That was a very good effort last time out from #9 Noballstwostrikes (4-1). Though the pace wasn’t particularly fast, the Jeff Runco trainee never caught a breather; there was another runner pressing him just about every step of the way, and he fought the winner (and favorite) all the way to the wire. A repeat of that would be good enough, and while last time he was drawn outside — and thus pretty much committed to the front — tonight he’ll be able to eyeball the other speed from an outer post… His recent form has been a little in-and-out, but one of his better efforts would put #5 Missionsninetynine (9-2) in the mix. His one prior three-turn outing was a good second, and while you expect he’ll be forwardly placed, he’s not a need-the-lead type… In his only three-turn try to date, #1 C R’s Mandate (5-2) ran huge, finishing second by less than a length to champion Muad’dib. Last fall’s Onion Juice winner went off form for a couple of starts but now seems to be heading in the right direction…#4 Hot Fudge Sonde (4-1) runs consistently good races…