Mike's Race Analysis June 1, 2008

Race #1

1st - #2 Bold Path | 2nd - #4 Northern Theatrics | 3rd - #3 Hunter's Lad

COMMENTARY : The #2 BOLD PATH had a tough post last time and didn't get much of a trip at all which led to his disappointing showing; he looks like the lone speed in this longer race and I like him to lead throughout. The #4 NORTHERN THEATRICS closed up well in his first start and will like the extra ground that is offered today; still needs pace help to win. The #3 HUNTER'S LAD hasn't shown much in his two starts to date but is bred to like this trip and with him facing easier he could improve this afternoon.

Race #2

1st - #6 Slew's Boy | 2nd - #2 Market Bell | 3rd - #1 Tough Torque

COMMENTARY : The #6 SLEW'S BOY has actually fared quite well this year considering he's been beaten up on the pace in both of his races; he's in with easier competition today and the early tempo will likely be more relaxed which will give him every shot to win. The #2 MARKET BELL has struggled since breaking his maiden in impressive style last July; he's been freshened up and sports a nice work tab for his return so my top pick better be at his best or this guy will come and nail him in the stretch. The #1 TOUGH TORQUE turned in a solid effort in his return but this dash is tougher than his last so he will need to move forward if he's to get the winner's cheque.

Race #3

1st - #6 Resident Authority | 2nd - #3 Above The Clouds | 3rd - #7 Commodore Craig

COMMENTARY : The #6 RESIDENT AUTHORITY is a better horse going farther but did win his debut sprinting last year so with this race really not coming up all that tough for a $15,000 claimer I'll take him to win this competitive heat. The #3 ABOVE THE CLOUDS is a consistent type that has run gamely in both of his starts this spring; there isn't a lot of speed in here so he's pace threat again today. The #7 COMMODORE CRAIG gets back on his home turf after a winter campaign in California; his best races have been when he draws an outside post so he deserves respect in this spot as well.

Race #4

1st - #6 Mahaty Jo | 2nd - #1 Entry | 3rd - #2 Stella Stella

COMMENTARY : I was impressed with the run from the #6 MAHATY JO last time as she went on to an easy win in a good final time; she's in with tougher company but I think she'll be up to the task. The #1 ENTRY both appear to have a shot to get the money; if the speed is holding then the #1a GO STRIDER will be tough and if the speed is coming back then the #1 CHIANTI DANCER could win; nice one-two punch. The #2 STELLA STELLA gets a good post for her style and also an easier assignment in her first start for her new connections.

Race #5

1st - #8 Kickin Back | 2nd - #7 Artic Star | 3rd - #2 Brother Jake

COMMENTARY : The #8 KICKIN BACK was pressured hard on the pace in his first start in Vancouver and was very game right to the wire; he might be able to shake loose early (if the #7 ARTIC STAR is bad in the gate again today) which would make him tough to beat. The #7 ARTIC STAR is dropping down in price after a poor showing in his latest; he's the one fear but must be on his best behaviour in order to cash in. The #2 BROTHER JAKE raced greenly in his debut and actually wasn't beaten all that far so I'll give him another shot as he's likely to improve this afternoon.

Race #6

1st - #7 Golf Tease | 2nd - #2 Bright Romance | 3rd - #1 Entry

COMMENTARY : The #7 GOLF TEASE had a brutal trip in her '08 debut as she was fanned six wide early while trying to get the early lead but this group is no where near as fast so I expect her to be a strong wire-to-wire threat. The #2 BRIGHT ROMANCE showed some ability last year and with her having a nice work tab and getting blinkers and Lasix for the first time we should see a good run from her. The #1 ENTRY look like the best of the rest.

Race #7

1st - #10 Mr. Nutcracker | 2nd - #8 Trinidad Bay | 3rd - #6 Wonniteinvegas

COMMENTARY : The #10 MR. NUTCRACKER gets a set of blinkers today after his no-threat debut effort two weeks back; this race didn't come up very tough and if he can flash a little gate speed and get into a decent position early he could win at a nice price. The #8 TRINIDAD BAY took advantage of a fast pace last time to get the runner-up spot and it appears that the pace scenario is going to be hotly contested again today so he has another good chance. The #6 WONNITEINVEGAS needs to improve on his distant third place run if he's to get the money this time although he did suffer a wide trip.

Race #8

1st - #4 Sporty Jones | 2nd - #9 My Friend Geoff | 3rd - #2 Postmaster General

COMMENTARY : The #4 SPORTY JONES should get a hot pace set in front him and if he gets a clean trip he should be tough to hold off in the stretch. The #9 MY FRIEND GEOFF is facing an easier test today and if he can get a decent trip from his outside draw he's definitely capable of beating this group. The #2 POSTMASTER GENERAL was forced three wide throughout in his comeback race at the $35,000 level which caused him to finish sixth; he drops in price but is likely to get a lot of pace pressure again although I think he go the farthest of the speed horses.

Race #9

1st - #9 Tigerheat | 2nd - #6 Arkhill | 3rd - #5 Harlem

COMMENTARY : The #9 TIGERHEAT ran well in his first stakes try and even though he has an outside post I think he's quick enough to either get the lead or sit in the two-path which should give him an excellent shot in this allowance event. The #6 ARKHILL was defeated for the first time in his career in Calgary back in April by a horse that did come back to win the next stakes race so there was no disgrace in losing that day; he's back at home but will still need a huge run to beat a very sharp #9 TIGERHEAT. The #5 HARLEM broke his maiden a couple months back at Santa Anita so he should fit very well here although the distance might be a tad short for him.

Race #10

1st - #2 Sunny Remark | 2nd - #9 Angel Came Down | 3rd - #6 Kokeeno

COMMENTARY : The #2 SUNNY REMARK hasn't been a factor in either of her two starts this year although both were with much tougher company; she'll undoubtedly enjoy the easier mares that are in this dash as well as leading rider in the tack. The #9 ANGEL CAME DOWN was game racing on the pace throughout in her win with non-two's at this same tag and if she can shake loose early has a good shot of beating my top pick. The #6 KOKEENO also won against the non-two's in her '08 debut and is likely to be a big presence in the stretch again this afternoon.

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE AND ENJOY YOUR DAY AT THE RACES !!!