Mike's Corner
At The Raceway …
An analysis of the Scarborough Downs Card
by Mike Sweeney
Friday, May 9
Race One …Chicken Grow Teeth makes his first local start out of the high percentage Chris Larsen Stable today. This Monticello marauder is extremely well classified here as he exits the tough New York circuit and lands in the NW’s division of the $3000 claiming ranks at the Downs … Armbro Republican takes a similar drop down today while making his key 2 nd start off the prep – pity the post though … Vinateri finally draws an inside post – the good journey should be ensured … 5-8-1
Race Two … Chartier Blue Chip has parlayed back-to-back faultless journeys into the lion’s share of major spoils. As long as this one stays trotting he’ll be a major factor at this level … Opal has shown steady improvement in each and every start this season – the chestnut might well be pointed toward the winner’s circle soon – she’s been known to get extremely streaky … Fortuna Fool and High Speed Modem both got the Campbell Call on the overnight sheet – respect Drew’s choice … 5-3/2-8
Race Three … Four Starz Dragon was extremely handy as the beaten fav in her recent match-up against Rusty Rascal. This well-bred youngster has nothing but upward potential at this point – makes her third lifetime start for noted colt trainer … LuckyRedHeadLucy was steady indeed in last and makes the key 2 nd start off the qualifier today. We love the maternal bloodlines here … Victoria Best had little to no chance in aged company last – finds her 1 st reasonable field today … 5-3-6
Race Four … MoreLikeMyMom takes a HUGE drop in company as she exits the tough Saratoga trotting classes to make her local debut in Scarborough’s bottom conditioned class. This one had no shot from the 8-hole in latest Spa-city attempt and was overmatched at Vernon – key in on that good April 11 th chart … He’s Ah Corker is extremely tough to ignore as he drops down to this level – raced much tougher consistently last season … Still Afloat is the other Saratoga invader – prepped well … 1-4-3
Race Five … Sand Cruiser parlayed the perfect journey into a winner’s circle session while making his local debut – told ‘ya he would love the hidden class relief! Meets up against similar for a repeat of last … Frapper Joe makes his first seasonal start off a decent prep – was earning Black Type with a New England Sulky win when last seen at the Downs. Gets a big drop in company today but may need a start… Harmony Oaks John drops down in class and draws inside for top connections … 5-4-1
Race Six … She Will Do capitalized on the class relief to earn her second win of the season last week and gets entered right back at the same level today. No sense messing with success – we applaud the classification -- she’ll remain a factor week in and week out at this level … Graeme John’s connections receive our kudos too as the trotter drops back down to his most competitive level after a failed attempt up in class … Darsun for show – we’re not ready to jump off the U-Haul yet … 5-2-1
Race Seven … Steamroller makes the key 2 nd start off the qualifier today off an extremely well raced seasonal debut. Meets up against a slightly tougher field today but should be better for last weekend’s effort … Richmond Knight is perhaps the more logical play having been caught up in some pretty robust miles – Finds a Kinder, gentler grouping today … This Cam’s Down takes an official jump in class today but was a good runner-up to the well-meant Point Well Taken in last … 6-2-1
Race Eight … Keystone Dallasbroke many hearts when he made the pre-start misstep on last Friday’s card. He recovered quite nicely – just missing the show spot – and returns in the same classification today. He’s a major threat with a mistake free journey … By The Knows broke even more hearts with the early miscues as the even money favorite in last – Oh those silly trotters! … Toss Gutenbye Mac and Spring Emmy for show – both have ability & both requested the Campbell Call … 4-6/3-7
Race Nine … Kerogen returns to the raceway today as the pride and joy of the Kim and Wendy Ireland Stable continues to march undefeated through the season. He’ll remain the best ‘till he’s beaten … Financial Glider is the newcomer to the class fresh off successful mid-Atlantic track charts – check that 4-18 Meadowlands line when he trotted 1:54.2! This one could certainly supply spice to this class … Mickeys Hit makes his 2 nd start off the recent Q – capable of completing the Tri … 5-4-2
Race Ten … Arden’s Heritage continues his light racing schedule two weeks removed from a gallant runner-up spot behind an unbeatable Commitment. The Jamie Gerard trainee finds a much more reasonable grouping today – his best win chance of the season … All American Wager gets his 2 nd start with Mac Dougall at the helm – the good journey is ensured from the inside pole … My Ding A Ling opens his 2008 campaign way down in company off a decent prep – may need a start though … 5-1-2
Saturday May 10th
