TwinSpires.com Blog

Here we go again with Yonkers Raceway’s George Morton Levy Memorial and Blue Chip Matchmaker pacing series. It’s round four this weekend. The ‘Levy’ and Matchmaker divisions, as we wrote in our review blog, have been tough to win with the kinds of prices we are used to getting but we have managed to adapt to the uneven flow of prices due to having so many horses coupled. We have managed to squeeze some decent prices out of these fields, especially when place and/or show betting is allowed and even when place isn’t allowed, by hitting exactas with the favorites that pay reasonably.

So, we go at it again, trying to overcome the adversity presented by the Levy fields and scores of bettors content to cash tickets worth anything. We still feel there are some serious contenders aboard for the series and there is no reason not to zero in on their chances to pay in spades should any win.

At the Meadowlands again this Friday, we engage in the Pick 3 that is inclusive with the Early Pick 4 and offer contenders for the difficult multi-exotics. Please consider these horses for your combo ticket and for win, place and show (last week we hit two winners that paid off well across-the-board.

Until Nov. 18, Hoosier Park is the place to play for TwinSpires Pick-4 bonus bets. The bonus feature includes every Pick 4 on every Hoosier program. We will be adding Hoosier to our horses to watch (H2W) list and suggesting horses during the week on Twitter @FrankCotolo and @TwinSpires. Click here for details.

And of course, the horses to watch (H2W), presented exclusively for TwinSpires harness blog, carries on its productive parade of contenders that usually offer a bounty of across-the-board prices and serve as profitable members of exotics.

Leveling Levys

Yonkers Raceway presents three divisions of Levy’s fourth-round on Saturday, April 12 and we are excavating for value despite the adversities presented in these four-turn battles.

In division one the value problem goes deeper than usual, with a field of seven reduced to five betting entities due to Ron Burke having a trio going for him. If you want to go outside of the entry to win and keep it as a key for exotics, use Keystone Velocity. Although he comes from the 7 hole here, last week, in only his fourth race of the season, he made up about 10 lengths to finish fourth at 75-1. It’s an upset depending on any number of situations but worth a shot considering the others outside of the entry.

Division two also houses a three-pronged Burke team. The best of the rest from last week is our choice last week, Versado. He closed 8 lengths in his trip to finish fourth at 48-1. With eight starts in 2014 he has finished second five times. Again, he is worth backing as an upset and a good second to the Burke brigade in exotics.

Finally, we face the mighty Foiled Again, the most prolific earner in the sport’s history; something few to none of his supporters at the windows can say assisted in their success. To add insult to injury, Burke’s other contestant is Bettor’s Edge, who is in his best form so far this season. His efforts in this series have even been bettor than those of Foiled Again, considering his moves during the miles. If you intend to key the Burke duo, use Dancin Yankee and Texican N behind them but if neither of those win, don’t expect to need Pinkertons to escort you home after you collect.

Matchmaker Mares

Friday, April 11, there are three divisions in the fourth round of the Matchmaker series. Unfortunately, two of the three mares that had impressive trips last week appear in the first division this week and the other is missing. There are three short fields this week.
In division one the outsider, again, should be Fashion Mystery. We nailed her for second in round two at an astounding 44-1, catching the triple, too (Ramalama, here in post 2) each exotic paying quite well compared to the series’ payoff history thus far. She is in post 5 of six in division one and should be a strong player.

We loved the way Bettor B Lucky used the final quarter last week in a two-move effort that got her home fourth but she comes along with the other Ron Burke property, Charisma Hanover. That one has had few excuses for losing twice already but as an entry she and “Bettor” may reduce the value element of this race. Fashion Mystery may still offer a decent price to win and for an exacta due to the unknown element here, the first Matchmaker appearance of Monkey On My Wheel.

”Monkey” has been very competitive up north, is a wild card in any race and won an overnight here last week. We can only leave her out of the contest here, considering she is up against stronger content than last week and may be the ruin in a speed duel, which favors our choices.

Division two features one Burke horse, so with no coupled entries we can shoot for a well-deserved upset, if we can beat Anndrovette. Angels Delight will be the second choice and can beat “Ann,” but we want the entity least likely to grab the public’s attention in a rare seven-horse Matchmaker field.

Our support, therefore, will go to Let’s Go Higher. She was weighed with post 8 last week and began 11 lengths out of it. She finished a mere 4 ¾ lengths behind Yagonnakissmeornot, who won by 2 over Angels Delight. From post 7 “Higher” needs to get a stronger position mid-field early and use her one burst to take advantage of what may be a burning duel.

Division three brings together six strongly competitive mares. This is a tight event to call and it may go to a low-priced overlay if bettors lean on a single mare. We can hope wagering centers upon Yagonnakissmeornot, who won here last week and the betting will be softer for Somwherovraraibow. But the latter is three for three this week, a buzz mare and her speed badge will impress bettors. With those two on the outside, then, we may have a shot with a decent price from Summertime Lea from post 1. Judge the price for yourself but as a third choice she should be worth support.

Pickin’ In Jersey 

The Meadowlands Early Pick 4 (April 11, $30,000 guaranteed pool, 15-percent take), tails off into the Pick 3 with its second leg. Here are some suggested contenders for the multi-race exotics, as well as they are sound across-the-board competitors.

Early Pick 4 (Races 3 through 6)
R3—use 7 Special Command
Pick 3, (Races 4, 5 & 6)
R4—use 3 Miss Machqueen, 7 Day To Ponder
R5—use 6 C-O-To Bluegrass, 7 Lindy Mcdreamy
R6—use 8 Hobe Sound

H2W Legend

Review our choices and follow the wagering at the prescribed track. These are possible contenders we have judged from reviewing races. The horses’ names are listed beneath the name of the track after the date they will be racing. The race in which they are entered (R and race number) follows. If a + is in front of a horse’s name it means it is appearing on the list for the second (and last time) because it failed to win the first time it appeared. An “AE” signals the horse is entered but on the also-eligible list. Types of wagering on any of the H2W listed horses are based on your judgment. If you have any questions, email us at TwinSpires.

H2W

Cal Expo
4/11/14, +Jimmi’s Fantasy N R9; +Sleigh Belle R11
4/12/14, Western Tower R9

Freehold
4/12/14, +Screen The Call R9; +Royal Todd R11 

Hoosier
4/10/14, Alligator Falls R1
4/12/14, Stop The Traffic R7; Jammin Joshua R11

Meadowlands
4/11/14, +Cult Status R7

Meadows
4/11/14, Spicey Victor R13; +JJ Gladiator R14

Miami Valley
4/10/14, Xtra Perfect R5

Pocono
4/12/14, +Banker Volo R3; Bagel Man R4; +Desperation R8; +Trys Little Prince R8

Pompano
4/5/14, +Mystical Muscles R4

Rosecroft
4/12/14, +Chepachet R12

Saratoga
4/10/14, +Muncie R6
4/11/14, Sarkozy R12

Scarborough
4/12/14, +Southwind Missouri R4

Vernon
4/12/14, Unicorn Hanover R7; Sundowner Bob R8

Yonkers
4/11/14, +Mctaylor R7

Ray Cotolo contributed to each Thursday edition.