by Brett Sturman

Loaded $10,000 Guaranteed Pick 4 sequence features Tattersalls Pace and Kentucky Futurity eliminations

Sunday, Oct. 7

$10,000 Guaranteed Pick 4 Races 7-10

$1 Pick 4 Ticket: 6 / 3-4-5-6 / 2-6 / 1-3 $16

Race 7, $11,000 2YO Late Closer N/W 2

BOMBAY HANOVER made his first start last weekend since August and looked like an entirely brand new horse. The Ohio-bred Western Vintage gelding was cautiously handled early in that race but stormed home late to win going away in 1:51:3 at odds of nearly 13-1. Zeron back aboard once again and if anything he should be stronger in making his second start back; no reason to go against. ESCAPETOTHEBEACH was hard used in last week’s edition of this race and tired late as a result of the trip. He faced a series of pretty tough foes in PASS action throughout the summer; speed should be coming again. REIGN OF THRONES closed in :26:1 last out while making just his second lifetime start and his first start in over a month; figures to have a say in this. CAPTAIN MCKEE was a non-threatening fourth last out as the 8-5 favorite and prior to that broke his maiden against lesser by open lengths; one of five Tony Alagna horses in this field of 11.

Race 8, $225,000 Tattersalls 3YO Pace

COURTLY CHOICE was game winner in the Little Brown Jug, after made a recovery after breaking in his elimination and then doing it the hard way in the final. He’s fired in nearly every one of his past dozen starts and the bigger sized ovals have suited him well this year; looks to keep the dream season going for him and his connections. STAY HUNGRY came back to win his division of the Bluegrass following his correct but unfortunate disqualification in his Jug elimination. He’s been surging over the past couple of months and McNair may stick with the same closing strategy that worked for him last week. THINKBIG DREAMBIG picked up a 1:48:2 mark last out following a number of near misses. Overall he’s been racing better than his record would suggest and is capable of repeating if things go his way. AMERICAN HISTORY had a tough trip last out but is another that could easily win with the right setup; many of these in here aren’t separated by much. HAYDEN HANOVER is capable of early speed from the outside.

Race 9, $93,000 Kentucky Futurity Elimination Trot

All but one of the six horses from this race will return for the Futurity final, as will be the same case for race 10. CRYSTAL FASHION makes his first start since winning the Canadian Trotting Classic on Sept. 15 and this looks to be a good showdown between him and #6. He earned that win in the CTC when he overcame post 10 and then wore down and overpowered leader Met’s Hall. He’s been a model of consistency all year and looks to add another notch to his building resume. TACTICAL LANDING exits a career best mile and has gone from erratic to reliable for trainer and driver Jimmy Takter; there shouldn’t be much opposition to him getting near the front despite the outside post. EUROBOND lands the rail and was able to beat TACTICAL LANDING two back in the KYSS final; certainly a mid-priced possibility. YOU KNOW YOU DO wasn’t bad last week from post 9; still waiting for him to pop.

Race 10, $93,000 Kentucky Futurity Elimination Trot

METS HALL is another that enters today off a new lifetime mark and he remains razor sharp ever since Hambletonian Day. His second place two back was no disgrace and we all know speed is his game; needs to beat a key rival in #1. SIX PACK makes his first start outside of New York since that ill-fated Hambo elimination and I’m sure Svanstedt will be looking for some redemption. He would have been able to beat these easily earlier in the summer but things look more competitive now. FIFTYDALLARBILL is an obvious contender but he could be coming from last and winning the elimination might not be the highest priority. ZEPHYR KRONOS is a nice colt but hasn’t been able to been able to beat the likes of #’s 1 or 3 yet this year; would be somewhat of a surprise.