Fort Erie Race 4

Claiming

Stake: -

BLUE MAX (1) First up. Stormed home to win last run at Mahoning Valley and gets the perfect draw. Have to respect the recent Kevin Buttigieg form but taking on stronger opponents. Serious contender. PAPERBACK HERO (5) Lost ground in the run home when 6th last start at this venue. Should improve from the last run. Helen Marie Vanek is a key engagement. Definite winning chance. ATTESTATION (3) Nice run when 3rd last start at the track and up against a less competitive field. Worth consideration. CANTUCCI (4) Tidy effort when 2nd last time around here but competing at a higher class. Showing positive results since resuming from a break and demonstrating upward trajectory in recent races. Goes very close.

Distance: 1207m
Track:
Weather: -
Surface: Dirt
Class: 3U, CLAIMING, CLM, TB

Blue Max (1) X21414361X
Trainer: Kevin Buttigieg()
Jockey: Kirk Johnson
Weight: 55.5kg
Prize Money: $0
Win / Place: 21% / 52%

8 yo Chestnut Gelding

Sire: Silver Max

Dam: She's Stella Marie

Dam's Sire: Leroidesanimaux

Stats

Career

57: 12-10-8

Distance

18: 5-4-3

Trk/Dst

1: 0-0-0

Track

6: 3-0-1

1st Up

5: 1-3-0

2nd Up

4: 2-0-0

3rd Up

4: 0-0-1

4th Up

3: 2-0-1

Turf

15: 2-2-2

Good

4: 1-0-1

Heavy

6: 1-1-0

Synthetic

2: 1-1-0

Dirt

42: 10-8-6

Firm

44: 9-8-7

Jockey Stats

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

1106m - 1207m

Comments

First up after a break. Rocketed home when winning last run at Mahoning Valley and has drawn to do little work. Kevin Buttigieg has been training plenty of winners recently. Will be fighting out the finish.

Expected Settling Position: Leader

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
1st of 6	1/4/26	Mahoning Valley	1207m	Claiming 89	3	Angel I Diaz	56kg	SY		-	0.5L	2-1	$0.00	-	$0	-	1. Blue Max 2. Brewing 3. See Spot Run
6th of 7	23/3/26	Mahoning Valley	1106m	Claiming 85	1	Angel I Diaz	56kg	MY		-	5.6L	6-6	$8.50	-	$0	-	1. Boudin 2. Smokin' Hot 3. Tonight
3rd of 6	2/3/26	Mahoning Valley	1207m	3U	1	Angel I Diaz	56kg	GOOD		-	5.5L	5-3	$5.50	-	$0	-	1. Smokin' Hot 2. Poppy's Pride 3. Blue Max
4th of 7	12/2/26	Mahoning Valley	1106m	Claiming 89	7	Angel I Diaz	56kg	MY		-	2L	5-5	$3.30	-	$0	-	1. Trikitraki 2. Smokin' Hot 3. Time The Avenger
1st of 7	2/1/26	Mahoning Valley	1207m	Claiming 84	5	Angel I Diaz	56kg	GD		-	3.5L	5-5	$5.50	-	$0	-	1. Blue Max 2. Boudin 3. Dream Knight
4th of 8	20/12/25	Mahoning Valley	1106m	Claiming 78	6	Angel I Diaz	56kg	WET FAST		-	11.3L	5-6	$4.40	-	$0	-	1. Zippin Gigi 2. Back To Reality 3. Midnight Rules

Forest Flash (2) 2163241X54
Trainer: Jeff Voyce()
Jockey: Ismael Eluid Mosqueira
Weight: 55.5kg
Prize Money: $0
Win / Place: 17% / 39%

Track / Distance Specialist

5 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: Souper Speedy

Dam: Forest Love

Dam's Sire: Old Forester

Stats

Career

23: 4-3-2

Distance

7: 3-1-0

Trk/Dst

5: 3-1-0

Track

13: 4-2-2

1st Up

4: 1-0-0

2nd Up

3: 0-1-0

3rd Up

2: 1-0-0

4th Up

2: 0-0-0

Turf

3: 1-0-0

Good

1: 1-0-0

Soft

1: 0-0-0

Heavy

1: 1-0-0

Synthetic

1: 0-0-1

Dirt

20: 3-3-2

Firm

19: 2-3-1

Jockey Stats

Horse

1: 0-0-0

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

1006m - 1106m

Comments

Looked outclassed when 4th last start around here but stepping down to a lower level. Ismael Eluid Mosqueira and Jeff Voyce are usually a competitive duo. This field likely to be too good.

