TwinSpires.com Blog

One more round for the males and mares pacing at Yonkers Raceway this weekend, then the George Morton Levy Memorial and Blue Chip Matchmaker pacing series hold their finals The ‘Levy’ and Matchmaker finales are set for Saturday night, Apr. 26. The purses are $567,000 (Levy) and $371,400 (Matchmaker). These are the two richest races to date this season in North America and are accompanied Apr. 26 by their respective consolations (Levy for $100,000, Matchmaker for $75,000).

At the Meadowlands on Saturday, two series’ finals are included in the program. The Artistic Vision for three-years-old-and-up filly-and-mare pacers goes for $55,800 and the Whata Baron for three-years-old-and-up horse and gelding pacers has a purse of $63,000. Plus, again this Friday we engage in the Meadowlands Early Pick 4, with its last three legs a Pick 3 on its own.

Pocono presents a Bobby Weiss Series late-closer worth $30,000 on April 19’s program. We have something to say about some value in that contest.

Until Nov. 18, playing Pick 4s at Hoosier Park through your TwinSpires account offers specials. Ten times point-earning advantages take place on every Tuesday program and Pick-4 bonus bets are plentiful. 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.

We have added a few horses to watch (H2W), on our exclusive list for TwinSpires harness blog. Use these suggested contenders that are proving productie across-the-board wagers and serve as profitable members of exotics.

Leveling Levys

Yonkers Raceway presents the penultimate divisions of the Levy on Saturday, April 19 and all we can do is depend on outsiders to make this series a profitable affair. Certainly betting winners of many divisions cannot shout for joy on their win-mutuel returns. Hopefully we have helped with strong place and exacta additions to those short-priced favorites.

The trio of divisions tonight are also short for bargain shoppers, with two Burkes making it a five-horse betting mile. We are coming back to Sapphire City in this split, since he has shown some stuff in the series and may be able to handle Clear Vision, Burke’s best of his pair. Along with Apprentice Hanover, first or second, these two could increase the payout of an exacta and put a decent price to the win column with “City” atop.

Burke sends three in division deux and we go back to Texican N for an upset. He hasn’t rallied in the series but hasn’t surrendered, either. Driver Brian Sears sticks with him and he could present some value among the five betting entities if he scuttles through late and gets a share of the series lucrative rewards.

No one knows what to say against Foiled Again, who leads the last division’s field with an impeccable 2014 record, all in this series. Two other strong contenders are Burke-trained, so what is left but the outrageous—that competent foe Malak Uswaad N shocks the field with Sears and trainer Peter Tritton taking two on the night (Texican N is Tritton’s student). Whatever you do, use Tritton’s charges in both exotics as well as taking a shot for an upset win.

Matchmaker Mares

Friday, April 18, the divisions in the fifth round of the Matchmaker series take one more shot to get a berth in the final or to a consolation next week. Division one goes with seven on board. Yagonnakissmeornot gets post 7 and Ideal In Vegas post 3. Those two will probably be the favorites over four lightly raced non-winners and another with a single win in a dozen starts this season. Coming in from the north is Scandalous Hanover for trainer Casie Coleman. This mare has only two starts and was second in both. If she was revving up for this, she can take it, perhaps as third choice.

The second of the two divisions is loaded with talent and almost impossible to establish an honest line. The crowd, however, may split their votes between Somwherovrarainbow and the mighty Anndrovette. The best scenario to hope for is that swarming speed will make waste of those two and Summertime Lea (who has to leave from post 8 to make noise). There is a chance for Coleman to sweep the duo of divisions if Monkey On My Wheel can stay mid-pack while the flaming fractions ensue and then cut through the smoke and beat Shelliscape, who should also be closing (if not, she will burn out too).

Visions Of Art

The $55,800 Artistic Vision Final at the Meadowlands on April 19 brings together six participants in the series; two are a coupled Ron Burke entry and one of them is the prolific American In Paris, who has yet to lose in six starts this season, all at the Meadowlands. While the Burke brigade is barreling through the Levy series across the river, his duo here, which includes Art Ideal, will take the majority of win money from the public and receive all of the accolades from the public handicappers.

