Daily Selections
Ron Uchman
Race 1
4-MINI DRESS drops back in for a tag. She was running well in allowance/optional claimers downstate but just crushed claimers down there in prior races. All of her rivals are either coming off layoffs or in poor form. She could have an easy time of it. 5-PRINCESS STELLA races for the first time since January 1st but she has decent drills, a history of doing well off layoffs and she’s possibly the best speed in the field. 1-SENORITA EMMA had some competitive races in Indiana this year. She might need a race with only the one workout since August but, with the exception of top choice, things are pretty uncertain. Might share.
Race 2
6-IRISH TUFF might be tough enough. He finished second in his last two at Canterbury, leading most of the way two races back but coming from well off the pace in last. He’s had only moderate success here in the past but could be ready to change that. 2-VALLEY VISTA drops to meet his easiest field ever. He broke his maiden here in May but hasn’t shown a lot since. However, that could easily change with the drop of a couple levels. 5-TEA AFTER BALLET looks like he should be a top contender. He finished first in two of his three recent starts at Fanduel, though he was DQ’d from that first win. Takes on winners for the first time but this field doesn’t see that tough.
Race 3
3-OWEN’S PLEASURE had no shot in the $100k stakes race at Canterbury in last but appreciate the try. Drops to an easier level and meets possibly the easiest field she ever faced. Can wake up big time. 2-TAILORBESWIFT moves up off the claim. But, other than her recent turf tries, she’s been in the hunt in most of her recent races. Her versatility can help her chances. 5-KITTEN ROCKS is certainly worth another look. She won two of her four local starts, the only time here she sprinted on the main track. E T was aboard for those two wins and he’s back in the irons for this.
Race 4
The only question is low long 5-P H FACTOR will lead. He’s made a nice living in the starter allowance ranks and will be taking on better here but he does appear to hold a considerable speed edge over his rivals in here. He’s probably at his best on synthetic tracks but he did win four of his 10 turf starts and he’s had six victories from 11 races at the distance. 3-RICHIESGOTGAME, more highly regarded than his stablemate, P H Factor, is another that might prefer synthetic tracks but another that has had success on turf, especially local turf. He will be racing slightly behind top pick with dead aim as the turn for home. Both Team Block runners, 1-LANDMARK DEAL and 2-IOYA AGAIN figure prominently. Both are capable of a huge late kick. Either, or both, can pass the top pair late.
Race 5
3-THE BOOKKEEPER could hold the edge. She hasn’t been especially effective so far but has been racing on turf at Ellis and Kentucky Downs. Chances are that she’ll be meeting easier in her local debut. Races on the main track for the first time and does it with first Lasix. Looking for considerable improvement. 2-RIVZONAROLL has had two races, she finished second in her career debut here this spring, and finished in the money in both. Like that she displayed better speed in last. Not sure about the first timers but she might be the be the best of the speed. Could take it all the way. 4-WESLAN has been training forwardly. Her barn used to have considerable success with two-year-olds. Might be able to provide a surprise with this one.
Race 6
None in here have been very successful on the lawn but someone does have to win. 9-AQUACAT might be the one. He didn’t beat a rival in his first two starts but he did get up for second in last in a race that was originally scheduled for turf. His works since have been nothing special but he is dropping in claiming price and that could do the trick. 7-JIM AND JIM is another that hasn’t done much on turf but his speed figures suggest that he fits and he has been in better current form than most. 4-KINGSBURY ATTACK has probably been better on turf than any of these rivals so far. He’s not a fast finisher but he might be able to wear them down
Race 7
5-HIDE THE DEMON isn’t a strong choice but he will be meeting somewhat softer company than he has been facing. He’s not the quickest of these but should never be far off the pace. It could be his day. 3-LATIN CASINO should be one of the major players. He’s been in good form downstate and raced well at Oaklawn prior to that. Guessing he’ll be seeking the immediate lead. 6-D’YANK has had plenty local success. His recent races downstate weren’t that sharp but he has been freshened since July. He won the last two times he raced off layoffs. Might surprise.
