Showing posts with label Freehold. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Freehold. Show all posts

  • Cotolo’s Harness Review, News And Notes

    POSTED May 4, 2014 By Frank Cotolo
    5MAY2014

     It was a mixed weekend of hits and misses but encouraging to exotic players, as most of our suggested contenders participated as strong exotic-wagering partners, especially with prohibitive favorites that many times seem to ruin some of our more lucrative strikes. (Peruse the place-and-show prices closely, some of them are better than prices in the winners column, even when they are not contributing to exactas.)

    Before the weekend began we took part in assisting players with the Hi-5 at Woodbine on Monday, April 28. Our Twitter suggestions were dead on in the first three spots, with 1-1 choice Einsteins Best getting the first spot, 4-1 Cluster Hanover getting the place and 41-1 Glory Beach completing the trio for a $208.50 triactor. Another of our choices, Fortune Playboy, finished ninth and the fifth, New Patrol, scratched. The Hi-5 (with a 104-1 and 46-1 finishing fourth and fifth, respectively) paid $8,281.50.

    In stakes action we were expecting some prices from the Lady Suffolk but hit with one in the two divisions, Cee Bee Yes, that turned out to be a humongous favorite, paying $2.20, $2.20 (ok), $2.10. Our other choice, Suegrabbitnrun finished second to the big favorite, paying $3.80, $2.60 and contributing to an exacta worth $8.

    Another contender contributed to a stakes exotic in the “Simpson” at the Meadowlands on May 3 when Jet Away came in second, paying $11.20, $5, presenting a $47.40 exacta with the favorite winning.

    We finished fourth in the Dexter Cup at 35-1 with Sheer Action and had two fourths and a fifth in the Pennsylvania Sires Stakes for soph-filly pacers at the Meadows on Saturday.

    The week’s horses to watch (H2W) results listed below recorded healthy across-the-board prices and seconds, as we mentioned in the opening paragraph, teamed up to produce cold exactas with race favorites.

    And make note that the Hambletonian Trail blog is now active and it will be suggesting valuable wagers for all stakes events featuring soph colt and soph filly trotters eligible to either the Hambletonian or the “Oaks.” Links will be provided in our weekly blogs in cooperation with TwinSpires and the Hambletonian Society (where you can read reviews of all the races).

    TwinSpires and Hoosier now have three power-packed programs 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 horses-to-watch (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

    Western Alumni, $13.20, $5.30, $3.50, Buffalo
    Tagmaster, $12.20, $4.60, $3.60, Freehold
    Maxnificient, $12, $2.90, $2.90 ok, Vernon
    Most Fun Yet, $8.40, $3.90, $3.90 ok, Saratoga
    Word Power, $5.60, $2.80, $3 ok, Pocono
    Celestial Dreams, $4.90, $2.90, $2.40, Saratoga
    Coral Snake, $4.40, $3.40, $2.80, Scarborough

    Seconds

    A Real Miracle, $14.20, $3.40, Cal Expo
    Fritzie Rocket, $10.60, $5.20, Scarborough
    Twentyone Guns, $7.40, $4.80, Cal Expo
    Pembroke Crankcall, $4.60, $2.80 (Exacta $14.20), Buffalo
    Terlinqua, $3.90, $3.30 (Exacta $10.40), Buffalo
    Gentleman Friend, $3.20, $2.80 (Exacta $8.60), Miami Valley
    Adrians Girl, $2.80, $2.10 (Exacta $6.30), Bangor

    Thirds

    D Terminata, $5, Saratoga
    Team Edward, $4.30, Vernon
    Its Getting Hairy, $2.40, Cal Expo

    News And Notes

    The 2013 Horse of the Year Bee A Magician faced off against last year’s aged trotting horse of the year Market Share in the feature qualifier on May 3 at the Meadowlands. Market Share won in 1:52.4. Bee A Magician was making her first start since last fall. She finished third. More stars showed up for preps. Lifetime Pursuit won in 1:54.2 for trainer Jimmy Takter and 2013 Valley Victory winner Muscle Network lead all the way only to go off stride in the last 100 yards of the 1:54.4 mile. Nuncio was reserved well off the fractions and closed boldly. Propulsion, a son of Muscle Hill, which raced only in qualifiers at two, qualified at three and won in 1:56.1.

    Moni Maker, the trotting mare who was 1998 and 1999 Horse of the Year, died this week after complications from colic surgery. She was 21. Moni Maker won $5.58 million and 67 of 109 starts in six seasons of racing in North America, France, Denmark, Sweden and Italy. She was only 10 times worse than third. The daughter of Speedy Crown was originally named Nursery Rhyme and she was very tall (nearly 17 hands). She regularly beat males and in her final start she donned a saddle was ridden by Julie Krone, breaking the world record for trotting under saddle in 1:54.1, a mark which still stands. Her eight foals, all fillies, have won a collective $315,904.

    Vernon Downs added Thursday programs on May 1. Post time for Thursday cards is 6:45 p.m., consistent with the Friday and Saturday evening start time.

    The connections of 62 three-year-old pacing colts and geldings have kept their charges eligible to the 31st edition of the $1-million Pepsi North America Cup by making the April 15 sustaining payment. Eliminations for the “Cup” are scheduled for Saturday, June 7 at Mohawk. The final is scheduled to be raced Saturday, June 14. Hes Watching, Luck Be Withyou and National Debt are also top colts on the list of nominees. Others from last year’s notable frosh cast include Boomboom Ballykeel, Jk Endofanera and the speedy Western Vintage.

    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


  • Cotolo’s Harness Review, News And Notes

    POSTED Mar 30, 2014 By Frank Cotolo

    It was a decent weekend for our contenders, highlighted by wins and exactas from the horses-to-watch (H2W) list. In the past two weeks we have either contributed to winning exacta combinations (the H2W horse coming in second with the public choice winning, at the most, a boxed investment) or handed winning combos to the player cold (two H2W horses listed in the same race, also based on a boxed investment).

    This week’s cold exacta, at Saratoga (see Tyler below in list of winners), paid $107.50. Also at Saratoga, a contributor (see Village Jackson in row of seconds below), created an exacta worth $71.50. There were five other exacta-contributing H2W horses.

    Our biggest winner of the week was Well Done Hanover at Pocono, paying $41.20. Since the list started for 2014, Well Done Hanover is the fourth horse to pay from $40 to $50.80.

    The 50-cent bonus Pick 4, a weekly play offering a 10-percent-bonus on winning the exotic, was a failure on our part last Wednesday. We offered five suggestions to consider in your ticket and only one finished third.

    The Pick-4 is offered from the fifth to the eighth races every Wednesday evening. We assist with suggestions for your ticket via Twitter -- @FrankCotolo, @TwinSpires and @BuffaloRaceway and implore you not to pass the less-than-obvious contenders in your ticket and as win, place and show possibilities.

    Our contenders in the second leg of the “Levy” and Matchmaker series at Yonkers were involved but unable to win.

    In the quartet of Matchmaker divisions on Friday we were second with Krispy Apple ($2.20, $2.20 ok) and in that same division third with Let’s Go Higher ($5.40). We were out of the money in two other Matchmaker field battles and third with Shelliscape (no show wagering).

    The Levy splits were also unkind, though we missed the 30-1 shot that won a division. Our choices were only good for one exacta contributor when Word Power was third to the favorite entry winner (first and second), presenting an exacta worth $6.50.

    Over at the Meadowlands we scored late with the Horse & Groom Final winner, Hldontghttoyurdrms ($9.40, $6.40, $3.60). Though many of the trotters considered more competitive than our choice broke and were eliminated from contention, our choice was unaffected, going wire to wire smoothly.

    We were fifth in the Clyde Hirt final with Berkentine Hanover at 15-1..