If you wish to key exotics with the Burke duo, don’t expect a windfall. If you want to try to beat “Paris,” we call to your attention Hobe Sound as the upset candidate. Her two attempts in this series were both thwarted by Paris but she races well in both—even her seventh-place finish last week had a positive side, with a 10-length close as the field roared to get Paris. Before that she was only 6-1 in the series and was fourth and before that she was productive at Yonkers, though a bad trip ruined a win for her in the Petticoat Final. John Campbell picks up the drive (at press time) and can be trusted to give her the best ride she can get.

‘Baron’ Brutes

All that is left in the next series finale Saturday at the Meadowlands are four-year-old male pacers. They go hunting for the best of a $63,000 purse in the Whata Baron Final. Making up for a tough sophomore season, Wake Up Peter has been strong against this group, winning both of his “Baron” legs. Captive Audience has accomplished the same with his divisions and these two will be the obvious public choices.

All we can see in the way of an upset is Burkentine Hanover. From post 10 he will be dismissed, as he was last week. But he was fired up and soaring, gaining while wide and coming very close to “Peter” at the wire, finishing third at 8-1. He should be far more than 8-1 in this and that is all the more reason to rebel against the top two.

The Meadowlands Early Pick 4 (April 18, $30,000 guaranteed pool, 15-percent take), tails off into the Pick 3 with its second leg. Here are some suggested contenders, hopefully other than the obvious choices for both multi-race exotics; as well, they are sound across-the-board competitors.

Early Pick 4 (Races 3 through 6)
R3—use 7 Easter Surprize
Pick 3, (Races 4, 5 & 6)
R4—use 2 Lad Pine
R5—use 4 Mr Candyman; 5 Wheels
R6—use  9 Shine N Shimmer

Pocono Prices

Nine three-and-up pacing fellas, with two also eligible, go on April 19, in Pocono’s Bobby Weiss Series Final, worth $30,000. The Burke brigade is present with two, uncoupled, but they are in deep, with many series competitors in the mix. We are looking for All Gold to be one of the overlooked contenders. His most recent series leg was a tough 8-hole grind and before that, at 9-2, he finished just behind one of the probable public choices here, A Stitch In Time (leaving from post 9 in this battle). In a race where so many entries can be argued, we’ll take All Gold.

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

Buffalo
4/18/14, Upfrontoutthedoor R1
4/19/14, Lucky Millionaire R4; Somethingtobehold R5; Naked News R7

Cal Expo
4/18/14, Lucky Man Again R6; Wanna Win R7; Blue Note R8; Vantage R11
4/19/14, I Can Feel It R3; Western Tower R9; Red Star Wild One R10; Whiskey Bernie R12; Lucky Land R12

Freehold
4/19/14, Palm Beach Boy R2; The Midnight Owl N R3; +Pass The Deck R8; Brickyard Ben R12 

Hazel
4/18/14, Kaitlyn Rae R9; Frontgear R12
4/19/14, Iron N Steel R8

Hoosier
4/17/14, +Alligator Falls R6
4/19/14, +Stop The Traffic R6; Bazinga R7; +Jammin Joshua R11

Meadowlands
4/18/14, +Special Command R5
4/19/14, +Bet On The Law R2

Meadows
4/18/14, +Chekov R7; Masterdream Chaser R13; +Woody R15

Miami Valley
4/17/14, +Swimsuit Model R9

Pocono
4/19/14, +Bagel Man R2; Gonna Rock N Roll R4; Caerleon Hanover R5; Damon Blue Chip R12

Pompano
4/10/14, Shamderock R1; Yankees In Six R3; +Kennairnmachmagic R6; Goldstar Raider R8

Rosecroft
4/19/14, Southern Artie R4

Saratoga
4/18/14, +Sarkozy R1; Bettor Be Genuine R2
4/19/14, Tinys Million R2; Alastair Hanover R3

Scarborough
4/19/14, +Roy Orbisong R1

Vernon
4/19/14, +Sundowner Bob R4; Restless Yankee R7; +Unicorn Hanover R8; Stettin Hanover R13

Yonkers
4/18/14, +Mctaylor R9; Defiance N R8; +McTaylor R9; Seagram R10
4/19/14, +Versado R7


Ray Cotolo contributes to each edition.      

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.      

