Hawthorne 14 December 2008
Instructions
Please click on the “View Full Racecard & Odds” button to get the full racecard information.
LOVEYOULOVEME showed nothing on her comeback run after having the summer off but is entitled to improve for that outing. She is a price chance for an in form barn. My Chicago Rose will win her second career race one of these days. She is arguably better at this sort of trip. Those who play 'follow the switching jockey' may think Fuhr the Stars, a stablemate of the selection is the answer here.
ATREVIDO BANDITO comes here off a poor effort in a better event and drops below his claimed price first time for new connections. All negatives but when the trainer is winning at a 30% clip and the owner is Maggi Moss you tend to trust them more than the average connections. Cresson also drops in class after a poor effort. He beat much higher priced claimers previously although that was a race taken off the turf. Pineapple Joe will find this company easier than his latest.
MARVELEX and One Perfect Day were second and third behind the much improved Flurtini last time and this looks an easier opportunity. The former, who has more speed, gets the nod although she has been expensive to follow since winning her first two career starts. One Perfect Day would benefit from a contested pace. Apart from one race with a troubled start, Angela's Double has put up a string of good efforts and, along with sharp Hoosier shipper Tap City, adds to an interesting event.
JAYGAR DANCER freaked last time, winning by over six lengths. Even if he regresses slightly he still could win this. Shakesperean Story is alternating between good and modest efforts and is due a good one. He is reunited with Lyndie Wade and although on a long losing run is worth a look for the exacta at least. Zz's for the Kids blew the start last time and still ran a strong race. He is best when driving the engine and could do so if breaking on terms.
Many of these seem better on turf and this race seems to boil down to LANDERS and Flirtin' With Fire. Slight preference goes to the former on account of the price. The last time she raced on the dirt she went wire to wire versus similar company and, provided she doesn't duel with the mare to her immediate inside, has a leading chance. Flirtin' With Fire would benefit from that duel and is in sharp form. Turbulent Thinking and Seeyouinnewyork may be fighting out for third money.
An evenly matched group on paper and Churchill Downs shipper CAMARADERIE could be the answer. He has improved in every run this autumn and the barn of Brian Williamson is in sensational form. Get Outof the Rai, in his first realistic spot since breaking his maiden, and Picknupbits, who missed by a neck at this level two races back, are worth a look for the exacta or trifecta at least.
You can't blame connections of WILDWOOD GOLD for trying allowance company first time off the claim and now she is more aggressively spotted. A winner on debut from off the pace, she may get some speed to chase down here. Lady Leprechaun went wire to wire against bottom level state-bred maidens. This is a lot tougher and she will have pace partners but looks an improver and a double up is not impossible. Lucky Liza has the best form against winners and will be part of the pace brigade.
This looks a good opportunity for HEAVEN'S HOPE, who chased home a class dropper last time. He is a fresh horse with some tactical speed and the booking of Tim Thornton is the icing on the cake. Royko comes out the same race as the selection and like that horse he has had only one run at the basement and looks the logical second favourite. Sapia Sika's has longshot appeal if loose and lonely on the front. That may happen unless the selection or Bubba Boy are sent hard early.
AISLE BE BLUSHING won't have to be anything special to win at first asking and although that is still a tough task, trainer Jimmy DiVito is very adept in such situations. This two year old filly's other siblings were all winners and her works suggest she won't lack for fitness. Another who has stamina-building preparation is In Mark's Honor, who makes a meaningful drop in class after being the beaten favourite on debut at Arlington in June. Kathleen L blew her lines at the start on debut and is eligible to improve in a race chockful of lightly raced juveniles.