     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

    Well Done Hanover, $41.20, $14.20, $9.80, Pocono
    Tyler, $17, $7.80, $4.70 (*Exacta $107.50), Saratoga
    Shax, $8.80, $3.40, $3.80 ok (Exacta $9.20), Cal Expo
    Dreams Are Real, $7.20, $3.80, $2.80 Freehold
    Waywatcher, $7, $3.40, $2.80, Freehold
    Espirit De Kayjay A, $5.40, $3.40, $2.80, Freehold
    Mystical Diva, $4.30, $2.60, $2.30, Yonkers
    Dream On Shorty, $4.20, $3.40, $2.40, Miami Valley
    Mystical Danica, $2.70, $2.10, $2.10 ok, Saratoga

    Seconds

    Notreadytobenice, $12, $7.20, Meadowlands
    Pacific Escape, $10.60, $4, Freehold
    Ideal Choice, $6.60 (no show wagering, Exacta $21.60), Pompano
    Milliondollartorch, $5.80, $3.40 (*Exacta $107.50), Saratoga
    Chepachet, $4.80, $4.60 (Exacta $14.20), Rosecroft
    Chipoffablueblock, $4.80, $3.60 (Exacta $23.60), Dover
    Village Jackson, $4.70, $3.30 (Exacta $71.50), Saratoga
    Kings Point, $3.80, $2.40 (Exacta $16.40), Freehold
    Wild About Eagle, $3.80, $2.60, Cal Expo
    Veto Hanover, $2.90, $2.50, Buffalo
    Doctor Gates, $2.10, $2.50 ok, Buffalo

    Thirds

    TN Starbuck, $4.40, Rosecroft
    Macho Mcgraw, $3.80, Rosecroft
    Lone Raider, $3.20, Rosecroft
    Me Tarzan, $3.20, Cal Expo
    Sentosa Island, $2.40, Meadowlands

    News And Notes

    Seventy three-year-old pacing colt nominees for this year’s North America Cup remain after seven dropped out in the one month between payments. The $1-million final at Mohawk is scheduled for Saturday, June 14. Still sitting on top of the list of nominees is Hes Watching, who set two world records last season along with six track records for trainer David Menary. Though the colt was undefeated last season, he beat no frosh standouts, making his mark on the New York Sires Stakes circuit. Some of those champs never facing Hes Watching are still on the docket, including Arthur Blue Chip, Luck Be Withyou, National Debt  and last year's Metro winner Boom Boom Ballykeel. Another top rookie from last season on the list is Western Vintage, trained by Nancy Johansson. The Pepsi North America Cup eliminations are set for Saturday, June 7. 

    Jim Morrill, Jr. has been banned from driving at Pocono. No specific incident was given as a reason, the powers-that-be just announced his departure. Morrill, who was the third leading driver last year at the racino track, said he has heard no explanations from track management and the only way he knows he is not welcome is because trainers have told him that every time they try to enter a horse with him down as the driver the racing office tells them they must choose someone else.

    As Captaintreacherous gets ready to compete at four in the older division of pacers, trainer Tony Alagna is pleased. Captaintreacherous returned to Alagna’s stable in February after two months of rest at Brittany Farms in Kentucky and is being aimed at a big season beginning in June. Alagna says the colt has matured and put on some more muscle tone. “We’re shooting to qualify sometime at the end of May,” “We’ll set up his schedule after we qualify [in late May],” Alagna said, “but we’ll probably aim for the Meadowlands Maturity [on June 13].”

    Though the “Captain” joined Rocknroll Hanover and Gallo Blue Chip as the only horses to win the Breeders Crown, North America Cup and Meadowlands Pace in the same season, as well as becoming the second horse to win back-to-back Pacer of the Year honors (since Jenna’s Beach Boy), as well as he and joined Niatross as the second horse to accomplish the feat at two and three. But Captaintreachers, clearly one of the best sophomore pacers to hit the track in recent memory, was denied Horse of the Year awards mostly due to a myopic band of industry voters more impressed with soph-trotter Bee A Magician. The stunning filly never lost a race in 2013 by passing all chances to race with the trotting colts and beating the same group of fillies in her division.

    Only a handful of industry journalists, including myself, were disappointed. Even Alagna said the colt deserved the honor. It was a year where arguments could have been made for two other stupendous performers, Father Patrick and I Luv The Nitelife. While covering the major events for TwinSpires and the Hambletonian Society, we coined this quartet The Four Horses of the Apocalypse, dramatically emphasizing what an earthshaking season was presented with four unique talents in it.

    The 2014 stakes schedules for Balmoral and Maywood is finally here. The first major state-bred (ICF) stake will be on May 18 with soph pacing fillies in the $45,000 Violet Stake at Balmoral. There will also be Violet and Cardinal Stakes ICF pacers and trotters on May 25, May 28 and May 31 at Balmoral. Maywood’s first big event will be the $100,000 Filly Maywood Pace for ICF soph fillies on June 13. The $100,000 Maywood Pace for ICF soph pacing colts is on June 20. The first Hanover Stakes at Balmoral will feature a pair of events for soph trotters on June 7. Locals battle in the Southland Festival of Racing at Balmoral on July 26 and July 27. A pair of $50,000 Hanover Stakes for frosh filly pacers go on Aug. 2 at Balmoral, while a pair of $60,000 events for frosh trotters go on Aug. 3. Balmoral hosts ICF champs again with Super Night, on Sept. 13. American-Nationals kick off on Sept. 17.

    October presents the $100,000 Lady Lincoln Stake for frosh trotting fillies (Oct. 1), while their male counterparts battle in the $100,000 Lincoln Land Stake (Oct. 5) at Balmoral. Maywood hosts the $60,000 Cardinal and Violet Stakes for frosh colt and filly pacers on Oct. 3. Saturday (Oct. 11) and Friday (Oct. 17) present some of the best pacers and trotters in the country with the $250,000 American-National soph colt pace, $225,00 American-National soph colt trot, $200,000 American-National Open pace, $180,000 American-National Open trot, $175,000 American-National soph filly pace, $150,000 American-National 3 soph filly trot, $125,000 American-National frosh colt pace and $125,000 American-National frosh filly pace.

    Maywood’s biggest card of the season is just six days later on Oct. 17 with the $225,000 Windy City Pace for soph pacing colts, the $130,000 Abe Lincoln Stake for frosh pacing colts, the $110,00 Galt Trot for soph trotting colts and the $100,000 Cinderella Stake for soph pacing fillies.

    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

  • In Like A Lion …

    POSTED Feb 26, 2014 By Frank Cotolo
    The weekend ends the short month of February and starts the long month of March. It could feel far longer than its 31 days if the brutal winter continues. Still, March bridges winter with spring and that brings us closer to awaited stakes action and the launching of top-class divisional play.

    As well, many other tracks are poised to begin their seasons, some starting before the end of predicted winter weather through March. Our Harness Update blog that appears Monday mornings will keep you up to date on which track schedules could be added to your menu of TwinSpires harness-action possibilities. Don’t forget to read the News And Notes column in that blog, as we offer the exclusive players’ version of the industry news.

    But we are crossing that bridge as we come to it, continuing this week with specific overnight events and our highly successful horses-to-watch (H2W) list. Wins, places, shows and exactas abound. We have added harness racing’s newest track, Miami Valley, in Ohio. 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.

    This week’s overnight offerings:

    Meadows
    Feb. 28, Race 3

    A horse has to be an extraordinary performer for the morning-line (ML) maker at this track to give it a good shot when leaving from post 8, which carries a stigma anyway. That just makes other viable contenders from the outside worth better win money and enables us to disregard the post (which by the way gets far more disregard than necessary). In the case of this race we totally endorse Bergerac, a contender that may suffer more in support than performance. His recent trio of attempts were all on “off” tracks and in each, from different posts, he excelled. There is little reason he will not be in this mix, where the favorite may be a horse stepping up. You may swing for a giant exacta using Mccedes, who will go untouched by the crowd from post 3 and could pick up a place spot based on his back class, which includes racing with better and winning at Philadelphia last December.

    Meadows
    Feb. 28, Race 5

    Pop Cop’s Feb. 21 raced should simply be excused, which leaves us with a gelding that was on the improve all of January. His Feb. 14 race included a brave trip with a sharp gain that cost him late. His last January race from post 8 was terrific at this level, stepping up from a lower level without winning. Before that he earned a rise by winning two levels down. We wouldn’t be surprised to see him go off less than his 10-1 ML but not so much as to under lay him. Plus, fan-favorite Dave Palone on Artist Night will suck in a lot of money that could be spread more evenly in this field if common players were less impressed by drivers. Using Goggles Paisano (what a great name) in the place spot would make for a monster exacta.

    Flamboro
    March 1, Race 2

    What looks like strong competition may just be a few strugglers if Justabitevil returns to how she performed two back. She stepped up far too high after that and was beaten by the obvious choice, Abs To Envy. She was second to that one by a mere length three back and deserves a far better chance than the ML maker has her at 6-1.

