Showing posts with label Saratoga harness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Saratoga harness. Show all posts

  • Northfield, Saratoga In Stakes’ Focus; Grand Circuit To Canada, N.Y

    POSTED Aug 14, 2014 By Frank Cotolo
    Big Friday and Saturday features spread across the east and the borders on Aug. 15 and Aug 16. Six-figure events are rare at Northfield Park and Saratoga Harness but this weekend they take the spotlights with the Carl Milstein and Joe Gerrity memorials.

    It’s also Gold Cup & Saucer weekend, with a consolation on Friday and the final on Saturday at Charlottetown Driving Park (pictured left). Also in Canada, Mohawk hosts Nassagaweya stakes as the Grand Circuit (GC) dives into the season’s second half with a big Saturday card. On Sunday Tioga Downs hosts some traditional GC events, the Tompkins-Geers and you can find our choices for those along with other suggested contenders on our horses-to-watch list (H2W). These are valuable additions to your win, place and show bets and exotics through North America. See our weekly list of “lookouts” below. 

    Weekdays, check out the TwinSpires-Hoosier perks for players. Tuesdays, wager all you want and earn 10 TSC Elite Points per dollar bet. Click here for details. Every Thursday night, there is a 20-percent bonus on hitting the Pick 4 starting at Race 3. Click here for details. And the ongoing 10-percent Pick-4 bonus every racing night on Pick-4 hits continues through the meet. Click here for details.

    Carl Cash At Northfield

    The $400,000 Carl Milstein Memorial at Northfield Park on Aug. 15 is a huge cash event for glamour-boy pacers and the purse is so large this year it has prompted the connections of Mcwicked to supplement their speedy colt. The first sign that was worth the investment was when Mcwicked drew the rail, which at the home of the Flying Turns is still a plus.

    Casie Coleman’s Mcwicked has lost to a few of the foes here in the bigger races and has not dominated the division’s top events, so the representatives of the other top trainers of the season deliver a race with deep competitive promise.

    Ron Burke’s All Bets Off has come around well and is six for nine coming to Ohio. Jimmy Takter’s pacer, Tellitlikeitis was the favorite in the first million-dollar race for the division and has been in the thick of all but one of his six races. Stevensville was the winner over Hes Watching when that one faltered in his soph debut; remember we gave you Stevensville at Yonkers that night for a big win? Ohio-champ-conditioner Virgil Morgan, Jr. conditions Boomboom Ballykeel (our choice and the upset winner of last year’s Metro). Though the colt has not been on fire at three, he is three for seven in the win column and Morgan knows this course. Chris Oakes aims Luck Be Withyou, an honest threat to Mcwicked this season, at the purse. Joe Seekman’s Let’s Drink On It has five wins in 11 starts, though they are against less-talented steeds. Only Dan Altmeyer’s Seventh Secret appears to be buried in the talent, leaving against this crew from post 8 with only hopes for a small piece of the pie should a lot go wrong to his left.

    Mcwicked will launch hard out of the 1 hole and attempt to cut all the fractions, making this a typical Northfield-wire-to-wire attempt based solely on speed. That most likely scenario could be the downfall for Mcwicked, since it would seem impossible that he would get away with cutting the fractions for all four quarters in a race with this kind of pot; there will be challenges. Which horse finds itself in the best position could be the one left with the best kick.

    All Bets Off will be right behind Mcwicked when that one guns out and charts to get the best trip to save ground. He did his best at Yonkers and could wind up with a record mile if he comes out late with a successful bid or he shoots up the passing lane. His price is negotiable but given the circumstances he may be worth it as a second or third choice, since Mcwicked ($34,000 to get into this event) will be showered with wins bets.

    Carl Consolation

    The $100,000 consolation of the Carl Milstein Memorial offers this year’s second-tier soph-pacing colts a means of redemption, with one specific pacer from the field in desperate need of one.

    Sharp as a freshman, luck had abandoned Western Vintage upon his tangos with the top guys, with every mile an encounter with misfortune. Upon his elimination in the Max Hempt Memorial, trainer Nancy Johnasson gave her star colt a break. Returning on racing’s biggest stage, the Hambletonian under card, he was a game fourth in 1:50, albeit to a 90-1 Sweet Rock. Competing against other colts that are in need of a redeeming mile, Western Vintage, who’s only $2,000 off of qualifying for the final, should be raring to pace.

    With him is a promising colt in the exotics, Three Of Clubs. The Mach Three speedster is winless in seven tries this year while competing mainly on the Ontario Sires Stakes circuit. Regardless, his lone chance of receiving a check will be utilizing his speed to sit near the top and hope to pass rivals in the lane. With the weak speed honor going to Limelight Beach, it is more than possible that he can pass enough horses to pay a handsome exacta.

    Joe Dough At Saratoga

    Saratoga Raceway features top aged pacers in the $260,000 Joe Gerrity Memorial on Aug. 16. With the Foiled Again fan club ready to tune in, there’s a possibility we can get a price on the best horse in the field

    Coming in off of a first-over journey in the Dan Patch Invitational (against Sweet Lou), Heston Blue Chip will start from the rail. The Linda Toscano trainee was parked through insane fractions of :52.4 and 1:20.1, causing him to falter to sixth. This group suits him perfectly, and from the rail, he will be tough to beat.

    Nassagaweya Whiz Kids

    Two-year-old colts get top-notch prizes for their best efforts in three Nassagaweya splits, each worth more than $89,000, on Aug. 16 at Mohawk. The crop has been dominated up north thus far by progeny from Sportswriter but we don’t know to what extent that will affect the wagering.

    Round one could be a great score for a son of Somebeachsomewhere, as the Linda Toscano-trained Asap Hanover gets a good spot to shine. The solo Sportswriter kid comes out of post 8 here so Toscano’s colt gets a post edge, as well as Tim Tetrick in the bike.