Race 8
8-LONG TALL WOMAN is the most logical. She’s been running well against better and you have to wonder about the class drop but maybe she’s on the verge of losing her starter allowance eligibility. In any case, she is the one they have to beat. 3-BEIRUIT BEAUTY rides a two-race win streak. She might not be the quickest member of the field but she does own good speed and could be in the thick of things throughout. 2-FIRST SQUADRON MIGHT be the quickest of these. He led early in many of his races here this spring and often held on to share. Can see that happening again.
EMILY GULLIKSON – Click Here for Optix Plots
RACE 1: #4 MINI DRESS fits this condition making a lateral class move from the recent Optional Claiming races at FanDuel Park to return for the claiming tag. She could find the right trip for her run style (See OptixPLOT), something that was not possible back on August 27th forced to take up a role pushing the eventual 1-5 chalk winner given the three horse field.
#5 PRINCESS STELLA could hold a class edge based on her form prior to the layoff. She has had some setbacks since the January 22nd Fair Grounds race. She ran that day wearing first time front wraps; a removal today should be monitored and could be considered an upgrade coming off the layoff.
RACE 2: #1 DARE GOES DA DEVIL has buried form here at Hawthorne and at the N2 claiming condition. He ran under similar conditions back on June 25th recording a “better than looked” effort with legit trouble. Some excuses can be given for the two races that followed and has been freshened for this race where positive intent could be in play. Perez will also send out #6 IRISH TUFF one that took a “tuff” beat on September 14th with some early trouble before making a wide move together at the wire with the ground saving winner. While that effort on repeat should be competitive, there could be some concerns with the form cycle turning out that top effort just 11-days ago. Irish Tuff is likely to be shorter today than Dare Goes Da Devil and comparing their class and form here at Hawthorn in the N2 condition, Dare holds a subtle, hidden edge.
RACE 3: The class and speed figure edge sides with #3 OWEN’S PLEASURE making her a contender showing up for her Hawthorne debut. Trip will be her main hurdle, often lacking early sprint speed. She should be able to track closer to the pace today with the class and change and off her Canterbury Park race in the stakes event two weeks ago noting she was not in the right condition to compete or given a chance with the ride as she was allowed to drop back off the pace and taken under a hold. #2 TAILORBESWIFT could benefit from the pace scenario in this compact field according to OptixPLOT. She could move up returning to dirt and with the slight distance change. She could also present a move forward making a mini move into a solid pace over the turf outside horses on September 8th.
RACE 4: The Team Block/Chris Block pair #1 LAND MARK DEAL and #2 IOYA AGAIN return to Hawthorne with upside in their current form cycle. Land Mark Deal projects improvement as he makes his second start of this cycle making a wide move in a race that visually appeared to be a prep on September 6th with the public leaning the same direction dismissing him from the 8-1 morning line. Orlando Mojica was aboard for the win over this course back on June 11th and his presence back aboard today suggests positive intent. Ioya Again lacks the same “class” as his stablemate, though is in current form making his third start of the form cycle. His running style and finishing ability can be upgraded today shown as a Large Square on OptixPLOT.
RACE 5: The runners with experience could use that edge to win, however, have left something to be desired and willing to look toward a new face. #5 CHINA CODE will debut here for Rivelli, owner/breeder Wilson and rider Loveberry. This team came together with a juvenile debut winner earlier this season called Fit to Fly, the winner of the race and finishing in front of stablemate, #2 RIVZONAROLL back on June 11th. China Code was working here at Hawthorne earlier this year to suggest some intent to debut on this circuit.
RACE 6: This race comes up as a contentious maiden claiming group with multiple ways to land. The projected favorite #7 JIM AND JIM moved forward with the class relief showing subtle, hidden form in his Hawthorne maiden claiming races over the turf. He was able to build off those starts with speed figure progression at HS Indy. #2 LARK also ran in that June 18th common race and with ground loss in his fourth place result. He could project a move forward making his second start off the claim for Vanden Berg and exiting the August 18th race at Ellis Park, a race that has held form going forward including one next out winner.