    Flamboro
    March 1, Race

    Dewer Kash is our type of contender, hiding many of his assets, while checking in with an important angle that is to his favor in this simple claimer. Claimed for $5Gs in his first race here after a London campaign, Dewer Kash strolled from post 9 at 24-1, a tour no one will be happy about as a precursor to this race. But he was scratched at London while entered to return there next and he stays here to step up off the claim for the new connections. At London he was competitive and steered by four different drivers, each holding back for one big brush, which was only successful with a second in December. But the trainer/owner has a great post here to use the trotter and get the claiming money back, especially with the obvious two choices, First Notable Chip and Saulsbrook Fidget on his outside. That could be a great trifecta if you key Dewer Kash and try to take down this number (but don’t forget the win bet). Also looming to upset is Northern Triumph. If he is in the trifecta it becomes an even larger bag o’cash.


    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
    2/26/14, +Infrontigo Hanover R7
    2/27/14, Bagel Man R5; +Gilla Dream R12; +Bluebird Corvette R12
    2/28/14, RA Shakenbake R2; +Eagle Yankee R5
    3/1/14, +Sand Savage R6


    Cal Expo
    2/28/14, Pips Jenny G R1; Northern Fling R1; +Poorlittlerichgirl R9; +Girls Lie Too R14
    3/1/14, Gold Device R1; +Only In Lodi R1; Fox Valley Dylan R10; +Indescribable R12

    Dover
    3/2/14, +Suits R8; +Occasionally Bad R12; RD Elegant Yankee—AE—R14; +The Quite Village R14

    Flamboro
    3/1/14, Lightning Charger R3; Mibestkeptsecret R4; Charmbo Willie R6; Massmanian Devil R7

    Fraser
    2/28/14, +Rollin Deep R2; +Nazko Tribute R3; +Real Vintage R5 
    3/2/14, Red Star Tyson R11

    Freehold
    2/27/14, +Look Siera R1

    Meadows
    2/28/14, Dojea Nodoze R4; Perfect Change R6; +Hickory Big Red R8; Four Starz Elder R9; Honeyinthepine R12; Yosemite Camn R13

    Miami Valley
    2/27/14, +Juntique R2; +Luna Hanover R2; +Pink E Bank R6; +Late For Work R11
    2/28/14, +B Good Lexi R2; Action-broadway R10; TM Valley Storm R11
    3/1/14, +Bad Angel R3

    Monticello
    3/3/14, Garbarino R6
    |
    Pompano
    3/1/14; +PC Moonshine R7; +Market Force R9

    Yonkers
    2/28/14; Likeabatouttahell R7; +Cash Poor—AE—R11


    Ray Cotolo contributed to this edition.      

  • Signs Of The Season

    POSTED Feb 19, 2014 By Frank Cotolo


    Hopes across North America are similar—that the winter thaw is closer than spring, which begins in 30 days as of this writing. If hopes develop into meteorological realities, harness racing features are just around the calendar’s corner.

    Meanwhile, we have been thriving regardless of the frigid foes, with enough harness racing across the continent to keep our TwinSpires accounts locked and loaded. With the cancellation of the first feature series, the Presidential at the Meadowlands, we continue to focus on the most competitive overnight races at many tracks.

    One of our features, however, is the $25,000 Miss Valentine Final from Fraser, featuring British Columbia-bred four-year-old mare pacers, arguably the best in the provice.

    Again this week we analyze specific overnight events with great profit-producing probabilities and we swing at similar common events with less explanation in our highly successful horses-to-watch (H2W) list. Wins, places, shows and exactas abound. We have added harness racing’s newest track, Miama Valley, in Ohio. 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.

    This week’s overnight offerings:

    Fraser
    Feb. 21, Race 6

    While Stonebridge Lyric tries for his third straight and an entry of Keith Clark pacers return from scrathes, Red Star Tyson sits cold and perhaps able to allow the aforementioned to beat themselves and finally get a winning trip. “Red” draws the inside and has shown his speed at this level two back, though he was hampered by an early duel. Here he can find a ground-saving spot and use a single brush to wreak some havoc as the undisputed outside contender.

    Fraser
    Feb. 21, Race 

    Keep The Dream is the morning-line (ML) choice of mares in the Miss Valentine Final, armed with top Canadian breeding (Mach Three) and local favorite trainer-driver Bill Davis. But does she deserve the status, coming off of two Open losses and unable to topple Call Me Up in this and better company? There is no doubt a challenge will be presented from Yanotherhos, who, in contrast to Call Me Up, has done near as well as Keep The Dream. Her race coming into this affair is a very sharp show finish at an under-rated 11-1; she dueled to the lead before getting caught late by two tough gals. As a key she will work in exactas with the top choice and a trifecta could explode by adding Nazko Tribute, who can be forgiven for last week’s failure and be as hot as she raced the pair before that—at quite a price.


    Dover
    Feb. 23, Race 2

    Occasionally Bad can be a spoiler in this group, meeting each of these foes for the first time. The elder Badlands Hanover mare has finished well in two of her last three and will be dismissed by the crowd for the obvious trio with shorter MLs. One of them, RD Elegant Yankee, may also be an overlay here and stands a chance of robbing the pace from Shaving Mug, the one that may be bet to smithereens.

    Dover
    Feb. 23, Race 3

    JR’s Midnight Cry screams for support after a bum trip from post 8. His Feb. 9 mile was strong and challenging as he finished second while wide for two calls. Just before the year turned over, the pacer was strong at this level and being bet far more than we expect the crowd to support him here. Certainly Suits from the inside is going to be hammered in the win pool but the sophomore may be facing too much experience to be trusted at low odds, while the other ML choice, Steady Pulse, has excuses but remains vulnerable enough to go against.


    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
    2/21/14, RA Shakenbake R4
    2/22/14, +Sand Savage R5; +Windy City Ron R10


    Cal Expo
    2/21/14, Rare Beauty R4
    2/22/14, +Stiletosilverheels R1; Poorlittlerichgirl R5; +Curvacious R7; Itsabouttonight R7; Only In Lodi R8; +KD Nicol R8; My Roberto R10; Indescribable R13 

    Dover
    2/20/14, +Big Valley R1
    2/23/14, +Rock My Life R1

    Flamboro
    2/20/14, +Nothing But Trouble R6;
    2/23/14, +Designer R7; +Spartacus Jim R8

    Fraser
    2/21/14, Real Vintage R1; Rollin Deep R2; Terra True R4; Jack Junior R10; Last Luck R12

    Freehold
    2/20/14, +Our Girls Chance N R4; +Mr Salming R7, All On My Own R10; Look Siera R11
    2/21/14, +Ringside Winner R8; +Princess Mcardle N R11

    Meadows
    2/21/14, +Eddie Sweat R1; +TT Tucker R9; Screen Saver R15

    Miami Valley
    2/20/14, Juntique R3; Pink E Bank R3; Luna Hanover R3; B Quite Marvelous R5; Dora Des Rivieres R7; That’s My Girl R10; Late For Work R11
    2/21/14, B Good Lexi R1 
    2/22/14, Woop D Do Bazzle R1; Bad Angel R3
    |
    Pompano
    2/22/14; Market Force R6

    Yonkers
    2/21/14; +All Star Dragon R1; +Ideal In Vegas R6; +Handsoffmycookie—AE—R10; Cash Poor R11
    2/22/14; Safe Harbor R4

    Ray Cotolo contributed to this edition.      

  • I Heart Betting Harness Racing

    POSTED Feb 12, 2014 By Frank Cotolo

    Valentine’s Day weekend should not be a Valentine’s Day massacre of wagering. Our love for wagering on harness racing is obviously unconditional and rewarding, since we are able to weather the rugged winter that is ripping through our weekly track schedules and still find overlays and win. So, with our hearts in the right place, let’s look at this weekend with the love for playing (man the TwinSpires accounts, friends) and the fiery will to win—the kind that keeps us warm in the wrath of the Polar Vortex’s attacks.

    As we go to press, another fierce storm is trouncing its way through the south and northeast of the United States and many tracks have already announced canceling their Feb. 13 programs.

    But we have enough activity to keep the steam sizzling; we have specific overnight events with highly probable profit-producing choices, as well as our horses-to-watch (H2W) list includes entries poised to strike again with wins, places, shows and exactas across North America. 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.

    This week’s overnight offerings:

    Meadows
    Feb. 14, Race 7

    Put a decent contender in the 9 hole here and watch the crowd ignore him for horses inside of him and one with local-hero-driver Dave Palone. A price is almost guaranteed for T T Tucker; he certainly won’t go off as lightly as he did in his last two, no less his last five. We wouldn’t expect him up front early even from a more inside post but we know he will be on the move and playing his own game by mid-mile and have one hell of a shot at probably the best price we have seen from him in over a month of rugged, productive racing.