Yonkers Raceway’s the George Morton Levy Memorial and Blue Chip Matchmaker pacing series continue with round three Friday and Saturday. The ‘Levy’ and Matchmaker divisions have been strong for crowd choices and certainly the dual wins by former title-holder Foiled Again are not offering player profit but sweeps in the series are traditionally rare, so we will hoist the flag for some serious contenders that will pay in spades should any win.

At the Meadowlands on Friday and Saturday, since we do not have any other major events to cover, we will engage in some exotics and offer contenders in difficult multi-exotics.

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.

Now, with Hoosier Park harness in full regalia, TwinSpires P4 bonus is back. CLICK HERE

Spring may be having a slight problem progressing to its natural state of warming temperatures but that isn’t stopping the season’s most exciting early season series from moving into its second of six episodes. Yonkers Raceway’s the George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series and the Blue Chip Matchmaker is once again featured this weekend. The ‘Levy’ and Matchmaker march through the last weekend in March on Saturday and Friday, respectively.

At the Meadowlands on Friday and Saturday, the Horse & Groom trotters and the Clyde Hirt pacers finish their series with a final each.

Horses to watch (H2W) also parade in their specific order below, as presented exclusively for TwinSpires harness blog readers. Live probable across-the-board and exotic contenders are delivered neatly in the scheme.

’Levy’ Continued

Yonkers Raceway’s Saturday night program focuses on round two of six Levys for the older male pacers. The second leg attracted 29 contestants, a contrast to the 36 entered in the opening leg.

The first division features only one pacer returning from victory in the opening preliminary, Bettor’s Edge. Both he and the PJ Fraley entry of Validus Deo and Fat Mans Alley, whom will occupy the rail on the gate, will be the attractive forces in the public’s eyes. It’s clear who carries value with them this week. That horse would be Word Power, who went a conservative mile in the opening leg by never leaving the comfort of the pylons. It was sketchy from the get-go on whether or not Word Power would race aggressively, due to it being his first pari-mutual outing in three months. Now that he has a mile under his belt, it is more likely they will try to put Word Power into a stalking spot to try and sweep by horses late. He returns as our outside contender again this week.

A Ron Burke trio, coincidently putting their noses on the inner three posts of the gate, headlines the second Levy division. That trio includes Escape The News, Itrustyou (a prelim winner) and Special Forces. Since Escape The News and Special Forces both finished last in the opening-round divisions, they’ll be coasting on Itrustyou’s gate-to-wire performance against Yonkers star A J Corbelli. Since Itrustyou may not be any value in the win pool, we’ll take a shot with two improving horses coming from the center of the starter.

The better of the two is Flem N Em N. He has spent his winter at Yonkers, racing against the median of the class ladder. While he did ship across the river a few times to race against B-class horses at the Meadowlands, he shows a special talent for the half-mile oval. He displayed that talent last week, being the first to challenge Itrustyou for command, gaining 5 lengths to do so. Even then he didn’t quit, only losing 2 lengths through the stretch. There is a great possibility he can improve off that effort, and the price will be good too, given bettors will discriminate due to the outside post.    

The second horse we’ll use will be one that would provide extremely generous payoffs in the exotics—Keystone Velocity. He made his first racetrack appearance in four months last week due to being plagued with injury and illness scratches. The consecutive scratches put him on layoff until March 14 when he qualified well at Yonkers. Come race day eight days later he gave chase behind Itrustyou as he coasted on the lead. Looking at the form he showed in 2013, he was sharp and could press the pace well. There is a great possibility he can return to that form this week, the difference being that he might travel an easier mile rather than going first over.

The third division is among one of the speedier, due to A J Corbelli, Sweet Lou and Easy Again. In scenarios such as this, the route to take would be for a stalking horse that may be overlooked. A majority of this category of pacers resides on the outside in nine out of 10 races at Yonkers. To add on to the puzzle of this race, Apprentice Hanover drew the rail. The Ben Wallace trainee will be the likely favorite for his arduous task of racing against fan-favorite Foiled Again.

With all that being said, there is one horse that fits into the categories of value and will be stalking the leaders: Dancin Yankee. The only way this horse knows how to race is from off the pace, exemplified in the Opens at Dover. The one time he raced on the lead was at Yonkers from post 7, where he still managed to get second. He may be in the right place at the right time but more importantly at the right price.

