A few really poor fields, but a couple of competitive races.

Race 1

This race is one of the poor ones. I want to comment about the 1 Eva Lil. She has started 34 times, has two third place finishes and $17K in winnings. That means she averages $500 per start. There is no reason this horse should be allowed to race, especially at one of the big NY tracks.

• 7 Hot On Ice – was on two gooey tracks in a row and the turf the race before that. She’s run consistent figures at this level and does have a good turn of early speed. I like that she was able to hold off all horses except the winner last race. Should be volleying up front and just needs to show a little more courage in the stretch to nail this one.
• 2 Alice and Trixie – even money ML favorite. Hasn’t been out since April but has a steady series of works for the return, including two bullets. Was racing against slightly better competition and has experience on this track. If she comes out in shape she might dominate this field.
• 3 Built in a Day – only has three lifetime starts which keeps her out of the potential professional maiden category. Her last two starts were on off tracks, and I liked that she showed a little interest on the BEL slop. Hard to make a case for any other runner in this field.

Race 2

• 5 Hundred Percent – ran well in the mud last out. A little concerning he hasn’t been on the turf but he shouldn’t have any problem with the distance despite backing up at the sprint distance. If Cornelio gets him to relax he should be able to better distribute the speed.
• 1 Intelligence – first timer for Bill Mott and usually this means the horse doesn’t have much of a shot. In this field a lot of the starters have not shown much, so despite the Mott record, this could be the one that is the exception to the rule.
• 8 Thrown of My Own – showed a tiny bit in his debut on the turf and showed a bit more on the slop when the race came off the turf. Low profile connections don’t help but in a field where not many starters have shown anything, these are good credentials.
• 7J C’s Not Brown – goes for Kimmel who’s pretty good with first timers and two year olds. Decent set of works for the debut and would be no surprise in front at the wire.

Race 3

• 2 Furyofthenorsemen – wild ride in the slop first time out so the not-too-close third is forgivable. Far and away the top figure of the horses that have started. Steve Klesaris has quietly had a good year. Arroyo rode him last time, so there is some familiarity with the horse.
• 5 American Soldier – hunch plays don’t get any better than a horse with that name on Veterans Day. Tony Dutrow is fair with first timers and two year olds. The works at Fair Hill have been ok, nothing spectacular, but that seems to be Dutrow’s style. The capable Irad Ortiz gets the mount.
• 6 Madroos – Love the breeding (Indian Charlie and a Malibu Moon mare). Kieran is pretty good with firsters and two year olds. Nice set of works for the debut. The improving Manny Franco gets the ride.
• 1 Saratoga Wildcat – apparently didn’t care for the slop and really never got into his debut race. Has the rail and should improve today.

Race 4

• 2 Gabby’s Brown – ran a good second in her debut race despite having to move between foes.. Rudy Rodriguez trains and Manny Franco stays to ride. Not likely to get any odds but looks best.
• 1 Ferzetti – started her career in DEL with two close seconds. Stepped up to BEL and had a troubled trip first time in NY. Still, she finished fourth in that race. Has plenty of experience and adds Lasix today.
• 7 Samus – Claimed for $40K by Contessa only 12 days ago and wheels right back. Troubled start didn’t help, rushed up some and didn’t fade badly. Expect some improvement today.
• 6 Birkenhead – another one that had trouble last out. Picks up Johnny V today. Looks good enough to catch a part.

Race 5

• 7 Grand Rapport – been generally going longer but is 3 of 4 at today’s distance. Was ambitiously placed in the Bowling Game and still ran respectably. Cornelio has consistently ridden the horse and knows him well. Does nothing but finish first or second.
• 2 Media Kid – only one start at this distance but looks like the best of the horses with early foot. You have to worry about him getting an easy lead and running off with the race. Another that is consistent about being in the money. Seems to flourish when the turf is a little softer, and has run well even with a closer’s bias.
• 1 Treasury Devil – just won at a mile last out for Rudy Rodriguez. Johnny V stays for the ride. The turf should be firm today and that is Treasury Devil’s preferred condition. Two good maintenance works since last should keep him on edge.
• 9 Best Actor – veteran runner fits at this class level. Has struggled to find the winner’s enclosure lately, but has a penchant for finishing in the money.

Race 6

• 7 Socialsaul – 2 of 4 over the AQU dirt. Claimed by Jacobson two back and all he’s done is get the horse to reel off two in a row. Keeps him at the same price level. Consistent figures.
• 6 Volastic – claimed last out by Chris Englehart. Hasn’t been as hot as he was earlier but is still a first rate claiming trainer. Fairly consistent figures – gave Socialsaul all he could handle last time.
• 2 Zoebear – claimed in last two races, last time by Abby Adsit. Seems to have some trouble pushing all the way to the wire, but Adsit has been doing well improving horses after a claim. A couple of nice breezes for this start. May be the pacesetter in this race.
• 5 Reggie D – Not likely a winner, but last time he was at this level just missed. Useful in the back holes.

Race 7

• 8 Blacktype – rode the rail on a soft turf last out, and when they hit the stretch he had nowhere to go. Had to bide his time, finally found a clear lane and closed with interest. Has been consistent this year and should improve in his second start with Lasix. Gets a rider switch to Irad Ortiz. 3-1 ML would be good if he stayed there at post time.
• 10 Which Market – bumps up a little in distance but is 3 of 7 going the 1 1/16. Good figures and fits in this group.
• 6 Ocala Jim – has been superb on the lawn all year. Only bad defeat was against the top state-bred turfers in the Mohawk. Would be no surprise here.
• 1 Iron Power – been backing up a little against NW1X on the turf. Won last out on a sloppy track. Has the best early foot in the race and will look to carry his speed all the way. Switches riders to the other Ortiz.

Race 8

• 8 North Ocean – two consecutive races on a sloppy track. He appears to prefer a firmer track. 2 of 6 at the distance and a second in two tries at AQU. Been very popular at the claim box and currently is in the Linda Rice barn. Will head to the front and if he runs back to some of his earlier races he’ll be tough to catch.
• 7 Regulus – 2 for 2 at the mile. Has a nice pressing style and competitive figures. Actually dropping a bit in price today.
• 5 Springcourt – Contessa has been busy at the claiming box and after grabbing this one last out wheels him back for the same price.  Another one with a good record at the distance and at AQU.
• 6 Chairman Now – front running sort just missed against Springcourt last out. Bullet work on 10/30 confirms he’s going to the front and will have to be caught.

Race 9

• 8 Barbara’s Smile – horse has been disappointing since claim by Sciacca in July. But, with only 8 starts she has the right to improve. Finished behind a couple of the professional NW2L horses last out but puts blinkers on and hopefully that will be enough to get her to the winner’s enclosure.
• 4 Flirtacious Spring – 21 starts, one win but a bunch of seconds and thirds. Competitive just not good about leading at the wire.
• 9 My Four Rewards – another that struggles to win races. Good prospect for a back hole.
• 5 It’s Your Dime – Just broke her maiden after 11 tries. Has a lot of early speed and will try to use it all the way to the wire.