Expected Settling Position: Backmarker

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
4th of 5	21/6/26	Fort Erie	1106m	3U	1	Michael David	55.5kg	FIRM		-	10.75L	1-2	$23	-	$0	-	1. Garofoli 2. Pat's Gamble 3. Star Scholar
5th of 6	31/5/26	Fort Erie	1006m	Claiming 76	1	Ismael Eluid Mosqueira	56kg	FT		-	5L	1-1	$4.60	-	$0	-	1. Back To Reality 2. Souper Iconic 3. Gus's Gamble
1st of 6	29/9/25	Fort Erie	1207m	3U	3	Edgar Zenteno	56.5kg	FAST		-	1.75L	1-1	$2.00	-	$0	-	1. Forest Flash 2. M C Jackhammer 3. Blame J D
4th of 6	15/9/25	Fort Erie	1006m	Claiming 82	6	Edgar Zenteno	55.5kg	FT		-	9.9L	4-4	$9.50	-	$0	-	1. Grand Ambition 2. Rye's My Guy 3. Big Time Louie
2nd of 6	1/9/25	Fort Erie	1207m	Claiming 80	6	Edgar Zenteno	56kg	FT		-	2.3L	2-2	$2.50	-	$0	-	1. Palace Prince 2. Forest Flash 3. Dream On Baby
3rd of 6	17/8/25	Fort Erie	1308m	Claiming 87	3	Edgar Zenteno	56kg	SY		-	6L	1-1	$10	-	$24,198	-	1. Mia And Me 2. Paperback Hero 3. Forest Flash

Attestation (3) 41165X4413
Trainer: Joseph Humber()
Jockey: Da-Sean Zavier Gaskin
Weight: 55.5kg
Prize Money: $0
Win / Place: 29% / 47%

4 yo Bay Colt

Sire: American Pharoah

Dam: Top Cats

Dam's Sire: Aussie Rules

Stats

Career

17: 5-1-2

Distance

5: 1-0-0

Trk/Dst

4: 1-0-0

Track

8: 3-0-1

1st Up

2: 0-0-0

2nd Up

1: 0-0-0

3rd Up

1: 1-0-0

4th Up

1: 0-0-1

Turf

2: 0-0-0

Good

3: 0-0-0

Dirt

15: 5-1-2

Firm

14: 5-1-2

Jockey Stats

Horse

1: 0-0-0

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

1005m - 1207m

Comments

Ran 3rd last start here and matched against less formidable competition. Must respect.

Expected Settling Position:

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
3rd of 4	30/6/26	Fort Erie	1006m	Claiming 75	2	Juan Crawford	55.5kg	FT		-	3.6L	3-3	$2.90	-	$0	-	1. Sea To Air 2. Half To Reload 3. Attestation
1st of 6	14/6/26	Fort Erie	1005m	3U	4	Juan Crawford	55.5kg	FT		-	2L	4-3	$2.38	-	$0	-	1. Attestation 2. A La Carte 3. Cantucci
4th of 7	31/5/26	Fort Erie	1207m	Claiming 80	1	Juan Crawford	55.5kg	FT		-	4.6L	1-2	$9.00	-	$0	-	1. Wet And Wild 2. Heat Merchant 3. Rye's My Guy
4th of 6	15/5/26	Woodbine	1207m	3U	2	Christoff Douglas	47kg	FAST		-	5.5L	5-6	$7.50	-	$0	-	1. Banker's Hours 2. Computer Hacker 3. Divine Leader
5th of 5	16/9/25	Fort Erie	1207m	3U	5	Da Sean Zavier Gaskin	54.5kg	FAST		-	16.5L	4-4	$12	-	$0	-	1. Half To Reload 2. Paperback Hero 3. Always A Way
6th of 7	25/8/25	Fort Erie	1207m	Claiming 86	7	Pierre Mailhot	54.5kg	FT		-	9.1L	7-6	$9.50	-	$0	-	1. Nameofthegame 2. Where Is Essa 3. Wet And Wild