    Meadows
    Feb. 14, Race 9

    Hickory Big Red was all out early in his first winners-of appearance, a spot he earned from two back after failing in a conditional Preferred Handicap (no excuse, just did not show up). He won’t be near his 5-2 odds from last week, where he dueled his way out of the top spot but still took a piece of the purse. Again, the crowd piles their dough on Palone, who takes a Hoosier horse for his first money-race spin. We will take the price against Palone any day and certainly with Hickory Big Red here.

    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
    2/13/14; +Schooner Or Later 9; Bagel Man R11
    2/14/14; +Ms Luck R9
    2/15/14; Sand Savage R8; +Literate Hanover R9


    Cal Expo
    2/14/14, +Rite After Disbeer R8; +Yank My Missle R14
    2/15/14, Diva Las Vegas R4; Curvacious R7; Stiletosilverheels R7; KD Nicol R9; Mobil Big John R11; Girls Lie Too R14

    Dover
    2/16/14, Rock My Life R3; +Cowboy Artist R7

    Flamboro
    2/16/14, Ardyne Phillis R2; Spartacus Jim R4; +Designer R9

    Freehold
    2/14/14, +Our Girls Chance N R4; +Stand Guard R7; +Ringside Winner—AE—R7; Look Siera R11; +Princess Mcardle N R11

    Meadows
    2/14/14, Eddie Sweat R1; Sweet Inspiration R2; Screen Saver R4; Cajon Hotshot R8; Yosemite Camn R12

    Pompano
    2/15/14; +Cheyenne Knight R1; +Avantage R7

    Yonkers
    2/14/14; +All Star Dragon R1; +Ideal In Vegas R6; +Cash Poor R11;
    2/15/14; +Lightning Strike R1

    Ray Cotolo contributed to this edition.      

  • The Wise And The Wicked

    POSTED Feb 5, 2014 By Frank Cotolo


    Midway through winter no one sees an end, not even that groundhog in Pennsylvania. As we got to press one storm is sweeping through the Midwest and the East while another is poised to do its own sweeping en route to the Atlantic Ocean. It is becoming tiresome opening each of these blogs with notifications of track closings just after a weather report. But there is racing out there and we have it for you as the wicked season ensues. Good track, sloppy track or just frozen-to-the-bone track, we are on top of whatever racing is in store with wise betting moves.

    In lieu of features, we once again choose specific overnight events with highly probable profit-producing choices. And, of course, there is our horses-to-watch (H2W) list. 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.

    This week’s overnight offerings:

    Charlottetown
    Feb. 7, Race 4

    Caliban Hanover made up the most ground last week in the Open while the same two horses, Abundaspin and Zip The Lip, dueled for reign. The former won the battle and the latter was second. That means this week the third possible choice in this top group, who has beaten that duo before, will go off the best odds. Perhaps he commands the fractions or perhaps he takes better advantage of the two foes’ stressful battle that this week can wear them out entirely.

    Charlottetown
    Feb. 7, Race 8

    Isleofpalms was poised to knock a similar group out last week but was hanged and left to dry. Before that she broke and three back she was out-gunned. This is a perfect spot for her to show the bit of class she has over this dull bunch (most appear to be one-dimensional and the morning-line (ML) favorite seems quite soft, having failed with a lesser trip than “Isle” last week in this company.

    Meadows
    Feb. 7, Race 7

    In this 10-horse trot you are perfectly safe taking a shot with a clear outsider. Coming out of the 8 hole is just one reason the gelding Broadway Speed will go off double digits. Another is that most handicappers won’t give him enough credit for a style change in his last race that failed but nonetheless shot a flare up that should be a warning to the two horses in this field that beat him last race. Hanging while trying to get the lead and improving from the first to second call is enough for us to make him a contender. Consider the 10 horse in exotics if you want to try to cold-cock a big number.

    Meadows
    Feb. 7, Race 7

    Here’s an odd condition that allows for some speculative handicapping, which may lead to a strong win price. With only six horses in the field, non of them ever experiencing the light of a winner’s circle flash, the crowd will take strongly to Dave Palone’s ride on Stirling Cyclone. But back class may not be the key here, at least it isn’t the factor we will rely upon. The five-year-old mare, NF Jessica, may be ignored enough to play at a price. Two back she almost walloped a notch higher group and she was 26-1. Her speed may hold firmly here and her horrible streak of 46 losses should come to an end.

    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
    2/6/14; +Diditagain Hanover R2; Mr Terror R10; Schooner Or Later R11.
    2/7/14; +Green Olives R2; +Elite R3; Ms Luck R6; +Ricky O Bay R6; +Upfrontoutthedoor R11; Windy City Ron R11; +Literate Hanover—AE—R11.
    2/8/14; +Trojan Seelster R5; +Naked News R7.

    Cal Expo
    2/7/14, +Castle Oaks R4; Rite After Disbeer R6; +Yank My Missle R11
    2/8/14, +Tour Guide R4; + Hot Cowboy R10;

    Charlottetown
    2/7/14, Otello R3; Leaveittome R5; River Paradise R6; Honor Roll R10

    Dover
    2/9/14, +Kenzie’s Beach Boy R3; Big Valley R6; +DVC Jazzy Jolt R10; +Stubbs Hanover R13; The Quiet Village R15

    Flamboro
    2/6/14, Nothin But Trouble R9
    2/8/14, NJs Trick Pistol R7; +Sullys Guide R9; +Anahar Chase R9; +Stonebridge Adore R10; +Tiagra Seelster R10

    Freehold
    1/30/14, +No Tears Here
    2/1/14, +Tulfra R2; +Cyclone Cully R11; +Youth Uprising R11

    Meadows
    2/7/14, +Four Starz Kyle R2; +Amazing Quest R4; +Forever Just R4; +Double Dribble R4; +SJ’s Hottie Won R5; +Eddie Sweat R6; +Dellie’s Jewel R9

    Monticello
    2/8/14, See You Smile R1; +Flower Girl Charis R2

    Pompano
    2/8/14; PC Moonshine R5; Avantage R6; Cheyenne Knight R8

    Western Fair
    2/7/14, +Arnies Kick Start R8

    Yonkers
    2/6/14; Eagle Artesian R6.
    2/7/14; Mm’s Lucky Boy R2; Ideal In Vegas R6; Likeabatoutahell R8; Cash Poor R11; Handsoffmycupcake R12.
    2/8/14; +Lightning Strike—AE—R1; Track Master D R5; +Dinner Guest R11.


    Ray Cotolo contributed to this edition.      

  • Cotolo’s Harness Review, News And Notes

    POSTED Jan 26, 2014 By Frank Cotolo

    Next weekend we cover the end of January and the beginning of February as the claws of winter continue to scratch regions beyond the Polar Vortex. The rough-and-tough standardbreds will be racing as the month turns over.

    The weekend that just passed offered some decent winners at decent prices on our horses-to-watch list (H2W). Make sure you check out the across-the-board prices and the exactas included because next week you may decide to back some of your horses to win, to win and place or across the board. After Monday, Jan. 27 all H2W horses from last week’s list will be updated below.

    We chose two races from Charottetown Drivers Park for the first time while offering promising plays in overnights and we scored with one of the pair on Jan. 25. Scotian Lass was our first choice in Race 6 and he won, paying $9.90, $5.30 and $2.80. Our other first choice, Honeymoonisover finished third (2.60) at 6-1.

    We engaged Dover on Jan. 26, offering Kenzie’s Beach Boy in one event. He finished sixth at a price we could never have predicted, 56-1. Our second Dover event resulted in Stubbs Hanover finishing third ($4.40) at 10-1 and our third choice, Polaris, finished second ($2.60, $2.20), while our second choice was sixth.

    Every Wednesday night, TwinSpires’ 10-percent-bonus Buffalo Raceway 50-cent Pick 4 wagers continue. We assist with suggestions for your ticket. For Jan. 22’s exotic, via Twitter -- @FrankCotolo, @TwinSpires and @BuffaloRaceway – we had the highest paying horse of the winning quartet for the second week in a row. We singled Artsy Princess ($13, $7.80, $3.20).

    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 as the winner in the same race (*asterisks note the particular races along with track name). This holds true, also, for trifectas if three H2W horses finish win, place and show.

