TwinSpires.com Blog

The Adios Pace, lacking the glamour-boys’ biggest stars, highlights the conclusion of Grand Circuit week at the Meadows with a band of stakes and anticipation of the first weekend in August when all of the superstars from all of the divisions make up the Meadowlands’ cast of Hambletonian-day fields. But July’s final weekend offers a lot of wagering opportunities that can help inflate our TwinSpires account with a full afternoon program at the Meadows and a full evening program with more stakes at the Meadowlands. 

The Adios afternoon program on July 26 will feature live tweets on the Arden Downs, Adioo Volo and Adios Pace with all the late-breaking information. Follow @harnessraycer, @FrankCotolo and @TwinSpires on Twitter before betting.

Our spin-off blog, the Hambletonian Trail features the Hambletonian Oaks prep at the Meadowlands on July 26, with seven wagering interests going for $35,000. There are no eliminations for the “Oaks” this year. The final is next week on the Big M Hambo program, where we will be on site reporting.

Friday at the Meadowlands we have a single elimination for the frosh-colt trotters in the classic Peter Haughton and two Merrie Annabelle elims for the filly square-steppers. As well, another leg of the Ima Lula is on the bill for the mare trotters. Saturday night from the New Jersey oval, two elims for the John Cashman Memorial presents free-for-all trotters on board for a berth in next week’s final.

Overnight action continues through North America and we have our fingers on the pulse of the action in our exclusive horses-to-watch list (H2W). Our suggested contenders prove to be valuable additions with many exorbitant place and show prices, as well as they support chunky exactas. 

Weekdays, check out the TwinSpires-Hoosier perks for 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.

Future Glamour Boys Trot

Friday at the Meadowlands, the Peter Haughton Memorial enters phase one. A single elimination will be contested for the frosh-colt trotting event, which features 10 horses but only five betting interests. Trainer Jimmy Takter has spared no expense for stake-caliber two-year-olds, as he trains five of the 13 entered for the race (the three that receive byes for the final are Canepa Hanover, Guess Whos Back and Honor And Serve). Uncle Lasse, the only one of the quartet whose gait is not in question, highlights the four-horse entry. He enters in off of a victory in his debut and a third-place effort after attempting to go gate-to-wire, being parked in his move to the quarter.

The obvious contenders against the entry are Svanstedt’s coupled Centurion Atm, Amicus and Cruzado Dela Noche. Centurion Atm is the leader of this group, making strong first-over moves at first asking. They’ll likely be the second choice but if one looks to beat the Takter quartet, Svanstedt’s colt is the next contender.

Girlie Steps

Two Merrie Annabelle elims are on tap Friday at the Meadowlands, also. Ron Burke returns to the freshmen-trotting scene, this time with two strong fillies divided into the two elims. The opening elim has Gatka Hanover, an undefeated daughter of Muscle Massive. Meanwhile, Homer Hochstetler has a Chocolatier filly, a bloodline that has been prominent with gals. Sweet Thing debuted well, winning by 4 lengths in 1:59 against maidens at Vernon. Next out, she was second in a Pennsylvania All-Star split. She followed that race with a victory against sires stakes company in 1:58 at the Meadows. She could be sharpening and her breeding not only has Chocolatier but Kadabra sired her dam. 

Burke’s New Jersey-bred freak Mission Brief, off a 1:53.3 victory in the New Jersey Sires Stakes final is the obvious choice in round two. Yet, this speedy filly is also very green and might not mind her manners. In the event that she misbehaves, Jolene Jolene can easily sweep by this group. In her debut, she was locked at the pylons, shuffled and closed to finish third. At second asking, she could easily capitalize on Mission Brief’s possible mistake.

Big Trotter Elims

For the first time since the Nat Ray was renamed, two eliminations will be held for the John Cashman Memorial for older trotting males. The first elim features something that hasn’t been seen in nearly 40 years: Two Hambletonian winners will compete in the same race—Market Share and Royalty For Life. Yet, neither will likely be value in this event. Fresh off his world record in the Hambletonian Maturity, Your So Vain, a new acquisition for Ake Svanstedt, appears to be the one to beat. A huge three-wide bid in the 1 1/8-mile event at first asking makes the imagination fly as to what he can do with a start under his belt.

The second elim could make it a Svanstedt sweep, since Sebastian K, coming in off his loss in the Maple Leaf Trot on a “sloppy” surface, returns to a track in which he’s excelled. Since he’s the one to beat, watch for Sweet Justice in the exotics. He has a home-field advantage, having spent the winter and summer at the Meadowlands. He has also shown talent against the top level and may be the underdog in this field.

Ima Lula Deux

Leg two of the Ima Lula series (the final is on the Hambletonian program) on July 25 at the Meadowlands should put Bee A Magician (BAM) back into the public-choice seat after two strong efforts following her illness. She was absent from last week’s first leg of this short series, winning the Miss Versatility. Classic Martine also joins the fray from that race, finishing fourth to BAM. She, too, should receive strong support.

The Jonas Czernyson couple duo, Ma Cherie Hall and Mistery Woman, needs no introduction to the others here but looms dangerous with a price on the entry’s head. Leaving from posts 5 and 6, respectively, both of them are showing signs of being stronger than they were as sophomores, when BAM dominated the division. “Mistery” had a tough trip last week, got the lead, only to lose it to Handover Belle (post 2 in this). But Mistery trotted the better mile. And “Chere” may be over the stumbling stride that hampered her debut at four, posing a definite threat to the favorites.

