RACE 1
WIN – SKIP DATTT was forced to alter course through the lane of his latest when returning from a May layoff, and still only missed by a neck while finishing strongly between horses. Switches to the top rider at this meet.
PLACE – DELTA PARK was favored versus a similar group on Aug. 13, proving second-best behind Gold Pageantry. Major player for extremely dangerous connections.
SHOW – ANY MINUTE NOW finished right behind Delta Park last out, and has every right to do so again. P J SULLY, with his 1-for-35 mark, is impossible to use on top, but could find his way into the exotics. If run on Main Track: 1. Any Minute Now; 2. Skip Dattt; 3. Mt. Orient.

RACE 2
WIN – In the first of five races carded for juveniles today, D J LIGHTNING has trained well of late, including a pair of strong half-mile drills locally, and could come out running for West Point.
PLACE – BEST TIGRESS chased odds-on Pletcher-lass Lady Chace at Monmouth back in June, and now returns for new barn. Gullo has found the board in six of 10 this meet.
SHOW – NIGHTIME APPEAL shows four consecutive 5-furlong workouts in advance of this for Dutrow, although it is interesting that Prado opts for the top choice.

RACE 3
WIN — Short field of five, and while I hate to have to do this, HESANOLDSALT gets the reluctant nod. Thought Minister’s Bid was in a good spot on Aug. 10, and was able to turn this guy back. The fact he has finished second in six of seven starts this season is both incredible and disheartening, although he did cross the wire first at Gulfstream this winter before being DQ‘d. Should beat this field, although he fails to instill much confidence.
PLACE — CROSSWORD rides a current two-race win streak, although his waters get deeper here. May be coming to hand for Howard.
SHOW — NKOSI REIGNS will likely be the pacesetter, and would expect he stick around a tad longer than he did in his last when tossing it into reverse leaving the backstretch.

RACE 4
WIN — FREAKSTEIN is a daughter of Bernstein, whose stud fee is a modest $30K. Thus, it is notable that this girl sold for $700K at the sales this past spring. Zayat owns, Mott trains, and Desormeaux rides — almost sounds too logical.
PLACE — A LITTLE HUMOR has worked well in the mornings for Biancone, and recent work was sharp from the gate. Will need to show some speed from the rail.
SHOW — PSYCHO D J is a daughter of Indian Charlie that begins her career for Linda Rice, who is 12 percent with firsters. Has shown some ability in the a.m.

RACE 5
WIN — Only three in here have prior race experience, and they will complete my trifecta. FARRI H. got quite an education in her debut, racing inside and behind horses, and was only asked for enough by Kent D. to finish fifth that day. Drop in for a tag a very good angle for Kimmel.
PLACE — SNARE showed no early speed and no late kick in her only career start, thus finihsing last. That effort came in mid-July, and most recent work was encouraging. Not out of the question to turn it around.
SHOW — ASHIKI chased the pace at Lone Star in her only previous start, and only recently joined the Contessa operation. Likely to show speed for as far as she can take them.

RACE 6
WIN — Juvenile fillies dash here, and in from California is INDIAN BLESSING, who was actually entered but scratched from a race at Del Mar on Aug. 19. Instead, she worked five-eighths that morning, then hopped a plane. Gets Bejarano.
PLACE — CONSTANCE is clearly the filly to beat exiting a very good MSW race here on Aug. 2. Winner Irish Smoke is headed to the Spinaway, while runner-up Syriana’s Song returned to win easily next out.
SHOW — THROBBIN’ HEART was transferred from Neil Drysdale to Asmussen when Zayat shipped out of San Diego. Smoke Glacken filly has trained three times since arriving.

RACE 7
WIN — Lots of speed on paper in here, so figuring to sit just off the pace is BRAZENLY BOLD. Has tried to get on turf in each of his last pair, but each was washed to the main track, and was scratched from an Aug. 25 race at Monmouth versus older to wait for this.
PLACE — LA NEIGE is steadily improving, and will likely to go to the post a solid favorite. Runs first time for a tag for Motion.
SHOW — TOUCHDOWN PEYTON exits that two-mile dirt marathon, and although he has a tendency to practically lose contact with the field early on, will be flying late. If run on Main Track: 1. Veritaserum; 2. Dutrow entry; 3. Proudly Pyrite.

RACE 8
WIN — Feature attraction goes over the jumps. Sticking with PREEMPTIVE STRIKE, who gets a favorable shift in the weights off a runner-up finish in the Smithwick. May actually prefer going longer, and makes just his fourth start of the year.
PLACE — MIXED UP heads the quartet Sheppard has entered. Took this race last year, albeit toting just 148 pounds. What a difference a year and a couple of stakes wins makes as the impost grows to 162 this time around. DIVINE FORTUNE will only run if Mixed Up doesn’t.
SHOW — BEST ATTACK has yet to finish worse than third from seven jump tries, and prepped for this with a race over the flats two weeks ago. Yet unproven versus this quality.

RACE 9
WIN — BAR CITY acted up in the paddock and then again prior to the start, eventually being scratched from a scheduled start on Aug. 10. Has put in two more good breezes on turf since, and will be a factor if better behaved.
PLACE — LA RANSOM has disappointed in a trio of starts on dirt, so how heads to the turf with a bullet work eight days ago indicating she may take to the weeds. Experience edge on the top choice.
SHOW — NICELY PUT chased Myakka home last out, and now heads to the grass for the first time for Contessa. Daughter of Freud should be forwardly placed early. MESA GIRL debuts for Bobby Flay and Pletcher, but hasn’t shown much speed in the mornings. If run on Main Track: 1. Bar City; 2. La Ransom; 3. Laurens Go Go.

BEST BET
Skip Dattt (Race 1)

PICK 4 PLAYS
Early: 4,8,9 with 3 with 7 with 3,4,6
Late: 1,8 with 1,2 with 1,6 with 1,5

Meet Record: 296-78-40-48
$2 Win Total: $520.20