Showing posts with label Matrons. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Matrons. Show all posts

  • Cotolo’s Harness Review, News And Notes

    POSTED Nov 10, 2013 By Frank Cotolo

    Captaintreacherous’ latest adventure dismissed world-record holder Lucan Hanover. In a similar scenario, where Captaintreacherous is dueling in the stretch with one or two other late challengers, Lucan Hanover made steps that appeared he would catch his opponent by a nose or hair, and Captaintreacherous did what he always does—he looks at his foe from the side and takes the few extra steps needed for victory.

    The remarkable thing, then, about the American-National for soph-colt pacers at Balmoral on Nov. 9, was that Captaintreacherous paid $2.80 ($2.10, $2.10).

    Bee A Magician kept her win record spotless for the season, paying $2.10 ($2.10, no show wagering).

    But I Luv The Nitelife (the third of the Four Horses of the Apocalypse) went down in defeat after a long, grueling outside trip. Still, in harness racing’s longest stretch, “Luv” only allowed Charisma Hanover to beat her by the slightest of margins. She finished second and paid $2.40, $2.10.

    Our grand achievement of the Am-Nats turned out to be Lindy’s Tru Grit (photo left from Balmoral Park) beating his glamour-boy trotting mates and paying $25.00 ($6.80, $4.80).

    Trotting mare Maven was second ($3.80, $3.20) and Mister Herbie third ($3.20) in the Am-Nat older Open trot, won by favorite Market Share. Frosh-colt pacer Wicked Business finished third at 24-1 ($8.80), while Southwind Silence and Sweet Lou, our other two Am-Nat choices, finished fourth respectively.

    Three obvious winners at Dover on Sunday, Nov. 10, were led by Sunshine Beach, paying $3 ($2.60, $2.20). We gave you the exacta using Emeritus Maximus ($4.80, $3.40), which paid $13.60.

    Then, most of the favorites won their Matron events. We had Nuncio, who paid $2.10 ($2.10, no show wagering) and Shake It Cerry won and paid $2.10 ($2.10, no show wagering).

    Second for us were Ms Caila J Fra ($3, no show wagering) and third was Summertime Lea ($2.10). Two of our offerings, So Surreal and Lyonssomewhere, scratched.

    H2W RESULTS

    The H2W results list across-the-board prices. Odds off to win appear only for place and show finishers.

    Winners

    Lady Ashlyn, $9.20, $4.80, $3.40, Meadows
    Bo Knows Power, $5.40, $4.60, $3, Cal Expo
    Sad Story, $2.40, $2.10, $2.10, Freehold

    Seconds

    Baritone, $11.60, $5, Meadows
    Stand Guard, $2.60, $2.10, Freehold

    Thirds

    Magnum Kosmos, $10, Pocono
    Massasauga, $10, Lebanon
    The Awful Truth, $9, Batavia

    News And Notes

    The annual Standardbred Horse Sale in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was reported a huge success, with yearling sales averages up. The optimism for the sport was riding high; we witnessed this in person on the first day of sales. A filly pacer, Bodacious, for instance, sold for $355,000. On day one of the yearling roster, 18 percent of the stock sold went for $100,000 or over. That included Way Bay Hanover at $270,000. He is a son of Somebeachsomewhere, a pacing sire whose yearlings were in great demand, and Katnss, by productive trotting sire Winning Credit, who went for $260,000.

    Of the notable racehorses sold, trotting mare Beatgoeson Hanover was the overall sales-topper, demanding $410,000. She was going to begin broodmare duties before being sold but sources tell us her new connections will bring her back to the track next season.

    Trotting stallion Knows Nothing went to the same connections, this one for $240,000. A frosh-pacing colt, McWicked got enough interest to be purchased for $210,000. One thousand one hundred and sixty-two horses sold for an average of $28,889.

    Congratulations to driver Pat Berry for winning the race number 3,000     of his career. Berry is
    certainly a bettor’s friend, having delivered many a longshot while racing in the shadows of high-profile drivers. He is 37 and has driven the winners of more than $27 million.

    Plainridge Racecourse requested its current season end Thursday, Nov. 14. According to new legislation, a racetrack is allowed to reduce racing programs. Massachusetts is teetering on the brink of passing expanded gaming laws, which should have a positive affect on Plainridge, which has suffered greatly in business over the past few years and is the only harness track in the state.

    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


     

     

     

     

     

     

  • American-Nationals Parade At Balmoral; Matron Elims Begin At Dover

    POSTED Nov 6, 2013 By Frank Cotolo

    The division battles continue, though a lot of second-stringers are going for the leftover stakes dough, splitting the venues for events in the east and Midwest. At Balmoral on Saturday, Nov. 9, the American-National finals adorn the program. On Sunday, Nov. 10, at Dover, Matron Stakes elims begin to roll out in the season’s final stakes barrage.

    Look below for this week’s H2W list and to check out the TwinSpires Pick-4 bonus at Hoosier, click here.

    All-American Nationals
     
    The American-National finals are as traditional as the autumn colors, bringing some of the brightest divisional stars to the Midwest for a rare flight into fortune. The Am-Nats offer some of the largest purses of the year in this neck of the woods. We will cover them in the order of their presentation on the Nov. 9 Balmoral Park card.

    Two-year-old filly pace
    It’s tough to look away from Southwind Silence. She comes from the most contentious of the Breeders Crown (BC) races, where one of two horses won to pay double digits (we gave you this one with Uffizi Hanover).

    Two-year-old colt pace
    An outside contender looms boldly here in the form of Wicked Business. Impeded in his Am-Nat elim, he still made up ground to finish third and did so at 40-1. His Hooser race before that is a toss out and he has legit excuses at Lexington. In this mile that is sans stars, he could race to his Balmoral qualifier and storm the tote.

    Three-year-old colt trot
    Here we go again with the glam-soph colts and an awkward field of them at that. We are still convinced that Lindy’s Tru Grit has another good win in his pocket and he may do it here and at a price. His Nov. 1 race is testimony to our theory. He broke on the lead (as the public choice) but it was his getting the lead in a powerful move that signaled he was up to par. Unfortunately the misstep foiled him but in a smooth mile like that, he wins this.

    Older trot
    Maven meets the men here, making this a special event, since all of these guys have been far less consistent recently. Her main competition, we think, comes from Mister Herbie, not Market Share, who “Herb” almost defeated in the BC final.     Also, expect better going from Wishing Stone and Uncle Peter. It’s a power-packed field but Maven can win. The odds, however, may favor a bet on Herb.

