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

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

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

’Levy’ Continued

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Matchmaker Mares

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

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

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

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

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

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

Meadowlands Moments

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

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

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

H2W Legend

Review our choices and follow the wagering at the prescribed track. These are possible contenders we have judged from reviewing races. The horses’ names are listed beneath the name of the track after the date they will be racing. The race in which they are entered (R and race number) follows. If a + is in front of a horse’s name it means it is appearing on the list for the second (and last time) because it failed to win the first time it appeared. An “AE” signals the horse is entered but on the also-eligible list. Types of wagering on any of the H2W listed horses are based on your judgment. If you have any questions, email us at TwinSpires.

H2W

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

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

Dover
3/30/14, +Chipoffablueblock R13

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Yonkers
3/27/14, Mystical Diva R10

Ray Cotolo contributed to each Thursday edition.      

Damn the weather, spring is here because Yonkers Raceway launches the George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series and the Blue Chip Matchmaker this weekend. It’s a six-week Free-For-All feast for older pacers, the ‘Levy,’ and pacing mares, the Matchmaker.

The Matchmaker mares begin their journey with four divisions ($40,000 each) on Friday, March 21, and the stalwart male pacers cross paths with five divisions ($50,000 each) the following night. Be with us each week for analysis and suggested contenders in one of the more contentious series of the season, complete with upsets and striking star action as the divisions narrow down to the final in April.

Meanwhile, from the Meadowlands on Friday and Saturday, the Horse & Groom trotters and the Clyde Hirt pacers continue their series.

Even with the feature menu full, the horses to watch (H2W) list, presented exclusively for TwinSpires harness blog readers, send up flares for probable across-the-board and exotic contenders that can cause cashing. Please note that horses from our featured overnight events the week before appear on the H2W list as second-time members if they did not win when we highlighted their previous race.

’Levy’ Lancers

Yonkers Raceway’s Saturday night program gathers 36 opening-round Levy lancers for races 2.4,5,9 and 11. Ten of the warriors carry the Ron Burke training flag, including two-time Levy champ Foiled Again (second last season). He is, of course, the sport’s highest money earner ($6,030,968).

Race 2
It looks like a pace-away romp for Dancin Yankee but for a few unknowns, like Word Power. Just how much better has he gotten after waking up late last season? It remains to be seen. It would be a huge surprise if he got to “Yank” here but he is worth a shot other than a pass and an exacta with Yank.

Race 4
Ron Burke and P J Fraley (a combined six entered in the opening round) each have coupled entries in the second division, where double-millionaire Sweet Lou (post 5) makes his five-year-old debut. “Lou” ended his 2013 season with a handy win in an Open Handicap at this oval and he comes off of a fiery 1:51.1 qualifier on the mile. Fraley’s Here We Go Again and Fat Mans Alley will get some play, but this division wreaks of low returns. If you feel Lou is best, try him atop Pan From Nantucket and Sapphire City, both of which may sneak into a pay spot if the traffic gets thick midway.

Race 5
A huge favorite, AJ Corabelli, leaves from the golden post 1 and the Burke duo from posts 3 and 7. Bet On The Law will have an outside chance as a contender returning to start his season and may get a charmed steer from Brian Sears to edge by the obvious members of this group.

Race 9
Doctor Butch, a state-bred standout and last season’s Art Rooney Pace champ, begins his four-year-old season in this division. Trainer Linda Toscano may have him ready but he will have to work for it since this group already has some decent earners. Burke’s pair will be hammered but here, again, Sears is aboard an outsider, Malak Uswaad N, that could take advantage of the suspicious talent involved.

Race 11
Foiled Again draws in with the red-hot Apprentice Hanover, who has won nine consecutive races (five this season) for trainer Ben Wallace. If he is going to make it six, he will have to outshine “Foiled,” who is coming off of swift qualifying miles. And look at the morning-line odds, gracing Hillbilly Hanover at 6-5 for his return to the races. Dare we look for another Sears-upset? Why not? Texican N is fast and is the second highest earner in the group. Go for it.

Matchmaker

Friday, March 21, Yonkers’ Blue Chip Matchmaker begins Friday with 29 Free-For-All pacing mares going in races 4,6,9 and 10. Defending series champion Feeling You goes in the third event, from post 5 for co-owner driver Tyler Buter. She comes off a 12-win, $407,000-plus season in 2013.

