Monday Night featured great weather for Ducks and Polar Bears, as the rain and the cold set in 10 miles North of the Motor City. The charts say 55 degrees but with the wind, it felt more like 30.
Coincidence that Ms Freeze won the Monday opener? She was the first of 4 wins for Driver Billy Dobson on the Monday card. One of Hazel's best and brightest patrons told me before the races that young Billy is really starting to come into his own. "He is looking very comfortable out there, and is really driving with confidence," said the Patron, who wished to remain anonymous.
A horse that everyone may want to take note of is ACTION. For the second straight week, he was at a loss for racing room. A clear trip may see this guy in the Winner's Circle soon. In the 4th Race, I thought BumbleBzAnnie looked very good in her 2008 debut. The daughter of Perfect Spiral went to the front and never looked back in a solid 2:00.2. However, both favorites (Sam the Dram and EngAmer Benn's Best) made breaks in the race. Still say it may not have mattered. Give Date Worthy some love too from the nine-hole.
Race 6 featured the undefeated trotter Son of Nordic (5 for 5). I thought he may have problems in this race, but he proved me wrong with a 6 length win in sub 2 minute fashion. The youngster trots very mature, and is really a good fit with Billy Dobson at the helm.
Race 9 featured the Night's fastest mile (1:55.0), as the Barbie Conner trained STAND BY YOUR SAM took advantage of the perfect trip to gun down Lord Oliver N in the final strides. Speaking of coming around as a driver, how about Kevin Hough? To me, he has patience well beyond is years, and in the next few years as the drives start to come his way, he will be a force to reckon with....And in the tenth, Alexikov returns to the Hazel Park winner's circle under the steady reigns of Robby Harmon.....Alexikov had high expectations when first entereing the Harmon stable, and after a dissapointing year, he is looking to make amends. He looked fantastic Monday Night, as he will begin to edge up the class ladder.
Tuesday Night was much better weather wise, and the racing did not dissapoint. Talented Trotter KAA DEE QUIZ lived up to his favorite status by winning under minimal urging for Driver/Trainer Pete Wrenn. The 5 YO Trotter, who was a hard luck second twice in a row to READY FOR FREDDIE, accomplished the task in 1:59.4.
Race 7 featured the return of Home Stretch to the HP Winner's Circle. For those of you that remember last year, this June DuRussell trainee was on fire last year. Home Stretch pretty much led from start to finish, and got the half in a strong 57.3 with the mile in 1:59. In the Ninth, Joe Gun got back on the winning track. The 4 YO son of Keystone Raider rushed up into a soft pace and held safe despite a valiant late close by True Value.
Tenth Race, a $10,000 claimer, went to Party N Get Lucky, who picked up the pieces after The Hound Pound and Sandy Seas dueled themselves to oblivion (27, 55.4). May want to keep an eye on Here Mode, who battled game into the teeth of a 1:25.2 third quarter and held up fairly well.
And one final note.....The Shark Lover Fan Club is starting to grow amongst the patrons at Hazel Park....Until Friday.....