    Winners

    Tiger Bait, $15.40, $7.40, $4.80, Cal Expo
    Runaway Disirae, $14.10, $5.30, $3.20, Fraser
    Traers Hall, $10.80, $5.60, $4.60, Freehold
    Trend Spotter, $9, $3.80, $4.20 (ok), Meadows
    Bootswiththefur, $6.40, $3.80, $3, Meadows
    Lord Terror, $2.60, $2.20, $2.10, Dover

    Seconds

    Devil’s Embrace N, $8.60, $5, Dover
    Red Hot Yankee, $5.80, $3, Pompano
    One Last Shot, $3.10, $3, Fraser
    Cinderella Smiles, $3, $2.30 (Exacta $12.70), Northlands
    Kaya’s Sweetheart, $3, $2.60, Freehold

    Thirds

    Cyclone Cully, $7.60, Freehold
    Branding Party, $4.30, Fraser
    Melboy, $3.80, Cal Expo
    Tulfra, $3.80, Freehold
    PL Dragon, $3.60, Meadows
    Too Young Man, $3.50, Northlands
    Jolt Of Whiskey, $3, Fraser
    Ala Carte Bill, $2.80, Freehold
    Arpeggio Hanover, $2.60, Dover


    News And Notes

    Illinois harness is still under Mother Nature’s spell, with arctic temperatures taking their toll on the young 2014 racing season. Balmoral Park announced delaying two qualifying days, originally scheduled for Jan. 28 to, Jan. 29 as more extreme cold is expected next week. Downstate, Maywood Park will conduct qualifiers on Jan. 30. The first draw for a Feb. 5 start date at Balmoral Park will be held Jan. 31.

    Don’t go looking for harness racing at Harrah’s Philadelphia until some serious negotiations are complete. At a meeting of the Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission this week, the commission suspend harness racing at the racino due to issues with the condition of the racetrack. According to several reports, the commission took the action following complaints about the condition of the track’s surface, ignited after a terrible spill in November that severely injured driver Anthony Coletto. The track was scheduled to resume racing in early March.

    A monumental agreement between United States and French standardbred industries has been signed. USA representatives Joe Faraldo, Alex Dadoyan, Tim Rooney, Sr. and his son, Tim, Jr., were in France to negotiate details of a breeding, wagering and simulcasting agreement between the countries’ racing officials. The agreement was signed on Jan. 25.

    In addition to a breeding agreement, the two sides will work toward establishing a calendar of simulcasting of and wagering on Yonkers Raceway races in France and French races into the U.S. by the end of 2014. Faraldo called the deal’s completion “an historic, monumental agreement … the predicate for international simulcasting into Europe and a move forward to more global simulcasting of U.S. harness racing.” There is little history of cooperation between France (the country that created pari-mutuel racing) and the U.S. beyond the institution of a few celebrated races.

    The French breeding book has been closed to American stock for more than a century. Things have certainly changed. The French have also made agreements with Slovenia and Ireland. After the agreement was settled, Dominique de Bellaigue, the French representative, said, “These agreements will help our respective countries build upon a foundation to the expansion of international simulcasting.”

    All of the countries involved, of course, are suffering from a poor business atmosphere. Racing is in a global depression compared to its state prior to the digital revolution. Although the new technology has been embraced by the industry all over the world, rebuilding has been necessary to attain a new generation of supporters.

    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 

  • Opus Overnight

    POSTED Jan 22, 2014 By Frank Cotolo

    News reports about sagging jet streams and frigid weather ensue as we head for the penultimate weekend in January. Even if the climate was tepid, however, there would still be the seasonal lack of feature races in the standardbred community. However, from coast to coast raceways are brewing up a slew of overnight events to keep us harness bettors investing.

    Once again, then, we concentrate on overnight events with a few specially chosen races (this week we venture to different tracks than the last few weeks because value is present throughout the pari-mutuel world) and our horses-to-watch (H2W) list, both which have been productive as 2014 heads for its second month.

    This week’s overnight offerings:

    Charlottetown
    Jan. 25, Race 3

    Honeymoonisover returns to this conditioned trot after two failed Open appearances. She has faired well at this level and once was the dead-on choice. The program choice, the mare leaving to her right, has won at this level but may be sorely over-bet, giving Honeymoonisover a clear shot at winning as an overlay. Incredible Her Bee has every right to race well from the inside and should play a big role in the exotics’ results.

    Charlottetown
    Jan. 25, Race 6

    The crowd may be mistaken if they buy into the morning-line (ML) chances of Scotian Lass in this conditioned pace. Two excuses accompany her recent efforts at a higher level while three back and four back she was competitive after winning as a big choice while dropping into a lower class. She hovers at this range, though, and could very well present an outsider’s victory if she can out-step Hornswoggle, the second ML choice that drops after disappointing with big chances to win. Lexis Mandy could be the element that inflates exotic prices.

    Dover
    Jan. 26, Race 6

    You can go out on a limb for this one with a possible longshot contender for a few reasons. First, the ML choices, all three, are not glowing prospects for a win. Next, they are spread out from the inside to the outside and third, they all look like they will battle for control of the pace. This leaves us with Kenzie’s Beach Boy. We have no doubt he will offer a price, considering his 59-1 failure after qualifying upon his arrival from Philadelphia. But while there, he raced some good miles, even if they ended poorly. He also steps down into this condition and has nothing to do but improve. These are the kinds of big-priced horses we adore because they are poised to wake up and when we get them in a situation where few to none address them as contenders, they are super scores.

    Dover
    Jan. 26, Race 11

    Stubbs Hanover has a fine shot at the two horses inside of him that should get all the win money. He was in a crowd, only 4 lengths off of the winner in this company last week, leaving slowly from the outside. Before that he was on the move big time when he was bothered enough to break and lose all chance of competing past three-quarters. He won a $20G claimer as the 2-1 choice three back and that group was arguably as good, if not better, than this one. As a key overlay, also, a trifecta with SB Mikes Hot Beach and Polaris N could come back big balloons, as they used to say.


    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
    1/24/14, +Twentyone Guns R4; +Plum Crazy Baby R10; +Dragons Wall R11
    1/25/14, Hi Ho Hi Ho R6; Tiger Bait R7; +All Is Lost R10; Melboy R11; Big Guy Two Win R11; +Energy Angle R13

    Charlottetown
    1/25/14, Trustmeonemoretime R1; Flag Of Honor R2; McMaverick R7; Artners In Crime R8; Capitalism R10; Bakardi Arti R13

    Dover
    1/26/14, DVC Jazzy Jolt R5; Arpeggio Hanover R7; Lord Terror R10; Devils Embrace N R12

    Flamboro
    1/26/14, +Modern Image R10

    Frasier
    1/24/14; +Runaway Disirae R4; +Pureform Sydthekid R4
    1/26/14, +I Hear Voices R4; +Branding Party R5; +Mmmmmh R7; Jolt Of Whiskey R9; +One Last Shot R11;

    Freehold
    1/23/14, Mr Salming R4; +Hagi R4; +Ala Carte Bill R8; +Kaya’s Sweetheart R9
    1/25/14, Tulfra R1; Travvers Hall R2; Cyclone Cully R2; +No Tears Here—AE—R3; +Major Bet R4; Youth Uprising R11

    Northlands
    1/24/14; +Too Young Man R7; Cinderella Smiles R8
    1/26/14; +Smooth Criminal R10; +Man Alive R11; Little Bit Faster R11

     Meadows
    1/24/14, +PL Dragon R3; +Bootswiththefur R4; +Mattachardle R6; +Trend Spotter R6; Hall Of Memories R12

    Monticello
    1/23/14, Flower Girl Charis R4
    1/27/14, +Day To Fay R2; Eng-amer Davanti R2; +Lightning Madison R4

    Pompano
    1/18/14; +Ding Dong Boy R1; +Mai Tai Guy—AE—R1; +Just Fred R2; Flight Exec R3; +Oh My Joepa R4; Red Hot Yankee R5; Mc Kelvie R6; +Odd Man Out—AE—R10

    Western Fair
    1/24/14, +Flip Top R8 

    Ray Cotolo contributed to this edition.      

  • Big Soph, Frosh Stars On Track This Weekend

    POSTED Oct 30, 2013 By Frank Cotolo

    Yonkers Raceway hosts the final of the pacing classic, the Messenger, and though it lacks the ruler of the soph-pacing colt division, Captainstreacherous (see Hoosier analysis), the field is strong enough to perhaps deliver a cool upset. The sister event, the Lady Maud, offers its final, also with the division leader, I Luv The Nitelife, missing. The weekend also brings us back to Hoosier Park for some of its signature stakes finals. Check out the TwinSpires Pick-4 bonus at Hoosier, click here.