Race One …Sunset West is well spotted tonight to get things off smartly for the meet’s leading connections. The drop down in company here might well be just what the doctor ordered after faltering late last week against arguably better – Always respect a Rohr Stable class dropper … Just Plain Henry realizes a strategic drop in class as well. This Maine-bred chestnut is more than capable of romping in this company – he’s sharp too … Tonros Prince draws well after a rousing Derby Day win … 5-3-1
Race Two … All American Stash should be primed to take advantage of this week’s drop down in class after tussling with the likes of LLYR, Reynolds Hall, and The Boy in recent weeks – will still need to be on top of his game though … Commitment drops down just a notch after a flattire cost him any chanceon the Derby Day card – Shawn Gray was listed to drive both our top tabs – respect his choice … Art By Keene draws his first good inside post since the New Hampshire Primary … 4-1-2
Race Three … Flame And Fortune makes his 2 nd consecutive start in this class as the Rohr trainee fires toward his third consecutive win – he’s the rally specialist in this field … CC Bag A Luck benefits from the change in polarity today – the veteran speedster exchanging the outside pole for the inside pole in here – The Campbell trainee simply refused to go away in last week’s mile … Showdown At Dawn drops down a notch as he makes his 3 rd seasonal start – proven speed here … 5-1-3
Race Four … Fox OShaughnessy takes perhaps the steepest class drop on the good Saturday night card – shuttling down from the back-up to the Open-level where he was bet down to 5-1 odds. Note also that every other pacer in this race jumps up in company to meet him … Bonanza Beach just had too far and too long to come as his valiant Derby Day rally fell just 1-length short – competitive from inside today … Deadly Satisfaction is upward bound with authority – proven ½-mile speed … 4-1-6
Race Five … LLYR finds a claiming tag for the first time in state of Maine competition – after commanding decent 9-2 respect at the Open-level in last. ‘Ya ‘gotta respect the classification move – we ‘gotta believe that LLYR looks best from here … Look Both Waysgets tagged to compete at the same level as last week’s well-meant win. This one’s been sharp in both local efforts … Yankee Landslide tests aged pacers for the first time in Maine – great post and proven speed – Don’t be surprised … 5-3-2
Race Six … Diamond Lou at first glanceappears to take a jump up in class today but might actually be dropping upon further review. Check the combatants in the recent competition lines and recall the fine form from last Sunday’s effort – capable of doubling up tonight … TSM Electric Elwood might benefit here with perhaps the most proven gate speed on this inside wing … Starcroft Bad Boy draws just slightly better than in previous weeks – makes his 2 nd start down in this class tonight … 4-1-6
Race Seven … Pembroke Deluxe takes a confident journey to the next level tonight demonstrating the sharpest form on this program page. Back-to-back wins certainly endorse this pacer’s chances – just wish we could have nabbed him last week at the hefty 18-1 price … Am I Next hikes up in company tonight after falling back late as the even money top choice last week. This one can simply fly off the car … Spare Time Carl continues his winless streak – but both local starts have been A-OK … 5-3-4
Race Eight … Prince Rama continues the stalwart in this upper division of the $3000 claiming classes. The veteran Aussie-bred was roaring with pace in last week-end’s effort – he’s yet to miss the board since the meeting reopened … Mannart Sound Wave continues to draw poorly for the top-rated trainer yet continues to race boldly from the far outside postings … Turbo Tim makes the key 2 nd start off the qualifier after a steady seasonal debut – a price play for Trifecta gambits …3-8-2
Race Nine … Shady Sabrina -- Throw out all the rules about boys beating girls when handicapping this race. We became firm believers after her near-miss third from the extreme outside posting when last seen here at the Downs -- against an arguably tougher field … Reynolds Hall will be tough in here. The star of the Crochere Stable is just a neck removed from riding a three race win streak into this contest … Yankee Anthem was impressively powerful in her thrashing of the mares in last … 2-4-3
Race Ten … Jate Bow is the latest import from that tough as nails New York racing circuit -- perfectly classified to take on the NW’s division of the $3000 claiming ranks. Trainer Mike Timmons continues to seek out and find these classy well-bred pacers who find rejuvenation in Maine … Oxford Bound drops down in class, draws the rail and gets the classic Switch To Fitch – all good reasons to climb aboard … Teflon Tim tries this level again – was a soundly beaten favorite in last … 4-1-2
Sunday May 11th