The final Levy episode of the night features Foiled Again. Now 10, he continues to be a fan favorite. Yet, the question to be asked is whether or not there is value anywhere else in this event. There is one horse that carries the possibility of defeating Foiled Again and with that, winning at a price. To Foiled Again’s left flank resides Eddie Sweat, an improving four-year-old pacer. Eddie Sweat is a specialist racing from slightly off the lead but was sent for the front last week, taking no prisoners with a :26.3 first quarter. If he stands any chance of beating Foiled Again he will need a tactical drive that gets him just in front at the wire.

Matchmaker Mares

The second preliminary of the Matchmaker series commences Friday, featuring 27 mares in four divisions.

Division one is the best betting affair of the night, with value on the horizon due to key horses from leg one drawing outwards. Such horses include Bettor B Lucky and Swinging Beauty, Burke trainees who traveled first-over journeys in their divisions. Another horse coming in off a notable mile is Krispy Apple. Drawing into the same division as the valiant Somwherovrarainbow, she tactically got away towards the middle of the pack and rode her cover while she dueled with Royal Cee Cee N for command. Because of this battle, Krispy Apple abused the tough work of Somwherovrarainbow and came a nose from a winners’ circle photograph. This week, while she did have all the work paved for her last week, she’ll benefit from drawing into the “weaker” division.

Let’s Go Higher is a key horse in which to use in the exotics. Last week, she sat third at the pylons while Yagonnakissmeornot drew away from Economy Terror in second. Let’s Go Higher managed to sweep up late at 17-1 to complete the exacta. She draws post 2 this week, making a similar trip very possible.

A cavalcade of preliminary winners enters into the second division, including Yagonnakissmeornot, Somwherovrarainbow and Summertime Lea. With these inside three most likely to challenge each other for the lead throughout the mile, Feeling You is eligible to upset them. Plagued with a bad post in her first outing of 2014, she was conservatively raced in the first leg of the Matchmaker, coming from third over and closing slightly to finish fifth. As she gets more miles under her belt she will also improve and maybe this week she’ll be placed in the right spot to sweep by the favorites late

Charisma Hanover and Anndrovette are the ones to beat in division three. Anndrovette had no room to pace until late in the stretch, resulting in a fourth-place finish in her 2014 debut. Charisma Hanover was in the same boat, except she didn’t have as fierce a drive as Anndrovette. If you are willing to bet against these two monsters, Uf Dragon’s Queen is the horse to take. Her last start can be dismissed, as it was her first start back off a layoff. Shown by her lines as a three-year-old, it’s clear she has talent. It’s possible she could win in her second start and she draws into the smallest field, with six noses lining up on the gate.

The final division has a Burke duo dominating the wagering yet again, this time it’s the entry of Rocklamation and Camille. The two went off as the 1-5 favoriteentry last week, losing to Angels Delight at 7-1. In that same mile came Shelliscape, famous for her sweep by Anndrovette in the Breeders Crown Final on a muggy October night last year. She made her first start of 2014 last week, deserving leniency in significance of the mile. While she draws post 7 this week, her talent in come-from-behind efforts is obvious, and that might be the route to take this week. 

Meadowlands Moments

Saturday’s Horse & Groom and Clyde Hirt finals highlight the Meadowlands program.

The “Hirt” is first with a field of 10 and last week’s bust, Wake Up Peter, drawing the outside post. Even with the 10 hole and the misstep last week, “Peter” should get a lot of play but chances are the pacer leaving to his left, Burkentine Hanover, will be dismissed. We hope that is the situation, since inside of them are a few Hirt winners that will seduce the crowd into thinking this is more of a contest than it may actually be. “Burkentine,” our choice last week, was dynamic from post 10 at 12-1. He could be in that area for betting here, too, making him more than worth the backing.

Then the Horse & Groom Final finds its probable favorite in a similar position as Peter, leaving from the farthest post. Banker Volo was a winner for us last week but we had no idea when we called him that the fans would bury his part of the pool with bets. A better proposition in the final is an outside contender, Hldontghttoyurdrms. The first plus for us is driver Jonathan Drury, who will repel the crowd since he is not one of the popular names harness bettors adore. Next, the classy Woodbine shipper has had two strong journeys in series legs and is bound to bring value to the pools and promise profit worth more than his chances.