Race 4
Shelliscape debuts, her 2013 bow being a Breeders Crown win. She faces Burke’s Rocklamation and Camille and the hot Angels Delight in the seven-mare malaise. This is a good shot for Cheyenne Miriam to prove she will make noise in thie series. The Siegelman barn has her sharp for this, which could be her first win of six tries already this year.

Race 6
One of Burke’s two in this split is the in-and-out Androvette. She is a terrific contender but can have her carefree moments when she disappoints as the choice and here she should be the choice. Perhaps overlooked will be Uf Dragon’s Queen. Trainer Mark Ford may have her primed to open with a strategic trip against suspicious speed here, upsetting with a price, for sure.

Race 9
Here’s a set up for a closer, with a rash of speed that could be too much by three-quarters. Feeling Good will try to steal her first outing with hopes of sweeping another championship; Somewherovrarainbow will be in hot pursuit of the lead and Burke’s Charisma Hanover won’t easily give up the rail spot in an attempt to command the fractions. This could open a path for Campanile, who has only two starts and one of them a win. In a speed-dueling scenario she is the late flyer and should bring with her a rewarding price.

Race 10
Economy Terror may be the best from past battles but will that allow her to pay well enough? She may work as a key in exotics better, especially if Rockaround Sue makes a late statement.

Meadowlands In Motion

Friday, the trotters in the Horse & Groom Series are on board for another leg. In the first division we are going to go with our choice from last week, Crosbys Calm Bake, who was scratched. All the same reasons hold up here, as his Meadows’ races make him look ready for the fight. Why he scratched may not matter.

In the second division, we hope the crowd sticks with the obvious choices and lays off of Banker Volo. In his defeat against this race’s probable favorite Amigo Ranger (6-1 last week but not expected to have that value here), “Volo” broke out of the gate and made up a ton of real estate to finish fifth. He was well supported then, so we look for a fickle betting public to hold that break against him and raise the odds. He certainly appears ready to fly if he stays flat.

The Clyde Hirt Series ensues Saturday and in the first division we see an outside contender in Burkentine Hanover. We aren’t going to let the 10-post start bother us, it should only increase his odds. He is in fine shape and cuts the mile with the best of his competitors, so value should ride the mile with him against no particular dynamos.

After a frustrating sophomore season, Wake Up Peter woke up around New Year’s Day for trainer Larry Remmen and is in perfect shape, having not lost one in four starts. Why should he be beaten here when it is looking like he can sweep the series? Judge the value yourself but if you want any upset chance, go with Nathaniel B, who lost for us last week but put in a great race at 54-1. Could be an exacta booster, too, with “Pete” either way.

H2W Legend

Review our choices and follow the wagering at the prescribed track. These are possible contenders we have judged from reviewing races. The horses’ names are listed beneath the name of the track after the date they will be racing. The race in which they are entered (R and race number) follows. If a + is in front of a horse’s name it means it is appearing on the list for the second (and last time) because it failed to win the first time it appeared. An “AE” signals the horse is entered but on the also-eligible list. Types of wagering on any of the H2W listed horses are based on your judgment. If you have any questions, email us at TwinSpires.

H2W

Buffalo
3/21/14, +RA Shakenbake R6

Cal Expo
3/21/14, Love Live Laugh R4; +Lust R7; +Mystically Mine R7; +Missys Diamond R8; +Cordealia R8; Wild About Eagle R10; Skyway King R13
3/22/14, Scarboro Hanover R12

Dover
3/23/14, +Snowball’s Keeper R5; Briteolive R7; Chipoffablueblock R11

Freehold
3/20/14, +Lemon Drop Hall R6
3/22/14,+Docdor Laughing R1; Waywatcher R1; +GW Gizmo R4

Meadowlands
3/20/14, +Sturdy As A Hall R4  
3/21/14, +Handoffmycupcake R5; Grey Ice R9

Meadows
3/21/14, +Hawaii And Son R6; +Nottin To Much R10; +Truth To Power R12

Miami Valley
3/20/14, +Alluring Art R4; +B Quite Marvelous R6; Dream On Shorty R7; Camilla The Terror R11

Pocono
3/22/14, +Quinnman R4; +Danishdujour R13

Pompano
3/22/14,+ Premier R3; +Avantage R4; +Waldy Jimmy R6; +Skad’s Winner R7; 

Rosecroft
3/22/14, Lone Raider R1;+Doomsday Hanover R3; +Wicked Persuasion R4;+Nuclear Standoff R7; Gamblers Vacation R10; +Caviat Lindy R11; Nothing Wrong R12

Yonkers
3/21/14, Coraggioso R11

Ray Cotolo contributed to each Thursday edition.      