    Nine go in the second round and look who has a frosh pacer in the mix—Ake Svanstedt. He hands the reins of Badix Hanover over to Jody Jamieson. Ake’s stock continues to show power and profit and this Western Ideal colt is one of the youngest in his barn with improvement written all over his racelines. Go Daddy Go, the sole son of Ponder (fourth on the sires average earning list for frosh pacers) in this field, could force the issue, as Bob MacIntosh is gunning this recent winner of the Battle of Waterloo and teams up with John Campbell to try for another score, though he may not offer the lovely 7-1 he paid last out.

    In the nightcap, Artspeak gets the outside but will have support for his first-season successes, which stick out. The Sportswriter son here is Sporting The Look for the Jamiesons and he may have an edge if only by a few steps gained from a better trip. This is a chance to support the Sportswriter crop with national competition, as the sire’s success has been strongly local. If they are that good there may be some prices attached to them which won’t be available for long.

    Eternally Yours

    The fairer frosh pacing set goes for scads of cash in three $76,000-plus Eternal Camnation splits, also on Aug. 16.

    Round one gives us a chance at the sole Somebeachsomewhere in the field, Queensland Beach. She’s a local but her sire is shining on the national scene with frosh progeny and that average alone is worth backing.

    In the second split, a rare trainer/driver solo from Jack Moiseyev brings out the Ponder gal Cowgirl Tough. We also find two from Rock N Roll Heaven’s first crop, all of which are yet to show significance in stakes. Oddly enough, there is a Rocknroll Hanover filly here too, so sire and sire’s sire have blood flowing here, but we’ll stick with the Ponder gal on top.

    Finally, more first-crop fillies hit the scene in the nightcap. Those of you who have read this department through the years know of our successes with If I Can Dream. His filly, Yes You Can is another Jamieson-barn property and if he will shine as a sire early he will have an upset win here. The Sportswriter gal is on the outside and the Somebeachsomewhere gal looms boldly but Yes You Can may complement the early data of her sire at a price.

    Flying Saucer

    The $20,000 consolation for the Gold Cup & Saucer (renamed the James Roach MacGregor Memorial) is set to end the evening card at Charlottetown of Friday, Aug. 15. Due to the field size in the trials, only four failed to qualify for the “Saucer” final in this six-horse grouping. Based off their performances, it’s a wide-open affair.

    Residing at the rail is Mach Wheel, who tracked cover and couldn’t chase Mickey Hanover in his 1:50.4 journey around the P.E.I. oval. Exempting that effort, he was a talented pacer at the Ontario B-tracks in their Preferred levels. The inside draw will likely put him in a position towards the front, which will make taking control late in the mile an easier task.

    Duke Did It can also make this wagering affair interesting. Sitting the pocket to Mickey Hanover in his trial, he severely faltered to finish sixth by 26 lengths. He fits well into this group and will likely be forwardly placed.

    While the $60,000 Gold Cup & Saucer will not see 12 horses go for the gold, an octet of speedy aged pacers will blaze around the half-mile track. Given the circumstances of the post draw (Aracache Hanover drawing post 2 and Mickey Hanover post 8), it might be safe to say this will be a take-no-prisoners event. The ultimate speed of this field is Mickey Hanover, who will have to gun in order to get his comfortable spot on the front. That is, if he can get on the front.

    In his second start off a sick scratch, Scott Rocks made his debut at Charlottetown. Getting away last in his trial, he managed to pick up cover and, upon three-quarters, was left alone two wide while Mickey Hanover was preparing to lift flight. Scott Rocks managed to finish third in his trial. Drawing post 4 in the final, in the event of a fast pace, he’ll likely be poised for an upset.

    H2W Legend

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

    H2W

    Batavia
    8/15/14, Scorpius R4; Blown Away R6

    Grand River
    8/15/14, Cons Legacy R5

    Meadows
    8/15/14, Allstar Shark R4; Bluenose Gal R7

    Mohawk
    8/15/14, +Bee Full Of Steinum R4; I Luv The Nitelife R10

    Ocean
    8/14/14, Not Tonight R3
    8/15/14, Ge’s Alex R2; Whitesville Ted R3; Truly My Way R4; South Dakota R4; Rhapsody Rose R6; Ny Ice R7; Winmando R9; Arrested Dreams R10
    8/17/14, Osceda Gold R6

    Philadelphia
    8/15/14, +Real Leggy R4; +Jerseylicious R6

    Pocono
    8/15/14, Spirit Of Desire R7
    8/16/14, +Lyonssomewhere R3; Word Power R10; Mistery Woman R14

    Running Aces
    8/16/14, Co-op Hanover R6

    Saratoga
    8/14/14, Dontmakemelaugh R11
    8/15/14, +Lauderdale R8

    Scarborough
    8/15/14, +Jitterbug Hanover R3;  +Trotting Trice R7

    Scioto
    8/16/14, Mystical Brothers R2; +Head Of The Barn R3; Chip Of Art R11

    Tioga
    8/1514, Pan Luis Obispo R7
    8/17/14, Crazy Wow R3; Josies Joy R4; Uffizi Hanover R5; +Jk Endofanera R7; +Jolene Jolene R8; +Father Patick R9

    Yonkers
    8/15/14, +Nf Happenstance R8; Back To The West R9
    8/16/14, Duel In The Sun R5

    Ray Cotolo contributes to each edition.      

  • Cotolo’s Harness Review, News And Notes

    POSTED Apr 13, 2014 By Frank Cotolo


    The positive news about this weekend’s cash haul is testament to the potency of the horses-to-watch list (H2W), even with only three winners recorded on a slim menu (many of the lists’ horses are still in queue to race). For the first time in 14 weeks of this season, horses coming in second practically trumped the winners with remarkable across-the-board payoffs, some igniting exactas with the race favorites. Check out the H2W results below and focus on the “Seconds” column.