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

Buffalo
3/29/14, Twilight Jack R4; Doctor Gates R5; Unicorn Hanover R6; Veto Hanover—AE—R7; Four Hoof Drive R9

Cal Expo
3/28/14, +Love Live Laugh R2; Looks Don’t Count R8; +Wild About Eagle R14
3/29/14, Early Boy R6; Me Tarzan R9; Shax R10; Split Ticket R10; +Scarboro Hanover R12; +Skyway King R13

Dover
3/30/14, +Chipoffablueblock R13

Freehold
3/29/14, +Waywatcher R4; +Pacific Escape R5; Espirit De Kay Jay A R6; Dreams Are Real R7; Wildridge Same R10; Kings Point R11 

Meadowlands
3/28/14, Notreadytobenice R13
3/29/14, Sentosa Island R1; Pass The Deck R3; Passionate Terror R5;

Miami Valley
3/27/14, +Dream On Shorty R5
3/30/14, Mama Made Me Blue R10

Pocono
3/29/14, +Cajon Hot Spot R2; Republic Of Panama R3; Well Done Hanover R6

Pompano
3/29/14, Ideal Choice R1; +Avantage R6; Kennairnmachmagic R7; Mystical Muscles R8

Rosecroft
3/29/14, +Lone Raider R6; +Gamblers Vacation R7; +TN Starbuck R7; Chepachet R8; Macho Mcgraw R9; I Turtle R12

Saratoga
3/28/14, Mystical Danica R8
3/29/14, Mystical Danica R1; Milliondollartorch R7; Tyler R7; Village Jackson R10; Wellthereyougo R10; Mambo Italiano R11

Yonkers
3/27/14, Mystical Diva R10

Ray Cotolo contributed to each Thursday edition.      

This weekend the Meadowlands kicks off a few more traditional late-winter series for three-year-old-and up trotters, the Horse & Groom, and three-and four-year-old pacers, the Clyde Hirt. The Winter Survior Claiming series for soph and older pacers is also featured.

We once again highlight specific races from the Meadows on Friday, March 14 and we have added many names to our exclusive horses to watch (H2W) list presented exclusively below. Be aware of the members of this list since each week they provide more than wins, places and shows (and some of the place and show prices have been extremely profitable across-the-board investments) they participate in creating exactas every week. Please note that horses from our featured overnight events the week before appear on the H2W list as second-time members if they did not win when we highlighted their previous race.

Meadowlands Episodes

Friday, March 14, trotters and pacers battle in series divisions.

The Horse & Groom Series for trotters three and up offers two divisions, each worth $20,000, with entries going for their first serious event of the season. There are no sophs in the first leg but four-year-old Crosbys Clam Bake could make enough noise here to upset as an outside contender. At Woodbine he raced with better fields and his first in the states, at the Meadows, was a loss at about this level but with an excuse being short.

In the second division, Cajole Hanover should be one of the top three supported and needs respect after a bad break took him out of the “Singer” as a major overlay of 13-1. With Time To Quit, a fan favorite with a lot of success early this year, right behind him, it may be a good time for “Cajole” to beat him (he is always close when flat against that one).

The Winter Survivor Series gives some older, workhorse pacers, a chance at some decent money, with $15,000 prizes for these divisions and a chance at the final for more. In division one Saturday, Subliminal Hanover could offer a surprise for two reasons. First, he raced far better than 80-1 last week and he has been competitive at the $15,000 claiming level. Secondly, Marcus Miller is listed to drive and that will not sit well with fans who place a premium on which driver steers which horse. We’ll trust Marcus far more than the public and thank him for upping the price.

In the second division we trust Marcus Miller again as he aims to sweep the series divisions tonight with Highland Boreas. Up from Pompano, where he was popular as a claim and did well for his connections, he raced with two moves here last week to be second at 21-1. That was not a fluke, he is a contender and may be dismissed by the crowd for the morning-line choices.
Saturday, March 15, the Meadowlands presents two legs of the Clyde Hirt Series for three- and four-year-old pacers, with $20,000 in the prize bag for each. In the first split, Nathaniel B continues to improve after competitive affairs at Dover and last week he pushed the outside too much and lost ground late. He should be racing more like he did before he got to New Jersey, winning two straight on the improve.