Captaintreacherous did it again this weekend, winning on Pocono’s five-eighths track in one of three elims for next week’s Max Hempt stakes. The champion glamour boy pacer paid $2.40 but our best pick was in the first “Hempt” elim, where we nailed Emeritus Maximus, which paid $19.20.  

 

Our only other winner of the big Pocono program was the obvious I Luv The Nightlife, paying $2.20. We were nowhere near the board in the Ben Franklin elims.  

 

Listeners of North American Harness Update were handed a Pick-4 on June 21 as Ray Cotolo handed them the winning combo at the Meadowlands. The $36 ticket for the Pick 4 in races seven through 10 featured Raring To Go S ($24.20) and Crown Lady ($15) on the high prices. The ticket paid $777.10. 

 

For result stories and our winners on soph-colt-and-filly trotters’ stakes, visit the Hambletonian Society’s special archive page for the Hambletonian Trail stories. 

 

H2W  

 

$11.00 Lucky Lime, Scioto
$4.40 High Bet Hanover, Running Aces
$2.90 Up Front Lady Gray, Buffalo

 

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

 

Seconds:
Dolly Howard (4-1), Running Aces; Place At The Beach (5-2), Running Aces; Mystical Walter (4-1), Maywood; Lislea Bonita (9-1), Scarborough; Hazel Nut (5-2), Saratoga; Vodka Is Terror (5-1), Saratoga; Daydreamin Lynx (156-1), Saratoga; Show Topper (5-2), Scioto; MJ’s Victory (8-5), Northfield 

 

Thirds:
Parthenon (2-1), Running Aces; Bolero Topgun (9-2), Pompano; Cheyenne Cam (5-1), Buffalo; Gerald N Sam (19-1), Buffalo; His Eminence (10-1), Northfield 

 

Daydreamin Lynx finished second to the favorite at 156-1 and the exacta came back $273.00. He paid $38.60 to place. 

 

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

 

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News And Notes

The babies were at it again at the Meadowlands. Two-year-olds were readying for the big frosh season and two trotting colts were reportedly quite impressive, each winning in 1:57.1, according to Meadowlands reporter Nick Salvi. Nuncio, from the Jim Oscarsson barn, was away close and then shuffled, rolled by under no urging and won easily. The next was Southwind Spirit’s wire-to-wire win. This Muscle Hill product is from the Ron Burke barn. Derby won for Ray Schnittker in 1:59. He is a son of Hambo-winner Deweycheatumnhowe. The highest priced trotting yearling sold last fall, a Muscle Hill colt named Trixton, won in 1:59.2 from the Takter barn. Shake It Cerry won for the third time in a baby race, this one a romp from start to finish in 1:56.4, also for Team Takter.  

 

Pacers featured wins by Avalanche Hanover for trainer Linda Toscano and her filly student, JK Molly won in 1:56. Put On A Display charged home from well back to win in 1:58.3 for trainer Chris Ryder. Ideal Magic zipped to an effortless 1:53.3 win for trainer Tony Alagna and Tellitlikeitis was a 1:53.3 winner for Takter.

 

Stampede Park, the home to horse racing, including great harness racing, in Alberta for many years, was unreachable after the drastic flooding in Calgary. The city was virtually shut down due to the area’s devastating floods. Photos of the facility show the extend of the flooding through this link. 

 

There may or may not be a 49th edition of the historic Frank Ryan Memorial at Rideau-Carleton Raceway this summer and will not be a 32nd edition of the Des Smith Classic. The two events, for open trotter and pacers respectively, were the track's signature events but with the dire conditions of racing in Ontario this year, the track feels it cannot present the events. Racing secretary Benoit Frenette said, “We are trying to get a sponsor for the Frank Ryan and I’m ninety percent sure that it will go forward but as an invitation race. I can’t even say what the purse money would be at this stage.” Last year the race went for $183,500. If the Frank Ryan survives, it will be presented on Sunday, Aug. 18. However, the Des Smith Classic has definitely been cancelled for 2013. Last year’s event went for $176,500.

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

 

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

 

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

 

Ray Cotolo contributed to this blog.

 

 

Two series finals are the next rounds of winter series at the New Meadowlands. For four-year-old Open pacers there is a $57,000 bounty in the Aquarius Final and for three-year-old-and-up Open trotters the prize is $50,000 in the Horse & Groom Final.  

