by Brett Sturman

Race 2 – Trot 2YO Fillies: SHAMROCK SHAKER is only one of two in here that hasn’t won yet in her career and with $225,000 on the line, this would be a nice spot to break through. She’s been knocking on the door and loomed two back against the likely favorite in here; not out of the question. KADABRA QUEEN broke when moving last out, but her resume thus far in her young career speaks for itself; 1:55:1 winner can do it on or off the pace. I’d love SMOKE AND MIRRORS if not for the post. Nifty Norman trainee was flying two back in that race won by Kadabra Queen; likely to be heard from at some point.

Race 3 – Trot 3YO Colts: R FIRST CLASS will be one of the shorter priced favorites tonight and it will be warranted for the Baillargeon trainee. This one was beaten less than a length two back to International Moni and will be able to control things his own way in here. CAPTEUR DE REVE gets Dube and these two teamed up to a dominant win in September, albeit against lesser. LMC MASS GEM gave chase to the big fave last out.

Race 4 – Pace 3YO Fillies: YARIS BAYAMA was super in her most recent start two weeks ago and is good enough to overcome the outside post. Sylvain is guaranteed to be aggressive early and this one should offer a square price from out here. THE JOY LUCK CLUB went down in defeat last out to the top choice, but it was her first start back since the end of August; the obvious one to beat. ACTION MAJESTY treated last week as a prep and AIN’T THREE OK returns from Lexington.

Race 5 – Pace 2YO Colts: Almost all of these have taken turns beating each other throughout the year but I think JIMMY FREIGHT is the most probable to win tonight. Overall he’s the most consistent and has the post edge on nearly all his rivals; gets the trip with Drury. SHADOW MOON posted a huge win four back in the Nassagaweya but wasn’t nearly as strong in his last two; no doubt about what his strategy will be. WESTERN PARADISE crushed last out at Western Fair for Coleman and McNair; back to the big track now where he was game in defeat two back.

Race 6 – Trot 2YO Colts: DRAFT YEAR stamped himself as the one to beat in his Gold Super final on the heels of his 1:56:4 romp last week; trainer Maxwell has been first or second in 29 of 65 starts. PERFETTO doesn’t seem to have been the same horse since summer but his best would obviously give him a big shot; tough call. T BARR has the talent to go with these but the post is an obvious killer; Saftic may take an early shot.

Race 8 – Trot 3YO Fillies: ON A SUNNY DAY has been the darling of this group over the past two seasons and seems the most likely winner once again. Starters from this barn have been firing in recent weeks and this one’s only losses on recent view have been to Ariana G. WINTER SWEET FROST has gotten close on a few occasions to On A Sunny Day and she was well respected last out against that rival but made an unfortunate break. SWEET OF MY HEART will be well placed and may in the mix late if she can finish off her mile.

Race 9 – Pace 2YO Fillies: KENDALL SEELSTER gets the call for Reid and Waples over chief rival PERCY BLUECHIP. The former has been worse than second only once all year and seems to be going in the better direction of the two. PERCY BLUECHIP isn’t arguably as sharp as she was when she first began her career this summer but is apt to bounce back; I’d want a price to try. LADY GRANDE goes for the sharp Puddy barn and did well for herself three back here against Kendall; will be firing early.

Race 10 – Pace 3YO Colts: DREAMFAIR B J couldn’t be peaking at a better time and exits the Gold Super Final glamour division in career form. He’s crushed in his last two to win by over a combined six lengths and that 1:49:2 win from two back stands out. HISTOIRE ENCHANTEE is a winning machine with tons of early speed; a deserving short priced contender for trainer Velaye. TYMAL PEACEMAKER made a good run at the top choice last out but is now compromised by the post. SPORTS COLUMN was only beaten a neck by Huntsville two back.