The connections of #9 AQUACAT have been looking for a return to the turf noting he has been scratched five times due to races taken off the turf. That includes two scratches this month at HS Indy when scheduled to run in a $30k maiden claiming condition where he fit for those races and upgrades him at this level/circuit – and could be overlooked here as well.
#3 RETURN TO PREMIUM is a huge stab off his races to date though the added ground should suit his longer frame where the short sprint distance and rail draw has him compromised physically on August 16th.
RACE 7: #2 MISTER KELLY could be overlooked off his current form coming into this race. Distance wise he has a specialty for this 5.5f distance where his class and speed figures stack up for this claiming level. He was at a higher class (high OFR) in the June 30th and August 2nd HS Indy races and the trip and pace from August 22nd presents as a flow upgrade and subtle excuse that day. Esquivel has been aboard in the past including a dominant win back on April 19th.
#4 IMPRESSED can pop with a big race from time-to-time and could have been claimed with intent by Martinez last month given his record here at Hawthorne. Impressed is not the most consistent type and many of those races are impacting his Plot position and shape – something that should still be considered in terms of odds. Stablemate #6 D’YANK has a strong closing kick (Quad IV Square) though from that position and shorter distance will require pace to close into as well as timing and a top effort, something that could be tested coming back off a 71-day layoff. The same timing and shorter distance concerns are factored for #5 HIDE THE DEMON today.
A similar layoff is in play for #3 LATIN CASINO one that could be tough on the front end as a Quad I Square. He will require fitness to run that race with the “Sun” Contention and expected pace pressure from #1 LAVENDER EARL and #7 MEDAL OF FACT and with #2 MISTER KELLY stalking above the Par Line keeping the pace honest as well.
RACE 8: The main early opinion is to play against #3 BEIRUT BEAUTY should she wind up being a short favorite in this race. She appeared to have peaked in her form cycle and was in a drive to win after lugging out slightly around the turn on September 16th at Belterra Park. Off the visuals, she could be in regression especially back for this race on a 9-day turnaround. She could also be vulnerable with the projected pace Contention as shown as one of a group making up the “Fire” rating in Quad I, with the preference to #4 COUGER and primarily #8 LONG TALL WOMAN above the Par Line. That Contention could benefit #5 WANNA HAVE FUN stalking that first flight as a Quad II Square. #9 I LOVE TO RACE is lighter on numbers compared to others in this field though does have some upside showing up here. Emigh has been a key rider in the past and was aboard back on June 4th with a competitive race, one that was stronger visually finishing in a blanket for place than the run line and 4th place finish suggests.
THOROUGHBRED RACING
CHURCHILL DOWNS
Post Time: 11:45 am
1st 5 Indimaaj 2 What A Country 1 Mine Own Star
2nd 2 Prince Of Roses 3 Chelonian 1 Idratherbeblessed
3rd 4 Calm Inspiration 6 Forever After All 1 Fragrant
4th 4 Pistol 7 Hashtag Winner 2 Waywardness
5th 7 Cause To Cruise 2 Ferryboat 8 Barstow
6th 7 Backsideofthemoon 1 Frosted Grace 2 Silver Dust
7th 4 Floki’s Flight 7 Gut Feeling 3 Inexorable
8th 1 Republique 5 Altered Shot 4 Magic Quest
9th 9 Girolamo’s Attack 8 Silk Trade 6 Gagetown
10th 3 Roman Goddess 12 Baby Got Backspin 1 High Class
MOUNTAINEER PARK
Post Time: 6:00 pm
1st 2 Grace Candy 3 Sirjus Dream 5 Chastain
2nd 10 Prince Amadeus 9 Trigz Too 7 Bluebank
3rd 1 Belle Brezing 2 Offtheroadagain 3 Midnight Frost
4th 2 Valiant Mini Star 4 Wedding Chapel 6 Golden Sweets
5th 2 Missionary Work 7 Hope Takes Over 1 My Bridget Verdot
6th 1 Only Reward’s 7 Ome Smart Cookie 6 Sugar Britches
7th 5 5 Life Don’t Owe You 9 Baytown Wrrior 6 Amicus Brief
8th 2 Hard Frost 4 King Force 3 Pat’s Factor