In the Aquarius we are going right back to Yo Cheyenne Rocky. With a few tough trips since we nailed him in an earlier series the crowd may dismiss him. That will be good for bargain odds on a pacer that is nowhere near peaking in this class.  

The Horse & Groom also brings us back to a horse we have been following and could peak when the dollars are best. That is Volare De Vie. Having been second at 10-1 in the first leg he will be all but forgotten on the toteboard and could pull of a decent upset here against a giant probable favorite who is all but a lock.   

Ron Burke has his stable locked and loaded for Yonkers Raceway’s two classy pacing series featuring older male and female pacers. There will be the $1.5-million (est.) George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series for the fellas and $1-million (est.) Blue Chip Matchmaker for the gals. The series, which begin Friday, Mar. 22 with the Matchmaker and Saturday, Mar. 23 for the “Levy” with five preliminary rounds. Every Levy event goes for $50,000; the Matchmaker contests go for $40,000 each.     

Leading 50 Levy nominees for the men is two-time (2009-‘10) series champion Foiled Again. The nine-year-old gelding with the $4.6 million bankroll is the richest pacer of all-time. He missed a head to stablemate Atochia last year and shares with Atochia a third of trainer Ron Burke’s six Levy eligibles, which also include Annieswesterncard, Clear Vision, Something for Doc and Stonehouse Adam.  

Defending Matchmaker heroine Rocklamation is among 40 lasses with nine trained by Burke, including Lady Maud-winner Bettor B Lucky. Two-time millionaireand state-bred standout Anndrovette is also part of Burke’s list along with $1.7-million winner Ginger And Fred and Handsoffmycookie.  

Both finals, and their consolations, are scheduled for Saturday, Apr. 27. As we have done for almost a decade, we will be covering each leg’s divisions, looking agein for the upsets that have rattled the series with payoffs (never forget our Tarver Hanover score a few years back, paying 25-1 in a six-horse field).    

Yonkers’ five-night-a-week live schedule continues with first post every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:10 p.m.   

Before the horses’ names is the track, followed on the next paragraph by a date it (or they) will be racing, with the race in which they are entered (R and race number). If a + is in front of a horse’s name, it means that horse is appearing on the list for the second (and last time) because it failed to win the first time it appeared. An “ae” means the horse is on the also-eligible list and needs a scratch to get into the race. Sometimes up to three horses are listed in the same race; it is up to you how to deal with the situation (note that in the past this situation has resulted in exacta and triples). 

If a horse that has appeared on the list but was scratched or is not racing its second week consecutively, you will see a N/R after its name and will appear on a separate line from dated entries. If a horse shows up at another track in its second week of being listed, it will display the plus sign as indicated above. There is a margin of error, of course, so we encourage you to monitor our list to be sure our H2W is free of mistakes and you can take advantage of the entries.

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

Balmoral
3/16/13, +Whistle Pig R8; +Lennox Blue Chip R9; +Shipps Con R12
Bucks Luck N/R; Ohyouareonetoo N/R

Buffalo
3/15/13, Imbadimnationwide R1; Lutetium R2; Redford Hall R7; Yukons Luck R9; Urban Art R11
3/16/13, +Linnea P R3; +In Good Hands R12

Cal Expo
3/15/13, +Windy City Paige R1; Bubba Mcgee R10
3/16/13, Barona Destiny R10; Glad To Be Here R15
Lucky Asset N/R; Style Element NR

 

Freehold
3/15/13, Zapata R1; Hot Cha Cha R5; Big Sky Bats R7; Monet’s Lily R9
3/16/13, Millionare Cam R1; Love To Rock 

Lebanon
3/15/13, Hesagreateclipse R4
3/16/13, +Sir Johnny Colt R5; Sterling Chris R6; All Over The World R8; Buddy Lou R10; Worker C R10; +Dontstiffthevet R11

Maywood
3/15/13, Masterchargeit ae R1; Jimmy Rip R2; + Frostonpumpkin R7; Wes Mantooth R7; Guts N Glory R11; Bubs Desier ae R11; Polar Bear R13; Dan Lowe R14 

Northfield
3/15/13, Caribbean Girl R1; American Bandita R2; I Think I’m Dreamin R3; Just Got Lucky6 R5; Cute And Cruising R5; I Love Being Right R6; Whats Your Fantasy R13; +Western Hope R14 

Rosecroft
3/16/13, Ms Ed R2; Chiselled R9; Pegasus Man R9; Caviat Lindy R10

Ray Cotolo contributed to this edition.