Cantucci (4) 1214X42632
Trainer: George Newland()
Jockey: Alexis Sanchez
Weight: 56kg
Prize Money: $0
Win / Place: 12% / 42%

5 yo BBR Gelding

Sire: Souper Speedy

Dam: Tallievision

Dam's Sire: Court Vision

Stats

Career

33: 4-6-4

Distance

9: 1-3-0

Trk/Dst

3: 1-2-0

Track

9: 2-4-1

1st Up

4: 0-0-0

2nd Up

3: 0-1-0

3rd Up

3: 1-1-0

4th Up

3: 0-0-2

Turf

4: 0-1-0

Good

4: 1-2-0

Heavy

1: 0-1-0

Synthetic

1: 1-0-0

Dirt

29: 4-5-4

Firm

27: 2-3-4

Jockey Stats

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

1005m - 1308m

Comments

Ran well when 2nd last time here and form has been improving over recent runs. Racing consistently this campaign but challenged by more formidable competitors. Has a credible chance.

Expected Settling Position:

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
2nd of 6	29/6/26	Fort Erie	1207m	Claiming 70	4	Brian A Cheyne	56kg	FT		-	0.8L	2-2	$5.50	-	$0	-	1. Commander Joe 2. Cantucci 3. Where Is Essa
3rd of 6	14/6/26	Fort Erie	1005m	3U	2	Brian A Cheyne	55.5kg	FT		-	2.5L	2-2	$7.50	-	$0	-	1. Attestation 2. A La Carte 3. Cantucci
6th of 6	31/5/26	Fort Erie	1308m	Claiming 76	2	Brian A Cheyne	55.5kg	FT		-	13.9L	6-5	$6.50	-	$0	-	1. If You Insist 2. Bingo's Grind 3. Kiddie Holiday
2nd of 6	3/5/26	Mountaineer Park	1207m	3U	2	Luis A Rodriguez Castro	54.5kg	FAST		-	0.3L	2-2	$0.00	-	$0	-	1. All The Way 2. Cantucci 3. Beachwalker
4th of 4	13/4/26	Mountaineer Park	1106m	Allowance 96	3	Luis A Rodriguez Castro	54.5kg	FT		-	10.9L	2-3	$0.00	-	$0	-	1. Abundant Energy 2. Pallino 3. Petesoldfashioned
4th of 5	11/11/25	Mountaineer Park	1006m	Starter Allo	2	Deshawn L Parker	57kg	FT		-	7.3L	4-4	$21	-	$0	-	1. Jamming Cameron 2. Grand Ambition 3. No Name Dude

Paperback Hero (5) 227213X526
Trainer: Roy George Agostino()
Jockey: Helen Marie Vanek
Weight: 56kg
Prize Money: $0
Win / Place: 18% / 71%

8 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: Speightster

Dam: Page Dancer

Dam's Sire: Hennessy

Stats

Career

49: 9-15-11

Distance

18: 5-7-2

Trk/Dst

17: 5-7-2

Track

40: 9-13-10

1st Up

7: 2-0-2

2nd Up

6: 1-1-2

3rd Up

6: 0-2-2

4th Up

5: 0-2-2

Turf

7: 1-0-3

Good

7: 1-1-4

Soft

1: 0-0-0

Heavy

2: 1-1-0

Synthetic

6: 1-4-1

Dirt

41: 8-15-8

Firm

33: 6-9-6

Jockey Stats

Horse

2: 0-1-0

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

1207m

Comments

Was $6.50 and tailed off to finish 6th last start at this venue. Should improve from the last run. Jockey Helen Marie Vanek adds value. Stamps its reason for consideration.

Expected Settling Position:

