Mike's Corner
At The Raceway …
An analysis of the Scarborough Downs Card
by Mike Sweeney
Race One … Prince Rama searches still for that elusive 1 st win of this his final season - Heads back to the raceway today off decent 3 rd place showings along the fairground circuit – Bids to front-run this rather non-descript grouping today … Designer Towel beats the box but draws an unfavorable starting spot – This one is rather sharp right now … Fashenable Stature drops in company off ill-fated trip when last seen locally – Has been chasing considerably speedier in all recent efforts … 2-7-1
Race Two … Beach Access has come tantalizingly close to breaking his maiden in recent weeks – Makes 2 nd start under the guidance of Dashing Doug – As good a guess as any in this extremely wide-open field … Candy Cream makes her 1 st start back at the raceway following her fairground tour – Appears to have developed a steadier stride of late – Nifty rally charted in last … Fox Ridge Christy drops out of tough Sire Stakes action to tackle maiden-level foes – Post may well hinder though … 4-2-8
Race Three … Scooty’s Dreamer drops down to the NW’s grouping of the $3000 claiming ranks off a rousing runner-up effort behind a speedy invasive force last weekend – Regains the level of his most recent win today – Party at the Sulky Lounge following the races … CC Bag A Luck continues along the comeback trail – Makes the key 2 nd start down in the basement level today … Rama’s Fantasy was consigned to the wide-side following interference in last – Discount that mile … 1-3-2
Race Four …LC’s Dandy One roars back into action off a near-miss runner-up effort behind an upward-bound sort in last – Looms large off keen recent efforts – Beaten favorite in each of his last two starts … Rookies Rock drops out of tough Sire Stakes company where the Maine-bred has been a competitive force – Gains a big shot at finding the winner’s circle today … Red Oaks Willy Nilly revisits the raceway for the 1 st time since July – Welcome back – Speedy enough to contend here … 2-6-4
Race Five … Formula One drops back down to the $3000 claiming ranks today after battling speedy $4000 claiming foes in all recent attempts – Must find a way to overcome the poor post in a rather tough grouping – Hard to ignore off the class-drop though … Falcon’s Bute is perhaps the sharpest entry found on this page – Beaten favorite in each of his last 2 starts – Loves to ramble on the engine … Muir Hanover remains a Trifecta player’s dream come true – Always factors in the number… 7-3-6
Race Six … Trade Boss returns from a speed-tightening effort down at the Ridge – Was a near-miss runner-up to a 14-year-old veteran in last local attempt – Gains the slightest advantage in this ultra-competitive grouping … Gold Ball remains the favorite of the Sulky Lounge Crew – The tiny pacer rises in class today off a nifty front-end romp – Capable of repeating that effort here…Armbro Anthony continues to enjoy a successful late-summer campaign – Seeks another good payday here…5-4-1
Race Seven … Meadow Scooter continues to enjoy the steady hands of driver John Nason – Flashed some of that incredible speed that he always teased us with in last – Any repeat of last would crush this field – Post is of no consequence as long as this headstrong pacer behaves … Miss Hot Legs is the logical candidate to benefit if our top-tab falters – Has been extremely sharp in all local efforts… Super Tight has now been thrice the bridesmaid – Remains a keen player in this colt classification… 8-3-6
Race Eight … Alex B Trot took a new lifetime mark at the speedway in last – Returns to the raceway today sporting decent streaking form – Loves to ramble on the engine but must behave – May well be the best in here with a mistake-free effort … Texas Traveler gets one last crack at this colt class (1 st lifetime win came in a non-betting edition of the NESC) – Another keen contender – But also one that is capable of self-destructing … You Brat never disregard Vachon the Chess Master … 7-6-4
Race Nine … Simply Made must overcome the dreaded outside post but appears the sharpest off any trotter found on this program page – Eight time winner this season, she continues to state her case for consideration for year-end awards … Pick Pocket Paige was an oh, so close runner-up when last seen at this local level – Surely capable of taking top-honors in the finale … Andrew was a non-factor from the poor post at the speedway – Bids to flash his good early foot versus these … 8-3-5