Jul 6, 2014

Cotolo’s Harness Review, News And Notes

The crowd was sharper than us over the weekend, for the most part, but our skim horses-to-watch list (H2W) broke through with a decent percentage of winners and a monstrous place list. Check out the seconds in the review below; many of those place prices are more generous than a lot of win tickets offered in features and overnights.

Friday’s frosh events at the Meadowlands for New Jersey state-breds were no bargain for our choices. One colt scratched and the other two finished fifth (38-1) and seventh (16-1), respectively. Saturday, July 5, we stayed put at the Meadowlands for the highlighted events, looking over at Pocono in Pennsylvania for a few soph-colt trotters on the Hambletonian Trail.

The industry focused upon the Hambletonian Maturity’s debut on Saturday at the Meadowlands for reasons obvious to any harness followers. The 1 1/8-mile event featuring only four-year-old trotters pitted Bee A Magician against male foes—a dozen of them—in a field of 14. The unusual double-tiered field featured a few well-known names, including last year’s Hambo winner, Royalty For Life and the Kentucky Futurity winner Creatine, our choice.

All of the handicappers we know faced the same problem we faced with a field that large and extra real estate. Traffic was expected and could not be predicted. To truly appreciate the French-harness-like configuration of the race before we write about it here, we offer you a look at the replay by clicking here.

Bee A Magician was the favorite, Royalty For Life was 4-1 and our choice was 9-1. The first two quarters were deciding points for some losers, as “Royalty” went to the top in :25.4 and Creatine was parked three wide for that call and the :55 second call. Creatine took the first-over spot in that whirlwind while Spider Blue Chip took over. Then, “Spider” broke, ending chances for Royalty beside him. Before a blistering 1:23.2 third call, Your So Vain flew three wide to pass them all and take command. Creatine found a second spot inside but was a victim of the fiery fractions to three-quarters and was passed past the 1:51.3 mile point established by “Vain,” who stayed easily to the finish in 2:05.3. “Bee” was all out to finish second, having saved a ton of ground during the speedy quarters and ultimately she passed tired horses to complete the exacta.

Ake Svanstedt is the driver and trainer of Vain. He adds this win to his ever-growing stable of hot horses, including Sebastian K. The Swedish horseman is all the rage this season. Oddly enough, we liked Creatine for class reasons and his trip demoted all chances to win the “Maturity,” but it was Vain that was beaten by Creatine in their battle at three on The Red Mile in the “Futurity.” Creatine finished fifth in the Maturity.

In the Meadowlands Pace elims we gave you two of three in the first split, with JK Endofanera, at 1-5 this week, won ($2.80, $2.20, $2.10) and Lyonssomewhere third ($3). Doo Wop Hanover (7-1) finished fourth but made the final field. In round two, we were fourth with Jet Airway (12-1) as He’s Watching won off of a pocket trip.

We won the Mistletoe Shalee elim mile with Sandbetweenurtoes ($5, $3.20, $2.60), with our second choice, Gallie Bythe Beach third ($3.20).

The week’s results from the Hambletonian Trail blog come from Pocono Downs, where the soph-colt trotters in the Pennsylvania All Stars splits produced Jett Star second ($5.40, $3.40), who with the favorite delivered an exacta worth $18.60.

We share the results of our soph-trot analysis’ here with our weekly update. The Hambletonian Trail comes to you in cooperation with TwinSpires and the Hambletonian Society. You can read the recap race stories and data on the history of the August classics at the society’s archives.

TwinSpires and Hoosier continue a three-pronged power-packed program for harness players. Tuesdays, wager all you want and earn 10 TSC Elite Points per dollar bet. Click here for details. Every Thursday night, there is a 20-percent bonus on hitting the Pick 4 starting at Race 3. Click here for details. And the ongoing 10-percent Pick-4 bonus every racing night on Pick-4 hits continues through the meet. Click here for details.

