night Joke – had no chance chasing Lucan Hanover in the first leg, then blew away a Stallion Series division in PA in a career best 1:50.3, excellent confidence boost
1-Lucan Hanover – raced well against tough sires stakes foes, then dominated round one with an aggressive lifetime best 1:51.1, heads a strong Casie Coleman entry
5-Ima Giggity Fool – ran into the amazing Word Power last week & got roughed up in a fast third quarter before that, sharp now, yet will have to prove he can push past the top two
Race 2
2-Nathaniel B – Delaware homebred won his latest qualifier in handy style & finished an okay fourth in his debut here last week, draws well to build on that in a soft spot
1-Dharma Initiative – seemed to be knocking on the door earlier in the meet before falling off form, regrouped with an even qualifier at Gaitway & looks to break his maiden
3-Gratias Deo - $6,000 Harrisburg yearling stepped it up with a good third behind a standout Mindset at 56-1, chance to show more from an improved post
Race 3
6-Twincreeks Jesse – has tangled with some success against stiff PASS opposition, tactical speed puts him in play for a possible upset
3-Steuben Patriot – left hard to sit a trip close to a hot, contested pace & lacked room until late, live item just missed in two previous starts
5-Rocky Mountain Guy – took full advantage of the drop out sire stakes, fought off intense pressure from Seek The Dragon & held on for the upset, one to knock off again
Race 4
7-Big Art – gained momentum with that perfect trip maiden breaker on 6-8, then flashed speed from post 10 & chased a runaway Mindset, that kind of effort might be enough
6-World Cup Cullen – after broken equipment on 6-6 bounced back with a solid second to Airburst Hanover, makes his third start for Frank Scamporino, Jr.
9-Airburst Hanover – closed from the clouds with the mile of his life at 38-1, lightly-raced 4YO with some upside must prove it was no fluke in a wide open field
Race 5
7-Come On Ridge – shook loose with plenty of late pace & just missed to Blue Claw last week, Frank Milby has driven well in his few starts here recently
3-High Octane N – just 1 for 16 this season, has raced a little better in his last two here, now drops to the bottom C-2 rung & lands post three again
10-Blue Claw – exited those slightly tougher C-2 Dash for the “C” Notes series & won with sharp pace at both ends, post ten hinders his chance to repeat
Race 6
3-Bullet Speed – drops to a straight C-1 after a several tough trips, actually beat these first over back on 5-11
4-Damon Blue Chip – dropped to the bottom C-2 level & was able to trip out to equal his lifetime mark for Team Burke, can rally with the best of these
1-Bolero Andrew – found Urgent Action & company too tough, C-2 Dash for the “C” Notes champ fits well here from the rail for a productive barn
Race 7
5-Redneck Outlaw – scored a nose decision in a career best 1:52.2 with sharp pace at both ends in leg one, then got gunned down by 3A-Dash N at 1-5, draws well to atone
2A-Long Live Rock – blew them away with a 1:51.2 clocking in round one, tough to gauge off a sick scratch, but his stablemate 2-Andy Baran was also a big first leg winner
1A-Esprit De Kayjay A – trounced a weak division in the first leg, then barely got outsprinted by 4-Box Car Johnnie, versatile veteran is razor sharp
Race 8
10-Upfront Cosmo – launched a wide, menacing move & came up a neck shy last week, gearing up fresh on the comeback trail & looks for a fast pace target
1-Elusive Reward – has been on the fringes since that 1:52.2 upset back on 5-4, lands in an ideal stalking spot in a camera-shy field
3-Bobjacks Angle A – chased the standout Long Live Rock in the first leg, then couldn’t handle a 1:50.4 mile last week, 8YO took a new mark at Yonkers on 5-21
Race 9
9-Big Puff Doggie – a solid second to a big favorite on 5-31, attempted a big move off cover & failed to menace last week, it’s a stretch but Doggie could get there with the right set up
3-Thanks For Stoppin – beaten favorite in the first leg got parked again last week, remains in good form, post improves & faces an easier bunch, but lacks the knockout punch
2-City Pie – his huge rally in :27.3 to grab second at 67-1 two starts back could be enough to prevail here, forgive the miscue last out
Race 10
1-Chrome Cruiser – scored second start off the bench at Tioga Downs, then was too far off the pace, tighter now & draws inside a toss up field
5-Whittaker – flashed some pretty strong late pace at 62-1 last week, continues in the right direction fresh on the comeback trail
10-Prestissimo – used his tactical speed to tow along for second in :27 sprint on 6-8, then used hard from post eight, remains a threat at this level despite post 10
Race 11
4-Alex Bullville – upset this class with a mighty surge back on 4-20, returns in acceptable form & has involved in some salty miles at Pocono Downs recently
7-Special T Rocks – returns to the Big M at a more effective level for his third start off a sick scratch, versatile sort has the winning habit here
2-On The Radar – quickly regained his speed & confidence with class relief & two in a row in PA, twice a B-2 winner here this season & lands inside
Race 12
1-Lemon Drop Hall – beaten chalk was narrowly denied three in a row, appears to be in line for another perfect trip from the rail
4-In Kenny’s Honor – Kenny has tapered off some since his career best back on 5-11, yet his improved post here makes him a contender
2-Arezzo Hanover – behaved & put together a clean line at Gaitway, gets an inside draw here & owns dangerous speed