    We recorded only one low-priced winner in our sets suggested for the Meadowlands’ Pick 3 and Pick 4 on April 11. Miss Machqueen turned out to be a strong favorite in leg two of the Pick 3, which was the opening leg of the Pick 4. She paid $4.60, $3 and $2.40.

    In the Matchmaker at Yonkers on Friday, April 11 we were defeated in one leg by a mare we supported in two divisions of the four legs now on the books. Defending Matchmaker champion Feeling You failed for us twice, once at 15-1 and once at 13-1. She did not look to have returned this season with much verve, so we let her go this week and supported Let’s Go Higher. Feeling You awakened in the second Matchmaker division on April 11 and scored at 15-1, while “Higher” was sixth in the short field at 46-1. Our friend, the late Alan Kirschenbaum, bred the seven-year-old that scored her first finish on the board in five tries.

    Fashion Mystery took the long way around, though with cover, and finished fifth at 26-1 in another leg, while Summertime Lea (6-1) could not repeat from the week before and lost to the first two public choices in division three.

    The “Levy” at Yonkers on April 12 found us sending out two huge longshots. The first, Keystone Velocity, was 44-1. He finished sixth of seven, making no impression. The division went to the Ron Burke entry at five cents to the dollar. We chose to support Versado this week over Sapphire City, who ignited a decent exacta in last week’s second division and did so again this week. Versado was 43-1 and finished fourth but “Sapphire” took second at 19-1 (The Exacta was $39.80 with even-money winner Mach It So. The field had trouble at the start of the race that caused the triple Burke entry—55 cents to the dollar—to be placed in the last three finishing positions. Versado was bothered in that harangue.

    Foiled Again continued to dominate the series with another win, while our choice, Dancin Yankee, finished second at 11-1 (no place or show wagering here), sparking a timid exacta of $5.90.

    TwinSpires switched to Indiana last week with a Hoosier 10-percent Pick-4 Bonus. Every time you cash a winning Pick 4 ticket at Hoosier Park, you receive a bonus equal to 10 percent of the gross winnings, up to $500 per night. We will assist on Twitter occasionally, with suggestions for your tickets. Follow @FrankCotolo and @TwinSpires for choices.

    For complete details:
    |http://www.twinspires.com/10-pick-4-bonus-every-night-hoosier-park

     H2W RESULTS

    The H2W results list across-the-board prices. Also, exactas are included when a H2W horse finishing first or second completes the result with a race favorite or another H2W horse listed in the same race (an asterisk appears when both horses were listed to complete the exacta).

    Winners

    Jinni’s Fantasy, $36.20, $10.80, $6.80, Cal Expo
    Spicey Victor, $18.20, $7.60, $3.60, Meadows
    Clementine Dream, $2.40, $2.10, $2.10, Pocono

    Seconds

    Unicorn Hanover, $20.80, $10.80 (Exacta $112.50), Vernon
    Muncie, $13.60, $5.80, Saratoga
    Royal Todd, $10.60, $5 (Exacta $48.20), Freehold
    Western Tower, $8.60, $4 (Exacta ($17.50), Cal Expo
    Alligator Falls, $6.80, $4.40, Hoosier
    Sundowner Bob, $5.50, $3.60, Vernon
    Screen The Call, $4, $2.60, Freehold
    Banker Volo, $3, $2.10, Pocono
    Trys Little Prince, $3, $2.40, Pocono

    Thirds

    Xtra Perfect, $5.20, Miami Valley
    Chepachet, $3.60, Rosecroft
    Jammin Joshua, $3.60, Hoosier
    Stop The Traffic, $2.10, Hoosier

    News And Notes

    More stars have hit the qualifying scene to rev up for the 2014 season. San Pail, Wheeling N Dealin, Charmed Life and Intimidate were among trotters qualifying at Woodbine. Wheeling N Dealin went gate to wire to win by more than 3 lengths in 1:56.2. The disappointing early Hambletonian favorite that did not fire at three as he did at two, is ready to face older. San Pail, the North American horse of the year in 2011, won his second straight qualifier, holding off a determined Charmed Life in 1:55.1.

    Ontario-owned Hes Watching tops the first 2014 Road to the Meadowlands Pace without having faced or beaten any of the frosh stars. This year's road to the “Pace” is quite different than the 2013 edition. One year ago, just 30 horses were nominated with 29 still eligible after the first payment. A large factor in this was the presence of Captaintreacherous. Fifty-nine three-year-olds were nominated to the Pace and the connections of 56 of them made the March payment. Each week leading up to the event, Director of Racing Operations and odds-maker Darin Zoccali will publish a top 10 of Pace contenders, each of which is assigned a spring-book morning line. Hes Watching begins as the top in Zoccali’s rankings  at 4-1.

    Missing in the rankings is Arthur Blue Chip because recently, the Dr. Ian Moore trained colt suffered a stall injury and will miss a “significant part of the year.” Also noticeable by his absence is National Debt. Undefeated in six starts, National Debt’s absence is due to Zoccali’s assessment. Strange to us is that National Debt has not lost a race yet this year, though he beat no significant sophs. We feel Hes Watching is being over evaluated, since he has only displayed a freaky speed talent, having defeated no impressive contenders while racing solely on the New York Sires Stakes circuit.

    We will be closely watching Western Vintage, ranked fourth. He was the super favorite in last year’s Breeders Crown frosh pace who choked in the elimination and did not make the final. Luck Be Withyou, ranked third, won the final. For our money, it is astounding the speed performances of Hes Watching won him the frosh-pace division award last year and takes precedence over the class and probable maturity of “Vintage” and “Luckbe” in forecasts. We will be watching the odds closely of those two, respectively, in Pace preps and other early season soph stakes, because with the surge of popularity for Hes Watching, the chances of a major paradigm shift in actual performances may mean profits on the horizon.