In between published harness blogs, follow @FrankCotolo and @TwinSpires on Twitter to get tips on Hoosier contenders you can use in your tickets. Other possibilities appear in exclusive H2W list.

H2W RESULTS

The H2W results list across-the-board prices. Also, exactas are included when a H2W horse finishing first or second completes the result with a race favorite or another H2W horse listed in the same race (an asterisk appears when both horses were listed to complete the exacta).

Winners

Rush Rules, $14.40, $8.90, $3, Buffalo
Blissful Escape, $7.10, $4.40, $2.50, Buffalo

Seconds

Captain John Henry, $17.20, $8.60, Hoosier
Best Risque, $13.40, $7.80
Summertime Lea, $7.40, $3, Yonkers
Rub N Tug, $6.80, $3.70, Mohawk
Mary Rose Of Topaz, $5, $3.40, Scarborough
Light N Shadow, $3.40, $2.80, Meadows
Im A Lucky Man, $2.60, $2.20 (Exacta $4.60), Scarborough

Thirds

Nothinbutanallstar, $8.60, Hoosier
Insane In Spane, $7.80, Yonkers

News And Notes

The $5 million Breeders Crown championships will return to Canada in 2015 after a two-year hiatus. Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG) has signed a letter of intent to host all 12 events in the fall of next year, announced WEG Executive Vice-President of Racing Jamie Martin and Tom Charters, president of the Hambletonian Society, which owns and administrates the series. Woodbine hosted all 12 races in 2011 and 2012, handling more than $8.5 million and luring international stars Rapide Lebel and Commander Crowe.

Champion racehorse and stallion Matts Scooter, 29, was euthanized in New Jersey last week. He had been residing at Perretti Farms, where he had stood at stud virtually his entire career. During his three-year campaign as a racehorse for trainer Harry Poulton, Matts Scooter won 37 times in 61 trips behind the gate, with earnings of $2,944,591. He was voted Horse of the Year in the United States in 1989 and was Canada’s Horse of the Year in ‘88 and ‘89.

Lightly raced at two and ineligible for the Little Brown Jug and Cane Pace at three, Matts Scooter still managed to earn $1.78 million in 1988, winning 11 races and finishing out of the money only twice in 22 starts. He became the fastest pacer in the history of the sport that fall when he time-trialed in 1:48.2 at The Red Mile. Coming back to the races at four, Matts Scooter earned $1.14 million. His career stakes wins included the Meadowlands Pace, Messenger, Breeders Crown Open Pace, American-National, New Jersey Classic, Prix d’Ete, Nat Christie Memorial, Confederation Cup, Driscoll, Mohawk Gold Cup, Stewart Fraser Memorial, Cornell Memorial and U.S. Pacing Championship.

During his 20 year career at stud Matts Scooter sons and daughters include numerous divisional and world champions. Mach Three ($2.17 million) was his richest performer and Royal Mattjesty (1:48.4) his fastest. His offspring earned $74.39 million and 210 were $100,000 winners. He also sired 358 1:55 performers and 792 with 2:00 marks. Matts Scooter was inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 1992 and the Living Horse Hall of Fame in Goshen in 2006.

Sid Alpert, a master innovator of raceway video and sound systems at a number of racetracks and a holder of a number of patents during the last half of the 20th century passed away at age 87. Alpert was a photographer at The Washington Times Herald with Jacqueline Bouvier (later wife of President Kennedy) as one of his protégés. Mr. Alpert became interested in harness racing and seeing a need for improved filming of races, formed his company, Electronic Race Patrol (ERP). Mr. Alpert began his career in racing by filming races in the 1950s at Maryland tracks. He teamed with the DuPont Chemical Company to develop a special film for use at night and was the first to film nighttime races.

Alpert was the first to introduce live closed circuit race monitors at the tracks he serviced. He was first to show live races and replays on a split-screen. Next, he introduced color to showcase races on television. In the 1960s he was the first to bring live video broadcasting to racetracks in the Midwest. His company also made noted television broadcast advancements at the ill-fated Garden State Park. In 1977, with the track ablaze, Alpert was high atop the facility video-taping the disaster.

