Teach
12-07-2015, 12:27 PM
Race One:
4 MARTHA MICHELE led to half in her last in this company but folded “like a cheap suit” under some brisk early fractions – at least for this group. There’s very little early pace. If Frank Calcagni can grab the early lead and then ration out this mare’s speed…she might just get her picture taken. 1 PUTNAM’S GLORY has been in a funk since blazing a 1:52-flat at Pocono earlier this year. Is the Monticello version of The Strange Adventures Of Dr. Jeykll and Mr. Hyde? If this mare can recapture even the slightest hint of that earlier form…she’d romp. 7 FLIGHTOFDELIGHT has won only one race all year. Her outside post-seven is disadvantageous. Yet, she can close. If the early speed ties up, watch for this Michael Merton-driven mare to launch a closing bid. Finally, 2 SMALL BALL has shown absolutely, positively nothing in her recent starts; yet, she has faced better. If she can revert to her earlier form… Watch the tote!
Race Two:
2 SIR SIRO has been the “Best Man” (it’s hard to say “Bridesmaid” for a male horse) in several of his recent races. He’s been beaten a head, a neck… Is today the day he “gets hitched?” i.e., gets his picture taken. Jim Devaux will need to ration out this horse’s speed. 8 PLAYA TULUM should provide plenty of early company on the front end from his outside post. If Bruce Aldrich, Jr. (congratulations to Bruce on his 6,000th win) can leave alertly, he should be able to grab the lead. How much energy will it take? Will this Tom Ridge-bred gelding get “softened up”? 3 BALTIMOR AS looks like the principal closer. If the two aforementioned horses tie up… Well, look for this veteran trotter – in the capable hands of driver Jim Marohn, Jr, - to launch his closing bid. Finally, 1 GOTTA LUV CASH has been a consistent sort, although he’s only had two third-place finishes at this level in recent races. Yet, driver Larry Stalbaum – one of the best campaigning at Monticello – is capable of getting this gelding involved.
Race Three:
5 SWEET SISTER PALZ has faced better. This Blissful Hall-bred is certainly capable of improving off her most recent efforts. She drops a notch into this company. That might just provide the needed wake-up call. Jim Devaux’s in the sulky. 2 TYMAL LUCKYNPINK romped in her last. But that was against softer company. Yet, if she reprises that most recent effort, she can make it two-straight for driver Jason Ryan. 4 CAVIART SAVANNAH is a major player here. A mare that’s very much in the mix. That combination of driver Bruce Aldrich, Jr. and trainer Bob Lounsbury has been one of the best in the Catskills. This mare might just vie for the lead. 6 JV’Z DREAM turned in a 1:55.4 at Northfield earlier in the year. In the land of “Flying Turns,” that’s a solid trip. Nothing to equate with that at Monticello. Yet, this mare fits in this company; she’s capable of closing.
Race Four:
6 MBCAMS MOLLIE MAY gets my tepid nod in what I see as a wide-open race. What catches my attention is that the capable Jim Devaux is in the sulky. That might just be the wake-up call that this mare needs. This mare fits well in this company and is most capable of launching a closing stretch bid. 5 I C U MISTY has drawn two consecutive outside posts; she now moves to a mid-pack starting position. She’s most capable of mounting a closing charge. 1 GO MAGGIE GO draws the pylons. That’s always an advantageous spot. This mare should benefit from that inside start. My only concern: she’s missed a week. Yet, at her best… 2 MOCHA MARTINI got parked out in her last and finished last. A chance to make amends here. Prior to that last-place finish she hit the board in all four of her previous races.
Race Five:
4 MEAN GIRLS has admittedly shown nothing lately; yet this mare has drawn two recent outside posts. There’s a chance here for an upset, especially in this wide-open weak-field race. Larry Stalbaum in the sulky is a big plus. 1 ROAD WORK AHEAD has won a race this year, albeit many moons ago. This 10 year-old On The Road Again-bred mare does draw the pylons; that should help. 2 ARTEMIS BLUE CHIP also gets a better starting post. The last time this mare drew the 2-slot she finished third. 6 STEEL HEARTED LADY has faced better; however, she’ll have to overcome the number six starting post. If Jim Taqgart, Jr. does to go for the lead, she may be tough to catch.
