The full analysis of the Hambletonian Final is available on
the blog where we have followed both divisions since the Grand Circuit began in
May—on our exclusive Hambletonian
Trail. The archived reports of all the eligibles’ performances in stakes
since May, as well as the elims for Saturday’s classics, are at the Hambletonian Society.
All of the other stakes action on the program is covered
below. We will be reporting and updating racing live from the Meadowlands on
Aug. 4. Follow Twitter accounts @FrankCotolo and @RayCotolo and watch the
TwinSpires and Hambletonian Trail blog throughout the card for on-the-spot
info, late changes, betting news, etcetera. It’s exclusive for TwinSpires.
Also, the power-packed Aug. 4 Meadowlands program features
the Super High 5 on the 15th (final) race of the program with a
takeout of only 5 percent.
Co-stars Combined
Friday, Aug. 3, the field of the $50,000 Townsend Ackerman
is represented by Hambletonian eligibles that did not make it to the big dance.
This will be a tough betting race in that four of the colts are coupled in one
entry and three are coupled in another, with only three other betting entities.
Also, since Little Brown Fox is a member of the four-pronged
group and he was a misfortunate elim breaker (while being the choice of many to
win the final), it is a strange combination of elements. He would be the choice
and would have been bet heavily even as his own betting interest. The break
that took him out of his Hambo elim was circumstantial, not chronic, and he is
the best of this group for sure.
Last year’s “Oaks”-eligibles, mostly, line up for the
$73,000 Ima Lula Final. The versatile Cedar Dove is here off of her series win
from post 11 after coming in second in leg one. She will be the public choice,
as we estimate, and China Pearls will be close behind her in the betting,
though that one was scratched for illness last week (we have no details about
that). But Tui is an immediate danger here. She was on her way to a sweep but
she broke late in leg two and could only get fifth. She will be a lot higher in
the odds than she was then, making her the outside contender for us.
Stakes On Hambo Program
Saturday’s cavalcade starts with the $30,000 Duenna for
glamour-gal trotters. Most in this first of two divisions were Oaks eligibles.
Chuck Sylvester’s Southwind Moni is as close as the veteran trainer will get to
Hambo-day glory this year. Still, she could bring a decent price against this
group since she has been racing better than her odds for a while.
Next, the $253,000 Lady Liberty produces mare-pacing
free-for-allers of the first degree. A great shot at a long price would be
Higher And Higher. She qualified well for this and is returning to the track
where she was most productive. Trainer-driver Daryl Bier is responsible for her
wins at the Meadowlands, where bettors stood clear from her due to his lack of
fame. From the 10 hole you can be sure she will be a big price and she will be
winging late to take down some of these popular names.
The second Duenna field is next and we absolutely love Starglow
Hall. Coming from the rich and competitive New York Sires Stakes, her recent
trip on Batavia’s half-mile warrants attention. Certainly at 9-1 she would have
won handily were it not for being three wide early and first over for two more
calls. Chris Ryder trains this well-bred filly that could surprise foes here.
The Miss New Jersey Final is next, worth $125,000 for
soph-filly pacers bred in the Garden State. Rockaround Sue has been dynamic in
her last three but will be a dead-on choice. Let her win at a low price. Take
Blackjack Princess to upset, certainly at the price that should be offered. She
made a bold move in the prep last week but was hung out to dry. A big mile
awaits here, so why not on the big day?
More Hambo-Program Stakes
Freshmen filly pacers are the stars in this, their most
lucrative event so far this season, the $286,300 Sweetheart Final. The top
prospect will most likely be Shebesting but post 10 could be a problem. It is
enough of a question to go shopping, especially since the rest of the big bets
will go to Nikki Beach, especially with Brian Sears up. Outside of those two is
the chance to take on Cult Status. She was right behind Nikki Beach in the prep
and looks to break her maiden in this stakes after only two starts for trainer
Richie Silverman. It would be a grand win for the one-time
popular-driver-turned-conditioner, as well as it would be a wonderful price.
Frosh-colt pacers are next in the $309,050 Woodrow Wilson
Final. Another pacer that could rise from the maiden ranks with a stakes win is
Chris Ryder’s Martini Hanover. Coming from Pennsylvania, this colt looks like
he wants to pace all day and that is the kind of fiber we want on a green colt
that looks for glory on the first Saturday in August. He is probably improving
leaps and bounds and that is worth a bet here against the obvious choices the
public will make.
Frosh-filly trotters are on stage next in the $354,450
Merrie Annabelle Final. We liked Lady Riviera last week and she was best of the
rest at 7-1 against the length-devouring To Dream On. Let’s turn the tables on
the public choice and go for the price with her again; she may win being closer
up this time as “Dream” will attempt to wire the field.
The frosh-colt trotters, those 2013 Hambo prospects, go at it
next in the $387,250 Peter Haughton Memorial. Again, we lean in the direction
of the improving young horse and that’s where we find A Perfect Yankee. Getting
into this final was not easy, since he broke at the start of his elim and was
far back until he was able to pass horses in the stretch and, in full stride,
finish fourth. Certainly the crowd will steer clear of driver Jim Oscarsson,
feeling safer with Brian Sears on Major Athens. As well, they may shy away from
the 10 horse, Fashion Blizzard, who we had last week. His second-place finish
qualifies him to be in the thick of this, even as far out as he will start.
Big Trots
The older trotters vie in the $50,000 Vincennes Invitational and the traditional Nat Ray Final, worth $250,000.
First, the Vincennes sends out 10 veterans from various
class levels, making for a tightly competitive field. A profitable scenario
finds Zooming controlling the fractions as the speed of the group from the
inside and giving the Millers, Julie-trainer and Andy-driver, a big win.
Certainly the Pocono race this guy delivered in a conditioned event is enough
to allow him the veracity to defeat some of the older ones here.
In the Nat Ray eight go out and seven have to contend with
multiple-world-champion Chapter Seven. Mister Herbie already handed that one a
defeat, winning at 8-1 in Canada. But an attempt to topple him today could make
a case for Hot Shot Blue Chip. No stranger to this day, his return to the track
after a brief retirement has been vengeful. Let’s take him today as the top two
could cancel each other out.
Closing Duo
Pacers close out the stakes program with the $242,500 U.S.
Pacing Championship for the elders and the $275,000 New Jersey Classic for the
sophomore colts.
The “Championship” has well-known starters and you can make
scenarios that would benefit most of them to win. But We Will See returns to
where he struck strongly last year and is in top shape again. He was hung at
Chester in a scorching three-quarters and here will be looking for a trip from
post 8 that allows him to turn the burners on just in time to pass the tired
duelers. There is no way to predict price; you be the judge of the value.
The “Classic” for state-bred soph colt pacers should go to
Hurrikane Kingcole. He will, however, be wagered upon heavily. Should he get
into a bad outer flow or at best hang, Rollnlikeabigshot may be there after a
ground-saving trip to pick up the pieces and take this at a price.
Ray Cotolo contributed to this edition.
This is a valuable and informative post, thanks for the share.
ReplyDeleteigoal หวย
good works like this. I'm rooting for you to fight. hokabet คาสิโน
ReplyDelete