Alpert fostered a remarkable project in 1989 that was ahead of its time. He visualized making full-card racing a staple on cable TV. His concept was to race entire programs at a track in Pennsylvania without anyone in attendance. The races would be shown on an all-racing channel offering wagering. Alpert envisioned having a daily early evening harness racing TV program in the fashion of the popular late night shows. Alpert’s concept included transmitting wagering information to fans at home via fax machine. Unfortunately, due to many reasons, he abandoned the project and then retired.

The babies were at it again at the Meadowlands on July5. The star of the show wasn’t a two-year-old but a Hambletonain candidate at the very peak of his powers, Jimmy Takter’s Trixton. In a qualifier, Trixton waltzed around the oval in 1:53.3. He meets his stablemate Father Patrick in the Stanley Dancer Memorial on July 12. Perfect Alliance also got some work, touring the oval in 1:53.3 in preparation for the Miss Versatility leg next week.

Baby trotters led off the card and a couple of fillies. Credit Winner-filly Crazy Beautiful and Lilu Hanover impressed with identical 1:58.1 miles. Takter drove the Cantab Hanover colt Walter White to a 1:59.4 win. Takter pacing pupil Bet You won his third straight non-betting race, this one in 1:57. He’s by Bettors Delight. Trond Smedshammer won a couple, taking the second race with Finish Line, a Yankee Glide gelding in 2:00. Trond also won with Crazshana in 2:01.4. This one is a Crazed gelding. Jonas Czernyson sent out a pair of winners, Alderbaran Eagle in 2:00.3 and a Muscle Hill filly Jolene Jolene in 2:01.

Baby pacers started off with the speedy Sportswriter filly Yellow Mustang in 1:57. Joe Holloway trains. The cleverly named She’s A Hot Mess redeemed herself after last week’s miscue by beating a field of colts in 1:58. She’s an American Ideal homebred. The next group also contained some impressive colts. The winner was Major War, by American Ideal, in a 1:55.4 mile.

Extraordinary Extras

Indulge in many standardbred topics at my Hoof Beats blog titled Vast Performances.

Ray Cotolo contributed to this blog

Cartoons by Thom Pye ~ Find more fun Pye art at PYESITE

27 comments:

  1. Horse-racing is a sport that is not for the masses. Although the ones who are into it, are into it big time. From breeding to training to betting, this sport has its charm. I work in a Content Writing Service in New Jersey, and a client (who is also a friend) is a horserace enthusiast, and thanks to him I got introduced to the world of horse-racing. Believe me, it's more fun than you think!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Am glad i came across this site, if you dont mind whats i do is Case Study Writing Services incase you need just let me know, If you are looking for Best Case Study Writers Online do not hesitate to inform me too

    ReplyDelete
  3. All the contents you mentioned in post is too good and can be very useful. I will keep it in mind, thanks for sharing the information keep updating, looking forward for more posts.Thanks
    Home Design Services in Middleton ID

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks for sharing this quality information with us. I really enjoyed reading. Will surely going to share this URL with my friends.
    Commercial Services Atlanta GA

    ReplyDelete
  5. I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don’t know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog, I will keep visiting this blog very often.
    Pressure Washing Haymarket VA

    ReplyDelete
  6. This is my first time i visit here and I found so many interesting stuff in your blog especially it's discussion, thank you.
    Faucet Repair Sterling VA

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thanks for every other informative site. The place else may just I get that kind of information written in such an ideal means? I have a venture that I’m just now operating on, and I have been on the look out for such information. Kitchen Remodeling Great Falls

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thank you for taking the time to share this vital information with us. Every time I read your advice, it helps me work more efficiently and quietly, and I also benefit greatly from using online assistance. It is good to my academics to read your postings and learn new things from them. I'd like to thank you for everything you've done.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Horse racing is not a sport for the average person. However, those who are serious about it. This sport has its own charm, from breeding to training to betting. I work for a best essay help in the United States, and one of my clients is a horseracing enthusiast, and it was thanks to him that I was introduced to the world of horseracing. It's a lot more fun than you think!