Race Six:
3 ELLEN’S STREAK had her four-race win-streak snapped when she made an uncharacteristic break in her last. A chance to make amends with the own-driver, Larry Stalbaum. 1 SWEET KIX with Jim Devaux draws the rail. He should be part of the equation despite the fact that she’s stepping up in company. 5 MAGGIE O has faced better both in the Catskills and at Batavia. She has the class edge over most of these. Kyle DiBenedetto handle trotters very well. 2 NAUTILUS DE VIE showed little in her last. Yet she has faced better at Saratoga where she won in early Octo9ber in a very respectable 1:58.1.
Race Seven:
2 ALLIEGETTY has drawn some recent tough posts; yet she now moves inside where she’s very much a factor. She has faced better. This mare was both second and first from the two-hole against similar company. 3 GIVEMYBEST HANOVER has been the model of consistency. This board-hitting mare fits nicely in this field. The services of one of Monticello’s best drivers, Jim Taggart, Jr., adds to this mare’s chances. 4 THE PERFECT DREAM has a chance to add value to one of your exotic tickets. This Dragon Again-bred mare has Bruce Aldrich, Jr. guiding her. 5 CAM DAN KADANDY has faced better in the past. She’s hit the board in nearly half her 2015 tries. Larry Stalbaum in the bike.
Race Eight:
1 N MAKE IT SNAPPY draws inside. That can be a prescription for a trip to the winner’s circle. Should be near the pace. 2 DELTA QUEEN has faced better in the past. Jim Marohn, Jr. in the sulky is a big plus. This mare runs evenly; she should be in contention throughout. 3 ROYAL ENGAGEMENT has faced much better at Pocono Downs. May have needed last. The switch to Bruce Aldrich helps. 4 MICHELLE’S IDEA won her last easily, but the win came against weaker. This step up may just be too daunting for a trip to the winner’s circle, but to complete an exotic… Larry Stalbaum in the bike.
Race Nine:
2 JUSTCALLMEMOLLY draws back inside after finished sixth from a tough outside post. The shift back inside along with the services of Jim Devaux give this mare a solid chance of getting her picture taken. 1 DEW IT AGAIN is a major threat after a much needed race. Jim Marohn, Jr. enhances this filly’s chances. 5 HD MAIBACH has finished third in her last two. She certainly figures to be part. Most capable of closing, especially if the speed ties up. Finally, 3 THREE HANDBAGS won her last in this same company. Bruce Aldrich, Jr. should have her out and winging.
I'll have the Late Double, later
4 MARTHA MICHELE led to half in her last in this company but folded “like a cheap suit” under some brisk early fractions – at least for this group. There’s very little early pace. If Frank Calcagni can grab the early lead and then ration out this mare’s speed…she might just get her picture taken. 1 PUTNAM’S GLORY has been in a funk since blazing a 1:52-flat at Pocono earlier this year. Is the Monticello version of The Strange Adventures Of Dr. Jeykll and Mr. Hyde? If this mare can recapture even the slightest hint of that earlier form…she’d romp. 7 FLIGHTOFDELIGHT has won only one race all year. Her outside post-seven is disadvantageous. Yet, she can close. If the early speed ties up, watch for this Michael Merton-driven mare to launch a closing bid. Finally, 2 SMALL BALL has shown absolutely, positively nothing in her recent starts; yet, she has faced better. If she can revert to her earlier form… Watch the tote!
Race Two:
2 SIR SIRO has been the “Best Man” (it’s hard to say “Bridesmaid” for a male horse) in several of his recent races. He’s been beaten a head, a neck… Is today the day he “gets hitched?” i.e., gets his picture taken. Jim Devaux will need to ration out this horse’s speed. 8 PLAYA TULUM should provide plenty of early company on the front end from his outside post. If Bruce Aldrich, Jr. (congratulations to Bruce on his 6,000th win) can leave alertly, he should be able to grab the lead. How much energy will it take? Will this Tom Ridge-bred gelding get “softened up”? 3 BALTIMOR AS looks like the principal closer. If the two aforementioned horses tie up… Well, look for this veteran trotter – in the capable hands of driver Jim Marohn, Jr, - to launch his closing bid. Finally, 1 GOTTA LUV CASH has been a consistent sort, although he’s only had two third-place finishes at this level in recent races. Yet, driver Larry Stalbaum – one of the best campaigning at Monticello – is capable of getting this gelding involved.