    Dover Downs awards were presented and for the fifth-consecutive meet Corey Callahan was presented the Leading Driver award. Callahan completed the meet with 222 wins, earning $1,995,836 for the horses he drove. It is doubtful he was a flat-bet profit for bettors, though he had his share of overlay winners. Dylan Davis, who had been runner-up the last few season, won the Leading Trainer title. Davis haltered 69 winners during the meet. Nova Artist, for the second time in three seasons, won Horse of the Meet honors. The pacer had 17 starts with seven wins and earned $108,950 in purses.

    Extraordinary Extras

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

    Ray Cotolo contributes to this blog

    Cartoons by Thom Pye

  • Yonkers Series Ensue With Third Rounds

    POSTED Apr 2, 2014 By Frank Cotolo
    Yonkers Raceway’s the George Morton Levy Memorial and Blue Chip Matchmaker pacing series continue with round three Friday and Saturday. The ‘Levy’ and Matchmaker divisions have been strong for crowd choices and certainly the dual wins by former title-holder Foiled Again are not offering player profit but sweeps in the series are traditionally rare, so we will hoist the flag for some serious contenders that will pay in spades should any win.

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

    And of course, the horses to watch (H2W), presented exclusively for TwinSpires harness blog, carries on its productive parade of contenders that usually offer a bounty of across-the-board prices and serve as profitable members of exotics.

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

    Yonkers Raceway’s Saturday, April 5 program, features four third-round divisions of Levys for the older male pacers. There is still a lot of action to go in these four-turn battles.

    The first division sends only six to post, two of which are Ron Burke trainees that did not fire yet. In round one we took a shot with Texican N but against Foiled Again he paced poorly. Last week, however, he was third to Foiled Again, sent off at 87-1. He won’t be in that territory this round but Foiled Again is not among the Burke brigade in this field. So, Texican N has a great chance and should be a value wager against this Burke duo and the two winless foes inside of him.

    The second Levy division is also a sextet, with Arachache Hanover looking for his first win of the season. So, however, is Malak Uswaad N, who we had in round one and came second at 14-1. Beware, too, of Sapphire City. She made big gains last week with an 8-length rally to three-quarters at 23-1. Both of these stand chances to topple the obvious Bettor’s Edge if “Arachache” challenges his rail journey (a very possible scenario).

    The third division has seven foes with another successful duo from Burke and the two-time surprise of the series, Mach It So and Apprentice Hanover. There is little room for a am upset here unless it is reflected in the way the public wages. Apprentice Hanover may be higher odds this week than “Mach,” as the public tries to make back what it lost on him. So look for a wager if “AH” winds up a third choice here. 

    The final Levy episode of the night is either another theater for Foiled Again fans (how can we bet him at his prohibitive odds, even if you feel he has all the percentage points?) or another is a stream of what could be the best night to bet Levy for price? From post 7, Foiled needs another monster mile but will that be compromised by PH Supercam, the second highest money-earner this season, from post 1? It’s your call to back Versado (five seconds, poised to blow out) and Bet On The Law (one for two, fresh and raring to make an impression in the series).

    Matchmaker Mares

    The third preliminary of the Matchmaker series commences Friday with only a trio of splits.

    Division one could pose to be a mild upset if we look favorably (as the crowd won’t do) at Fashion Mystery’s chances. Last week in division four she was game at 20-1 against the Ron Burke entry’s winner Rocklamation. She may be able to close as well as Burke’s gal, here again and bound to be a choice. Ramalama from post one may overcome any first-over problems like those that hurt her last week but she won’t offer a payoff near that of “Fashion.”

    The second division also appears worth the support of an outsider whose race last week was impressive, though it failed to produce an upset. Feeling You dueled early with the dominant Somwherovrarainbow and that cost her a spot on the board, if not the win. She was 15-1 then and does not have to deal with “…rainbow” here. Krispy Apple may get more support than last week when as the favorite she was unable to catch 4-1 Ideal In Vegas—and she should have done that. Charisma Hanover deals with post 7 here which may mean nothing but it could also mean a step that puts her behind Feeling You, which is what we will want to happen.

    Division three may see Anndrovette from post 8 in a battle to dominate the lead with the “now” horse, Ideal In Vegas. That could cost them both the race, with others eyeing the lead adding up to a three-quarters time that can allow Uf Dragon’s Queen to take to her full advantage and sweep through at a price. Last week “Queen” gained 5 lengths from the half to three-quarters before fading behind Angels Delight (not here tonight), who beat Anndrovette and Charisma Hanover.

    Jersey Jaunts

    We won’t get verbose with our choices for Meadowlands Early Pick 4 (April 4), which entails a Pick 3, we will simply list the horses you may wish to add to your tickets. Handicapped well before there is even a morning line, no less the wagering itself, we are estimating horses that may offer prices with value (not to be confused with raw longshots).

    Early Pick 4 (Races 3 through 6)
    R3—use 4 Upfront Elizabeth, 5 Naughty Machbean
    Pick 3, (Races 4, 5 & 6)
    R4—use 4 Brookroad Knight
    R5—use 4 Cult Status
    R6—use 4 Banker Volo, 5 Drift Away

    These horses to not appear on the H2W list below but we encourage them to be looked upon as strong across-the-board contenders aside from their worthy additions in the multi-exotics, as listed above. Non-winners will be added to H2W next week.