    Three-year-old filly pace
    Who among us would not choose I Luv The Nitelife? You cannot opt for a longshot here, there is no reason to attempt to swing for the fence. The filly’s connections have reportedly challenged the Captaintreacherous camp to a match race. That’s because there is no looking past either when they race. Auniqueaquistion may make for a strong exacta.

    Three-year-old filly trot
    Bee A Magician looks to nail Horse of the Year honors here by keeping her win streak spotless for the season. It would be a shame if our old frosh favorite (remember we were on her from the get-go, when she paid well) won top honors without facing the boys—as Maven will earlier in the card—but it is impossible to bet against her here, anyway. She is, after all, one of the Four Horses of the Apocalypse.

    Three-year-old colt pace
    Don’t budge, it is time once again for The Adventures of Captaintreacherous. We will try again for an exacta with Apprentice Hanover the second element.

    Older pace
    Again, we take Sweet Lou in the gang of mature male pacers. We see too much speed in play with Pet Rock and some others and hope that our high-priced “Lou” will race late off of deadly fractions to beat these warriors, a somewhat battered bunch from a long and tiresome campaign.

    Matron Mayhem

    Let’s look at some possibly profitable offerings in the Matron elims beginning with the two-year-old miles.

    There is a single elim for frosh-colt pacers and it features a return to the races for the unsuccessful Breeders Crown (BC) favorite, So Surreal. He broke in the final and leaves from post 8, two factors that may make him soft in the betting. From the same family is another son of Somebeachsomewhere, Lyonssomewhere, who is undefeated in two races and has every right to improve here.


    In the first frosh-colt trot, Don Dorado also returns from “Crown” action and if he can stay flat he can trot high and fast, perhaps at a decent price considering the Muscle Hill products in here may be given some heavy play. In the second split for this division, the big favorite will be Nuncio and he deserves the attention after chasing Father Patrick to be second twice in his BC elim and the final. If you like the short price, go for it. Exotics could be pumped by the longshots here.
     
    The frosh-filly pace elim promises 11 will appear at the gate. There are huge earners this season in here but we will support a higher-priced Bettor Business. Bound to be dismissed at the windows for having only one win in 10 starts, this is a speedball that has the capacity to command the pace here and strike hard to get into the final as a top choice.

    The two-year-old filly trot is a Matron preview, not an elim, and all you have to do is hope Shake It Cerry doesn’t break because this appears to be a qualifier for her. She was so good in the BC final and she towers over the other seven here.

    The sophomore fillies have two elims. In the first, Somwherorarainbow is bound to be the top choice but she is not a shoe-in. Summertime Lea has used her speed to win eight of 14 and hails as a major threat here. In the second elim, the big choice should be Shebestinin and no doubt she will be flying to take it all the way from the rail. However, Ms Caila J Fra could have something to say and make a late impact that changes the public’s desired outcome.

    The soph-filly trot is a single episode, with a few recognizable gals that have been beating each other in battles all season. Ma Chere Hall may be a better price than some would think considering some money will be handed to Southwind Cocoa, while Thistle Dhu may like the 11 hole and surprise them all.

    Glamour-boy pacers are stacked with second-tier stars, including last week’s winner over Captaintreacherous, Dedi’s Dragon. Messenger-winner Ronny Bugatti may get some money, as will Vegas Vacation, even from post 10. If all of this gives Sunshine Beach and Emeritus Maximus some breathing room, then those two could be on top at the finish for a healthy exacta combo.

    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
    11/8/13, Eachyahartout R1; +Tsm Pearldrop R2; +The Awful Truth R2; +Lettuce Hanover R10

    Cal Expo
    11/8/13, +Bo Knows Power R11; +Hi Fidelity R12
    11/9/13, Giles LS Hanover R10; I’m An Eyre NZ R 12

    Freehold
    11/8/13, +Makemywishcometrue ae R1; +Sad Story R2; +Stonebridge Damsel, R4; ++Touch Of Charm R7; +Stand Guard R7; R9 
    11/9/13, +Star Of The Game R2; +Listowel R6; +Cf Sting Rei R8

    Lebanon
    11/8/13, +Bound To Scoot R1; +Smart As Frannie R6; Mint Kiss R7; +Massasauga R12

    Maywood
    11/8/13, +Repertoire ae R7; Smoken Cambest ae R10; Cinnamon Spider R14

    Meadows
    11/7/13, Winning Double R15
    11/8/13, +Lady Ashlyn R11; +Baritone R13;

    Pocono
    11/8/13, Hold Your Hat ae R1; All About Justice R12; Magnum Kosmos R14
    11/9/13, +Lee Ave R1; +Phenomenon R4; +Rick’s Crossroads R5

    Pompano
    11/9/13, +A Fool For Mark R5; Growly Gus R5

     Ray Cotolo contributed to this edition.

     

  • Cotolo’s Harness Review, News And Notes

    POSTED Dec 2, 2012 By Frank Cotolo
    Enter December and the waning race days of Y2K plus 12. Before we review the weekend, here is a bit more about the horses-to-watch list (H2W).

    We list many horses from a host of tracks. We suspect that every one on the H2W list has shown potential for winning in their next two races. But that is where the directions for play end. We do not suggest any specific play, nor do we expect followers to play every horse each time it races. The H3W list is a powerful row of tips for horses you should heed. Then, how you play them is your call.  

    When we review the list we note winners because they will leave the list. We also note the odds on all horses and ask you to pay attention to H2W horses that assist in exotics. Because most of the horses we list are “alive,” you can judge how to play them. Followers have told us the H2W list has been helpful for hitting well-paying exactas and triples. You can see from some of the odds we post after horses’ race off the list that many are involved in exotics beyond being winners.
     

    Use them as you decide to use them but take them seriously because they are valuable, having been chosen by experienced race-watchers who are veteran bettors. And now, what happened this weekend: 

    H2W


    Right out of the box, the H2W produced some hearty winners on Friday, Nov. 30. Here they are from the highest paying to the lowest paying winners:
     

    $78.20, Kommander Hawk, Pompano
    $17.60, Cody Cobraski, Fraser
    $14.40, Cherry Tree Luke, Cal Expo
    $5.40, Upncoming Prospect, Cal Expo
    $4.80, Romeo Star, Batavia
    $3.40, Gold Device, Cal Expo

     
    Here are the horses that will return to the H2W list next week and how they finished, along with their post-time odds (check track results for the exotics involving them).

    Seconds:
    Just Frank (2-1), Batavia; Buckeye Beauty (7-1), Lebanon; Cash Poor (22-1), Pompano; Fighter Bliss (12-1), Fraser; Sweet Reunion (9-5), Fraser.