Race Three:
5 SWEET SISTER PALZ has faced better. This Blissful Hall-bred is certainly capable of improving off her most recent efforts. She drops a notch into this company. That might just provide the needed wake-up call. Jim Devaux’s in the sulky. 2 TYMAL LUCKYNPINK romped in her last. But that was against softer company. Yet, if she reprises that most recent effort, she can make it two-straight for driver Jason Ryan. 4 CAVIART SAVANNAH is a major player here. A mare that’s very much in the mix. That combination of driver Bruce Aldrich, Jr. and trainer Bob Lounsbury has been one of the best in the Catskills. This mare might just vie for the lead. 6 JV’Z DREAM turned in a 1:55.4 at Northfield earlier in the year. In the land of “Flying Turns,” that’s a solid trip. Nothing to equate with that at Monticello. Yet, this mare fits in this company; she’s capable of closing.
Race Four:
6 MBCAMS MOLLIE MAY gets my tepid nod in what I see as a wide-open race. What catches my attention is that the capable Jim Devaux is in the sulky. That might just be the wake-up call that this mare needs. This mare fits well in this company and is most capable of launching a closing stretch bid. 5 I C U MISTY has drawn two consecutive outside posts; she now moves to a mid-pack starting position. She’s most capable of mounting a closing charge. 1 GO MAGGIE GO draws the pylons. That’s always an advantageous spot. This mare should benefit from that inside start. My only concern: she’s missed a week. Yet, at her best… 2 MOCHA MARTINI got parked out in her last and finished last. A chance to make amends here. Prior to that last-place finish she hit the board in all four of her previous races.
Race Five:
4 MEAN GIRLS has admittedly shown nothing lately; yet this mare has drawn two recent outside posts. There’s a chance here for an upset, especially in this wide-open weak-field race. Larry Stalbaum in the sulky is a big plus. 1 ROAD WORK AHEAD has won a race this year, albeit many moons ago. This 10 year-old On The Road Again-bred mare does draw the pylons; that should help. 2 ARTEMIS BLUE CHIP also gets a better starting post. The last time this mare drew the 2-slot she finished third. 6 STEEL HEARTED LADY has faced better; however, she’ll have to overcome the number six starting post. If Jim Taqgart, Jr. does to go for the lead, she may be tough to catch.
Race Six:
3 ELLEN’S STREAK had her four-race win-streak snapped when she made an uncharacteristic break in her last. A chance to make amends with the own-driver, Larry Stalbaum. 1 SWEET KIX with Jim Devaux draws the rail. He should be part of the equation despite the fact that she’s stepping up in company. 5 MAGGIE O has faced better both in the Catskills and at Batavia. She has the class edge over most of these. Kyle DiBenedetto handle trotters very well. 2 NAUTILUS DE VIE showed little in her last. Yet she has faced better at Saratoga where she won in early Octo9ber in a very respectable 1:58.1.
Race Seven:
2 ALLIEGETTY has drawn some recent tough posts; yet she now moves inside where she’s very much a factor. She has faced better. This mare was both second and first from the two-hole against similar company. 3 GIVEMYBEST HANOVER has been the model of consistency. This board-hitting mare fits nicely in this field. The services of one of Monticello’s best drivers, Jim Taggart, Jr., adds to this mare’s chances. 4 THE PERFECT DREAM has a chance to add value to one of your exotic tickets. This Dragon Again-bred mare has Bruce Aldrich, Jr. guiding her. 5 CAM DAN KADANDY has faced better in the past. She’s hit the board in nearly half her 2015 tries. Larry Stalbaum in the bike.
Race Eight:
1 N MAKE IT SNAPPY draws inside. That can be a prescription for a trip to the winner’s circle. Should be near the pace. 2 DELTA QUEEN has faced better in the past. Jim Marohn, Jr. in the sulky is a big plus. This mare runs evenly; she should be in contention throughout. 3 ROYAL ENGAGEMENT has faced much better at Pocono Downs. May have needed last. The switch to Bruce Aldrich helps. 4 MICHELLE’S IDEA won her last easily, but the win came against weaker. This step up may just be too daunting for a trip to the winner’s circle, but to complete an exotic… Larry Stalbaum in the bike.
Race Nine:
2 JUSTCALLMEMOLLY draws back inside after finished sixth from a tough outside post. The shift back inside along with the services of Jim Devaux give this mare a solid chance of getting her picture taken. 1 DEW IT AGAIN is a major threat after a much needed race. Jim Marohn, Jr. enhances this filly’s chances. 5 HD MAIBACH has finished third in her last two. She certainly figures to be part. Most capable of closing, especially if the speed ties up. Finally, 3 THREE HANDBAGS won her last in this same company. Bruce Aldrich, Jr. should have her out and winging.
I'll have the Late Double, later