    H2W Legend

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

    H2W

    Buffalo
    4/5/14, +Doctor Gates R2; +Veto Hanover R4; Four Hoof Drive R6; +Twilight Jack R7

    Cal Expo
    4/4/14, Lucky Man Again R6; +Looks Don’t Count R8; Sleigh Belle R9; +Split Ticket R11 
    4/5/14, Silverlode R5; +Me Tarzan R12

    Dover
    4/6/14, Dancing Cruiser R11

    Freehold
    4/5/14, +Kings Point R3; Royal Todd R4 

    Meadowlands
    4/4/14, +Notreadytobenice R9; +Grey Ice R11; 
    4/5/14, Screen The Call R1; +Sentosa Island R3; +Berkentine Hanover

    Meadows
    4/4/14, Stronski R2; JJ Gladiator R9; Checkov R12

    Miami Valley
    4/3/14, Swimsuit Model R12
    4/4/14, +Mama Made Me Blue R7; Flightreactor R11

    Pocono
    4/5/14, Desperation R3; +Republic Of Panama R4; +Eddie Sweat R7; Sparkly Mark R10; Trys Little Prince R13

    Pompano
    4/5/14, +Mystical Muscles R4

    Rosecroft
    4/5/14, Pier Pressure R4; +Nothing Wrong R5; +I Turtle R7; +Macho Mcgraw R10 

    Saratoga
    4/3/14, Beach Boy Tiger R8; Bullville Honey R8; Muncie R10
    4/4/14, +Mambo Italiano R7; +Milliondollartorch R7; +Village Jackson R10; +Wellthereyougo R10

    Scarborough
    4/5/14, Regal Delight R1; Southwind Missouri R5; Roy Orbisong R9

    Yonkers
    4/4/14, +Eagle Artesian R3

    Ray Cotolo contributed to each Thursday edition.      

  • Cotolo’s Harness Review, News And Notes

    POSTED Mar 30, 2014 By Frank Cotolo

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

     H2W RESULTS

    The H2W results list across-the-board prices. Also, exactas are included when a H2W horse finishing first or second completes the result with a race favorite or another H2W horse listed in the same race (an asterisk appears when both horses were listed to complete the exacta).

    Winners

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

    Seconds

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

    Thirds

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

    News And Notes

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Extraordinary Extras

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

    Ray Cotolo contributed to this blog

    Cartoons by Thom Pye

  • Series In The Spotlight

    POSTED Mar 12, 2014 By Frank Cotolo
    This weekend the Meadowlands kicks off a few more traditional late-winter series for three-year-old-and up trotters, the Horse & Groom, and three-and four-year-old pacers, the Clyde Hirt. The Winter Survior Claiming series for soph and older pacers is also featured.

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

    Meadowlands Episodes

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

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

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

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

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

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

    This week’s overnight offerings:

    Meadows
    March 14, Race 5

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

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

    Meadows
    March 14, Race 11

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

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

    H2W Legend

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

    H2W

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Ray Cotolo contributed to each Thursday edition.      

  • Winter Stakes Waning On Dawn Of New Meadowlands

    POSTED Nov 20, 2013 By Frank Cotolo

    There was trouble in paradise when the grand opening of the new Meadowlands was threatened by a shortage of horses in the draw for the first program on Nov. 23. Access to the entry box was allowed an extra day and the picture reportedly looked “less grim” in an effort to line the program with 13 races.

    Adding to the malaise was a lack of freshman pacers and trotters to support elims for the final four stakes of the season. So, the Governor’s Cup, the Three Diamonds, the Goldsmith Maid and the Valley Victory events will be presented on Nov. 30 sans eliminations.

    With late support from horsemen, the shipping plans were set and the Meadowlands will open on Nov. 23 with a 13-race program. Featured on the car are $50,000 Free For Alls for three-year-old-and-up pacers and trotters prepping for next week’s huge six-digit events, historic in that they may have sophomores facing the best older horses.

    Also prepping with a single elim are glamour-boy pacers at Dover Downs. And, the H2W (horses to watch) list pours out more contenders for your win, place, show and exotic pleasure.

    Progress Pace Preps

    There is a single Progress Pace elim, which is more like a prep as only one soph-colt pacer will not make it into the Dec. 1 final. This is Dover Downs’ premier event and the $35,000 prelude only drew nine. Some glamour-boy pacers not involved are done for the season and Captaintreacherous’s management is still pondering if the champ will race against older at the new Meadowlands.

    Other recent headliners in the division are missing. Word Power, who won the Windy City Pace (we gave him to you) and the huge favorite he toppled, Lucan Hanover, are not here. Messenger-winner Ronny Bugatti, Matron-“Jug”-winner Vegas Vacation, Sunshine Beach and the still winless Wake Up Peter will do battle. A few newcomers to this level of the division are included in the nine.

    The big two, of course, are Vegas Vacation and Sunshine Beach, but they will eat a lot of bets, leaving some room for possible upsets. Among those scenarios are Tony Alagna’s duo, Emeritus Maximus and Wake Up Peter. The problem with the latter is he refuses to wake up enough to win. Seventeen starts, most in the top tier of the division, and he cannot get into the winner’s circle.

    Emeritus Maximus has five wins and is showing some late-season spunk, enough to win with the right trip or while taking advantage of the top two’s rigorous schedule through the Breeders Crown. He should be a strong third choice at the least. No doubt Alagna would love to see “Peter” win over either of the top two, considering the verbal beating his Captaintreacherous has taken even when defeating them.


    Meadowlands Anew

    The first program at the New Jersey plant that starts and ends where the backstretch used to be features two $50,000 Free For Alls.

    There are six trotters in the first affair, all of them familiar names to this year’s campaign, led by top male Market Share. In the small field, the Linda Toscano-trained Market Share has gone on a winning streak after having some issues with the same bunch of horses mid-season. Don’t expect a price here but take a look at the prices for Uncle Peter, who could turn the tables.

    The pacing FFA has eight elders, each with his own story of victory on the oval when it went the other way. The bulk of the win money will once again tip the scales for Foiled Again but all things being equal, this division has been tough on one another all year. Prices may be offered in fairness to Golden Receiver and Fred And Ginger, since the wagering could be too much in favor of Foiled Again.

    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
    11/22/13, Ramblin Rick R3

    Cal Expo
    11/22/13, +Bette Davis Eyes R1; Portfolio R7; Skyway King R9; Curvacious R14
     
    Freehold
    11/22/13, +Makemywishcometrue R10  
    11/23/13, +Bettorific R7

    Maywood
    11/22/13, +Smoken Cambest R1; Cinnamon Spider R13 

    Meadows
    11/22/13, Jedi Hanover R3; Boy Stuff R3; Woodside Warrior R4; Florida Vortex R6; Fantasy’s Chipchip R7; Rio Sweet R10; +Do Me Honor R11; Shine N Shimmer R11; Sweetheart Dance R11; Miss Chip K R12; Dream Of Winning R13; Mynah Hanover R14; +Eradikate R15.