Before the horses’ names is the track, followed on the next paragraph by a date it (or they) will be racing, with the race in which they are entered (R and race number). If a + is in front of a horse’s name, it means that horse is appearing on the list for the second (and last time) because it failed to win the first time it appeared. An “ae” means the horse is on the also-eligible list and needs a scratch to get into the race. Sometimes up to three horses are listed in the same race; it is up to you how to deal with the situation (note that in the past this situation has resulted in exacta and triples).  

If a horse that has appeared on the list but was scratched or is not racing its second week consecutively, you will see a N/R after its name and will appear on a separate line from dated entries. And if a horse shows up at another track in its second week of being listed, it will display the plus sign as indicated above.  

There is a margin of error, of course, so we encourage you to keep your own list along with our list to be sure our H2W is free of mistakes.

All members of the list need to be considered serious contenders in the races noted. Wagering on any of them is based on your own judgment of value, as well as if you wager to win, place, show or in exotics. If you have any questions about the H2W list, send them to us through the TwinSpires blog channel.

Cal Expo
2/8/13, Matty Rose R5; +Girls Lie Too R5; Smiling Major R6; Mister Fra R7; Wildcats Major R7; Windy City Paige R9; +Forever My Love R10; Barona Destiny R15
2/9/13, Gliding Boheme R1; Lucky Asset R5; Paul The Powerful R5; L S Orchardwinner R7; Skyway Major R8; +Viking Mia R9; Hillcrest Romeo R9; Dukeofhazards R9; Connie’s Lady R10; Bewareofthisaffair R12; +Mighty Kicker R13; Heartland Express R15
Cat Call N/R; Blue Boy Yankee N/R

Fraser
2/8/13, Red Star Bogart R1; Come Around Back R1; Anasazzi Road R1; Fancy Ideal R3; Red Star Vickers R4; +Millbanks Ariel R7; +Cody Cobraski R8; Thieving Magpie R8; +Bobbysslackystar R9; Promise To Lynette R9; +Kg Mattattack R11
Procrastinationatinpeat N/R; Latino Hall N/R; Rich As Promised N/R 

Freehold
2/8/13, +Hello Linda R3; +Sammy L R6
2/9/13, +Pocketfullapower R4; Move On R5; +GW Gizmo R12; Major Domo R12
Devine Filly N/R; The Midnight Owl N/R  

Maywood
Racing returns Feb. 14

Meadowlands
2/8/13, Mystical Victress R1; +Celebrity Bombay R5; Live Jazz R6; +Lucky Roll R8; +Dragon Princess R9
2/9/13, Astor R4; Oscar Oscar R6; Fiveknuckleshuffle R9; Odin Blue Chip R12
Delightful Diva N/R; April Sunshine N/R;;

The Meadows
2/8/13, Thisoneandonemore R3; They Call Me Moon ae R3; +Bloomington R4; +Ram Jam R4; +Grin-n-scoot R5; Hillcrest Bigdaddy ae R5; +Campo Basso R6; +Haverford Hanover R7; Polo Johnny R7; Striking Lauren R10; +Aj Niko D’oro R10; Just Pretend A R11; Touch Of Steel R11; Pembroke Snapshot R12;
TK Diva N/R; Charles Ray N/R

Northfield
2/6/13, +Hatitha R13

2/8/13, Billys Joni R13; +Jessies Band R14
Arts Shadow N/R; Katies Dreamboat N/R; Dawn Of New Money N/R; Beforethenightstarts N/R; Iknowwhatboyslike N/R

 

Pompano
2/9/13, KM Sweet Dreams R2; +Peaceful Prince R2; Allamerican Major R4; Competition Cam R4; Premier R4; Artistic Topaz R5; Victory Commection R7; +Ricks Sign R8
Whiteland Will N/R

Yonkers
2/8/13, +Chang Dynasty R5
Mobile N/R; Macho Lindy N/R; Summer Snow N/R; Hulas Z Tam N/R

Woodbine Pick 4
Race 4, In A Craze; PL Earl
Race 5, Wine Photo; Mr Joe Sixpack
Race 6, Reibercrombie; Odysseus Bluechip
Race 7; Anderlecht; Upfront Hoosierboy

 

Ray Cotolo contributed to this edition.

