Late DD @Mountaineer~ 8/18

[BombsAway Bob]

9th @Mountaineer: 5.5F Clm5000N2Y ~ purse $6,600 ~ 8/18
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3YO+Up, non-winners of two races in 12 months.
(WV-Bred races not considered in eligibility)
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One runner steps up from N1-12mo, one takes drop from N1-6mo.
No one goes route-2-sprint, lone new face stretches out 330 yards.
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1) Tuffy Cotrell (7/2 ML)- 8YO beaten fave draws inside for 1st time
in 2015. Welsh claimback looks primed for best effort.
2) Canon Man (30/1)- Two month break off private purchase seldom
a winning angle. Stalks pace early.
3) Scotchnwater (30/1)- 6YO will be doing raindance in barn, 0/33
on dry dirt, 4/11 off tracks. Scattered T'Storms possible, keep eye on sky.
4) Diamond Dan (5/2 ML Fave)- 11YO goes 2nd off 10-month vaca.
May be speed-of-speed. 15/60 Lifetime, both 2014 wins wire jobs.
5) Papa Vito (9/2)- Juicy ML odds on lone class-dropper, but needs
a Beyer Boost back to 2013 figs- doubtful 50 Beyer wins here.
6) Willplayninesunday (20/1)- 7YO went from 18% barn to 5% barn
two back off private purchase. Target speed BCS, can't play this course.
7) Old Smoothie (8/1)- stretches out 330Yards making local debut,
& Peltroche tags along to ride. Lone 5.5F win in 2011. Strong connections.
8) Challenger (3/1)- Improving Beyer pattern for 11YO on step up
in class from 'TheBottom". 16/67 lifetime,& closer should get OK pace.
9) El Ratijo (8/1)- 6YO beat slow bunch two back. Tri/Super BCS.
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EARLY LOOK:
Will the 11YO ML Faves #'s 4+8 win one for the senior set?
Both have solid figs & would be no surprise, but remember:
Father Time waits for No One.
I'll try to beat both w/ 3rd & 4th choices ML, #1+5.
Both beaten faves at this level, trying to makes amends.
Lone price stab is new shooter #7 stretching out for winning
owner/trainer, & i might include in a Late DD, or Pick-5 if
early legs look chalky.
Folks with a longshot keyed in early leg of Horizontals may
want to use all four horses, #'s 1/4/5/8.
Good Luck to ALL, & see you at Night School!

[BombsAway Bob]

8th @Mountaineer: 5.5F Clm7500 (7.5-6.5) purse $10,000 ~ 8/18
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Three runners step up to a weak $7,500 claimer.
Four runners from common Aug.5th race likely faves.
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1) Pollard's Boy (4/1 ML)- 6YO was Steward's scratch Aug.3rd when
entered for $7,500 @PID. Closer gets good setup, 5.5F & class questions.
2) Santelli (10/1)- Savvy connections took full advantage of state-
bred loophole to rack up 4 wins this year. Open foes likely too tough.
3) Cape Finisterre (5/2 ML Fave)- Last years' Cape would crush these,
but 8YO yet to find best form in 2015. Gets no pace relief early, either.
4) Battle Strike (5/1)- Steps up off head win & 73-day break with
one slow 3F work. Gets class test.
5) Chicharito (7/2)- Speed+Fade when dropped to this level last out.
May prefer off tracks. ML odds seem low with 0/52 owner/trainer.
6) Distinctive Move (9/2)- 6YO never showed usual early lick last out,
gets Q-Man back, that should help. If Cape breaks slow, may lead early.
7) Rockabye (8/1)- 5YO showed nothing two back vs.#'s 3-5-6, now
goes Turf-2-Dirt. Has beaten me three times in 2015- i'll let him again.
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EARLY LOOK:
Weak $7,500 claimer may let fringe $5,000 runners (#'s 1-4) have a shot.
Only #'s 3+5 "class-up" to $7,500 level, but both may be off best form.
If you're willing to toss #6's last out vs. 3-5-7, he may be in best
2015 form overall. I'll take a stand, hope Distinctive Move gets the
right trip, & single #6 in all my Horizontal bets.
Good Luck to ALL, & see you at Night School!