    Northfield
    11/22/13, Hot Mandy ae R1; Icanfeelyoubreath R2; Townline Kriss R2; Scratch R3; Carmelita’s Girl R6; Campside Angel ae R7; Power Everywhere R10; R E O Speeddragon R11; Truffle Shuffle R12; Vegas Strip Three R14; I Love My Yankee R14
    11/23/13, Carolina Nan R1; Allamerican Dora R2; Lost Photo R3; Sunny New Day R8; Basilio Blue Chip R10; Point Standing R12; Sporty Callie R13; Gee Up R13

    Pocono
    11/22/13, +Jerjens Dragon R5; +Magnum Kosmos R6; Sea Cruise Hanover R14
    11/23/13, Lauderdale R2; +Hold Your Hat R5

    Pompano
    11/23/13, Fine Fine Fine R10

    Saratoga
    11/22/13, Delightfuldanielle R1; +Petraeus R5; Mr Web Page R9
    11/23/13, +B Blissful R1; +Upfront Ellijay Ed ae R3; King Cat Anvil N R3; +All Powerful R4; Matt’s Wolfey R5; +Irish Elitist R7; +Red Star Tomahawk R7; Subliminal Hanover R7; +Spencer B ae R13

    Ray Cotolo contributed to this edition.

  • Froshes And Sophs And More Fight To Face August

    POSTED Jul 24, 2013 By Frank Cotolo

    July is breaking big as the classic August stakes loom boldly. At the Meadowlands the weekend programs are strewn with eliminations to set up the giant stakes program on Hambletonian day. Trotters and pacers, two- and three-year-olds, are fighting for spots in the stakes on the first August weekend.   
     
    We will be reporting on all of the stakes action live from the Meadowlands on Friday, Aug. 2 and Saturday, Aug. 3, so don’t miss following us on Twitter as well as ingesting our Aug. 1 blog. 
     
    Meanwhile, this weekend the Grand Circuit winds up at the Meadows with the Adios Pace Final, the sister Adioo Volo for the fillies and some Arden Downs Stakes on July 26 and July 27. 
     
    The Yonkers Trot Final and the Hambletonian Oaks eliminations are covered on the Hambletonian Trail at the exclusive blog. 
     
    Our exclusive harness horses to watch (H2W) list from tracks around North America continues with overnight racing bargains.
     
    Adios Action 
     
    An octet of glamour boy pacers is set to start in the Meadows’ signature race, the $450,000 Delvin Miller Adios. To accompany the Adios on the Saturday afternoon card are sophomore filly pacers, competing in two divisions of the $136,920 Adioo Volo. 
     
    A group of seven colts that did not qualify to race in the Adios in the eliminations last week have a chance of redemption in the $50,000 Adios Consolation. Heading the field is Good Day Mate, coming from an off-the-pace fifth-place effort to Lonewolf Currier. Consolation events like this are a favorite of ours, with a group of second-string stakes horses providing a big opportunity for value. The value stamp in the Adios Consolation goes to Martini Hanover, set to leave the starting gate to the left of Good Day Mate. 
     
    In last week’s elimination, Martini Hanover got away in a comfortable position and then began a first-over adventure from the half, getting flushed out by Word Power. Martini Hanover was left with the dirty work of pressuring pace-setter Sunfire Blue Chip around the final turn, which inevitably ended quickly. He has shown he can race with the best, competing with the top in this year’s crop for most of the summer. He races against weaker and off of two visually unappealing efforts will come a high price. 
     
    Somwherovrarainbow will likely be the favorite in the first division of the Adioo Volo. Although the filly with the impressive pedigree appears to be the best on paper, the efforts shown from Power Pack Hanover make her the one to watch. She has shown tremendous improvement in her last two starts, with a gate-to-wire victory in the Pennsylvania All-Stars and valiant first over move in the Pennsylvania Sires Stakes last week, pacing a :26.1 third-quarter to try taking command. Drawing towards the rail means she has an opportunity to race close to the pace and pull the pocket and make her pursuit for the front. 
     
    The Ron Burke-barn sends out a duo of soph fillies in the second Adioo Volo, Carols Desire and Mistresstothestars, with “Carol” leading the two. Against her is Nikki Beach, coming from the Tony Alagna barn. In her most recent outing, she sat a pocket mile to Charisma Hanover and finished second as the public’s second choice. Looking farther back on her lines, she has competed with the best fillies this year in the Fan Hanover and James Lynch, with good efforts supporting those miles. She has the ability to leave the gate and with the right trip, she can get to the wire first. 
     
    The feature of the program is the Adios Pace Final, with elimination winners Lonewolf Currier and Sunfire Blue Chip drawing well. Lonewolf Currier will have the upper hand in this event, as he will likely get the support of bettors off of his impressive comeback mile in the eliminations.
     
    Also off an impressive mile is Word Power, though his luck when it comes to the post-position draw is absent. Regardless, he has shown himself to be a major threat in the glamour boy division. In his elimination, he attempted to get into a pocket and instead became parked the mile, luckily getting the cover of Martini Hanover for half the trip. Coming around the final turn, Some Kinda Beach veered a little wide as he tried to get room, making Word Power lose ground in his three-wide bid. He remained flying down the center of the track to miss the victory by a nose to Sunfire Blue Chip. He can leave the gate well; the only issue is his tendency to battle first over in these kinds of races. He should get off the gate far enough off the pace to get a covered trip like the one in the elimination, but come up explosive into the stretch. 
     
