SELECTIONS- Sat. Dec. 8, 2007

Not the strongest opening-day card ever, in fact it's disappointing...make some lemonade, I guess:

Race 2: Weak pace setup; only the #3-I’macraftychoice and #10-Jammin’ In The Sand show much early lick; both are working well locally. Hoping that the #1-Keystone Point gets overbet based on the connections (Ziadie/RoHo/Averill). #2-Karakorum Patriot seems to fit at first glance, but the declining speed/pace figures are a big red flag for me. #5-Tallboys Tavern interests me as a close stalker, in good form, but his overall record says to use him underneath. #6-Dance To Life has back class and decent works, but not sure about anything past 6F. That leaves #12-Toast To Monty, a stalker on the turnback, descending the claiming ranks. Look for Mike Allen to gun #3-I’macraftychoice from the gate and hope he can last 7F.

Wager: $2exa- 3/5,12 & 5,12/3

Race 6: Moderate pace setup; #9-Classy And Elusive is the quickest, and drops into a winning spot here. Have to think someone risks a dip into the claim box here. If this horse could finish off a race, she'd be stakes-bound. Take the short price, and use over the #7-Maui's Pager and #12-Just Jeannie.

Wager: $5win- 9 $2exa- 9/7,12

Race 7: weak pace setup; #7-Headline should make the front, with #1-Fire Striker stalking. If #9-Mabou runs a complete race for Tim Ritchey, he could run them down under the turf-challenged RoHo. I'll take a flyer on #4-Robyn Chief, who might get a nice inside trip here; race from 11/04 would win this. #3-Little Dovefeather is the best closer, has AQU,BEL & MTH showing, gets blinkers, has a good local drill, but will take a ton of cash with almost no chance of getting to the wire first; underneath only.

Wager: $1tri- 4/1,3,7,9/1,3,7,9

Race 9: moderate pace setup; If #4-Ivannarun breaks cleanly and gets an open lead he's gone. Take the chalk over #2-Samy Good Luck for Ramos, #3-Type A Personality on the turnback, and #8-Prince Cortez, who is working very well locally for Ronnie Allen.

Wager: $4exa- 4/2,3,8