Wicked Adios?

The 48th edition of the Adios Pace for the Orchids ($400,00) is the focus of a great stakes program on July 26 at the Meadows. As mentioned above, we will be tweeting our choices for the Grand Circuit stakes on the program live Saturday afternoon. Here, we will analyze the main event, a consolation and the filly version.

The Adios this year presents Casie Coleman’s McWicked as a huge favorite with a morning line of 7-5. Because the colt has raced with the best and won his best efforts when the best were not present, as they are not here, the Coleman fans will dig into their pockets for a return of pennies, at best. He could soar to a record mile, sure, but who cares if he cannot reward us for the effort? Besides, three in the Adios field have a right to be claimed threats and at least two of them will be overlays.

The longest price should me Stevensville, the wire-to-wire, 10-1 winner we gave you on in the “Rooney.” He may try to steal this and if he duels with McWicked could open a path for the lesser-priced offerings from contenders Lets Drink On It and Somewhere In LA. A winner in Canada, where most McWicked fans hail, “LA” should race better than his odds and burning front speed could give this to him. It’s a crafty game of who gets the trip if you don’t put your stock in McWicked going fastest from front to finish.

Stevensville could be the trip horse and if there is the kind of dueling that drives speedsters outside or causes shuffling, the Ray Schnittker colt could drop a bomb on the tote board. LA and “Drink,” however, could either be worth it as overlays that would merely shake the board.

The Adios consolation awards percentages of $30,000 to an odd crew of glamour boys in that they have raced a lot but not gotten very far in the division. This adds weight to the argument that the Adios did not attract the top tier of colts. Worth a shot here, then, would be a “now” horse and that appears to be Kingofthejungle. Last week he shot off the gate and dared the favorite, Limelight Beach, who did not make the final, to get the top. “Limelight” worked too hard to do so and wound up fourth at the wire. Kingofthejungle held well until tiring at three-quarters and finished fifth at 27-1 while ground-savers passed him. He may well be the best overlay of the program.

Adioo Volo

The soph-filly pacers in the $114,175 Adioo Volo total 11 and are not atop this division’s list for the season. None have tasted victory more than four times and two haven’t had a chance to win at all this season. Casie Coleman’s Also Encouraging is the top earner here and Casie will be looking to take the filly and the colt features by sending her full throttle, along with her other student, Someislansomwhere. Beach Gal is next in earnings and has been off the board only twice for Ron Burke, who also has Allstar Rating and Southwind Silence in the group.

Bound to be ignored, however, is Gilbert Garcia-Herrera’s Marathon Day. She’s the fourth richest this season by hitting the board 10 times in 11 starts. All the well-known names will bury this filly’s chances on the board and although we doubt if Yannick Gingras would pick her to drive, she is one of four he is listed to drive before decision-making time. Her price will be appetizing and will reward backers handsomely as an outside contender.

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 on the also-eligible list. If a horse is listed twice, refer to the entries on the night of the race since a horse may enter in more than one race. 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
7/25/14, +Outoftexas R7
7/26/14, Western Heart R8; Larrys Dream R11

Georgian
7/26/14, Oaklea Winfrey R1; Kaboom R1
7/27/14,  Got What It Takes R8

Grand River
7/25/14, Mobro Flirt R6; Cons Legacy ae R6

Harrington
7/24/14, +Malak Uswaad N R2; Bob N Tony R6

Hoosier
7/26/14, O’Sundland R8

Meadowlands
7/25/14, +My QP Doll R5

Mohawk
7/25/14, +Nefertiti Bluechip R7; +Somethingincredible R9; Bee Full Of Steinam R11
7/26/14, Request For Parol R4; Undercover Bro R9

Ocean
7/25/14, +A Major Impulse R8

Philadelphia
7/27/14, Corky Duke R12

Plainridge
7/26/14, Somerset Minibob R1

Pocono
7/26/14, Black Hat R9

Running Aces
7/6/14, +Bunkerhill Bill R1; Cowgirls Rocknroll R3

Saratoga
7/25/14, +Amigo Ranger R7

Scarborough
7/z/14, Fox Valley Shannon R1; Eat Your Enemy R5

Scioto
7/26/14, Head Of The Barn R11; +Hi Ho Disguise R13

Tioga
7/26/14, +McKelvie R6

Ray Cotolo contributes to each edition.      

The Adios was traditionally a post-Hambletonian affair, refocusing upon the glamour-boy pacers after the severe concentration of glamour-boy trotters. In the new millennium, the Adios is part of August’s overture of harness highlights and unlike its old place on the stakes calendar, the Adios absentees are usually the best of the division.

The 2014 Adios presents a strict, second-tier cast in the soph-colt pacing division, with the two giants, JK Endofanera and Hes Watching, passing. Also absent are Always B Miki, Doo Wop Hanover, Western Vintage, Lyonssomewhere, Tellitlikeitis and Sometimes Said, leaving the elims looking a lot like the ad hoc consolation for the Meadowlands Pace. It is no wonder that the morning-line favorite is McWicked.