In the second episode, Brees Creek returns from a hole-in-the-wind trip last week, finishing second and may not be overlooked by the crowd but still worth what they offer, considering a few others here that bettors may find impress them. Watch the board, there is always a chance this one gets away from them.

This week’s overnight offerings:

Meadows
March 14, Race 5

In a strange twist of events, local hero Dave Palone gets aboard the horse we feel will be the best outside contender—if the presence of Palone doesn’t affect the odds. The horse is Elian’s Ponda and we can only hope that the morning-line (ML) favorite, Allstar Survivor, will get a lot more action than Palone’s charge, even though “Allstar” will start from outside post 9. Actually, there is a chance that Allstar will go under the radar, leaving Depp Blue the crowd’s choice. That would be good for Elian’s Ponda because if the gelding goes smoothly, he is as good as any of this field’s participants.

Toss out that tough March 7 affair, where he dueled early and broke late. Toss out the Feb. 21 mile, where he was well supported but trotted out of steam from a first-over trip. And dismiss the dead halt in the Valentine’s Day race, which may have been a result of the sloppy track. If he can race back to the Jan. 31 win, he wins, and this time not as the big favorite (we hope). Should Allstar be overlooked, get an exacta going with him.

Meadows
March 14, Race 11

Hawaii And Sun steps up a tad but is a horse on the upswing and looks as if he may be an outside contender in the betting. His March 5 win was fabulous, using a giant brush to dominate the field halfway through and hold on though wide. The race before that can be forgiven, getting the 9 hole after taking a breather and delivering a competent qualifier at Northfield. Before that he had two excuses for losing and a just-miss win last year. And he was well supported along the way. Hopefully, the crowd will like the inside horses better and leave us to attempt a great cash on the ignored contender.

Race 11 starts the Meadows’ 50-cent Pick 5. If you are looking for live horses that can bring the payoff up, add Hawaii And Sun; TSM Warhol T in the second leg; Nottin To Much in leg three; D Mac (a H2W member) in leg four; and Truth To Power in the last leg.

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
3/14/14, Lust R6; Mystically Mine R6; Jinn’s Fantasy R8; Missys Diamond R13

Dover
3/13/14, +Steady Pulse R4
3/16/14, Snowball’s Keeper R3; Briteolive R8

Freehold
3/13/14, Lemon Drop Hall R6; Danishdujour R9
3/15/14, Docdor Laughing R2; Pacific Escape R8; GW Gizmo R11

Meadowlands
3/13/14, Sturdy As A Hall R3; Blue Fin R8
3/14/14, Stonebridge Classy R1
3/15/14, Quinnman R6; Between Me And You R10

Meadows
3/14/14, +Incredible Dragon R4; +D Mac R14

Miami Valley
3/13/14, Alluring Art R6
3/15/14, Ventura Highway R1; +Woop D Do Bazzle R2 

Pompano
3/15/14, Premier R1; Avantage R3; Skad’s Winner R6; Waldy Jimmy R8; Make You Famous R8

Rosecroft
3/15/14, Doomsday Hanover R7; Caviat Lindy R8; TN Starbuck R9; Nuclear Standoff R10; Wicked Persuasion R12

Saratoga
3/15/14, +Windy City Ron R4; +Real Yankee Fan R6 ; Muncie—AE—R6; +Sand Summerfield R9

Yonkers
3/13/14, Ladys Bag Man R3
3/14/14; Canbec Fidolin R4; +Blacktuxwhitesox R11   
3/15/14, Ethan Hanover R2

Ray Cotolo contributed to each Thursday edition.      

This weekend hopes for weather less violent as March digs into its place for 2014. At the Meadowlands this Saturday, March 8, we will see the first wave of sophomore pacers in the William Gilmour Memorial Final for $60,500 and three- and four-year-old trotters in the Charles Singer for $53,200. That’s as high as it is getting so far in the features department.

We continue to pick and choose a few specific races from common cards where we hope to keep up with our success of presenting some strongly priced winners. We love the Meadows and we are there again this Friday, March 7, to discuss a few races at length for optimum value wagering.