    Thirds
    Western Mandy (7-2), Lebanon; Machine (3-1), Lebanon; Major Najor (4-1), Pompano; Franco Smoothie N (6-1), Cal Expo; Cruisin Inmybeamer (30-1), Cal Expo; Princess Dorleans (26-1), Fraser.

    Scratches
    Goldstar Raider, Pompano; Fox Ridge Banker, Pompano; Delightful Shark, Cal Expo; Panic At The Disco, Fraser.
     
    All adjustments for returnees to the list and additions will be in the Thursday blog.

    Results


    Our two possible upsets in the soph-colt pacing Autumn Series final were beaten by another longshot at Woodbine, while we lost the final for filly pacers to the dead-on favorite. Heston Blue Chip, as expected, won the Matron Final for glamour-boy pacers at Dover on Sunday. That race completed the division’s stakes season. The late surge of “Heston” further clouds top honors for soph-colt pacers this season.

    There are a few stakes remaining in the waning days of the year, which we will cover in our Thursday blog. These include Northlands’ Filly Pace and its Western Pacing Derby. Also pending is the Cleveland Classic at Northfield.

    News And Notes

    Ray Cotolo, who works with us on all harness projects and has been the youngest reporter of Hambletonian and Breeders Crown races in the history of the sport, is one of six nominees of the Lew Barasch Breakthrough Award for 2012. He is being recognized for his highly visible contributions as a journalist in the industry while only 14-years-old.

    Opening night for the Meadowlands meet is Friday, Dec. 28. The track will race Thursday, Friday and Saturday through March 16. Racing will then change to a Friday-through-Saturday schedule for the duration of the winter meet and the championship meet, which concludes on Hambletonian day, Saturday, Aug. 3. In 2013, the Meadowlands will offer a fall meet that begins on Saturday, Nov. 23 and will race on Friday and Saturday through Saturday, Dec. 28.

    A significant pari-mutuel development at Pompano was the debut a 10-percent take-out on their Pick-4 wager—by far the lowest in the industry—beginning on Monday, Dec. 3. The only Florida harness track offers racing on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays with a 7:05 p.m. post time.

    After a 35-year career as a harness driver, John Gilmour has retired. The Ontario native, who spent the vast majority of his life racing in New York State, won his last race last week. It was his 4,492nd victory from 28,655 starts. He amassed just over $9.5 million in purses. Gilmour is one of four brothers who left Ontario for harness racing in the USA. His other brothers included George, the late Buddy, and Lloyd.

    Break The Bank K, a millionaire and winner of the 2010 Breeders Crown Three-Year-Old Colt Trot, is also retiring, though his work in the industry will continue; he will stand his first season at stud in 2013 at Midland Acres in Ohio. 

    Break The Bank K campaigned for trainer Trond Smedshammer as a three year old, when he was covered extensively on the TwinSpires-Hambletonian Society Hambletonian Trail/Breeders Crown Countdown blogs. Break The Bank K is a son of Revenue S, who also sired this year’s Hambletonian winner, Market Share.

    Extraordinary Extras

    Get onto our mailing list and receive a free copy of a classic horseracing fiction book by clicking here. Check out special podcasts available for beginners and veterans of harness betting, a new series available free so you can learn more to bet more and win more at TwinSpires. The latest is called “Three Things Every Harness Player Should Know” and you can watch it by clicking http://harnessbettorpodcast.libsyn.com/podcast-04-3-things-every-harness-player-should-know … 

    Podcast download link: http://tinyurl.com/bsgrx5m

    And there are mini-essays on playing. Click here for the latest.

    Indulge in many standardbred topics at my Hoof Beats blog titled Vast Performances. Every weekend as part of that blog we 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.

     


    Cartoon by Thom Pye

  • Cotolo’s Harness Review, News And Notes

    POSTED Nov 25, 2012 By Frank Cotolo
    Harness bettors’ consciousnesses are fickle. Sometimes you lose so much you crave a winner at almost any price, mostly because a long string of losers makes one feel as if one will never win again. It’s human nature. Another strange characteristic comes when you have winners that refuse to pay “enough.” You never really distinguish how much is enough, you just don’t feel right when you win a few and you have to share so much of their success with the crowd in the form of a low payoff. 

    All that counts is what the ledger reveals. When there is more money recorded in the “cashed” column than in the “wagered” column, you are ahead. So it doesn’t matter if a string of low-priced horses get you there or a few choice longer-than-long wins get you there. Either way, you get there. 

    Few of us, however, keep running totals in our heads, so a few days tend to stand on their own merit, even if they mean little to the long-run wagering-investment campaign. That being said, let’s look at another weekend of harness action as one piece in this endless stream of playing we hope winds up in the black, when the numbers are crushed. 

    Results


    We wound up with two Woodbine favorites in Nov. 23’s Autumn Series elims for the soph-filly pacers. The one of the two that won, Aubession, we figured to be a second choice at the least. But she won and paid $4.50. The other, a filly on a streak that did not seem to want to stop, made the final but lost. That was Drunk And Dramatic.  

    On Nov. 24 our two Autumn Series elim colt pacers did not win. True To Mach wound up third and Machinist was out of the money. 

    During the season we heralded the talents of Hillbilly Hanover, a glamour-boy pacer that showed promise against the top rung of the division. He failed countless times and was winless until two weeks ago when he won a conditioned event against far less productive horses. The week later he comes back and defeats Heston Blue Chip in a Matron Stakes elim and pays $30. 

    That happened at Dover on Nov. 25. “Heston” had a tough trip and defeating nothing last week encouraged “Hillbilly.” So it goes. Mel Mara made the final but finished fourth in the other elim.

    H2W

    From last week’s Horses to Watch List (H2W), we had two winners.

    At Batavia, we gave you Vintage Fenom ($6.50) and Right Back At You ($3.20) on Nov. 23. These two leave the list but if you like them next out off of the win and they are offering decent prices, you could back them again. The two others on the Batavia H2W list remain another race. One of them, Anastasia Willie was third at 21-1).

    There were two seconds at Lebanon, Request To Win (11-1) and Clem’s Pride (5-2). These two remain listed, along with the other four on the Lebanon H2W list.

    The Cal Expo H2W list gave out Cruisin Inmybeamer, who finished third at 8-1, and two others. Of those two, Delightful Shark scratched, so he gets two more chances.

    At press time only two of three raced from the Balmoral H2W list and they were both off the board.

    In the next blog, later this week, we will update the list and add entries as well as rename those with more chances (non winners).