    Frosh-Trot Stakes Preludes    
     
    In a little more than a week, it’s time for Hambletonian day. As usual in the week before the classic program, eliminations for the co-featured stakes take place to finalize those who get to compete center stage. The Friday night, July 26 card at the Meadowlands has slated one elim for the Merrie Annabelle and two for the Peter Haughton Memorial, two-year-old trotting stakes that are traditionally part of the grand festival. 
     
    Jimmy Takter has a trio of freshmen fillies in the Merrie Annabelle elim, headed by undefeated Lifetime Pursuit. Our selection, though an outsider, has a vast amount of potential, as she is set to make her career debut. She will carry the burden of starting from the outside post but it should not harm Ross Croghan’s filly, Heaven’s Door. Watching her most recent qualifier one can only be impressed at how smooth her gait had become compared to her first qualifier on a damp surface. She trotted her recent qualifier in 1:57.2, sharp for a second mile. She showed good speed off the gate, fighting to get to the front at the quarter, leaving us with little worry of a start from the outside. Her post will just pump her post time odds higher. 
     
    Southwind Spirit will be the overwhelming choice in the first elim of the Peter Haughton Memorial. From the rail comes Muscle Midas, an improving son of Muscle Hill. The colt has shown improvement and strength in just two starts, his first being a parked mile resulting in a third and his second being an off the pace covered trip. With his draw, he should be able to get a position in the middle of the pack and find cover to ride into the stretch. 
     
    Freshmen champion Pastor Stephen has blood going in elim two; Father Patrick will look to live up to the family success for trainer Jimmy Takter. Fashion Farms’ trainer Jim Campbell has a colt in this elim that is showing improvement and gets needed post relief. He has an arguably amazing name, Musclesprinctonian. 
     
    Campbell appeared to find the horse’s knack in the New Jersey Sires’ Stakes Final, sending the Muscle Hill colt to the front from post 10; he finished fourth. He has a better opportunity to set the pace and or ride a pocket trip, having to use less energy to make the front from post 4. Beware though; Father Patrick and the Oscarsson-trained Nuncio are still threats in this mile. 
     
    Pace Makers 
     
    Moving onto the Saturday night card at the Big M, preps for the Miss New Jersey and New Jersey Classic, as well as two elims for the U.S. Pacing Championship are set to be contested. 
     
    Division leader I Luv The Nitelife is the headliner in the Miss New Jersey Prep, set to start the July 27 card. Arriving from a layoff is the only horse this year to, by definition, defeat I Luv The Nitelife—Ms Caila J Fra. She didn’t take to the sloppy track in the James Lynch Final, going off stride in the early stages. She took a well-deserved break, qualifying last week in a good comeback mile of 1:53. She will likely be ignored for her mistake in the “Lynch,” which will benefit the price tag at the windows as our selection.  
     
    As for the “Classic,” after a journey to the Midwest, Real Rocker returns east off of a second place effort in the Hanover Stakes at Balmoral. He is up against potential favorites Emeritus Maximus and Wake Up Peter. Though they pose as roadblocks to Real Rocker’s success, the improvement shown by the Trish Foulk-trainee is something to note. Looking back to the sires-stakes final, he never saw the pylons and was far off the pace to add on to that. He should get off the gate and be somewhat close to the pace in the early stages, slowly gaining ground until its time to strike. 
     
    The entry of Dynamic Youth and A Rocknroll Dance will likely take a majority of the betting in the first elim of the U.S. Pacing Championship for older pacers. From the rail will come a big longshot, who has shown a competitive spirit against this group of Free for All pacers, Our Lucky Chip. He was excused for his poor effort in the William Haughton elims, partly because he was in a world record mile and the partly because it was his first start off a sick scratch. He made an uncharacteristic break the next week, then shipped to Pocono for a Preferred event, where he was first over from the half to three-quarters where he paced in :25.4, resulting in his fading. He should get off the gate well from the rail, stalk the pace and kick for home strongly.
     
    Elim two has speed-machine Warrawee Needy, drawing the rail and “Haughton” champ Pet Rock in the starting gate’s center. It’s hard to tell how much action our selection will take off of one powerful effort in the top condition at the Meadowlands, crushing favorite Abelard Hanover. Our choice was the “buzzed” speed demon heading into 2013—Hurrikane Kingcole. His last start was both long overdue and dazzling, romping Free for All caliber horses off of three less than par efforts. Whatever was wrong with him appears to be history and the John McDermott-trainee poses as a major player in this mile.  
     
    Arden Downs 
     
    The soph-colt-and-filly Arden Downs episodes at the Meadows on Friday will be covered here since the fillies involved are not in the “Oaks” elims and the colts involved are most likely not headed for the heats-laden main event. 
     
    In the first filly split, Choose Happy, coupled with Upfrontluckycarol, was eliminated from a Hanover Stakes at Balmoral with a break last week. But she came from a great effort at Pocono, racing against stronger company than these, finishing third after an outside trip at 10-1. Before that she won a decent stake at Pocono and here, from post 6, she should be a bargain. 
     


    Promisemethis is bound to be the choice in the second filly split but the outside contender, McKenzie’s Star, offers a big chance at a big price. She raced well four back in top company against “Promise,” after winning a minor soph stake. With a good trip, she could turn an exacta with the choice upside down. 
     
    Colt-stakes one should belong to Maxamillus and at a good price considering Major Athens will get the bulk of the win-pool money and can be beaten soundly here. “Max” is in great shape these days and has been picking up checks in top affairs. He has been well supported but may be overlooked here. 
     
    The second colt adventure is rife with questionable steppers. However, Detour Hanover, who broke last out while heavily backed in a Yonkers Trot elim, is best when not galloping. Top-contender Its Complicated may give “Detour” a perfect trip, so all we have to worry about is that Detour’s driver, Dave Palone, doesn’t suck in money that dowses the overlay. 
     
    H2W Legend
     
    Review our choices and follow the wagering at the prescribed track to decide how you will use the information. The list has shortened as the stakes season ensues but still offers the best 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 that horse is appearing on the list for the second (and last time) because it failed to win the first time it appeared.
     