    The Simpsons Stakes for frosh guys and gals are covered in the Vernon section of the horses-to-watch list (H2W), which continues this week to pick up steam for its most prolific season. Check out the list below.

    The Medium Is The Messenger
     
    The open draw for Saturday night, No. 2’s $450,000 final of the Messenger Stakes placed eliminations winners Sunfire Blue Chip and Lucan Hanover on the outside, in post positions 7 and 8, respectively. With strong but not necessarily stronger competitors lining up in front of them, the draw may offer a few steps or two to an upset winner.

    The 58th Messenger final is the eighth race at Yonkers and features 1-Odds On Equuleus, 2-Ronny Bugatti, 3-Word Power, 4-Good Day Mate, 5-Twilight Bonfire, 6-Lonewolf Currier, 7-Sunfire Blue Chip and 8-Lucan Hanover (Dave Miller).

    Just one post in front of the pair of elim winners that will obviously be the choices, is Lonewolf Currier. He may get the edge of the few steps possibly available if the outer two choices work too hard on the four turns. If he races as he did in the Invite that opened the Breeders Crown program, he could win this and pay handsomely. He has won here before and certainly seems in finer fettle than the first five on the gate.

    For soph-pacing fillies the companion stakes event is the $176,684 Lady Maud final. It’s the sixth race and features 1-Certified Ideal, 2-Handsoffmycupcake, 3-Antigua Hanover, 4-Charisma Hanover, 5-Scandalous Hanover, 6-Live Entertainment, 7-Parlee Beach and 8-Jerseylicious (“Scandalous” and “Parlee” race as a Casie Coleman trainer (and part-owner) entry.

    Charisma Hanover set a track record (1:51.4) for soph fillies winning her elim and the entry includes the $15,000 supplemental entrant Scandalous, so there is the majority of win money. It’s Antigua Hanover that may be the outside contender with the best chances. At 24-1 against Scandalous last week she held to an outside move and gained ground in the end to finish second.

    Hoosier Hosts Heroes

    Hoosier’s big four stakes offer six-digit rewards and they hae attracted a number of fine national competitors. They are all presented on Friday, Nov. 1.

    We begin with the $157,000 Elevation for frosh-colt pacers. If we are looking for a possible price here we need to hope the inside colt, Totally Kissed, is dismissed for the more obvious pair in the field. This is one of the best colts trainer Brooke Nickells has had and she is earning well among tougher freshmen as she is three for nine wins with three other ont-the-board finishes.

    The $250,000 Monument Circle finds Captaintreacherous returning to the Indiana plant and facing nine other soph-colt pacers. He has beaten better and under more stressful conditions, so it is difficult to look beyond him once again. As a key we could pick up some exotic bucks with Emeritus Maximus and Apprentice Hanover.

    The main cast of older pacers ship in for the $223,500 Hoosier Park Pacing Derby, most coming from the Breeders Crown charges in that division. There’s little doubt that “Crown” champ Foiled Again and Pet Rock get the bulk of the win bets. Then you have Bolt The Duer, one of the most over-wagered-upon pacers of the past two seasons. He will get some money. There is talent left, though, and the major overlooked here may be Sweet Lou. There seems no other value possible here and we feel it safe to hope driver Ron Pierce goes winging with “Lou,” who has beaten these favorites before and returned a healthy double-digit mutual.

    Glamour-boy trotters from the contentious crop battling all season go in the $286,500 Carl Erskine trot. This field is closely akin to the division’s Breeders Crown final and no doubt Spider Blue Chip gets the public’s full attention in this one. That leaves Creatine to follow in the betting. We would like to see Tirade Hanover pull a shocker here because he may be a huge overlay. One of two from trainer Ron Burke’s barn, this guy has not lived up to his frosh season but has shown strong signs of life coming into this affair. It may be a stretch but then again we have to stretch it when there are favorites here that have proven vulnerable all season long.

    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
    Batavia
    11/1/13, Air Current R4; Winlighn’strikes R7; +Lettuce Hanover ae R9

    Cal Expo
    11/2/13, Bams Hottie R6; Hi Fidelity R6; Steuben Jumpinjack R11; Bo Knows Power R13

    Freehold
    11/1/13, Explosive Shark R1; Stonebridge Damsel, R3; Sad Story R3; Fifty Shades R5; Matt’s Smokin Lil R6; Stand Guard R7; Touch Of Charm R7; Makemywishcometrue R10; Twelve Steps R11
    11/2/13, Bettorific ae R3; Star Of The Game R4; Listowel R7; Cf Sting Rei R10; Nf Independence R12

    Lebanon
    11/1/13, Smart As Frannie R13; +Lasting Endeavor R13; Dazzling Diana R14

    Maywood
    10/31/13, Gator Express R7; Makena Cat R12; Repertoire R13
    11/1/13, Hurricane Finale R7; She’s Automatic R8

     Meadows
    11/1/13, Mcliberty R1; Last Chance Harvey R3; Homestake ae R3; Baritone R4; My Last Tri R5; All Heart Gal R8; Lady Ashlyn R8; Aj Niko D’oro R9; Winning Double ae R15
     
    Pocono
    11/1/13, Jenjen’s Dragon R2; Flying Topless R4; Hollywood Rusty R5; Carlina Hanover R9; Hold Your Hat ae R11; Heavenly Way R13; Mach This Way R13; All About Justice ae R14
    11/2/13, Phenomenon R4; Lee Ave R7; Rick’s Crossroads R7; Il Mago R14; Flashbacks R14

    Pompano
    11/2/13, A Fool For Mark R4; Treasure Hunter R10

    Vernon
    11/1/13, Derby R1; Starsaboveallerage R3; +Dipietrantonio R4; Jk Molly R5; Annies Last R7; +Painite R8; Beat The Drum R10; +Don Dinero ae R12

     Ray Cotolo contributed to this edition.

  • Northern Exposure; Jersey Giants

    POSTED May 8, 2013 By Frank Cotolo

    The big Saturday features this week take us to Canada, where Woodbine hosts the Princess Final and the Diplomat Final, starring sophomores. The co-starring events are at the Meadowlands. Of course, there are four John Simpson Stakes on Friday, May 10, for soph-filly-and-colt trotters and those Grand Circuit races will be covered in this week’s Hambletonian Trail blog, brought to you exclusively by TwinSpires and the Hambletonian Society.

    Speaking of exclusive, more harness horses to watch (H2W) appear on our weekly list from tracks around North America.

    As well, the TwinSpires’ 10-percent bonuses for winning the Pick 4 at Woodbine on Saturday nights continue. And now, get the same deal with Pick 4s at Hoosier Park throughout the harness meet, and double points plus (click here).

    Check out the details for Woodbine here.

    Check out the Hoosier details here.

    Diplomats And Princesses

    Canadian three-year-old pacers are in action as May moves onward and the colts meet in the final of the Diplomat (colts) and Princess (fillies) pacing series at Woodbine on May 11. There could be future stars in this group as the divisions’ members develop into summer. The fillies chase a purse of $55,600 while the colts and geldings square off for $55,800.

    Belle Boyd should be the choice for the filly field, as she was very strong winning the second leg of the Princess at 1-9 after taking round one. In leg two she made up 6 lengths to catch pace-setter Super Soph, second choice at 5-1. Trainer Carl Jamieson’s gal should fill most of the win pool. Bucking this dominant filly means a small shot or a pass. We will go with Super Soph to take her out at a price.

    Given a trip not unlike the one that got him second at 64-1 in leg two of the Diplomat Series, Orillia Joe could overcome the recent successes of Veradero Hanover, who won the first leg, and Rockin Wizard, who took the second. Rockin Wizard went wire to wire in his affair for trainer Bob McIntosh, while “Varadero” was unable to overcome an outside journey in round two as he did winning round one. Still, trainer Richard Moreau’s student could win with a good trip but should the two have their disagreements on the pace of the mile, “Joe” could come up with a big win at a big price.

    Tough Trot Tribe

    The big boys, so to speak, those hard-nosed older trotters, are featured in two elims for the Arthur J. Cutler Memorial, both worth $40,000, at the Meadowlands on May 11.

    In split one, Trond Smedshammer gears up Calchips Brute, from 11 races already this season, to probably take this one. Some familiar faces make up the seven here, including Guccio in his second appearance as a four-year-old. Wishing Stone, a transcontinental trotter going for Ron Burke these days, will be gunning and don’t overlook Opening Night in exotics.

