I'll meet you at Thistledown

Just as jocks and horseman shuffle around from track to track it is time for me to migrate my play to Thistledown. My local track since the early 1970s has been struggling to survive for many years. I like the place and hope that it outlives me.

Following last week's trip to Keeneland I'll begin posting my Cleveland thoughts at An Eye on Thistledown next Friday.

I've enjoyed meeting many knew Twitter friends along the NYRA circuit this winter. I hope that you re-admit me to your club when Aqueduct returns to the inner track.

Let me know if you ever spend a day battling in the minor leagues at Thistledown. The Twitter line is pretty quite over there, I'd enjoy some company. Thistledown is a wonderful place to spend a afternoon. It will be interesting to watch the impact that slots make on the racing side of this new ThistleDown Racino. I am already struggling with the new logo and renaming . . .

Sunday at Aqueduct

Race 1
SHE'S GOSPHEL ran others off their feet this winter. I don't know if it was the big stage (main track) or the class hike that did her in the last time. She's it for me on this one play day.
Scratched

Saturday at Aqueduct

Race 6

The table should be set for VERBOSITY to press out a win here.
Fourth by 15 - run into the ground; showed no grit 

Race 7

EGO FRIENDLY broke his maiden at this distance on this big stage in December. I'll be listening carefully for @MaggieWolfendale 's paddock evaluation of this colt today. There is a possibility that I'm over thinking - is BEYOND EMPIRE going to blow out this bunch?
Seventh by 14 - this turns out to be a slow horse

Race 8

CLUSTER OF STARS has been spectacular this winter dusting NICHOLE H twice. Today some more graded stakes runners step up to challenge. While many eyes will be on Marty Wolfson's SPETACULAR SKY, I'm thinking that he didn't drag NAKANO north without a plan. I'll be looking for that mare late.
SPECTACULAR SKY and a couple others didn't run. CLUSTER OF STARS was much the best despite an interesting challenge on the corner. NAKANO was always fourth of four.

Race 9

A wide open race. VISIONARY MAN is trying to repeat by dropping in class while cutting back. He won at this one turn distance against much cheaper in November = the  first glance selection (8/1) morning line. THIS HARD LAND (12/1) and CAPTURE THE MOMENT (20/1) both have enough upside to merit consideration. The question is, will WINDFALL and INCOGNITO hook up early. I'm thinking that they might.

Friday at Aqueduct

Race 6

Read The Footnote's kids are almost automatic plays for me. Here that 2/1 morning line will have to trickle up before I get down on READTHEPROSPECTUS . @HorseToWatch makes a good argument for KEEP ME INFORMED and old timer EA is also proven at today's distance. Maybe one of those two kicks off a nice pick 3?
Those odds did trickle up; he got the good trip closing to win powerfully 

Race 7

HEY BABE seemed to go evenly while wide last time. This afternoon's pace might not be as challenging. I'm hoping that her experience pays off today, laying off until midstretch.
Reared at the start hustled into contention a bit wide but relaxed and ready to pounce when the early exertion must have kicked in - backed up to finish last by 24 lengths

Race 8

That last effort is a throw out and cut back for IBID. Today he exits the gate as the "speed of the speed."
Second by a length - in full control but being pushed she had me counting my money when she tired very late

Thursday at Aqueduct

Race 1
Still a sucker after all these years, I'm thinking that BIZZAROWORLD gets loose on the lead today and lasts.
Third by at least 10 - battled while hooked for 5 1/2 furlongs, outlasted her competitor for the lead but tired badly setting up a long shot winner.

Race 4
SHOTGUN CITY is dangerously fast and consistent.
Running like a drunken sailor he exploded through an inside opening late to win by two lengths

Update: The real race 6
Coming off the grass might make TIME ON MY HANDS another short priced pick today, but could also land the front runner in the winners circle.
Winner by half a length - after looking much the best tired in the stretch finding just enough late to hang on; even the the "all" button would have only produced a $25 ticket

Race 7
Taking the sixth race off the grass creates an opportunity to look for couple price horses for pick three plays rolling through this race. CINEMATIZE could win this thing pressing for Anthony Dutrow. I also like erratic but talented TRUE FORTUNE (off a wide trip, disregard that stakes race) and DRINKSONTHEHOUSE (adds Johnny V). Either of that pair could close late into all these like the lead types if they wake up today.
Scratch DRINKSONTHEHOUSE; neither of the others hit the board let alone winning so the pick 3 ended here

Race 6  Race 8
That outside post puts all the cards in the hands of Bill Mott's filly GLORIOUS VIEW.
Ran off with a wire to wire win by at least eight lengths