More horses to watch (H2W) at the Meadows and for overnight events throughout the TwinSpires harness menu are presented exclusively below. This list provides wins, places, shows and exactas every week, featuring contenders that, for the most part, the public dismisses. We have added harness racing’s newest track, Miami Valley, in Ohio and have already resulted in successful plays. Saratoga opens again and is also added. Please note that horses from our featured overnight events the week before appear on the H2W list as second-time members if they did not win when we highlighted their previous race.

’Gilmour’ presents

Sophomore pacers that we may not see again down the stakes road are led by the obvious Dinner At The Met in the William Gilmour Memorial Final. Jimmy Takter trains three here, which could upset the betting configuration (program unavailable at press time) but we have to watch for value from National Debt. He is looking for his second win in as many tries and could be the speed of the speed, certainly if he commands his inside post and rates the quarters. Let the price be worth it by your judgment but he could be a strong third choice with “Met” and Capital Account leading the support bank.

’Singer’ On Stage

With Time To Quit perfect with five wins in this Charles Singer series, coming into the final from the inside is going to make you think twice about playing at all. Just behind him, Perfect Alliance is four for four this year and then you have most of the horses they have beaten between them to fill out the field. So, a very light endorsement is handed to Clementine Dream, who is the most competitive past the top two and is bound to be a price from post 8. Trainer Mark Harder also has Ray Hall from post 4 and if they are coupled (no programs available at press time) you need not worry about making a decision.

This week’s overnight offerings:

Meadows
March 7, Race 6

A horse (Goggles Paisano) we chose second in a would-be giant exacta last week, in which we nabbed the 15-1 winner (Pop Cop), surfaces the morning-line (ML) choice stepping down into this conditioned pace. However, another horse, Brown Titan, is here with an unreasonable 12-1 ML and stands the best chance to blow this field away. Hanged for three calls dropping to this level last week, Brown Titan hails from Northfield, where he collected checks in Open company. Those foes were better than these, further strengthening our support for him here. For exotic plays, be sure to use Incredible Dragon, who has shown spark at this level and is sitting on a big mile in his fourth start after a brief rest.

Meadows
March 7, Race 11

This conditioned trot is no conundrum, considering obvious choices are marked with short ML odds and have inside posts that fans love to count on when betting. But on the outside, post 9 (scored on the far outside at the Meadows), RT USS Chilton steps up a slight notch and may overcome a trip scorned by his post and win at a big price. As a legitimate contender, “Chilton” has won two of three, the middle loss of the trio due to breaking stride, mostly. He has a dual style, so if he manages to have to go with the outer flow due to his post, he should be flying in the stretch. Consider, also, that the ML choice is also a stepper-upper with two of three wins but Connie Keeper has post 2, so the inequality is based upon post as well as raw speed data, which is fine to ignore. Use her in exotics, though.

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
3/7/14, +My Roberto R7; +Fox Valley Dylan R7; +Pip’s Jenny G R12; Blessingfromabove R13

Dover
3/9/14, +Devvils Embrance N R9; JRs Midnight Cry R13

Flamboro
3/6/14,; +Northern Triumph R4; +Justabiteveil R9; Strong Hope R11
3/8/14, +Justabiteveil R1; +Lightning Charger R5

Fraser
3/7/14, +Terra True R2; Jack Junior R6; +Last Luck R7; +Yanotherhos R11

Freehold
3/7/14, +Stand Guard R5; +All On My Own R10

Meadows
3/7/14, +Perfect Change R2; +Yosemite Camn R3; +Mccedes R6; D Mac R7; Dew N Doughnuts R10; +Bergerac R10; +Dojea Nodoze R13; +Four Starz Elder R14

Miami Valley
3/7/14, +TM Valley Storm R3
3/8/14, +Woop D Do Bazzle—AE—R1 

Monticello
310/14, Garbarino R8

Saratoga
3/7/14, Real Yankee Fan R3; +Cash Poor R9; +The Northern Dude R10
3/8/14, Sand Summerfield R9

Yonkers
3/7/14; Blacktuxwhitesox R7; Likeabatouttahell R8; Yo Cheyenne Rocky R9


Ray Cotolo contributed to this edition.