Weekly Update
Weekly Stable Update
Peter Petrify
Pete had an abscess that caused him to need a little bit of extra time off, but he is expected to make his Minnesota debut for the Roland barn very soon.
Beef N Cheddar
Coming off a gritty wire-to-wire victory in his Delaware debut for the Sullivan barn, Beef put in another strong effort from the 6 post this time out. He got off the gate nicely and made the lead early, but after a retake, he settled in second. Heading into the final stretch, the leader eventually opened up on the rest of the field, but Beef made a nice late move to pick up some ground and finish a strong second ahead of the late closers.
That is now a win and a second in his first two starts there, and he appears to have a great chance to pick up another win this week as he draws back inside with the 2 post. He is listed as the 9-5 favorite with Montrell Teague back in the bike.
Manhattan Artist
Arty made just his second start in Denny “Booch” Bucceri’s barn at Batavia Downs this past week. Denny drove him very strongly and just like we wanted. Although he got parked out, we liked seeing this driving style from Denny and seeing him put pressure on the top leaders in a way that changes the entire outcome of a race. Arty now drops down in class and is in to go this weekend from the 4 post, making just his third start at Batavia, where we expect an improved result this time out.
Cruzin America
Coming off a very impressive effort his last time out at Scioto Downs, Cruzin got the worst of it this time out. Attempting to leave from the 4 post, he ended up getting parked out, and the trip proved to be too much for him. He hung tough on the outside early but ultimately faded for a last-place finish. We await the entries for his next start and hope for a much better trip next time out.
Phantom Tom
Tommy Boy picked up a fourth-place finish at the Windsor Fair this past Monday. Even at these fair races, there is some respectable competition, and although he finished quite a ways off the leader, he still managed to hit the board with a fourth-place finish. He has now been on the board in every one of his starts in Maine so far. He is in to go for his next start at Bangor Raceway, where he draws the 4 post with David Ingraham in the bike. He gets some respect on the morning line, listed at 9-2.
Dance Machine
Dance Machine had an almost identical result to his stablemate Arty at Batavia Downs this week, attempting to clear to the lead from the 3 post and ultimately getting parked out. It’s not always easy to clear to the lead, but we were very pleased with Denny’s driving style and liked seeing him slugging it out on the front end through blazing opening quarters like that. Dance Machine is also back in to go this weekend at Batavia Downs from the 4 post, where we look for an improved result this time out.
Wonka Bar
Since joining Rob Harmon’s stable, Wonka seems like he might really be starting to find his gear. After blowing out the field at Vernon Downs and winning by 15 lengths, he handled the step up in class well and put in another great effort from the 5 post at Tioga Downs on Monday. He cleared to the lead rather easily and controlled the tempo for the entirety of the race. He was just caught at the wire, losing by only half a length, but still finished a very strong second in 1:54 flat on the 5/8-mile track. He is right back in for Friday on a short week of rest, where he is listed as the 2-1 favorite from the 4 post with Michael Merton back in the bike. Wonka should have a great shot in here to pick up his second career win, and we are optimistic for another very strong effort this time out.
Yamaka
Coming off a respectable third-place finish, Yammy got a very rough trip from the 8 post this time out. Despite going off at 2-1, he was really unable to get involved. The field was strung out, and with horses gapping in front of him, he had to try to make a wide late move from the far outside post. By that point, it was too late for him to be much of a factor in the race. He still made up a bit of ground, passed a few horses, and was able to pick up a fifth-place check for the stable. Yammy has been dealing with some tough post positions and bad racing luck as of late, but regardless, we remain confident in the old man.
RobinTheCradle
Robin got the week off this past week and now drops back into a bit of a softer spot for his next start. He draws the 5 post and is listed at 4-1 on the morning line in a $9,000 race at Northfield Park. We look for Robin to be more of a factor in this class and put in a strong effort coming off the week off.
DiscoveringTheHunt
Hunt raced well at Yonkers her last time out, managing to finish fifth and pick up another strong check for the stable while missing the winner by only a few lengths. She has now picked up a check in six consecutive starts, including a win and two seconds at Yonkers, despite racing in some very tough classes. She is back in to go in a $20,000 race and now gets the rail with Jim Marohn back in the bike. We are optimistic for a very strong effort this week.
Top Notch Treasure
Top Notch is back in to go in another Maine Sire Stakes this weekend, where he draws the 2 post in another $17,328 race. In just six career starts, Top Notch has four wins, a second, and a third, still never finishing out of the top 3. He will be facing one of his toughest tests yet this time out against some other respectable 2-year-olds, but we remain confident in Top Notch’s ability. With a favorable inside draw, we are optimistic that he can put together another strong effort and have a great chance to pick up his fifth career victory in just 7 tries.