    News And Notes

    The Meadows released its racing schedule for 2013. The western Pennsylvania track’s 50th anniversary season will feature 208 live cards, highlighted by the Delvin Miller Adios on July 20 and July 27. Generally, the Meadows will race four days each week, Monday and Tuesday at 12:55 p.m. and Wednesday and Friday at 6:55 p.m. The schedule also features 13 Saturday cards, including both Adios programs, in the spring and summer. A two-week summer break from live racing begins Aug. 17.

    Pocono Downs looks to 2013 featuring another hosting platform for the Breeders Crown. Opening night is March 23, the 48th season for the eastern Pennsylvania track. Post time will be 6:30 p.m, with racing taking place on Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays through May.

    A special doubleheader program will be featured on Kentucky Derby day, May 4, with the first post time of 11 a.m., and the second post immediately following the 139th running of the prestigious race. In June and July, racing moves to five nights a week, maintaining a post of 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday. A special earlier post of 3:30 p.m. on Fridays is a new addition to the race card.

    The Breeders Crown will be held on one night, Saturday (Oct. 19). Eliminations for the huge night of racing will be held on Oct. 11 and Oct. 12. TwinSpires hopes to once again have us on site at Pocono for elims and finals evening, monitoring exclusive coverage of the historic night of world-class racing.

    Racing in August through Nov. 16 will continue on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday (with the early post) and Saturday. A total of 140 race days are scheduled. The track will be closed March 31 and the week of Sept. 8 for the Pennsylvania Oktoberfest.

    Buffalo Raceway, in Hamburg, N.Y., opens its 71st season of harness racing on Jan. 9 with renewed optimism. Structural improvements on the grounds include two new barns and major repairs on existing facilities, with the racing surface “improved” according to officials. Horsemen are also happy about the plan to increase purses by 10 percent daily.

    All of this contributes to better racing as the usual schedule ensues. Programs will be offered with a Wednesday, Friday and Saturday format. The post time for Wednesdays will be 5 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays will be at 6:40 p.m. Thursdays are added in April. Sunday afternoon racing returns in June and July.

    Buffalo is pleased to announce that they have joined with the USTA Strategic Wagering Program, offering a guaranteed $5,000 Pick-4 wagering pool every Wednesday in January, February and March. Also offered, beginning opening day, will be a guaranteed $5,000 Pick-7 payout.

    Extraordinary Extras

    Get onto our mailing list and receive a free copy of a classic horseracing fiction book by clicking here. Check out special podcasts available for beginners and veterans of harness betting, a new series available free so you can learn more to bet more and win more at TwinSpires. The latest is called “Three Things Every Harness Player Should Know” and you can watch it by clicking http://harnessbettorpodcast.libsyn.com/podcast-04-3-things-every-harness-player-should-know … 

    Podcast download link: http://tinyurl.com/bsgrx5m 

    And there are mini-essays on playing twice a week. Click here for the latest.  

    Indulge in many standardbred topics at my Hoof Beats blog titled Vast Performances. Every weekend as part of that blog we we offer Balmoral Pick-4-and-win picks at the USTA’s Strategic Wagering Program page which includes suggested win bets. Last weekend we had two winners of four in the Nov. 24 Pick 4: Quality Sport ($8.40) and Holdingallthecards ($3). 

    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.

     
    Cartoons by Thom Pye

  • Action Aplenty In The Lower Ranks

    POSTED Nov 21, 2012 By Frank Cotolo

    With about five weeks left in 2012, the stakes schedule is lean and awkward. It’s lean simply because there are a scant few races left that qualify as stakes. It’s awkward because all racehorses will have a birthday on Jan. 1, though technically there are horses performing that have already graduated into the next year.  

    Winter will display the newest older divisions as designated when the New Year launches and those groups will dominate through the cold months as the two- and three-year-olds develop for debuts in warmer weather.  

    Bettors should not dismay. The munificence of overnight racing easily takes over the spotlight and there is plenty of it on all sized raceways. As this year ends, then, we will do what we have done over the years. For one, we will be opening our personal books and publishing, in these blogs, our Horses to Watch list (H2W) and monitoring those horses as the deep freeze persists in the Midwest and East.  

    Autumn Stakes


    The Autumn Stakes at Woodbine have conditions but make the stakes grade based on their total purses. On Friday, Nov. 23, two elimination divisions ($25,000 each) are on tap for soph-filly pacers that must be Ontario-sired and have earned-money restrictions. The final is next week. 

    In the first chapter it’s difficult to separate the top choices in the small field but you could get a bargain from Drunk And Dramatic. Coming in from Rideau-Carleton, the filly could bring her form along and disregard what is a step up in class. Trainer Phil Doyle has brought her here with the best intentions and she may have what it takes to go well with this bunch and get a good spot in the final.  

    In the second elim, Bill Budd’s student, Aubsession, has an excuse for the Nov. 12 loss and was scratched the week after. The rest should put her in perfect shape to be slightly overlooked, while her class and form should stand up to this group. 

    On Saturday, Nov. 24, a pair of $25,000 Autumn Stakes elims for soph-colt pacers are the featured events at Woodbine. 

    In the first episode, Rick Zeron takes the mount on Machinist, who fits in this series like a glove. There is no telling where the public will stuff all the dough in the win pools here but this one may make a real race out of this elim. 

    True To Mach is in a great spot to show his inherited speed and may take the other seven around all the way. But for some trouble along the way this season, he winds up in this series and could be looking at a terrific four-year-old season, though starting now. 

    Matron Pace Boys


    On Nov. 25 Dover Downs features two Matron Stakes elims with glamour-boy pacers having had their shots at the Progress Pace last Sunday. 

    Two big favorites top the first elim, with only six horses going to post. There is only one chance to get any money out of this race and that would be for Major Bombay to take well to the five-eighths oval and either steal the race atop or find a tight place to travel as the two choices duel themselves to oblivion.  

    In the other elim, the late-season surge of Heston Blue Chip will again offer no decent payoff and he is the kind of colt you can always play against. We like Mel Mara at a decent price against the stark choice. Mel Mara also got started late this season and since his win at The Red Mile in October he has had decent excuses while always in the mix. He can be the legitimate upset choice here and deserves attention.  

    Watching Horses


    Our H2W list is now open to the public. We offer TwinSpires players some overnighters with the kind of potential we look to find, usually and hopefully accompanied by decent prices.  

    Let’s go over the specs again for those who were not here last season and whoever may have forgotten. 

    The H2W list offers horses you may play up to twice if they don’t win the week after appearing on our list and you may wish to play them only if they are a reasonable price; it’s your call on the value. Sometimes a pair of H2W entries will appear in the same race. In the past, this has produced a number of exactas and trifectas; these plays, too, are your call.  

