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[Teach]

Race One:

1 DOWNUNDERMATTER is my pick in the opener. This Donerail-bred gelding was trapped down on the rail last week like a wide-receiver who’s been “stapled” to the sideline by the opposing team’s corner back. In that one, in the stretch, Dexter Dunn looked to his right; he looked to his left… No place to go (he musta bin “brassed off”). It wouldn’t have taken a rocket scientist to figure out that Dunn was locked in behind a cordon of horses. (Ya woulda thought he were the president in a presidential Presidents’ Day motorcade). This gelding did eventually shake loose – he ducked quickly to his inside. However, by then, alas and alack, he had, quite simply, run out of real estate. His 8th place finish belies his closing effort. This time, if he can run to daylight… Yes, a cleaner trip might just pay dividends. Others: 10, 6, 2.

Race Two:

4 RATHER SWELL (sounds like the 1930s) briefly took the lead at the top of the stretch two weeks ago only to fade to 2nd. He was both first-over and parked-out throughout a good portion of that mile. This Danielle Dailey-trainee should now be as “tighter than a drum”. In other words: “If he gets the trip…champagne he’ll sip.” As I conclude and bid his driver, Dexter Dunn, “Good-bye,” I say to “The Kiwi”: “Hooray!” Others: 3, 2, 1.

Race Three:

I’m gonna try for a mild upset with 2 MIKEY LIKES IT (Takes me back to the 1970s Life Cereal commercial). It’s “The Captain,” Corey Callahan, who’s back in the bike. The University of Kentucky “Wildcat” takes over the reins after this trotter made a couple stops across the Hudson in the Empire State at the “Ol’ Hiltop” on the Saw Mill River Parkway in Yonkers. The change of venue (he’ll get a fair trial in New Jersey) to “The Big Mile,” the return of CC in the sulky, and the drop in class… As George Gershwin might have penned: “Who Could Ask for Anything More?” Others: 4, 3, 5.

Race Four:

Before you call out, “Abuelo loco,” hear me out! Yes, admittedly, this gelding showed little in his recent efforts at Freehold. Yet, when 2 REDLINE RUSTY raced at The Meadowlands over one month ago, he showed flashes -- particularly in his race on December 27 -- of ability. If this guy re-captures that form, he immediately becomes…“a player”. One of the top drivers up at “The Spa,” Billy Dobson, handles the lines. Ann DePietro owns and trains. Others: 5, 6, 3.

Race Five:

It’s “Team Orange Crush”! Andy’s in the bike; his wife, Julie Miller, trains this S J’s Photo-bred. I’m talkin’ ‘bout: 4 ILLINIMIGHT. This Illinois-bred was 2nd in this company last week as the 8/5 beaten- favorite. 2nd-time Lasix. This guy should be coming -- with a rush -- at the top of the stretch. Others: 9, 6, 3.

Race Six:

The entry, 1/1A, 1 FAMILY ROLL CALL/1ATALBOT CHANEL. I’m particularly focused on 1 Family Roll Call. This Roll With Joe-bred mare gets post-position relief. Yes, she did break in her last; that concerns me. Yet, if this gal runs as she is capable of pacing, she can get her picture taken. The pacer’s driver, none other than: Monsieur Yannick Gingras, Sorel-Tracy, Quebec, Canada. He’s been as: “Chaud Petard sur Journee de Saint-Jean-Baptiste”. A clean trip would appear to be all that is necessary to put this 6-year old into the winner’s circle. Bonne chance! Others: 6, 8, 2.

Race Seven:

8 DERF HANOVER tried preferred handicap company last time, but it was: “Clang, clang, clang went ‘The Trolley’.” (Judy Garland). This gelding finished 4th. This evening, this guy gets class relief. Yes, the post is tough, but this guy can be rough (not rough-gaited). Yes, an alert start would help. The gelding does have the chauffeuring services of “The Captain,” Corey Callahan. CC should have this guy “on the engine.” Ration. Ration. Ration. Jenn Bongiorno trains. Others: 2, 3, 4.

Race Eight:

4 JUXTA COWGIRL needed her last as “a tightener” (One breath is taken – a 1:1 ratio - for every stride the horse takes; unobstructed breathing, understandably, is all-important). Anyway, in her last, she finished up the track. Yet, with that start under her belt, she should be much more competitive. Corey Callahan is in the seat. Mike Watson trains. One thing is for certain: “You won’t get 60-1. No way!” I look for this Cole Muffler-bred to be in the thick of things. Others: 9, 7, 3.

Race Nine:

The Entry: 1/1A ARCH CREDIT/FINAL DREAM. I particularly like 1 Arch Credit (he starts from 2-hole). That inside post could do wonders for this gelding’s chances. “The Orange Crush,” Andy Miller, reprises the drive. He should have this 5-year old up close. Chris Marino trains. Others: 4, 5, 2.

Race Ten:

5 WALTZACROSSTHEWIRE gets a degree of class relief. This roan gelding, inexplicably, stopped in his tracks one week ago. Is it a harbinger of things to come, or was it an anomaly? An aberration, even. If this 8-year old can get himself back on track, then he’s no “palooka,” he becomes “a contendah” (Marlon Brando: “On The Waterfront”). Marcus Miller reprises the drive for “The Scourge of Monticello Raceway,” trainer Bob Lounsbury. Others: 4, 1, 7.

Race Eleven:

8 BYE HANOVER may well have needed his last race. One thing’s for sure: He’s dropping faster than a lead balloon in vacuum. He was 3rd to a runaway winner last week. Hark! No You Should Be Here. Let me add that this is a nicely-bred standardbred mare, e.g., Well Said, Somebeachsomewhere, etc. “The Orange Crush,” Andy Miller, reprises the drive for trainer Scott DiDomenico. Others: 9, 5, 3.

Race Twelve:

It’s “CC,” as in 1 CC BIG BOY SAM. “Oh Captain, My Captain,” Corey Callahan, reprises the drive. This Ohio-bred just missed last time against better. He now gets both class and post relief. Mike Watson trains this Towner’s Big Guy-bred. Others: 6, 4, 3.

Race Thirteen:

In the finale, I’m going with a long shot, 3 BASTILLE. “Prise de la Bastille!” This veteran trotter is capable of taking “the nightcap”. “The Harvard Man,” (that’s Harvard, IL near the Wisconsin border; it’s the home of “Milk Days” in early June), Pat Berry, is a most capable reinsman. Berry will likely have this guy out and trotting when the wings retract. I believe this 13-year old can be “a player” from his improved starting post. Tim Lancaster trains. Others: 8, 6, 4.