Race One …St Lad’s Magic had very little shot from the outside post last week after striving hard for the top in each of his previous two. The Jamie Gerard trainee gets The Campbell Call today while drawing all the way inside in his 2 nd stab at the NW’s division of the $3000 claiming ranks – Down the road to victory … Cross Road Sneaker was surprisingly good in here 2 nd start off the recent prep – she’s on the improve for sure … Naughty Bell finds the claiming tagfor the first time … 1-3-2
Race Two … Towner BT nearly pulled the upset falling a mere 1/2 –length short in his recent pylon hugging bid. The veteran son of the great Big Towner (bred to love the mud) draws all the way inside today so another great journey should be ensured – but Driver Todd Whitney was also listed to drive the eight – respect his choice … No Shoes romped in this classification last week but loses driver Bickmore today … Son Of The City has the gate speed to overcome the poor post – who steers? … 1-3-8
Race Three … Star Struck Lover tumbles significantly into the bottom distaff conditioned class today sporting rather sharp form as the ultra-classy veteran mare makes her third seasonal start – we see no bearcats standing in her way today … Isomattrics makes her ‘08 debut for the Allison Mac Donald Stable off a deceptively decent qualifying effort – stable has hit the ground running this month … Lovely Lil was a well-backed 3 rd in a mixed sex event last – races only mares today … 4-3-5
Race Four … Bikini Kinda Guy simply refused to be bested in a contentious and action packed victory on Thursday. Today he visits the amateur club races with newly promoted provisional driver Mark Harris picking up the lines for his first race on the big-time oval – time to cheer on the rookie pilot … El Nino Scot has shown improvement in both his recent starts and continues to rally well … Bally James Duff takes the key drop down into the $3000 claiming level today – should pay dividends … 4-2-6
Race Five … Armbro Darling jumps back up into claiming company after a well-meant and well-executed jiggy-jog in last. The Miller Stable continues along the current sharp streak but driver Dinning has to chose between this one and Sugar Valley Cathy – both recent winners … Surprise Ending has been extremely successful since dropping down into this claiming class – toughed it out gamely in last … Cohenucopia was the beaten fav in her first try at this level – sharp mare is capable … 6-4-3
Race Six … Silly Lilly drops back down to challenge the $3000 claiming ranks after a tiring 5 th over a muddy oval while up in class last Sunday. Always respect a Rohr Stable class dropper … Western Hope takes a similar drop in company today off a disappointing 6 th as the beaten favorite in last. She entered that race riding a 3-race win streak though – looms boldly … P T’s Easy was a decent 2 nd on Thursday but draws all the way outside today – has the gate speed to be placed well early … 2-1-8
Race Seven … The Weather Witch rebounded nicely last week after a sub-par local debut the week prior. This well-bred mare came rallying with determined authority – simply flying three-wide around that final turn. Can we dare hope for 10-1 odds today? … Pembroke White Out could never get underway from the outside wing two starts back – was an extremely close-up runner-up as beaten fav in last … Colerain makes her first start of the season off a pretty decent prep – may need start … 5-6-4
Race Eight … Fellamia has hit-the-board in fully half of her 10 seasonal starts – albeit without a win. Her most recent effort hinted more toward her demonstrated ability – a forceful runner-up spot to a well-meant P T’s Easy as she rallied into a 59.4 back-half – finds the nice spot today … Space Twister continues to draw poorly but in most cases has been able to overcome that poor draw – top connections … Elsies Alberta draws slightly better today – could be the Twin Tri price play … 3-7-5
Race Nine … Weekie Wachie steps up a notch today but actually meets up with a very similar grouping of mares. This well-bred addition to the Bill Varney roster raced with absolute authority last week – totally in-hand to the wire… Blond Moment makes her first start below the Open-class level today and retains the services of driver Todd Whitney – will certainly appreciate the class relief … Sheeza Shady Lady benefited from a similar drop in class last week – well spotted here … 3-4-2
Race Ten … Western Flash heads the Twin Trifecta exchange race today as the Mark Ford youngster finds his best win spot since joining the state of Maine scene. The youngster gets a HUGE drop in class today and draws all the way to the inside pole – no 1:57 miles to contend with in here … Wherewegoin drops down too – albeit not as steep a drop as our top tab – been facing tougher consistently … Global Raider ran into a bearcat in last – no bearcats noted in this chancy class today … 1-2-4
Preakness Day on Saturday May 17 th – Go Big Brown …
The Downs is pleased to offer free admission every day – no excuses now – I’ll see 'ya at the races!!!