    But the selections are potent, based on our experienced spotters’ evaluations of recent trips. We will report on all the results as each horse on the list races. The legend is simple. We list the track atop the horse’s name, the date it (or they) will be racing and the race where it is (or they are) entered.  

    Balmoral
    11/24, JJ Shark R10; Lil Roy R12
    11/25, All Blues R6 

    Batavia
    11/23, Anastasia Willie R2; Right Back At You R3; Vintage Fenom R6
    11/24, Best Bet Yet R9 

    Cal Expo
    11/23, Cruisin Inmybeamer R9; Oompa Loompa R13; Delightful’s Shark R16 

    Lebanon
    11/23, Clem’s Pride R2; Request To Win R4; Western Mandy R6; Machine R11; Jen Finn and Hatsoff For Gracie R12

     
    Ray Cotolo contributed to this edition.

  • Chicago Shines With Stakes At Maywood; Dover Displays Dynamic Groups

    POSTED Nov 14, 2012 By Frank Cotolo

    Another rare evening in the Midwest comes to harness fans this week as Maywood Park offers a quartet of major stakes on Friday, Nov. 16. The it’s north for Open pacing mares with the Forest City Pace Final at Western Fair. The weekend goes through Sunday again this week with Matrons and the Progress Pace at Dover.

    The Chicago Four


    The half-mile Chicago oval hosts for stakes on Friday’s program, three for sophomores and one for freshmen. As always, the half-mile presents some challenges for a few that have become comfortable on the two- and three-turn miles. Here are those races—not in the order of their appearance on the card—with our comments.  

    More work is in store for a few of the regular glamour-boy pacers as eight take on the four turns in the $215,000 Windy City Pace. Repeating last week’s competition on Yonkers’ half mile, the top four from the inside out will be, no doubt, going early to find a good position, if not a chance to wire the rest. 

    Hurrikane Kingcole disappointed again last week. He may just be trouble trying to lead these around. Pet Rock let Bolt The Duer get the best of him when that one stalked and saved ground. A Rocknroll Dance has not yet proven he has recovered entirely from throat surgery. And in the best position for our money is Dynamic Youth. 

    He failed as the choice last week in the Am-Nat and may be overlooked a bit because of it. As well, the crowd will be betting Tim Tetrick, who is, at press time, named on Lucky Jet and Mcerlean, and whichever he takes will take money that could help Dynamic Youth’s odds. 

    Glamour-boy trotters set the scene of the $108,000 Galt Stakes. Only a mistake, break or speed-dueling hang can prevent Market Share from another victory (he easily won the Am-Nat last week at Balmoral). But we would not fault anyone who took shots with Appomattox or Frost Bites K against him here, only because of the four turns and some possible traffic problems. In any configuration, we imagine those are the triple horses. 

    Daniel Day-Lewis may not be in the winner’s circle to present the honors of the $110,000 Abe Lincoln but frosh-colt pacers will represent the 16th President’s namesake trying to get into the spotlight (Day-Lewis stars in the recently acclaimed movie, “Lincoln.”).  

    Our super longshot special is one of six in this field. That’s correct, last week we gave you Our Dragon King and he won, paying $46.80. His chore is far less strenuous this week and he will be far less than 22-1 on the toteboard as the field leaves. But he should win this easily.

    Soph-filly pacers adorn the field in the $83,000 Cinderella Stake.

    Last week this division’s Am-Nat race was marred by jumpers that scattered the field. In the thick of that malaise was our choice, Blackjack Princes at 66-1. At the finish she was 8 lengths behind the winner, American Jewel, who was not in the tangle, but still second.

    Her morning line is 9-2 and considering the crowd will go for Big McDeal and Eighthundrdolarbill from Philly, you may expect more than 9-2, though that would be a fair price and one we would gladly support.

    Dover Dynamite


    Dover Downs features Matron Stakes and the Progress Pace on Sunday, Nov. 18. This is the penultimate round of big events for the season with two- and three-year-olds clawing their way to top-purse events before their birthdays. 

    Five go in the $159,675 Matron for frosh-colt trotters. Giant-priced Sand Royal Blu will not be worth the bet this week and with only a quintet of colts, the value will be in the single digits. All Laid Out may have a better shot than the crowd will give him here, certainly since players of drivers won’t embrace James Rattray.  

    Frosh-filly trotters go for $124,125 in their Matron Final. Again, only five take to the gate. Going against Royal Assets may be the move here with support for Ma Chere Hall. Trainer Jonas Czernyson’s stock still doesn’t get the total praise it deserves and a good price could be expected from his gal here in this compact field. 

    Frosh-filly pacers are next in the $160,650 Matron, with seven on board. Big money will cover the win pool for Somwheroverarainbow and it is difficult to bet for or against her in this group. You judge the value of this mega-favorite in a play-or-pass situation. 

    There’s $149,400 for the soph-filly trotters’ Matron, with eight at the gate. We will take a shot with Jimmy Takter’s filly, Superstar Hanover, in a late surge against the big favorite, Win Missy B. Takter’s gal should be tightened, as she is being primed for a strong four-year-old career, only a month or so away. 

    Two-year-old colt pacers rumble for $165,975 in their Matron Final. This event is rife for an upset if the morning line predicts Twilight Bonfire correctly as the choice. Indeed, Sir Richard Z Tam could go off a third choice and that would be generous.  

    With Market Share at Maywood the night before, glamour-boy trotters are spared the division leader’s wrath again and left to interpretation by handicappers. Guccio finally put in a good one last week and paid well, while Little Brown Fox seemed sluggish after an early battle for the lead, while favorite Googoo Gaagaa gave into the 9 hole. This week, “Googoo” will attempt to put them all in pace, as the pacing-bred trotter was apt to do earlier, when the competition was tougher. 

    The $270,000 Progress Pace will offer Heston Blue Chip a spot as the choice in his late-season surge against his division’s foes. However, this is Sweet Lou’s race to lose. Back on a five-eighths mile oval where he was best driven by companion Dave Palone, from post 1 he should be raring to make “Heston” work too hard to win. You may even get one of the best prices the world-champion colt has offered yet.  

    Finally, the soph-filly pace Matron, worth $123,939, may offer us a big overlay in Handsoffmycookie. She almost won the Lady Maude at Yonkers last week and with a twist of luck and her fine pacing ability may be able to turn the tables on the obvious public choice, Darena Hanover. As well, watch for a sweeping close from Shelliscape to be a part of the exotics.  

    Forest City Pace


    Eightt older pacing mares (with two also-eligibles in the wings if a scratch or two comes to pass) face one more huge purse with the $200,000 Forest City Pace Final at Western Fair on Saturday, Nov. 17. Ron Burke has three in there and we can make a case for either Rocklamation, Ginger And Fred or Camille.