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
6th of 7	29/6/26	Fort Erie	1207m	Claiming 77	7	Helen Marie Vanek	56kg	FT		-	8.5L	5-7	$5.50	-	$0	-	1. Rye's My Guy 2. Bingo's Grind 3. Kiddie Holiday
2nd of 7	14/6/26	Fort Erie	1207m	3U	3	Helen Marie Vanek	56kg	SY		-	0.5L	4-5	$3.30	-	$0	-	1. Silent Miracle 2. Paperback Hero 3. Gus's Gamble
5th of 7	31/5/26	Fort Erie	1207m	Claiming 80	3	Steve Jadoo	56kg	FT		-	5.9L	7-7	$6.00	-	$0	-	1. Wet And Wild 2. Heat Merchant 3. Rye's My Guy
3rd of 6	20/10/25	Fort Erie	1106m	Allowance 93	2	Leo Salles	55.5kg	SY		-	2.5L	5-5	$10	-	$0	-	1. Garofoli 2. Shakoo Makoo 3. Paperback Hero
1st of 8	7/10/25	Fort Erie	1207m	3U	1	Leo Salles	55.5kg	HEAVY		-	2L	1-1	$2.60	-	$0	-	1. Paperback Hero 2. Always A Way 3. Rye's My Guy
2nd of 5	16/9/25	Fort Erie	1207m	3U	2	Christopher Husbands	55.5kg	FAST		-	2L	2-2	$2.60	-	$0	-	1. Half To Reload 2. Paperback Hero 3. Always A Way

Thelonious (6) 61637245X4
Trainer: Kenneth R. Smith()
Jockey: Desean Bynoe
Weight: 55.5kg
Prize Money: $0
Win / Place: 10% / 32%

7 yo BBR Gelding

Sire: Commissioner

Dam: Tactical Gift

Dam's Sire: Tactical Cat

Stats

Career

56: 6-5-7

Distance

10: 0-0-1

Trk/Dst

5: 0-0-1

Track

39: 6-5-5

1st Up

6: 0-0-0

2nd Up

4: 0-0-0

3rd Up

4: 2-0-0

4th Up

4: 1-1-0

Turf

7: 0-1-1

Good

8: 0-1-1

Heavy

4: 0-0-0

Synthetic

6: 1-2-1

Dirt

49: 6-4-6

Firm

38: 5-2-5

Jockey Stats

Horse

3: 0-1-0

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

1207m

Comments

Started at $14.00 and below standard effort when 4th last start around here and facing stiffer opposition. Prefer others.

Expected Settling Position:

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
4th of 6	29/6/26	Fort Erie	1207m	Claiming 70	1	Jeffrey Ian Alderson	56kg	FT		-	7.8L	4-4	$14	-	$0	-	1. Commander Joe 2. Cantucci 3. Where Is Essa
5th of 8	21/10/25	Fort Erie	1710m	Stakes 91	5	Desean Bynoe	55.5kg	FT		-	10.5L	7-7-8	$34	-	$0	-	1. Victory March 2. Scat Factor 3. Le Grand Garcon
4th of 6	7/10/25	Fort Erie	1674m	3U	5	Desean Bynoe	55.5kg	HEAVY		-	2.75L	4-3-3	$5.00	-	$0	-	1. Hot Omelet 2. My Two Aunt Joans 3. Little Fire
2nd of 9	30/9/25	Fort Erie	1408m	3U	2	Desean Bynoe	55.5kg	FAST		-	0.05L	7-8	$41	-	$0	-	1. Rescue That Girl 2. Thelonious 3. Hardware Gap
7th of 9	16/9/25	Fort Erie	1609m	3U	6	Edgar Zenteno	55.5kg	FAST		-	14.5L	5-7-8	$51	-	$0	-	1. Wilberforce 2. Jack The Cat 3. Gus's Gamble
3rd of 5	2/9/25	Fort Erie	1207m	3U	3	Jeffrey Ian Alderson	54.5kg	FAST		-	6.35L	4-4	$16	-	$0	-	1. Ernie's Martini 2. Commander Joe 3. Thelonious

Race Review Abbreviations

3WNC: Three wide no cover, Awk: Awkwardly away, Bk: Back, Blkd: Blocked, Btld: Battled, Chal: Challenged, Chkd: Checked, Cvr: Cover, Fdd: Faded, Fght: Fought, Fin: Finish, Hdd: Headed, Hld up: Held up, Hmprd: Hampered, Hndy: Handy, Kikd: Kicked, Kn: Keen, Ld: Led/Lead, Midf: Midfield, Mod pc: Moderate pace, Otf: On the Fence, ROS: Ran on strongly, Slow: Slow away, Snagd: Snagged, Stld: Settled, Tn: Turn, Trld: Trailed, Under pres: Under pressure, Under rd: Under riding, Urgd: Urged, Wd: Wide, Wdr: Wider, Weavd: Weaved, Wknd: Weakened, Wrkd: Worked