The good news is that all three Adios elims may be good betting races, maybe better than the July 26 final. So we will dig into them in this blog, looking for some generous returns on our plays.

Older pacers and trotters will tangle in Ohio and Ontario with the Battle of Lake Erie at Northfield and the Maple Leaf Trot at Mohawk. Frosh class is displayed at Yonkers in the Lawrence Sheppard Final and the first leg of the Ima Lula features four-year-old mare trotters at the Meadowlands.

Canadian Breeders Championships (CBC) for pacers at Mohawk are covered below, while those for trotters and the Reynolds is covered in our spin-off blog, the Hambletonian Trail. Check it out by clicking here.

Overnight action culminates in our horses-to-watch list (H2W), where our suggested contenders have been mighty across-the-board plays, with many exorbitant place and show prices.

Weekdays, check out the TwinSpires-Hoosier perks for 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.

Follow @FrankCotolo and @TwinSpires on Twitter to get any and all late-breaking information on racing events and betting challenges that transpire between the publications of the two TwinSpires harness racing blogs.

‘Sheppard’ Flock

Saturday night, July 19, the $125,000 Lawrence B. Sheppard Pace Final for two-year-old colt-and-gelding pacers highlights Yonkers’ program. Leading the field of eight are the elim winners In the Arsenal and Cartoon Daddy. They are joined by Byby Landon, Mystical Pacer, Rock N Roll World, Lone Survivor, Perfect Eagle and Parklane Eagle.

Mystical Pacer draws our interest from a tough outside trip in his elim that still got him third. “Arsenal” beat Byby Landon on getting the wood in an early duel. “Mystical” has the goods to take this event where only two colts are not maidens (Arsenal and “Cartoon”). He should be a decent price, one you may pump up in exactas by using Byby Landon (how the fans hate the 8 hole) and Parklane Eagle (from the productive sire of froshes, Somebeachsomewhere).

The K Factor

The $603,000 Maple Leaf Trot Final defies nine older trotters to go faster than Sebastian K. That is the end of the conversation. This season, Ake Svanstedt’s monster trotter has devoured the division and won faster than any trotter in the history of the sport. He has beaten the likes of the “Maple” field, proving Mohawk was not a problem (the elim was his first race in Canada). So now what do handicappers do? Perhaps some thoughts from a trainer may help punters lean away from Ake’s stallion.

Rod Hughes, whose horses have won the Maple three times, said he doesn’t think “K” has been “in deep enough” to be considered a lock in any race. Hughes told local journalists that K’s racing without shoes may hamper his winning two weeks in a row.
Hughes likes Market Share and Mister Herbie better than K this week. “Herbie” won this race in 2012 in 1:50.4, faster than K went last week on this surface. Hughes said it is difficult to go faster than Herbie went winning unless it is a very warm night.
Why not take Hughes’ analysis? After all, his trotter, San Pail, when he was at his best, beat big European trotters in Canada. Plus, we have been on the side of Herbie many times; he is a top trotter and he is on his home field. So let’s look for the upset, not with Market Share, with Herbie.

Here is the field for the $603,000 Maple Leaf Trot in post position order: Sebastian K, Market Share, Intimidate, Archangel, Wishing Stone, Mister Herbie, Creatine, Undercover Strike, Flanagan Memory, Modern Family.

Hello Adios Week

The 48th edition of the $600,000 (est.) Delvin Miller Adios Pace for the Orchids is the focus of a great stakes program on July 26 and an end to a great Grand Circuit week of racing at the Meadows; great for bettors. We will be posting various wagering suggestions through the week on social media sites. Meanwhile, July 19, three Adios elimination divisions race to determine the field for the traditional classic.

Each Adios elim is worth $50,000 and six colts start in each. In the first elim we are going to go with Bushwacker, who was fourth in the “Pace” consolation and who offers a price against the two Ron Burke probable public choices. In the second elim, Lets Drink On It finally has a shot to win now that he steps down into the second tier of the division’s stakes group. In the last elim, McWicked will be on a tear to take this wire to wire as a prohibitive favorite. If he has to duel with Stevensville or At Press Time, then Brioni, third in the Pace consolation last week, could take him down. He certainly should be included in any McWicked exotics you choose.

Ohio Battleground

This year, “Battle” night at Northfield carries total purses of $554,500. The 15-race program boasts an impressive undercard, featuring nine $40,000 divisions of Ohio Sires Stakes for two- and three-year-old colt pacers and trotters.

Foiled Again has drawn post 7 in July 19’s $150,000 Battle of Lake Erie. Of course, he has been named the 3-1 morning-line favorite. Foiled Again makes his sixth appearance in the event and he is aiming to become the first horse in Northfield Park history to win this event three times. Ron Burke, who also sends out Clear Vision, trains Foiled Again. Also among the battlers are Night Pro, Beach Memories, Bolt The Duer, Fool Me Once, Twilight Bonfire and Apprentice Hanover.

In thick but getting the rail and on a skein, is Night Pro. He is an Indiana Sires Stakes champ coming into the Battle, against the toughest foes he has ever faced, looking for his seventh-straight win. Apprentice Hanover will be more ignored than necessary because he leaves from post 8. His morning line is 10-1 compared to Night Pro’s 4-1. That’s too much just for being on the outside, especially with too much speed on top. Apprentice Hanover should offer a better chance than his price and these two could be the last two standing at the wire for the upset exacta.

