Finger Lakes 06 December 2008
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LOUISE THE TEASE fits the conditions of this race well having won for less last time and looks one of the few in here at the top of her game. She has a fantastic record on wet tracks so current conditions should be a major plus. Four Nine Whiskey comes here fresh and will find this field easier than the allowance race of her latest. Her win two back puts her right in the picture. Little Nikki beat some poor maidens last time over a mile but can sprint and is a player from off the pace.
SILVER MAKER stretches back out to the distance after a pair of below-par efforts sprinting. His route effort is the best dirt form on offer here. Quite Apt was a major disappointment when dropped to his level last time. His previous run would be competitive here although like Don't Tell My Wife he has fared better on the turf. Irvs Bestbet almost wired a similar group last time but does go from the rail to the extreme outside post.
THAT'LL DO tried a notch higher last time but had previously just missed at this level. He looks to have decent claims in this group. Britt's Tiger hasn't run as fast in her four-race career as some of these but often last time out maiden winners are good bets. Butabinbutaboom and Nine Cities are two fresh faces to this circuit with chances. The former cuts back from routing and the latter has been overmatched in open company at Aqueduct and Belmont.
JUST DRIVING was only three quarters of a length away from completing a hat trick and has strong claims in this contest. A progressive three-year-old who can show his form on dry or wet tracks. Fast Wheels has not run since Belmont in the spring but this two-time winner has been training well for a top local barn. Cinner Dave showed nothing on a frozen track last time but is eligible to rebound and, unlike many of these, is effective from off the pace.
NO LEMON has obviously had his training problems but is progressing with racing and may be able to double up although up in class. He has a forward racing style but did prove when breaking his maiden he is not just a one-dimensional speed type. His outside post gives his jockey tactical options. He's A Ray is an invader from New Jersey and looks a player from on the pace for the top trainer on the grounds. Overheated and Norman's Good Boy are old adversaries who are both worth a look for the exotics at least.
Any of SPORTIN' MAN'S previous four performances in New York look head and shoulders above this group. There are a couple of negatives for short odds players in that he has not raced since April and his previous trainer thought he was a router and not a sprinter. Wiseman's Prospect is part of a strong Charlton Baker entry. His last effort can be ignored as he had a troubled trip but his previous one looks good enough if the selection doesn't fire. Seittam has run well in two local starts and has place prospects at very least.
CURED is back after a brief break and this speedball has a pace advantage over this field. He has been run down in his last two races at this level but with the prospect of an uncontested lead this ten time winner should have plenty left late on. Waltz To The Blues beat lesser in his latest but has ran well in some quick races and may be up to compete on the rise in class. Sugar Slam has come up short at this level but has ran with credit. He is the type to use underneath in exactas and trifectas.
TOO TOUGH PETE is unbeaten in four races since coming north to Finger Lakes and, although this is his toughest assignment yet, he is hard to oppose. He has speed but if the outside horses gun, Elaine Castillo can stalk the frontrunners. Baby Rusch has been facing some tough open fields down south and won't be the first horse to spring back to life on this circuit. His last dirt sprint puts him in the frame at least. Sizzling Saint turns back from routing and will benefit if there is a contested early pace.
After two even efforts sprinting, AND A BUMP finally stretches out in distance and should show improved form. His small stable does well with routers and although the seven-year-old may not be the force of old, this looks a race he should compete well in. Harbinger ran a distant third at odds at the level above this and has to be respected. You Sure has a better draw than last and looks a player from off the pace.