    The mare of the moment, however, could be Tea Party Princess. Her elimination trip found her battling a long way on the outside after a 7-length brush which brought her within 2 lengths of winner Rocklamation (who had it easy on top all the way). She is the contender most likely to be overlooked, worthy of backing in a group that can be thwarted on this wicked half-mile.

    Ray Cotolo contributed to this edition.

  • Cotolo’s Harness Review, News And Notes

    POSTED Nov 11, 2012 By Frank Cotolo
    It was a busy weekend for stakes, considering it’s this deep into the season. We had a great Saturday in the Midwest and a rotten Sunday in the East. But a few good bets got us over the top. 

    Saturday’s parade of American-Nationals at Balmoral featured eight events. Some of them did not warrant challenges of the top entries so we went with them and they won: 

    Market Share, $2.40 ; Always About Katey, $2.20 ; American Jewel, $2.10 ; and Chapter Seven, $2.10. 

    But where two challenges presented themselves, in our opinions, the profit was plentiful: 

    Our Dragon King, $46.80 ; Foreclosure N, $8.60. 

    We were second with Dynamic Youth and third with Canadian Justice, where the top choice, Northern Miss Hall was seventh, both defeated by a favorite.

    We lost the Messenger Stakes to the division’s greatest opportunist, Bolt The Duer. Our choice, Major Bombay was 26-1 and raced like he was 99-1. Still, “Bolt” won off of fractions cut by Pet Rock and was an underlay for us at 2-1. In the Lady Maude, Romantic Moment was hung out to dry and our equal choice, Economy Terror, finished second.

    Sunday at Dover the closest we came to a win, no less a strong one, was Moonlit Dragon, who was second at 14-1 to the favorite, completing an exacta worth $27.80. We will deal with the Matron finals and the Progress Pace in our Thursday blog.

    News And Notes

    Trainer Ron Burke had a pair of pacing mares that swept the Forest City Pace eliminations for pacing mares on Nov. 9 at Western Fair. Both were giant favorites: Rocklamation ($3.40) and Camille ($3.80).

    The $200,000 Forest City Pace Final will go to post on Saturday, Nov. 17. The field, in post position order, is Rocklamation, Modern Cinderella, Misty Moonstone, Tea Party Princess, Ginger And Fred, Ticket To Rock, Camille and Waasmula. The also-eligibles, in order of preference are Monkey On My Wheel and Swinging Beauty. We will analyze the race in our Thursday blog.

    Dover Downs opened last week and bettors mistakenly dumped dough on the usual top drivers at the meet. Dover is known for having heavy favorites based on drivers, moreso than a lot of tracks, and this affords a few lesser-known drivers to win on good horses that offer big prices. In the first week, Allen Davis was responsible for a few winners, one that paid $53, while Carlo Poliseno drove home a $30 winner and Jason Lynch nabbed a $35 win price. Be on the lookout for false favorites at Dover based on the popularity of the driver more than the form of the horse.

    Colonial Downs has been awarded 24 harness dates for 2013. It will begin Sept. 18 and go through Oct. 27. Racing will take place on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 1 p.m. EST. Colonial Downs is the only one-turn mile in harness racing and the only track in Virginia that features standardbreds.

    Victor Blue was a standardbred trainer, writer and photographer. The New York Times website paid homage to some of his work, including photos that have been called “atmospheric and evocative.” See it by following this link

    Harness horseman Mark King passed away on Oct. 25, at 53. He was from a well known and popular Delaware harness-racing family and spent his entire life and as an owner, trainer, driver and a track blacksmith. We knew him from his prolific campaigns at Pocono Downs in the ‘80s and ‘90s. In 1985, at Pocono, King set a track record when he drove five winners on one program.

    Extraordinary Extras

    Indulge in many standardbred topics at my Hoof Beats blog titled Vast Performances. Every weekend as part of that blog we 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.  

    Get onto our mailing list and receive a free copy of a classic horseracing fiction book by clicking here.  

    Check out special podcasts available for beginners and veterans of harness betting, a new series available free so you can learn more to bet more and win more at TwinSpires. Click here.
     
     
    Cartoon by Thom Pye

  • Another Winter Of Harness’ Content

    POSTED Nov 23, 2011 By Frank Cotolo
    Into the last month of Y2K plus 11, harness bettors take only two breaks, Thanksgiving and Christmas day. Meanwhile, the race cards ensue, even the Meadowlands is poised to begin a new season as all the king’s horses pace and trot across the birthday line New Year’s Day. It’s getting colder but that just fires up the heats as the world’s most monstrous horses pound the heavy, freezing limestone and cut through all elements winter delivers. There is no better atmosphere for harness racing! 

    This week we re-introduce the Watch List, our personal book of future wagers, while encouraging you to keep your own records, mostly checking on all the overnights as the 2010 season lay bare to the plethora of winter racing across North America.  

    We continue the quest for striking with a Cal Expo no-takeout-Pick-4 winning ticket. The Saturday event is analyzed below. Remember to consider some of our longer shots (3-1 and up) on the ticket for win bets, also. 

    Forest City Mares Meet


    Some star mares from this season will be at The Raceway at Western Fair District this Saturday night for the $195,000 Forest City Pace, the feature event of the Fall Meet at the London, Ontario racetrack. Nine pacing mares that have earned $10.5 million in purses, with five having a million dollars or more in their career bankrolls compete for the title.

    Last year’s edition saw Dreamfair Eternal establish a stakes record of 1:54.3. She’s back to defend her title with he who guided her to the 2010 title, Chris Christoforou.

    Breeders Crown-winner Anndrovette is here with driver Tim Tetrick, who makes his first appearance at Western Fair.

    Here is the field:
    1. Warrawee Koine – Trevor Henry
    2. Voelz Hanover – Mario Baillargeon
    3. Seriously – Jody Jamieson
    4. Ginger And Fred – Trevor Henry
    5. Blissful Smile – Scott Zeron
    6. Dreamfair Eternal – Chris Christoforou
    7. Anndrovette – Tim Tetrick
    8. Chancey Lady – Luc Ouellette
    9. Ticket To Rock – Jody Jamieson

    Anndrovette will be flat on the board, which is not to our liking. We had her before she surged, picking up $19 at her best price. Then the odds sank and she used front speed to win on the big tracks. Leave her out of this and if you get near her morning line of 6-1 on the defending champion, take Dreamfair Eternal. Driver Christoforou won with her here last year and has the experience to take her around the four turns. It could be a satisfying upset.    