Ima Lula

A lone division kicks off the Ima Lula series on Friday night at the Meadowlands, compiled of six four-year-old mares, two of which entering off of a showdown with Bee A Magician in the Miss Versatility. One of them is Perfect Alliance, who debuted off of a month layoff last week. She finished seventh and adds lasix for this outing. The other being Handover Belle, the more interesting of the two.

CBC Pacers

For six digits in each division, soph-colt-and-filly pacers bred in Ontario race for the CBC championships.

The colts are the first to contest, with 2013 Metro winner Boomboom Ballykeel coming in off of a victory in the elimination. Yet, favored in that elim was Victor Bayama, who took an off-the-pace approach and finished third. When he debuted in late June, he won easily by 3 lengths in the Ontario Sires Stakes (ONSS) at 6-1. From post 10, he has the speed to be put into the mix, which seems to be the best approach in this race as an off-the-pace effort might include a barrage of traffic.

Lady Shadow, who will be heavily bet off of a 1:49.1 victory in her elim, highlights the filly final. With a strong on-the-lead type in the field, the only way to beat her would be with a stalker. Another elimination winner, My Secret Belle, fits the condition perfectly. She seems to be driven similarly in stakes races, riding the cones to victory in an ONSS division and doing so in her elimination as the favorite. With Joe Hudon Jr. driving, that will likely inflate her value as we look for her to draft to victory. An outside contender, Nefertiti Bluechip may be able to topple thm all. “Nefertiti” was a sharp third in her elimination at 32-1 and post 9 should be a plus in the stretch since she could stay out of trouble and wallow by speed retarding in the stretch.

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 on the also-eligible list. If a horse is listed twice, refer to the entries on the night of the race since a horse may enter in more than one race. 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
7/19/14, Larrys Dream R3; King William R3; +Sand Savage R5; Carson City Road R10; Outoftexas R10

Hoosier
7/19/14, +Astarisontheway R2

Meadowlands
7/19/14, My QP Doll R10

Meadows
7/18/14, Mattacardle R7
7/19/14, +Bootswiththefur R13

Ocean
7/18/14, A Major Impulse R1; +Twentysix-fiftytwo R8
7/19/14, +Talbot Redneck R6

Philadelphia
11/18/14, Donna Party R1; Swinging Beauty R6
11/19/14, Malak Uswaad N R11

Pocono
7/19/14, Black Hat R1; +Milliondollartouch R1; Luck Be Withyou R4; Sky Desperado R7; Dancin Yankee R10

Running Aces
7/19/14, Bunkerhill Bill R1; +The Wizared of Odz R2; +Howdoidreamwithoutu R6; +Flukie Flight R9

Saratoga
7/19/14, +Grab A Crab R8

Scarborough
7/17/14, Fox Valley Shannon R1; Eat Your Enemy R5

Scioto
7/17/14, +Touch And Go R9

Vernon
7/17/14, +Chocouture R3; Midas Blue Chip R5

Yonkers
7/17/14, +Take The Edge Off R6; Stage It Right R11
7/18/14, Amigo Ranger R8; Sir Lehigh Z Tam R10
7/21/14, +Greystone Cash R3

 Ray Cotolo contributes to each edition.     

Since its inception as the first $1-million harness racing event (created by the late, great Joe DeFrank), the Meadowlands Pace has been a defining event for the pacing glamour-boy division. By mid-July, one colt is usually in charge of the major miles, one colt is considered a threat to the rest. This year is no different. Denied by many until a 12-1 win in the $1-million North America Cup, JK Endofanera is the one to beat. He won his “Pace” elim and has room in his earnings bag for the greater percentage of the cash from this purse ($700,000-plus). In this blog we explore what we can do to use him or abuse him for wagers.

As well, the Meadowlands hosts a giant July 12 program, including stakes for older pacers, older mare trotters and pacers, frosh fillies and colts, soph-filly pacers and filly-and-colt trotters on the Hambletonian Trail. We cover, as usual, the Del Miller and Stanley Dancer events for the soph trotters marching toward August in our sister blog. Get over there after you peruse this scroll of betting wisdom.

Two Maple Leaf Trot elims are the center of Friday, July 11’s Mohawk program, where the older trotting ranks battle for the berths of the top stakes final next week.

Weekdays, check out the TwinSpires-Hoosier perks for 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.

Follow @FrankCotolo and @TwinSpires on Twitter to get any and all late-breaking information on racing events and betting challenges that transpire between the publications of the two TwinSpires harness racing blogs.

Pacemasters

The $776,000 Meadowlands Pace brings together a now familiar group of glamour-boy pacers, including the leader of this pack, JK Endofanera. Undeniably the favorite here, the stylized and dual-tactic colt will have to really screw up to lose this. In fact, the main scenario looks very much like the North America Cup, with hearty speed in the first half that leaves an outside path for “JK” to swoop through and win.

Improving from last week, when JK took the lead easily around the half and wasted a bit of real estate doing so, was Lyonssomewhere. The Takter-conditioned pacer has gotten better since the “Cup,” where he led the speed brigade that set up the JK close. In his elim last week he was chasing JK and wound up third due to a great performance by Always B Miki on the outside, closing strongly late. “Miki” gets the 9 hole here and will have to contend with the 8, Sometimes Said, and the 10, Doo Wop Hanover—both negotiating a spot early to be in it.
Hes Watching, who won the second elim with a pocket trip, may gun it early this time, laying on his speed in an attempt to steal it, but he will have Tellitlikeitis and Luck Be Withyou on his tail, no doubt willing to challenge (a lot of movement is expected in a race of this magnitude).