    The second “Cutler” story includes Modern Family, fresh off of a big win last week. But he will have to do better to assure his place here, especially with Mister Herbie, who debuts and may not need a race against these, most younger and most still getting their feet wet for the new season.

    Also on the Cutler program, the Hudson River Series brings together a strong field of four- and five-year-olds with a $58,000 pures. Here is another chance for a price with Yo Cheyenne Rocky, who is yet to peak and has raced with the best types here.

    And, a $50,000 Free-For-All Championship unites regulars from the Yonkers battles early on in the season, with Foiled Again looking to plow through another divisional wall of strong foes. We like the second return of Hurrikane Kingcole at four and would not be surprised if he has a surprise for some of the veterans here by cutting fiery fractions and holding on to win at a price.

    H2W Legend


    Review our choices and follow the wagering at the prescribed track to decide how you will use the information.

    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 that horse 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 (so it might not get into the race). Multi-horses may be listed in the same race.    

    Horses from previous lists that are not racing have a NR after the name on a separate line from dated entries.    

    Wagering on any of the H2W listed horses is based on your own judgment. Your handicapping skills should include decisions to wager to win, place, show or in exotics. If you have any questions about the H2W list, send them to us through the TwinSpires blog channel.
     

    H2W          

     
    5/9/11, Debs Girloffortune R2
    5/10/13 +Bailys Magic R2; +Fifty Two Finn R4; +Pacific Prince R7; In Good Hands R10
    5/11/13, Redford Hall R1; Kiasma R5; Fireyourguns R6; Dontgetinskyway R6; Ideal Affair R12   

    Cal Expo
    5/10/13, Outta The Red R13
    5/11/13, Dreaming Of Amy R2; Terror Time R4; Chevie Balboa R6; Ridgerson R9; Sun On The Rocks R11
    Amazin Dot NR; Eggwhite Inmy Beer NR 

    Freehold
    5/10/13, Beach Burn R2; Lookout Stokk Zone R2; Where’s Harry R3; Smooth Finish R11
    5/11/13, Bell’s Panacea R9
    Padre Manuel NR; Ironstone Wiz NR; Pacey Deucey NR

    Hoosier
    5/10/13, +Velocity Vespa ae R5
    5/11/13, Nine Innings R5; Rocket Fuel R9
    Richerthanrayno NR; Keep On Flirtin NR   

    Maywood
    5/9/13, River Of Faith R8
    5/10/13, Huga Yankee R1; +Fox Valley Bobbijo R2; Free To Scoot R2; Tuff Longport R8; Primrose Path R9;
    Summer Party NR; Prime Escape NR; Park Bug NR; +Catch The Rapids NR
     
    Northfield
    5/10/13, +Attack Of The Town R7; Redmeansgo R11; +Just Got Lucky R12; Whats Your Fantasy R13
    Erikadikete NR 

    Pocono
    5/11/13, Night Train Shane R3; Hillbilly Hanover R12; Wisher R13

    Pompano
    5/11/13, Pembroke Big Bo R2; +Wingull R5; Bellator R6
    Joltin Duel NR; T’s Electric NR

    Raceway
    5/11/13, Immigration Lad R3; ++Game Madison R8
    5/12/13, +G Road R11
    Rosie L NR; Taffy Towne NR

    Scioto
    5/8/13, +Bench’s Beauty R4
    5/11/13, Panskrit R8; Henry Gram R8; Frog Juice R9    

    Tioga
    5/10/13, Tiffany Malone R3; Nutmegs Cider R7; Ramona Disomma R9; Jk Geronimo R12
    5/11/13, Rompaway Alvin R1
    5/12/13, Stand Up Comic R8
     

    Ray Cotolo contributed to this edition.

  • Cotolo’s Harness Review, News And Notes

    POSTED May 4, 2013 By Frank Cotolo

    It was the beginning of the Hambletonian Trail and we repeated with a winner in the soph-colt trot classic Dexter Cup at Freehold. Celebrity Maserati defeated the big favorite, paying $6.00. All race reviews and reports will be posted at the Hambletonian Society’s special archive page.   

    In the inaugural Meadowlands Maturity we spoke of the buzz horse, Modern Family, but supported Little Brown Fox at 23-1. Modern Family won, paying $8.20. A surprisingly good effort from Uncle Peter brought that one home second at 10-1. “Fox” was flat, staying sixth around the mile.   

    The Simpson three-year-old colt pace was a joke mile for the Johny Rock side of the huge favorite John Butenschoen entry, winning at 30 cents to the dollar. Our choice, Kenzie’s Beach Boy, was sixth at 36-1.  
     
    In Pocono’s Van Rose Memorial there was no beating Golden Receiver. The prohibitive favorite stormed the group of older pacers, paying a mere $2.60. Our Fred And Ginger upset did not surface, though he was a clean third at 4-1.    

    In this week’s results for out horses-to-watch (H2W) list, exclusive to TwinSpires, we had a remarkable number of seconds, covering a gamut of prices. Come back on Thursday for more great contenders.       

    H2W


    $14.00 Hurricane Hanna, Northfield
    $10.40 Terrys Star Dragon, Freehold
    $6.20 Racy Betty, Lebanon
    $5.60 Best Magic, Freehold
    $5.00 Flashy, Hoosier
    $5.00 Stiletossilverheels, Cal Expo
    $3.60 Shabalabandingdong, Maywood

    The following are the horses that finished second or third along with their post-time odds. Special notes on those finishes follow.     

    Seconds:
    Swimsuit Model (5-1), Lebanon; Red Rufus (3-1), Lebanon; Southwest (7-2), Vernon; Avantage (2-1), Pompano; Prime Escape (7-1), Maywood; Pin Stripes (4-1), Maywood; Ironstone Wiz (9-1), Freehold; Upandover Hanover (27-1), Buffalo; Jk Abigezunt (18-1), Buffalo; Bailey’s Magic (4-1), Buffalo; Pw Tootsie (4-1), Buffalo; ER Sister (1-2), Hoosier; Holy Chip (6-5), Hoosier   

    Thirds:
    Padre Manuel (8-5), Freehold; Pair Of Eyes (5-2), Northfield; Wingull (5-1), Pompano    

    H2W Cashing Notes

    At Vernon, Southwest’s place to the favorite caused an exacta worth $23.40. Upandover Hanover paid $20 to place. Jk Abigezunt paid $14.60 to place.    

    All adjustments for returnees to the list and additions will be in the Thursday blog.
     

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    News And Notes

    There are no results on the H2W for May 4 at Vernon Downs due to a serious problem. After a confirmed case of equine herpes at Vernon, management and the New York Gaming Commission have made the decision to cancel racing in the best interest of the harness racing community. No horses will be allowed to ship into or out of Vernon until further notice and trainers attempting will be dealt with accordingly. Horsemen and women have been urged to use hygienic precaution when working from horse to horse, trainers should keep an eye on their horses, and continually take their temperature.

    Management and the New York Gaming Commission will continue to gather more information on the situation and more information will be made available as soon as possible.   

    Next Saturday night at The Meadowlands Racetrack the first event for trotters will be the $40,000 eliminations for the $200,000 (est.) Arthur J. Cutler Memorial trot. The series conditions rule that in the event that the event does not require eliminations a $50,000 Open trot will be offered to series eligibles as a point-bearing race. The $58,000 Hudson River Pacing series final will be raced on May 11 as well. The John Simpson Memorial soph- trotting stakes will be raced on Friday, May 10.    

    The Molson Pace at Western Fair will be contested as a $150,000 Invitational event this year on Friday, May 31. In recent years, the Molson Pace has had eliminations and a final the following week. However, this year’s event drew fewer nominations (17), which prompted the change in format. Western Fair, though, has added a new twist to this year’s race. A Molson prep will be held on Friday (May 24) and the winner of that will receive an automatic berth into the Molson and will join seven other invitees for the main event.

    More high-profile performers from last year qualified at the Meadowlands. To Dream On, one of the best rookie trotting fillies last season, won her 2013 debut with a 1:56 score for trainer Jimmy Takter. Last year To Dream On won eight of nine starts, earning $719,000. She last raced in the Breeders Crown final at Woodbine in late October, winning by more than 3 lengths. Captaintreacherous recorded his second winning qualifier of the season with a 1:54.3 mile for conditioner Tony Alagna. Maven, a winner of $758,000 during her sophomore season debuted and finished a close third. Millionaire pacing mare Drop The Ball qualified against only two horses but she won by more than 24 lengths. And I Luv The Nitelife recorded her third winning qualifier, this one over Nikki Beach. I Luv The Nitelife earned $682,000 during her rookie season in 2012.   

