Burn's Picks 9/9/07

Race 1, Pace $1,700

SONNY N MATT heads a field that collectively has two wins in 2007 and, over two years, is a stunning 10 for 239 last two years. But he's the newcomer with Drew Campbell and drops into Downs' lowest claiming class; TJ'S DIAMOND is surprisingly 0 for 24 this year despite hustling trips in all recent races. His to lose; FLORIDA FLYER is the only pacer here taking the key Downs drop to the nonwinner $750-last 5 group.

Race 2, Trot $2,500

LADY LUCY HELEN H got away poorly didn't get a clear lane until mid-stretch at Windsor, then boom! for the place spot. Beat a better trot group when last with Heath at the Downs; CC SABLE spoiled her easiest spot since coming to Maine in last getting hung in 1:00 half.Has faced Maine's best in 2007; BANNER has not been allowed to rate on the lead since July, but this is the spot for that

Race 3, Trot $2,500

MARK'S FINE CHINA has slowly, quietly (shhh!) dropped back down to her winning claiming level after barn attempted an ambitious campaign; TRUMP IMAGE has four wins in last 10 starts at this level and Drew returns; MISS EL PASO trotted well (and wide) in Maine debut at Windsor

Race 4, Trot, $3,300

STARS PHOTO drops from not-posted-open class at fairs which often includes top trotters; OMEGA ANGEL thumped cheaper group at Windsor but prior efforts vs. NPO types; POSSESSED is the "now" trotter whose sharply improving and upwardly mobile 3-year-old form must be respected

Race 5, Trot $46,976 - Two Year Old Filly Trot Final

SPEEDY CRANBERRY is barred from the wagering but may lose final to rapidly improving filly; RACE ME BRIDGET penned a shocking entry in the division's diary by trotting 29.3 final quarter at Windsor. Not only was it the quickest final quarter by a 2-year-old filly trotter this year, it's faster than any of the colt trotters AND as quick as any of the filly PACERS; CRANMEADOW MOXIE has hit board 7 of 8 trips

Race #6, Pace $2,200

GUNS GALORE has a win in Downs' winners-over claiming class, and easily handled similar at Windsor in last; MANNART SOUND WAVE been unable to crack the winners-over level, with nose, head, neck loses in last nine at this level; RAYS DILEMMA A gets Drew back for what should be a rollicking front-end drive.

Race #7, Trot $4,100

BLACK CHIP WINNER drops from the rich Ricci event and should thump 'n' drub these in rare drop to non-winner event; MIGHTY DRAGON N is the scary-fast trotter capable of sub-two-minute performance; BON VOYAGE, one of two from prominent stable in today, likely needs a start or two but warrants following based on nifty spring form at Toga.

Race #8, Trot $46,982 - Two Year Old Colt Trot Final

UP TEMPO quickly became dominant in 2-year-old colt trotter division; FOX RIDGE PEPPER has hit board 8 of 9 starts this year; CAST THEM AWAY, like his daddy, likes the mud with two superior efforts in the Bangor slop. About a 70-percent chance of showers Sunday, more if Richards can get the water truck to lead the way.

Race #9, Pace, $47,143 Two Year Old Filly Pace Final

PEMBROKE LU gets nod here as rail favorite may be forced into some premature moves; PRECIOUS FIONA will have a target on driver Mahar's back as the favorite from the rail in the final. Hard to believe someone won't take a hard shot at her early; KDK KATRINA, part of entry with KDK Caledonia, will pick up pieces.

Race #10, Trot $7,000

FOREIGN AUTHORITY faces much less than usual in Downs top trot class; WRITTENINTHESTARS looks around and should see no early challengers, allowing her to duplicate huge July 29 victory but an off track at all would hurt chances; NONNA'S TREASURE pours it on in stretch but does show a break from the Downs' tricky-for-trotters 1 post.

Race #11, Pace $47,060 Two Year Old Colt Pace Final

MAINEIAC MATT jumped 20 Trackmaster speed points with addition of Ingraham in last; PEMBROKE BLITZ has four straight sub-30 final quarters to endorse; KDK LEMONDROPKID hard to see surprises in this final.

Race #12, Pace $2,500

THE FAKER N arrives with gaudy speed figures but an apparently apt name as he's just 2 for 49 last two years. Still, the right connections for a big win in Maine debut; LEAST FAVORITE should be wound tight for second Maine trip, second time lasix, tad easier foes; JATESTER failed to win wicked slow miles in Presque Isle and floundered over speed-favoring Windsor track but gets Bartlett.

BEST BET : BLACK CHIP WINNER (7th)

LONGSHOT : MARKS FINE CHINA (3rd)