Although we would love to call an upset, this race so sets up for JK that it is difficult not to recommend him as a key and look for outstanding odds in the second and third spots for exotics. “Lyons” continues to improve and will offer decent odds enough to couple with JK and if Miki is sent off anywhere near the 9-1 he went off last week he will offer a role in the final three. Those may be the two needed to pull off the trifecta, repeating the results, give or take a place and show, of the JK elim win.

Eliminating the others mentioned appears sound considering their styles and recent battles and the Cup-like scenario is a good one to support; JK is as good a key horse as you may find in this division and that role may be written in stone after a win here. We’re all sorry JK won’t give us the 12-1 he gave us for the Cup but now that all eyes are open to him, we just have to live with it.

’Mistletoe’ Misses

The $212,150 Mistletoe Shalee sends 10 of the division’s top soph-filly pacers to post on “Pace” night. This is the filly equivalent of the colt charge. It has been a perfect season for Sandbetweenurtoes so far and she will, no doubt, be the crowd’s top choice, followed by Uffizi Hanover and Precocious Beauty. “Uffizi” as a second or third choice may be a wonderful bargain.

Her “Lynch” final trip at Pocono must be respected as difficult; she needed room after being shuffled; her Lynch elim was hampered by a wide, fast start. If she topples “Sand” she will do so with spades. As well, Gallie Bythe Beach may be granted a better trip if “Beauty” assists in burning Sand in a deeply fast duel.

The Stalwart Stompers

The W.R. Haughton reunites the big guys, those hoof-pounding pacers of age and muscle, with a purse of $463,300 on the Pace program. It’s another theater for Sweet Lou to perform as the favorite and another chance for Captaintreacherous to be played with a price on his head.

Last week “Captain” was fifth and still raced in 1:47.3, only 2 lengths off of “Lou.” He seems to be adjusting to racing against all of the ages in this division, as he remains of better blood than some of the veterans here. Lou will have a bigger challenge from Captain this time around and we are going to take the Cap’s side on this one, since the public is leaning away from him more and more and we want to be with him when he shows his major stuff at a major price (for him).

Golden Girls

Leader of the mare pacers, Anndrovette, will look to add the Golden Girls to her resume, as in her six-year-career, she is yet to claim the prize. Last year, Feeling You handed her defeat after sitting the pocket in the six-horse field. In 2012, she missed the board and in 2011 was runner-up to Dreamfair Eternal. This has been a race in recent years where it’s worth it to take an outside horse, one that has the ability to compete in this group as well as pay a price.

The mare worth considering this year is Mattie Terror Girl, who has spent the winter and summer racing exclusively at the Meadowlands. In the early part of the 2014 season she was already showing promise racing against the top mares in the “A” ranks. Yet, opting to race in the Petticoat series during the “Levy” mayhem at Yonkers, she came out with a second-place-parked-effort from post 8. Heading into this race she has hit the board in every start, with her most recent being extremely impressive. Her first time in a while against A-level mares, she was game in holding off Shebestingin to finish second in 1:50.3. Her home-field advantage, as well as stalking style of racing, will play well for her.

Versatile Vamps

We all have to admit that Bee A Magician raced well in the Maturity but we also have to admit her late surge was accomplished by passing some tired male trotters. In this $40,000 leg of the Miss Versatility she will be back among her brood, the elder female trotters, and even at only a mile she will have her work cut out for her.

Perfect Alliance is back and rested, as is the gal that beat her and “Bee,” Classic Martine. That one already took a leg of this series but in this mile and she has beaten all of them here, including Maven, who has to deal with the 8 hole. “Martine” is hard to dismiss in her current form and only a circumstantial trip will deny her another win.

But that circumstance may generate an upset. Three back we gave you D’orsay at better than 50-1 and she beat them all with a perfect trip—the kind she may get again here from post 2. So let’s go with D’orsay at another huge price, we suspect. 

Freshman Trotters

A quartet of finals for the New Jersey Sires Stakes (NJSS) will have the state’s finest freshmen competing on the Paceundercard.

The first division has 10 colt trotters fighting for a piece of the $100,000 prize. Highlighting the field are French Laundry and Canepa Hanover, Takter trainees that have dazzled since their baby races. Gradually becoming a powerhouse in the American trotting world, fellow Sweden-native Ake Svanstedt enters with a colt that caught eyes in his debut, parking out Canepa Hanover to maintain control. Now making his second start and possessing speed to put him in contention from post 10, Stonebridge Force will be one to reckon.

The Daily Double completes with the filly trotting competition, comprised of seven. Maintaining her stride for the whole mile, Mission Brief was victorious in 1:55.1, though she came close to breaking many times during the mile. She seems to have speed but is as green as the greenest, making her a vulnerable favorite. Yet, not many in this field have shown to be anywhere close in competition except Saturday Mornings, who was second to Mission Brief in her fast mile. Already having a win in this series, Saturday Mornings is the logical choice against the Ron Burke trainee.

