Harness Mixes It Up In March

More winter series action highlights the Meadowlands weekend as March begins and Woodbine hosts the Cam Fella. At the Big M the top older pacing mares are featured in the Overbid on Feb. 4 and on Feb. 5 five-year-old-and-under pacers gather for the seasonal Four Leaf Clover. North of the border, at Woodbine, a field of four- and five-year-old pacers battle in the Cam Fella.

We also present our weekly-suggested contenders for the Meadowlands Pick 4 on Saturday, with its $100,000-guaranteed pool and the 10-percent TwinSpires bonus, and the no-takeout late Pick 4 at Cal Expo, also Saturday.

And March is free harness program month. Click here and get the info.

We have cleared up the confusion concerning the races included in the Cal Expo exotic. The problem surfaced because there are not always 15 races and we have a deadline that comes earlier than the program is released. So please make note of the following conditions based on how many races are offered on the Saturday evening program.

Total races--Late Pick 4 races

11                  8, 9, 10, 11

12                  9, 10, 11, 12

13                  9, 10, 11, 12

14                  11, 12, 13, 14

15                  11, 12, 13, 14

Series Ensue

In the opener of the Overbid, Cape & Cutter champion Laughandbehappy will be the likely odds-on choice. This mare has shown mighty capabilities throughout the 2011 season so far and will be a challenge to the other six pacers. But one the public may ignore is Sand Windsor. She recently won at The Meadows and is also the 2010 Matron champion. “Sand” may reveal more strength than she did last year. Also watch Western Graduate.

In the second Overbid division, the feature is the return of Ginger And Fred. This five-year-old will likely be the favorite. But Cuz She Can could also be tough to beat. She has always been sharp but will need a better trip than her last journey and may get it from the inside. Also watch Chancey Lady. She had beaten Ginger And Fred in her last two starts and is also the 2010 Cape & Cutter champion.

In the only division of the Four Leaf Clover, one of the major three-year-olds last year surfaces: Ideal Matters. He will probably be the favorite as he raced two qualifiers strongly without breaking. But one the public could ignore is Panesthetic. When this horse didn’t break he was a monster, setting a lifetime mark of 1:48.2 at the Meadowlands. He could show more potential in his four-year-old campaign. Also, Art Professor will be a tough competitor. He just had one weird trip in the Aquarius and came back just fine the next week. Also back fresh is Valentino. (See Pick-4 analysis below for more.)

At Woodbine the Cam Fella chapter finds two horses from Meadowlands series in the mix. Meirs Hanover and Sniper Seelster have not traveled all this way for fun. They will both be gunning for the top prize to make it into the final. “Sniper” will probably be the overlay, as he could be more comfortable in Canada.

Pick-4 Meadowlands Mania

Pick 4 will continue through the rest of the winter meet (through March). With the 15-percent takeout on the Pick 4, we remind you that on TwinSpires you get a 10-percent bonus.

Race 6
(1) Code Word had a bad outside trip in the Aquarius and won the week before. He is moving to the inside which could provide a better trip. (2) Panesthetic is coming off of three good qualifiers and can show plenty of speed. (4) Art Professor has had some rough trips in his last couple of starts but is a great horse and could blow this field away.

Race 7
(4) Native Lightning got a good trip last week and if he gets another chance like that he will likely be in the trifecta. (8) Orr Hanover worked super hard weeks ago being hung for three-quarters of the mile and could get better positioning here.

Race 8
(8) Fancyfreeshark is shipping in from Dover with a lot of back class. He had a rough trip in the WO13,000L5, which is way higher than this one and should prove his class in this mile. (10) Blue Claw has gotten better in his six-year-old campaign and could be best here even with the step up in class; most likely at a price.

Race 9
(3) Touch The Rock was shuffled back last week and still got third. He will be a tough contender. (7) Super Eighty Eight has had some tough trips recently and may get better as the racing year goes on.

This ticket is worth $24. Add or subtract horses to fit your budget.

Cal Exotic

Race 11
(2) Natty Lite was 21-1 last week and tried hard to bring home the big prize. “Natty” finished third even after having to race on the outside. (3) Long Last Look won very strongly and returns with no reason not to try again, though he may be the top choice.

Race 12
(1) Haggin Oaks is hot, having won two of three at great odds. Since losing his last, he may again be ignored. (2) Lily’s Hi Ho, even though going first up, won a powerful mile and may be the favorite.

Race 13
(1) Bo Knows Power was closing sharply when getting the show spot. (4) False Accusations won as the choice, could be tough here again. Mad River Hanover was the best closer last time and almost won.     

Race 14
(3) Gorgeous Forever was a beaten favorite and may be overlooked this time. Red Star Gilda has been productive and could get better odds than her chances leaving from post 8.

If you want to use all of these, you have to shell out $48. However, since three probable favorites are included, you can get a better chance at a big return by playing 2/1/1,6/3,8 for only $8.

Watch List Action

At The Meadows on March 4, we are watching six horses. In Race 3 Golden Rose (3); in Race 7 Secret Image (3) and Crownprince Volo (4); in Race 8 Pilgrims Haley (2); in Race 10 Latest Buzz (2); and in Race 12 Don’t Blame Her (8).

At Buffalo on March 4 we are considering four horses. In Race 5 Catch That Yank (6) and Bankers Dream (1); in Race 6 Yourkindainmyway (8); and in Race 12 Wyndridge Bliss (5).

At Pompano on March 5 we are considering three horses. In Race 5 Grinning Breed (8) and in Race 10 Bay Lightning (5) and Mr China (7).

Then at Buffalo on March 5 we are considering five horses. In Race 2 Ellie’s Crew (3); in Race 3 Fleeing The Scene (2); in Race 7 Vijaysluck (5); in Race 8 Bobsujak (1); and in Race 9 Noble Maximus (6). 

(Ray Cotolo assisted in this edition.)