    ReplyDelete
  10. We have a Collection of All Bollywood and Hollywood Movies In 4kHD
    Website: allmovies4khd

    ReplyDelete
  11. Everyone enjoys keeping up with the latest fashion trends from across the world. Yellowstone Merchandise, based on the American television series, is now available.

    Ryan Bingham Yellowstone Grey Wool Pea Coat

    ReplyDelete
  12. Very fascinating story, it is difficult to find interesting and relevant content among blogs now. That is why I will definitely share your blog with my friends. I wish you success!
    Cobra Kai S05 Daniel Larusso Jacket

    ReplyDelete
  13. Looking for high-quality coats in a variety of styles and colors? Dollar Jackets, on the other hand, is the place to be. We deal with a wide range of jackets. We want to give the highest quality jackets to our consumers.
    keanu reeves motorcycle jacket

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thanks for sharing great information.
    We make it fast, easy, and affordable to send SMS, Email, and Voice campaigns and engage in two-way conversations with your customers in real-time without implementing any code.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Varsity jackets are also a great gift idea for sports teams, graduating seniors, or anyone who wants to show off their school pride.
    Order Now: 49er starter jacket

    ReplyDelete
  16. Shop now and save big on our latest varsity jacket collection! Don't miss out on the opportunity to get the best deals available. Whether you're a student looking to represent your school in style or a fashion enthusiast wanting to rock a timeless piece, our collection has something for everyone. With a wide range of colors, designs, and sizes, you'll find the perfect varsity jacket to suit your taste. Hurry and take advantage of these amazing savings before they're gone. Visit our online store today and upgrade your wardrobe with our fantastic varsity jacket collection.
    Order Now: Tiffany And Co Nike Varsity Jacket

    Harley Davidson 120th Anniversary Wool Varsity Jacket

    Harley Davidson 120th Anniversary Satin Varsity Jacket

    Harley Davidson 120th Anniversary Colorblocked Bomber Jacket

    Saint Youth Eternal Jesus Varsity Jacket

    Ateez World Tour 2022 Black Bomber Jacket

    Ttc X Nike Jacket

    Jack Harlow White Suit

    ReplyDelete
  17. I love how the john dutton quilted jacket combines fashion with functionality. The quilted pattern not only adds visual interest but also provides extra warmth and insulation. It's a versatile piece that can be dressed up or down for any occasion

    ReplyDelete
  18. This ted lasso jacket for sale has become a cultural phenomenon in its own right, sparking fashion trends and countless fan discussions. Its versatility is one of its key strengths, as it can effortlessly transition from casual to formal, making it a must-have for any fashion-conscious individual looking to add a touch of "Ted Lasso" style to their wardrobe

    ReplyDelete
  19. I got my Backwoods Rick Hoodie today and the delivery information and timeline for its arrival was excellent. I'm grateful!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I love the versatility of the beth dutton pink coat. It's not only a stylish outerwear piece but also a functional one, keeping me warm during chilly days without compromising on style

    ReplyDelete
  21. While exploring Cotolo's Harness Review, News, and Notes may provide valuable insights into the harness racing industry and its marketing strategies, it's crucial to prioritize academic commitments, especially when seeking marketing dissertation help. Ensure that the service you choose specializes in marketing dissertation assistance and consider factors like expertise, customer reviews, and adherence to deadlines. By selecting reliable help with your marketing dissertation, you can effectively manage academic responsibilities while staying informed about industry trends. Remember, while industry analyses like Cotolo's may be informative, dedicating time to excel in your dissertation ensures proficiency in the field. Utilize help with marketing dissertations to navigate challenges and achieve academic success while staying focused on your goals.

    ReplyDelete