The duo of pacing divisions will cap the Pace card, with the colts being the penultimate mile. Kicking home effortlessly in his debut, Artspeak has a large amount of room for improvement. A similar effort to last week’s :26.3 sprint to the wire could easily win him this race. If he’s the right price (not the favorite), he could be the bet.

Yet, if Artspeak is not the value wanted, Sid Rock is a logical contender. In his second start, he sat closer to the pace and came 3 lengths shy of the leader in a 1:54.2 effort. He could be positioned similarly to Artspeak in this race, but the question is whether he’ll have enough in the tank to storm home.

The nightcap features nine filly pacers highlighted by Stacia Hanover, who is looking for a series sweep. Svanstedt returns with another impressive gal, Wicked Little Minx. Qualifying in 1:57.1, she debuted by taking the lead, losing it, taking back to the outside and coming a length off of victor Stacia Hanover in 1:54.2. She makes her second start this week, meaning she could receive redemption.

Consoling Pacemasters

For colts who either couldn’t make the Pace final or felt the task too daunting, a wonderful restricted event in the early stages of the program offers some nice betting opportunities. The three-year-old race is comprised of 10, with four entering off of off-the-board finishes in the Pace elims. One gelding in this field is intriguing for the fact that he competed well with this group in the Max Hempt Memorial and because of a miscue, was eliminated in the final. Bushwacker, who easily began his sophomore career two-for-two, finished second to speedster Mcwicked in a “Hempt” elim. In the final he was a little too feisty leaving, causing him to break. He’ll likely be value due to Let’s Drink On It, whose fan base will likely make this his redeeming race.

Brioni is another value contender in the field. Unraced at two, he has proven to be a consistent soph competitor. While he has dabbled in conditioned events, his stakes performances reside in the second tier of the Pennsylvania Sires Stakes (PASS) and PA Stallion Series. He competed against PASS-caliber horses in the Pennsylvania All Stars last out, where he was second to At Press Time, who was second to Mcwicked in the Hempt final. Hopefully, the public will ignore his gradual improvement.

Maple Leaf Elims

Friday, at Mohawk, the big ole square-steppers unite for two six-horse miles in search of the Maple Leaf Trot crown next week. And look who is here …Sebastian K.

Sebastian K is the world’s fastest trotter, making that mark on a five-eighths track (he broke the 1:50 barrier by a full second at Pocono). He brings a remarkable momentum to Canada in the first elim of the Maple Leaf Trot ($40,000). It is impossible to go against him here, so we will key him with Creatine, who comes from a tough trip in the “Maturity” last week. For a triactor, also use Wheeling N Dealin for a return that may be worthy if the latter pair have any odds worth pumping up the price (Wishing Stone should be the second choice).

In round two there is room for a bargain or two. Local favorite Intimidate will take some money and so will Mister Herbie as his career ensues as an elder. But Modern Family may not be worth passing up, since chasing Sebastian K and beating a lot of others equal to these, including Market Share, has been a hot game for him. He could go off a decent price in the small field and bury the others in the stretch.

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 on the also-eligible list. If a horse is listed twice, refer to the entries on the night of the race since a horse may enter in more than one race. 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
7/11/14, FB Seelster R2; Studio City R8
7/12/14, Nifty Prescott R3; +Zipintheruthehall R7

Hoosier
7/11/14, Astarisontheway R3; +Captain John Henry R7

Meadowlands
7/11/14, Bambino Glide R11; +The X Horse R13

Mohawk
7/11/14, Too Shy R13
7/12/14, +Marlee B R8; +Rub N Tug R8

Ocean
7/11/14, Twentysix-fiftytwo R1; OK Amelia R4; Talbot Redneck R7

Pocono
7/11/14, +Chrome Cruiser R2
7/12/14, Milliondollartouch R4; Sky Desperado R12

Running Aces
7/12/14, The Wizard Of Odz R5; Emmasphere R7; Morwyn Hanover R10

Scarborough
7/12/14, Bullseye R2; Cheryl Leigh R9

Scioto
7/10/14, +Bongo R4; Hi Ho Disguise R9; Touch And Go R9
7/12/14, Spudcam R3; +Winchester R11

Tioga
7/11/14, Northern Obsession R5; Kaliska R6; Bobs Girl R9
7/12/14, McKelie R1; +Heidi Falls R12

Vernon
7/10/14, Chocouture R3
7/11/14, +Choke Hold R7
7/12/14, Midas Blue Chip R1; Take The Edge Off R5; I Do Hanover R7; +Caidens Colt R8

Yonkers
7/11/14, +Summertime Lea R6

Ray Cotolo contributes to each edition.      

Once again we head to the Pocono Mountains this Saturday for the sport’s features. On the chromatic dirt surface of the five-eighths mile spread of Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs will ride the best of last week’s elim performers for the Max Hempt, James Lynch, Earl Beal, Jr. and Ben Franklin. Covering five divisions, there will also be a a $75,000 “Hempt” Consolation and a $50,000 “Lynch” Consolation, as well as a pair of $100,000 Invitationals.

The Earl Beal, Jr. Final soph stakes are handled on our sister blog, the Hambletonian Trail. Don’t miss our exclusive coverage; click the link after you read this blog and check out the extensive analysis on that page.