    Extraordinary Extras

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

    Every weekend as part of that blog we offer Balmoral Pick-4-and-win picks at the USTA’s Strategic Wagering Program page which includes suggested win bets.    

    Connect to Twitter and follow Frank and Ray Cotolo for up-to-the-minute suggestions on wagers at many harness raceways. Then, wager from your TwinSpires accounts.    

    Ray Cotolo contributed to this blog.

     

    Cartoons by Thom Pye

  • ‘Trail’ Mix Amid Meadowlands Marquee

    POSTED May 1, 2013 By Frank Cotolo

    With all horseracing eyes on The Kentucky Derby, the Grand Circuit’s focused stakes can only take co-starring roles. Still, this is our official start of the big season, including the launch of our exclusive information center, the Hambletonian Trail blog, where we provide analysis and picks for stakes involving Hambletonian and Hambletonian Oaks eligibles.

    This blog will share its information with the “Trail” blog, so please bookmark them both or simply follow the link to be sure you are informed about great betting opportunities for the glamour boy and girl trotters of 2013 in all of the events leading to the classic on the first Saturday in August. Again this year, TwinSpires and the Hambletonian Society bring you the extended information.

    For the first time this season, TwinSpires’ exclusive harness horses to watch (H2W) list continues into the Grand Circuit season by popular demand.

    As well, the TwinSpires’ 10-percent bonuses for winning the Pick 4 at Woodbine on Saturday nights continue. And now, get the same deal with Pick 4s at Hoosier Park throughout the harness meet, and double points plus (click here).

    Check out the details for Woodbine here.

    Check out the Hoosier details here.

    Read about the Dexter Cupand Lady Suffolk stakes at the Trail blog. Here, we will cover the Grand Circuit Simpson Stakes for soph-colt pacers, as well as the “Maturity,” all at the Meadowlands, as well as we take a look at the Van Rose Memorial from Pocono Downs.

    Trot Stars Revisited

    Open trotters battle in the inaugural edition of the $100,000 Meadowlands Maturity, featuring some popular names from 2012 that fit the conditions for this four-year-old event.  

    A trio of last year’s Hambo contenders, Guccio, Little Brown Fox and Uncle Peter, are here for the Jimmy Takter stable and once again they have to contend with the pacing-bred Googoo Gaagaa, who defeated them easily outside of the Hambo (which he could not race in, of course, since his sire is a pacer). Among the others in last season’s Trail mix are Solvato, Magic Tonight, Another Amaretto and My Mvp. Harbor Point and Modern Family join the fray.  

    How this group presents itself as four-year-olds is still a mystery, since so much can change from a sophomore season to the next division, which is, overall, a mixed brew of ages. There will be few four-year-old-only events, so a lot is up in the air for this group.  

    “Googoo” certainly took it easy with his qualifiers, and that may not have been the intention, according to trainer Richard Hans. This debut is important for the horse that had a severe breaking problem last season, which was the cause of most races he lost. As well, he wasn’t the trotter at season’s end that he was from the start.  

    Perhaps Little Brown Fox can debut with sparks? He is still a small horse and if his gait is as smooth as it was at three he could be a terror against four-year-olds and up. We still feel that had he not ruined his Hambletonian elim he was the best of that division and should have gone all the way. 

    The buzz horse is Daryl Bier’s Modern Family. Modern Family won his first four starts this season for his new teacher, Bier, including a 1:54.1 romp in a winter series at the Meadowlands.  Bier purchased Modern Family, taking over from Tony Alagna, who sends My Mvp to his first challenge at four in this event.

    Simpson Stakes



    The glamour-boy pacers peek through the program at the Meadowlands with the Grand Circuit’s first Simpson Stakes of the season, worth $39,615. In essence, this is race poses a bit of a guessing game but is important to watch for the sake of future events in the division. Duel In The Sun is last year’s best earning frosh of these seven, with Johny Rock close to him on the list but both are deep in the top-50 earners, while the other five here are firmly untested.   

    We are giving a good outside shot to Kenzie’s Beach Boy for trainer Joe Holloway. The conditioner came to fame for his work with the colt’s sire, Jenna’s Beach Boy, who was a dynamic pacer and three-time winner of a Breeders Crown event. Joe has already taken this guy to the post nine times, winning three, placing once and showing once. Since the two aforementioned top earners are making their debut, let’s bank on the fact that even if they wind up better in the long run, “Kenzie” gets the nod while they are still tuning up in their soph debuts.   

    War Of The ‘Rose’


    While the Run For The Roses dominates the thoroughbred world, the $50,000 Van Rose Memorial Invitational at Pocono Downs on May 4 brings together some of the sport’s top pacing free-for-allers. Among them is the popular star Golden Receiver, already six for seven this season, with a superior speed edge, especially with three turns instead of the two he has made his mark upon. From post 2 he will be very hard to dismiss.   

    Versado will be gunning for him, though, and could be his downfall if you are suspecting an all-out duel. The biggest bargain, then, could be Fred And Ginger, who has faced the big “Gold” many times and is a veteran of this class. Should a duel surface, there could be a triple of some worth with Gold, “Fred” and Shoobee’s Place, who should do most of his pacing on the inside in those late steps that can be devoured on this track.


    H2W Legend


    Review our choices and follow the wagering at the prescribed track to decide how you will use the information.

    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 that horse 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 (so it might not get into the race). Multi-horses may be listed in the same race.   

    Horses from previous lists that are not racing have a NR after the name on a separate line from dated entries. 

    Wagering on any of the H2W listed horses is based on your own judgment. Your handicapping skills should include decisions to wager to win, place, show or in exotics. If you have any questions about the H2W list, send them to us through the TwinSpires blog channel.


    H2W


    Buffalo
    5/3/13 +Upandover Hanover R2; Bailys Magic R6; +Pw Tootsie R7; +Jk Abigezunt R9
    5/4/13, +Quick Change Artist R13
    Pacific Prince NR; Fifty Two Finn NR; Naked News NR

    Cal Expo
    5/3/13, +Ra Ra Steven R3; +Flash’s Camilla R8; +Loco For Cocoa R11
    5/4/13, +Stiletosilverheels R2
    Amazin Dot NR; Eggwhite Inmy Beer NR  

    Fraser
    5/3/13, +Red Star Scammer R5

    Freehold
    5/4/13, Padre Manuel R1; Ironstone Wiz R2; Terrys Star Dragon R10; +Magnum Mike R10; +Newsam R11; +Best Magic R14
    Pacey Deucey NR

    Hoosier
    5/3/13, +Regil Millionaire ae R3;+Flashy R4;+ER Sister R5; Richerthanrayno R7; Velocity Vespa R10; +Holy Chip R12; +Lordy Gordy R13
    Keep On Flirtin NR 

    Lebanon
    5/2/13, +Racy Betty R2; Red Rufus R3; +Swimsuit Model R4;
    5/3/13,  Bench’s Betty R2; +Dollys Joy R4; +Cagney Munster R5; +Rain Dance Maggy R7
    Black Blitz NR 

    Maywood
    5/2/13, Rock N Jam R4; Summer Party R10
    5/3/13, Fox Calley Bobbijo ae R2; Huga Yankee as R4; +Catch The Rapids R6; +Shabalabandingdong R7; +Pin Stripes R8; +Stryker R9; Prime Escape R9
    Silky Salt Shaker NR

    Northfield
    5/1/13, +Blue Time Ice Lady R2; +Hurricane Hanna R2; +Arion R2; +Towner’s Great Lady R4;+Some Little Star R13; Pair Of Eyes R13
    Erikadikete NR; Attack Of The Town NR

    Pocono
    5/4/13, +Automatic Teller R2; +Delco Rocknroll R12

    Pompano
    5/4/13, Wingull R4; +Avantage R6; +Kennairnmachmagic R9
    Joltin Duel NR; T’s Electric NR

    Raceway
    5/4/13, Rosie L R6; Game Madison R6; Taffy Towne R8
    5/5/13, Vyce R5; G Rod R6;

    Tioga
    5/4/13, Haggin Oaks R7

    Vernon
    5/3/13, Southwest R10 
    5/4/13, Winbak Meadow R1; +Tiger Would Too R2; Stettin Hanover R5; +Fish Tales R11
    Worldly Domination NR

    Ray Cotolo contributed to this edition.