We intend to keep the list going as the stakes season creeps in because we want to continue to publish the most valuable harness-betting blog on the Internet through TwinSpires. We want to stack wagering information here for you, stakes or no stakes.  

You might say it is our New Year resolution. This season we won’t simply cover the high-profile events, we will make it our business to help your wagering business by keeping the H2W going, allowing you to evaluate overnight racing at many of the tracks carried by TwinSpires and hopefully, helping you strike more wins, places, shows and exotics in 2013.

 

$16.40, Dan Lowe, Maywood
$6.80, Cien, Northfield
$6.00, Red Star Brooklyn, Fraser
$4.20, Harmony Oaks Rebel, Northfield
$3.60, Majestic Lass, Cal Expo
$3.20, Cruisin Inmybeamber, Cal Expo

 

Seconds:
TE’s Zenyatta (3-1), Maywood; Chevie Balboa (3-2), Cal Expo; Little Box Out (7-1), Cal Expo; Armbro Billow (14-1), Meadowlands; Mousseline Hanover (7-1), Cal Expo; Laugh Away, (7-2), Cal Expo; Succulent (8-5), Fraser; Milbanks Ariel (6-1), Fraser; Marlene’s Angel (4-1), Cal Expo

 

Thirds
Don’t Point At (16-1), Meadowlands; Cannes (10-1), Freehold; Komodas Fantasy (4-1), Cal Expo; AJ’s Little One (48-1), Cal Expo; Racetrack Diva (2-1), Cal Expo; Bring It On Kaajay (5-2), Balmoral; Pureform Goodtogo (37-1), Fraser; Bring The Rain (7-2), Maywood

 

At Cal Expo, the pair of Cruisin Inmybeamer and Marlene’s Angel created a $5.90 exacta. At Fraser, Millbanks Ariel and Pureform Goodtogo were the second and third elements in a $2,770 triactor.  From this week’s win list, four of the six winners were second-timers on the list.  

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

We always suggest you follow Ray Cotolo @RayCotolo on Twitter as he tweets harness picks on Sundays. Last week he had a fiesta with winning horses. At Dover he had Rusty’s Gamble, $6.80, Littlebitofthunder, $7.80; Timmylynn, $6.40 (plus $90.60 exacta) exacta, and Fill My Pockets, $7.00. At Fraser he tweeted Boom Shazam, $6.30 and Im Dynamite, $7.10 ($37.40 exacta). At Flamboro he won with Lynos Regalo, $4.40, Gothic Crusader, $3.00, Machnazetrois, $4.60, Bronte Wine, $6.50 and Machal Jackson, $2.20.  

Here is some driver and trainer news from the Delaware track. Corey Callahan is off to a fast start in quest of a fourth-consecutive leading driver title. Through the meet’s first 100 days Callahan reached three figures in winners. Ross Wolfenden is second and Allan Davis is third. Ron Pierce is fourth and Jim Morand completes the top five. 

It has been a long time since Josh Green was not atop the meet’s leading trainer standings (he has seven-consecutive trainer titles). Now, Mike Hall of the Doug Lewis Stable, has vaulted into first place. Green is second, Wayne Givens is third, Joe Hundertpfund is fourth spot and Ben Stafford holds fifth.

Here’s a free ride for my column in Hoof Beats (the analog mag). My January, 2013 column offers a way to become an organized harness racing investor. Check it out my clicking here. It’s the featured article of the issue and the best advice you will get all year about your wagering campaign. 

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. On Saturday, our fourth-leg single, Catmando, won and paid $37.20.  

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.  

 

Our H2W list is exclusive to TwinSpires players and blog readers. It is our third week and these remaining weeks of 2012 are our most intense, offering The H2W list potent contenders based on our experienced spotters’ evaluations of recent trips.  

Again, here is the legend concerning how to interpret the H2W list. Before the horses’ names is the track, followed on the next paragraph by a date it (or they) will be racing, with the race in which they are entered (R and race number). If a + is in front of a horse’s name, it means that horse is appearing on the list for the second and last time because it failed to win the first time it appeared. An “ae” means the horse is on the also-eligible list and needs a scratch to get into the race. 

It is up to you to deal with more than one horse on the list that is entered in the same race. As well, some horses appear on the list this week while having a + in front of their names even though they are racing at a different track this week.  

Please remember that the horses listed can be played in any payable form, win, place or show, or in any exotic, based on your assessment of the horse’s odds at post time. The H2W list displays “live” horses that have shown strict potential of late and need to be considered contenders in the races noted. If you have any questions about the H2W list, send them to us through the TwinSpires blog channel. 