On Friday, the Meadowlands presents a cavalcade of New Jersey Sires Stakes (NJSS) freshmen, elaborating the stakes season with the youngest divisions of fillies and pacers on both gaits.

Weekdays are harness plentiful, too, check out the TwinSpires-Hoosier perks for 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.

Follow @FrankCotolo and @TwinSpires on Twitter to get any and all late-breaking information on racing events and betting challenges that transpire between the publications of the two TwinSpires harness racing blogs.

Pacers To The ‘Max’

Mcwicked is the standout in the $500,000 Max Hempt Final off of a 1:48 victory as the 1-5 public choice in his elimination. This race features two horses who proved they can race according to the opportunist bias present at Pocono: Cammikey and At Press Time.

There is no way this race will be given to Mcwicked like what happened in his elimination. With All Bets Off, who loves to stalk the pace, drawing post 8, this will be an all-out war on the front. Cammikey came into contention from third at the pylons and managed to finish second. At Press Time won his elim after sitting a pocket trip. These two will have a scolding pace set in front of them and are equal when it comes to their chances of winning. However, which is higher in value will be out of our hands. At this point, it seems Cammikey will be higher in price.

Lynch Ladies

The $300,000 James Lynch Final will be Uffizi Hanover’s race to win or lose, as she draws the rail off a brutal trip in the elimination. When it comes to these finals she has always been patient, from her victory in the Breeders Crown at two to a pocket trip in the Fan Hanover two weeks ago. Yet, one filly showed tremendous improvement in her elimination despite finishing second, Gallie Bythe Beach.

Pocono is known to have a bias for opportunists, it was seen nearly all night in the eliminations. Gallie Bythe Beach cut the mile in her elimination, a drastic improvement from her two other efforts of 2014. This will be a race where strategy will prevail and if John Campbell tries to stalk the leader rather than be the leader, she’ll have a chance to defeat Uffizi Hanover.

Consolations And Invitationals

The $75,000 Hempt consolation offers a cast of second-tier colts from the division, with one exception: Doo Wop Hanover. How this guy didn’t make the final remains to be explained, since he is yet to show us he is a chump. All around him in this field are plodders compared to those in the Hempt final, so launching from the 8 hole should not be a problem. It is difficult to predict a favorite here except to say that “Doo Wop” won’t be on top, giving the bettor an edge on a price because he appears to be that good.

Nine fillies that didn’t make the Lynch final have a shot at some major bucks in the Lynch consolation, worth $50,000. At 61-1 we never had a chance to witness an attempt by Katie Said, who was our second choice in her Lynch elim. Interference and a break ruined chances of seeing the final field up close. Here, the three-for-eight sophomore will be a good price because last week’s miscue may help. All in all, this is a poor group that can spawn an upset considering it may overbet a few into favoritism.

The $100,000 USTA Invitational for older pacers is wide open unless you focus upon Dancin Yankee. It is difficult to believe an 8-1-morning line on this guy, who recently won a mile on this surface in 1:47.2. He is in his best shape, though that record mile was four races back, and he is simple the best of this group and may prove it with a sweeping early move and another boiling finish but this time at a better price (he was odds on when he won his speed badge).

The Sun Invitation for trotters, also worth $100,000, will once again anoint Sebastian K and the Swedish stallion deserves it, dominating this division in three-straight wins against its toughest foes. In the “Cutler” final, we gave you the exacta with Sebastian K winning and Modern Family completing the couple. At $38 it was a steal. This could be the same situation, with Modern Family soaring to the top and cutting the quarters until Sebastian K pours on the speed inside or outside. Still, we would take “Family” to win because a nose or a whisker at Pocono can mean the difference between a whole bunch of dollars in a cashing experience. Box the exacta, though, especially if Family is, as we expect, displaying a large price to win.

Big ‘Ben’

Top, classy elders in the pacing ranks will be featured in the Ben Franklin Final. Here is an event that has soared to the top of the division’s big events with a purse of a half-million dollars. The cast this year is a compendium of talent that spans many seasons and leaves many race scenarios in play. Though these guys change crowns through the season, right now Sweet Lou is the ruler of the herd. His most recent three races have been scorching trounces of the likes of these, with the exception of Captaintreacherous.

The only pacer not on Lasix, Captaintreacherous will not race as the favorite here, as he did when he was nosed out of a win in the elim by Domethatagain (here in post 5). That one, in fact, is the least of his problems in this mile. In fact, Captaintreacherous has little to worry about when it comes to the four-year-olds in this group; his main target is Sweet Lou.

Getting a good price on Captaintreacherous will be a wonderful site but it may not be a spot for a large wager but a good spot for an exotic or two with his main nemesis. Burke is the conditioner of the first four lining up and aside from “Lou” the others can provide some traffic problems (thank goodness they are not coupled). Foiled Again, whose on-again-off-again form has no pattern, could present a lot of trouble anywhere during the mile.

Freshmen Fire At Meadowlands

First, we will evaluate the field of NJSS frosh-colt trotters in the only mile for this division; it’s worth $39,000. There are only two sires represented, as so many stallions in the state have moved and some farms have closed. Muscles Yankee is still producing Ihe has moved to New York) and now his champion son, Muscle Hill is, too (now in Pennsylvania). Five represents “Yankee” and three are from “Hill.”