    Matron Leftover


    Those pesky glamour-boy pacers take one more shot at each other in a Matron Stakes Final at Dover on Sunday, Nov. 27.

    With Betterthancheddar done after winning the Windy City, only Westwardho Hanover stands in the way of a division title. His Matron elim was a big mile and he will be the choice here along with the other elim winner, Hugadragon.

    An upset is unlikely, making this race a probable pass, but with a pair like this it is not hard to make a case for a burn-out scenario. If that is the case, then Lookinforadventure could be the colt to pick up the pieces for trainer Bruce Saunders. Early in the year, Lookinforadventure was racing well off the pace against dueling speed; he was beginning to look like a mighty contender in the division. But he never got enough to aim for with his closing style. He could make one last statement in this division, which has shared so much of the stakes treasures this season. Take a shot. 

    Watch List


    Once again this year we make you privy to our personal “Watch List,” featuring horses that have earned the right to be taken seriously as valuable wagers in at least their next two races (at the same track we note their performances). Being trip handicappers we search replays and charts for horses that have not been able to overcome adversity or are showing encouraging signs of life in recent miles.  

    Usually, we take any of these back at 4-1 or up but you will judge the betting value; we will report all activity regardless of price. We will follow and follow up on their performances, as well as tell you when they are racing again through this blog or on our Twitter page.  

    At Balmoral

    Big Gus –broke early leaving from the 10 hole as the second choice

    Island Tiger –scratched coming into a race as an outside contender

    Morgan Shark –closed long and hard to finish a tight third; Nov. 26, Race 8

    Omaha Survivor –was hung for two calls in a good effort

    At Batavia

    Charlie Beans –broke twice early, went three wide, held to be a close fourth. Nov. 26 Race 4

    Count Howie –was a beaten favorite and fried when hung early.

    Gaugin CC –rushed wide to get the early lead, stayed with the group well at 55-1.

    Rush Of Fools –gained 6 lengths in an early brush, went first over and obviously faded. Nov. 26, Race 12

    Warners Rambaran –dueled outside near the top, dead-heated for fourth at 31-1. Nov. 26, Race 9

    At Northfield

    Fantasy Character –gained 7 lengths, suffered interference and still got second at 30-1.

    Key Western –was hung for three calls and held for third. Nov. 26, race 7

    Rush N Supreme –had early foot with a strong brush then hung.

    Show Me Glory –was three wide to the top early, held lead to three-quarters and finished fourth at 59-1. Nov. 26, Race 6

    Cal Exotic


    The no-takeout late Pick 4 at Cal Expo for Nov. 12 begins with Race 9. Remember to use the best-valued members of this ticket (3-1 and up, for instance) as win bets. 

    Leg 1
    (5) Stanza was second at 4-1 and only lost because of an early wide move to the top. This is a debilitating move on this oval but she still finished second. 

    Leg 2
    (1) TJ Beach Poker had a dull effort after showing off at 13-1 the previous week, finishing a formidable second. He remains an outside contender that should be on the ticket. (4) Jessalillpeace closed stoutly to be second last out while being supported at the windows.  

    Leg 3
    (6) Whitman was not up to snuff as the favorite but we have to consider that a clunker and give him another shot. (8) Devilish Donnie loves this track and is working his way back to win a few in a row.  

    Leg 4
    (5) Girls Lie Too wound up third after making a tiring move to be first early, hanging and tiring at 10-1. But that show of early foot could be a flare that we need to address in this ticket.

    The ticket: 5/1,4/6,8/5  = $2 for $8 

     (Ray Cotolo assisted in this edition.)
    (Horse photos by Lynn Burton)

  • Cotolo’s Harness Review

    POSTED Nov 20, 2011 By Frank Cotolo
    It was a hangover week, as I like to call it, one of those late-autumn times after the Breeders Crown when all that is left for the stakes programs are a few events that rarely offer star-studded fields. Before this review, however, let’s go over a practice that continues to present success and will come in handy during the coming months dominated by overnight racing. 

    The problem with suggesting horses to play in any pari-mutuel theater is that most of the time those looking for advice say, “What have you done for me lately?” My contention with this question centers on the definition of “lately.” To a horseplayer, time is a zen-like property, making anything that matters immediate; winning, in other words, is only about what just happened. So, “lately,” as a concept, does not have enough of a time span to defend what may have been done for the audience. 

    This is why a player must keep good notes, as is especially important for TwinSpires harness-blog readers because we hand you immediate winners, and at good prices, but we also deliver winners with “time-release” effects. If you keep good notes and document some of our immediate losers, as well as horses we suggest you play to win even though they are on our Pick-4 tickets, you will find valuable wagers. Horses that win after they appear as suggested contenders in this blog or on our Twitter stream, can be worth the wait. 

    The situation arises again as we revived our ticket suggestions for the non-takeout late Pick 4 on Saturdays at Cal Expo. As we did last year, when we showed a profit for playing the combo by hitting only one Pick 4, we encourage players to follow our choices in the proposed tickets because they make for good win bets the next two times out. This past week two of our ticket participants returned to win at inflated prices. 

    Red Star Penny and Nightscreamer won on Nov. 18. The former paid $28.40 and the latter paid $13. This week our Pick-4 ticket offered one winner, Thouartthegreatest, paying $8.20 (we had this same horse two weeks back at $63). To watch from the Nov. 19 ticket, then, are Elegant Emma N, TJ Beach Poker and Bahama Bay Be.  

    We will emphasize horses to watch during the “off” season in this blog and follow up on their successes or failures. We encourage readers to keep the list handy as they peruse the past performances and wager at TwinSpires.  

    This past week the stakes action provided the hangover theme with events on a Friday night at Maywood. Betterthancheddar, arguably the soph-colt-pacing division winner among harness writers this year, faced a no-contest field at Maywood in the Windy City Pace and won for fun. We challenged with a speedy colt, Onhishonor Hanover, that did not turn on the gas and finished fifth at 25-1.  

    At 4-1 (third choice in the betting), we were second in the initial Galt Trot division with Fox Valley Iliad. He was already a horse to watch from our Hoof Beats assessments of weekend Pick 4s. The other Galt division found us third with Ooga Booga at 33-1. In that event, the favorite, at 50 cents to the dollar, went wire to wire. Put “Ooga” on the watch list (WL) at Maywood or Balmoral. 

    One horse we cannot make excuses for and which comes off the watch list is Dick Mctracy. He lost badly in the Abe Lincoln Trot and also loses our support this season. Although he came over the finish line 10th, he was part of an entry and paid for third place, where his entry mate finished.   