From last week’s list we have lost two tracks, Batavia Downs (see notes below) and Lebanon Raceway, because their meets have ended.  

Cal Expo
12/14, +Giles LS Hanover R1; Terror Time R11; Coal Younger R11; Komoda’s Fantasy R12; Precious Few R13 +Cinnamon R14; Paul The Powerful R14
12/15, WH Scooter R7; Cheswick R8; Jessalilpiece ae R 8; +Tangram R11; Im The Money R15 

Fraser
12/14, IM The CEO R1; Quite A Lady R1; +Country Hideaway R2; Exotic Sparkle R3; Red Star Betsy R3; +Succulent R6; Sweet Reunion R6; +Imherefortheparty R10; Cheyenne J R10; +Alotta Crackers R11; Princesse Dorleans R11; Fighter Bliss R12; Outlawmischievious R12 

Freehold
12/14, Allthatnthensome R2; Country Fresh R4; Call Me Madam R5
12/15, J’omama R3; Fandango Dancer R3; Milliondollar Art R4; Rocknroll Jewel R4; Stormin Rustler R8 

Northfield
12/14, +Kilowatts Fantasy R4; Sand Latte R6; Arion R8; Power And Purpose R11; Liveandinconcert R12; Cinderella Story R14

12/15, Straight Dancer R9; Our Mclovin R8; Richie The Clown R9; Jenna’s Dream R11 

Pompano
12/15, Max Q R4; Mcgreat R4; Dots Bigboy R5; Desert Hanover R5; Grin Big R5; Major Najor R8; Super Railee R 9; Cascata R10 

Saratoga

12/14, Rock This World R8; Grand Victory R11; Bruise Cruise R11; Doully R12 

 

 

Ray Cotolo contributed to this edition. Cartoon by Thom Pye.

Let’s cover this in chronological order, with the tweets and the blog choices included. 

The frosh elims on Friday, July 27 at the Meadowlands delivered only two seconds for us. Fashion Blizzard (5-2) was second in the second Peter Haughton elim for the colt trotters. In the Merrie Annabelle, Lady Riviera (7-1) was second in the second elim for the fillies. The other colt elim found our choice, Fico, sixth and the other filly elim found our choice, UP Tadys Donato, breaking at the start and being eliminated. 

Saturday at the Meadows was grueling for bargain hunters as we were fourth (14-1) and then third (6-1) in the first two races while prohibitive choices were flying home. That trend continued but for a 5-1 shot in Race 5.  

We were gifted a low-priced overlay with Ideal A Little, paying $5.80, winning like she should have been 4-5 (fair odds for us). Then we were second-placed-third with Darena Hanover and the public attacked again with favorites. 

Our Adios Final choice, A Rocknroll Dance, defeated the huge favorite, Sweet Lou, but his astounding fractions, including a 1:19.2 three-quarters, opened up a late spot for Bolt The Duer, who beat him at 10-1 at the wire. (Photo left by Chris Gooden) 

Our final tweet, Destiny’s Chance, won and paid a delicious $11.20, one of the best prices on the day’s program. 

Our Meadowlands coverage began with a bang as we gave out High Noon, who won the opener and paid $11.80.  

Our “Oaks” elim choices included a win by the obvious Check Me Out ($2.10) and a third with Personal Style.  

The Hambletonian elims found us mostly in contention, with all of our choices finishing third, making the final. Prestidigitator was third in the first elim; My Mvp was third in the second elim; and Gym Tan Laundry was third in the nightcap. Read the details of those races at the archives of all the divisional action from Hambo-eligibles at Hambletonian Society’s exclusive section.  

We took Hurrikane Kingcole in the second New Jersey Classic elim and by that race the rain was pelting the track. He went off the huge favorite at 4-5 and he won easily regardless of the downpour in 1:48.3.

Monday afternoon, July 30, Monticello Raceway presents The Munich Mile, a special event including only drivers of German extraction. Among the cast are Wim Paal, William Harmon, Mike Merton, Peter Kleinhans, Greg Decker, Jr., Keith Haase, Cory Stratton and Greg Merton. The Munich Mile post time is 1:50 p.m., Race 4 on the 13-event program.

Trials for the Gold Cup & Saucer are set for Saturday, Aug. 11 and Monday, Aug. 13, with the final on Saturday, Aug.18. We will offer our analysis of the event and the programs at this blog for TwinSpires exclusively.