Other than some baby races, these are the first frosh products to hit the track this season from either sire. There are only qualifiers and baby races to use for past-performances, which is the case for all of the frosh events on the program.

Jimmy Takter has his band of freshmen raring to go, including French Laundry in this group. The colt is coming off of two Meadowlands baby-race wins and will attract a scad of money based on that and his trainer’s brand.

Off of a single appearance, Guess Whos Back showed a wonderful attempt to finish second but that won’t get by bettors, especially with Brian Sears up for the drive. It’s Muscle Blues that captures our attention, with a marked improvement in his third baby race. Debuting with a break and coming back from it with a smooth fourth against “Laundry,” Muscle Blues showed speed and leadership next out, just nipped at the wire after leading the mile. He could be bargain even if he is the third public choice here.

The NJSS filly trot is a $38,500 affair with all seven gals by Muscle Hill. None of these come from team Takter, so the wagering may be scattered between a few, including Ron Burke’s Mission Brief and Joe Holloway’s Saturday Mornings. Still, we are going to take the outside gal, Southwind Cartier for a few reasons.

This Muscle Hill is by a Chocolatier mare and that is a combination we want to follow closely as the frosh season ensues. Both of the filly’s baby races were at Pocono and trainer D.R. Ackerman will be at the helm. Trouble on a Pocono “good” surface was solved too late in the mile to win, settling for fourth. But her debut was a very strong wire-to-wire win. It is doubtful the public handicappers or the crowd will be investing in this gal, leaving us with a fine price for a strong contender.

An octet comprise the first pacing colt split, which features a half-brother to Western Vintage, who won this race last year, Western Pioneer. Managing to drop four seconds off of his qualifier times, he’ll likely take a majority of the wagering. Yet, a few posts down from him resides Original Zin, who ships in from Philadelphia. He raced twice in qualifiers there, with his first an unappealing 2:02 effort. Returning from two weeks of rest, he paced a 1:55.2 mile, riding the pocket the whole way. His unknown connections should only inflate his price greater.

The latter split is headlined by Bruce’s Magic, who paced a 1:55.4 qualifier in wire-to-wire fashion off of a break in his first outing. Coming in off of 13 days off is Sid Rock. He’s an unusual colt in this field, since he displayed two different racing styles in his qualifiers. In his first, he came first over at three-quarters and was less than a length from victory. In his second, he came from the middle of the pack and closed to be a length off the winner. Coming back rested, he should be ready to go. Dealt A Winner should also not be discounted, since he possesses a fierce closing kick as he begins his career.

The premier division for the fillies consists of six, with one being a full sister to world-champion Put On A Show: The Show Returns. She comes off of a three-second improvement in a qualifier where she tried to go gate to wire but faltered to second. Residing at the rail is Stacia Hanover, who ships in after two strong qualifiers at Gaitway, both in wire-to-wire fashion; her most recent a 1:57 mile with a :26.4 kicker. With a filly whose pedigree has already shone in the spotlight contesting in this division, it will hopefully influence the odds to make our contender a slightly higher price.

Our eyes in the other division are on Smart Zone, who will start on the outside of her foes from post 6. She has three qualifiers under her belt, two at Pocono, and has improved in every one. Her most recent was at the Meadowlands, a 1:57.1 time with a :26.2 kicker off of a pocket trip. She is a stalking type who can keep up with the leader and then leave them in her dust. She’s dangerous and can only get better with each start.

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 on the also-eligible list. If a horse is listed twice, refer to the entries on the night of the race since a horse may enter in more than one race. 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
6/28/14, +Zampano R1; +Milliondollardad R12

Hoosier
6/28/14, +Slingshot Shooter R8

Maywood
6/27/14, So Reserved R6; +Pretty Place R12; +Colefederate R13

Meadows
6/27/14,+Little Mans Magic R4; Percevt Change R8; Light N Shadow R12 +Hedges Lane R13

Ocean
6/26/14, Yacht Party R3
6/27/14, +Whitesville Ted R2
6/29/14, +Diamond Gambler R1; Starlets Toy R4; +CJ Crystal R10

Plainridge
6/28/14, Vanyar Hanover R2; +Miss Defiance R4

Pocono
6/22/14, +Petty Hanover R7; Joltin Colt R8; Fresh Dream R12; Chrome Cruiser R12

Saratoga
6/28/14, +Forty Carrots R4; +Lex Lugar R10; +Rocky Regal R12
 
Scarborough
6/26/14, +Im A Lucky Man ae R2
6/27/14, +Dr Prescription R3; +Sassy Sarah R6; Winbak Wildfire R8
6/28/14,  Mary Rose Of Topaz R9; Heaven Touched R10

Scioto
6/26/14, Rokingcastle as R13
6/28/14, Winchester R12

Tioga
6/27/14, +Geronimo Fame R4
6/28/14, +What About Brian R1; Heidi Falls R1

Vernon
6/27/14, Choke Hold ae R4
6/28/14, +Big City Jewel R4; +Team Edward R7; +Stormin Rustler R7

 Lindys Real Deal R4;; +Printing A Place R8; Caidens Colt R9

Yonkers
6/26/14, Eagle Now R4; Greystone Cash R6; Insane In Spain R9
6/27/14, Some Like It Hot R5; +Babes I Scoot R10

Ray Cotolo contributes to each edition.