    In the Cinderella Pace, we wound up fourth with Mystical MJ at 10-1 (add to WL) and in the Lester Mckeever we were sixth with Big Daddy Woo Woo at 17-1. 

    Sunday, we suggested two Matron contenders in the soph-colt pace elims. These results were not available at press time. Check our Twitter page on Monday to find out how these two finished. 

    Harness News


    It is time to bid farewell to a number of horses from this season, as well as to anticipate the return of others. 

    First and foremost, we got an exclusive comment from trainer Chris Ryder that Put On A Show, the fabulous filly that scourged her division through the season and won the Breeders Crown at three but suffered duress at four, will return in 2012. Ryder said she is aimed at the Overbid Series at the Meadowlands in February.  

    Ryder also said the Charlie De Vie, a colt trotter this season that you read a lot about in our blogs along the Hambletonian Trail, was stricken with a disease later in the season and turned out. Ryder said that the trotter, who he admitted had gait problems, is a confident sort that would not others by once he took a lead. “Charlie” will return, according to his conditioner, in 2012 and agreed with us that he could be a much better older trotter than he was at three.  

    Crys Dream will be back if all goes well over the New Year month. But the most awaited could be Check Me Out, the frosh-filly trotter aimed at the Hambletonian. Check Me Out opened the 2011 Matron Stakes with a 1:53.2 world record by winning the $18,175 frosh- filly trot for trainer, co-owner Ray Schnittker. She broke in the final and made up 20 lengths to win anyway. Schnittker, aside from lobbying to make her Horse of the Year, says he has her aimed at the colts next year in the coveted Hambletonian.  

    Set to retire to stud are three that we know at press time. Roll With Joe competed well this year but did not dominate the contemptuous division members. He will take on stud duty at New York’s Blue Chip Farms.  

    Daylon Magician, the colt trotter from Canada that made the glamour-boy trotting division a more confusing group by winning top events, goes to Tara Hills Stud in Canada. He is a son of Kadabra, who also stands there. 

    (Exclusive cartoon by Thom Pye)

  • Stakes, Chicago-Style

    POSTED Nov 16, 2011 By Frank Cotolo
    Friday in Chicago and Sunday at Dover present sophomores’ swan songs for the season, with some racing for the final time before stud duty (see news in blog on Monday). Maywood is alive with big money for pacers and trotters, while the remaining Matrons go in Delaware on Nov. 20.    

    Our winter campaign continues for the Cal Expo no-takeout Pick 4. The Saturday event is analyzed below. Remember to consider some of our longer shots (3-1 and up) on the ticket for win bets, also. 

    Maywood Milieu


    It’s a rare Friday filled with pumped purses at Maywood. The Galt Stake, for soph-colt trotters, has two divisions worth $50,500 each. These miles are sprinkled with local heroes and national co-stars of the division.  

    In the first split, we like Fox Valley Iliad. Homer Hochstetler’s colt has been very good in high-class events at Maywood and on the Balmoral mile. He has what it takes to beat the favored entry and a tired Live Jazz from the outside. 

    In the second Galt there should be two big favorites, Evil Urges and Mr Web Page. The outside contender is Ooga Booga. Excuses in his last two are noted; he was on the rise before that and may get the trip he needs to spark a big price. 

    Two-year-olds co-star on the bill with the Abe Lincoln Trot Final, worth $127,800. We have supported Dick Mctracy for three races, all of which he was burdened by post and overpowering foes. Here, from the rail, he could do damage and may offer a price. 

    The $175,000 Windy City Pace, though a shadow of its former self, offers little this year as seven less-than-glamorous boy pacers try to outwit the hottest colt in the division over the past few weeks. Betterthancheddar is 3-5 on the morning line, so imagine the money that will be bet on him in all pools involving the Breeders Crown champion. He is looking for his fifth win in a row and a clinch of the division title in a crop that has been evenly matched through the season. 

    So, why shouldn’t this race be a simple pass? First, this event is a breeding ground for upsets—big ones. Second, there is a colt in here that has won a stake as fast as at least one of Betterthancheddar’s victories. We are not speed buffs but at Maywood, given a good trip, Onhishonor Hanover could overthrow the humongous favorite. His 1:50.3 win on this oval is cause for alarm and his odds are cause for a wager against the “machine.”  

    The “Windy” companion stake for fillies is the $70,000 Cinderella. Erv Miller’s Mystical MJ looks to pick up her feet at the right time and steer clear of trouble, which would be the ideal behavior for an upset. Her jumping and travels on the outside have cost her a lot of money but with smart Maywood maneuvering, Marcus Miller could steer her home at a price. 

    In the minor stakes event of the evening, the $35,000 Lester McKeever, we like a horse we gave the locals a few weeks back at 23-1, when he pulled off a 10-hole shocker in a $120,000 event on Balmoral’s Supernight. Big Daddy Woo Woo is back after a clunker and could lay waste this field. You judge the price available if you feel we got this one right.   

    Matron Leftover


    The glamour-boy pacers available for the Matron Stakes meet in two elims on Sunday at Dover. These miles are rife for upset. In elim one, for instance, Mr Tommy Fra is shaping up late, while his main foes, Powerful Mist and Hugadragon, are about ready to call it a season. A good price awaits should we be right. 

    Another good price should accompany an upset in the second chapter, as the crowd devours the win, place and show pools for Westwardho Hanover and Up The Credit, most likely in that order. Our suggested contender—at a price—is Samander. Placed well early, he may save enough ground to beat “Westward” while “Credit” has to deal with coming off the pace and might do it uncovered but tire badly. 

    Cal Exotic


    The no-takeout late Pick 4 at Cal Expo for Nov. 12 begins with Race 9. Remember to use the best-valued members of this ticket (3-1 and up, for instance) as win bets. 

    Leg 1
    (1) Thouartthegreatest scored for us with a $63 win two back. Last week he was the favorite, won, but was disqualified and placed second. From the rail, without a bothersome trip, he should own this mile. 

    Leg 2
    (7) Matty Rose was racing like mad last week and closed at 10-1 to be second. Repeating that behavior could win this. (1) Elegant Emma N likes this track and could be in a great spot to push her season forward. 

    Leg 3
    (2) TJ Beach Poker was gaining ground and showing off at 13-1 last week, finishing a formidable second. He is the outside contender that can bring this ticket to a higher reward spot.  

    Leg 4
    (2) Pureform Misskiss was beaten, as the choice, by a neck in a close one and should not be dismissed. (4) Bahama Bay Be is another Luke Plano special and disappointed last week, though the effort warrants a spot in our ticket. 

    The ticket: 1/1,7/2/2,4 = $2 for $8 

     (Ray Cotolo assisted in this edition.)