We invite you to enjoy our musings on other 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 week we hit with Blueridgevalentino at $6.80.

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. We’re beginning to contact people with information to help you play for profit. By clicking here you will be added to the list and be secure as a member (we do not share the emails with anyone). Free stuff is coming your way.

While the pundits and experts tossed around scenarios, we centered on the colt with more talent than the public has afforded over the sophomore season thus far. Because of that, we nailed A Rocknroll Dance, who won the “Pace” in 1:48.1, paying $11.40.  

If you were with us through the entire prediction you made note of the three colts we picked to be immediately behind him. One of them, Pet Rock, who we had in the “Rooney” and were watching closely as he made his way to that win, was second. That exacta paid $125.60 for $2. (The other possible seconds we gave were Bolt The Duer and Thinking Out Loud.) 

In the Hanovers at Illinois’ Balmoral Park, we took home a single win of four tries with Our Dragon King, paying $8.60.  

At Pocono Downs there were more sophomore colt trotter divisions of the Pennsylvania All Stars. These Hambletonian eligibles’ battles and others—Stanley Dancer and Del Miller at the Meadowlands—are available at our exclusive Hambletonian Trail blog. We preview races through the weeks for both divisions with Hambo dreams as the deadline for dropping in the box looms boldly. The reviews of those events and archives of all that has happened since May are at the Hambletonian Society site.

Also, we invite you to enjoy our musings on other 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 week we hit with Blueridgevalentino at $6.80. 

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

Get onto our mailing list. We’re beginning to contact people with information to help you play for profit. By clicking here you will be added to the list and be secure as a member (we do not share the emails with anyone). Free stuff is coming your way.

It was a busy weekend only due to the action with sophomore colt-and-filly trotters, covered in our exclusive Hambletonian Trail blog. There were sires stakes events at three tracks, with most of the public choices beating our picks and one scratch for us. We are still very much ahead considering how we struck the winner and exacta in the Dexter Cup Final at great prices.  

Next on the docket for the “Trail” characters are more New Jersey Sires Stakes for glamour boys and girls. You can see the analysis for those races at the Trail blog before they are presented at the Meadowlands on May 25. 

For reviews of all Trail races, check the the Hambletonian Society site.  

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

Get onto our mailing lis. Soon we will be offering ways to learn more about playing for profit. Enter your email for free by clicking here. 

We split the eliminations of the Molson Pace at Western Fair on May 18, winning with hometown-hero Aracache Hanover, paying $7. He drew the 7 post for next week’s final. 

Our choice in the first elim was Atochia, who turned out to be an overwhelming favorite, certainly large enough to pass. He finished second in this five-horse field. Atochia drew the 2 post for the final.

The Molson Pace at Western Fair will be held on Friday, May 25. We will cover the field in our May 24 blog.  

New Jersey Sires Stakes action for glamour-boy and filly pacers on May 19 at the Meadowlands offered three splits for colts and two for the girls. 

The filly stakes left us finishing third with Blackjack Princess and fourth with Ideal In Vegas. Favorites won both of those divisions. 

The colts were also in public form, so to speak. 

The return of A Rocknroll Dance turned out to be a sharp mile in division one for the colts. A Rocknroll Dance won at 1-9, with our choice, Ideal Champ, finishing second.

In the second split, Social Network was off the board and in the third, Pet Rock was second, going off at 1-2, which should have been a pass at those odds.

At Cal Expo, the no-takeout Pick 4 on May 19 included a monstrous bomb in leg two when Asgoodasioncewas won at 136-1. The other three legs were first or second choices, leg one going to Hi Hi Ho Ho at a paltry $2.60. Even with that huge longshot, the ticket only came back $1,809.80. The pool was a little more than $25,000. 

From our Cal Expo horses-to-watch list, Red Star Popeye, came back to win, paying $8.20; Preciosita won ($6.00), as did Bo Knows Power ($3.00).  

From our Balmoral weekend picks we had Galactic Star at $11.40. You can check those picks and other various topics on harness racing at my Hoof Beats blog titled Vast Performances.

See You At Peelers was done early in the stretch. Driver Ron Pierce said he was hoping the good “Peelers” would show up but it didn’t happen and now she is the talk of the town, so to speak, with speculation ruling.

A reliable horseman source we talked with, said, “Peelers just ain’t right. She doesn’t score down good and she’s not fluid in her gait. A lot of little things that add up to ouch.”