    An “ae” signals the horse is entered but on the also-eligible list (so it might not get into the race). Multi-horses may be listed in the same race.  Horses from previous lists that are not racing this week will no longer appear until they are confirmed in a race.  
     
    Wagering on any of the H2W listed horses is based on your own judgment. Your handicapping skills should include decisions to wager to win, place, show or in exotics. If you have any questions about the H2W list, send them to us through the TwinSpires blog channel.   
     
    H2W 
     
    Maywood
    7/26/13, + Nash Gram R11 
     
    Northfield
    7/26/13, Medley Mindale R4; Gee Up R5; Hurricane Hanna R7; Coolwater Wildrose R11
    7/27/13, Classic Banker R4; Contech R7; SF Stampede R11
     
    Pompano
    7/27/13, Diamond Amber R4; Moonglow R7; Fire Diamond R11  
     
    Running Aces
    7/27/13, Rearin And Ready R1; + Furious Five R2; Driven By Destiny R5; Billied R7 
     
    Saratoga
    7/27/13, Johnny Grippa R2; That’s My Dream R3; Jk Black Beauty R6; El Ringer R8; Kyle Major R12
     
    Scioto
    7/25/13, Charlie B R5  
     
    Vernon
    7/26/13, +Ulay Boko R5; +Lis Rain R6
    7/27/13, Wheelaway R4; Sri Panka R11 
     
    Ray Cotolo contributed to this edition.

  • Cotolo’s Harness Review, News And Notes

    POSTED Jul 20, 2013 By Frank Cotolo

    A lot of action all over the harness scene took place this weekend and a lot of favorites came through for the public.  
     
    Our only stakes winner was in the Sheppard final at Yonkers, where we had Forty Five Red, paying $7.60. 
     
    We were second with one of our Adios elim choices, as Word Power (5-1) was nipped at the wire to be second to the favorite. We were also second with Always About Katey in one of the Hoosier state-bred finals. 
     
    Aracache Hanover was in a speedball duel in the Battle of Lake Erie and shook off his rival late. However, A Rocknroll Dance benefited from a pocket trip and shook loose to win in a stunning half-mile record. 
     
    The soph- trotting events featured theYonkers Trot elims and Grand Circuit events in New York and Pennsylvania. We had mild success with these. You can read those race reviews in detail if you visit the Hambletonian Society’s special archive page featuring our Hambletonian Trail stories. 
     
    H2W 
     
    $10.80 Pathway Dot Com, Northfield
    $5.60 Middle Aged Crazy, Maywood
    $3.20 Free Girl, Running Aces 
     
    The following are the horses that finished second or third along with their post-time odds. Special notes on those finishes follow.  
     
    Seconds:
    Nash Gram (5-2), Maywood; Ideal Wizard (6-1), Saratoga; Diamond Master (3-1), Pompano; Mchoffman (22-1), Vernon 
     
    Thirds:
    Andoversure (18-1), Meadows; Cracker Stoney (3-1), Buffalo; Money Twitch A (13-1), Saratoga; Gansevoort (27-1), Vernon; Pop My Buttons (6-1), Vernon; Furious Five (29-1), Running Aces 
     
    All adjustments for returnees to the list and additions will be in the Thursday blog. 
     
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
     
    News And Notes

    It’s official, the filly trotter who arguably has the best chance to beat the colts in the Hambletonian since Continentalvictory mauled the males will race in the Hambletonian Oaks against members of her own division. Bee A Magician’s trainer ,Nifty Norman, said he feels the Kadabra filly will be producing more amazing miles but they will not happen in the Hambletonian Stakes.

    Bee A Magician, who won the Delvin Miller Memorial in 1:51, will bypass the $1.2 million Hambletonian on Aug. 3 at the Meadowlands. In the “Miller” on July 13, she trotted the fastest mile in history for a three-year-old filly.

    The $500,000 Hambletonian Oaks is restricted to three-year-old fillies and features eliminations on July 27 followed by the final on Aug. 3. The Hambletonian, open to any three-year-old trotter, will be contested all on one day, with elim heats and the final. It’s the first time since 1996 that the classic race will be conducted in its original format.

    Bee A Magician has won seven of her seen starts this year and earned $505,706. In two seasons so far she has won 17 of 20 races and banked $1.27 million. Readers of this blog may recall Bee A Magician was one of our choice picks to turn into a champion before she began to scourge her division at two.

    Norman said, “We just feel that going two heats against the boys might be too much. You get a day like this where it’s a hundred-odd degrees and it might be too tough … All the owners are on board with it. We have to protect the horse as much as possible. I actually think the fillies might be tougher than the colts but it’s more the two-heats factor than the opposition.

    “If it had been the old format we almost definitely would have tried the [colts],” Norman said. “Her [‘Miller’] performance was obviously her best. Even I was surprised. She’s a good horse but that was phenomenal. I I think we’ll see more of that. She acted like she was a little short after that mile and I think she actually might improve off of that.”

    Last season were not as hot on Betterthancheddar than most bettors at three but he came back looking strong and battle-worthy at five after a productive four-year-old season, suffering early losses with many excuses. Now we will never know how good he would have been as an older pacer since his career is over. Betterthancheddar tore a suspensory on June 29 in the Ben Franklin and connections will be sending him to New Zealand for the coming Southern Hemisphere breeding season.

    Also ending a career on the track is Rockincam, a winner of close to $800,000 in his career. The six-year-old has had his career ended by suspensory and sesamoid injuries.

    Smilin Eli, one of the top contenders for the 2013 Hambletonian, has survived a threat to be left out of the race after concerns over his trainer e that recently surfaced were reportedly resolved.

    New Jersey Racing Commission executive director Frank Zanzuccki told harnessracing.com that an initial investigation regarding Smilin Eli and the identity of his trainer has been completed and the trotter has changed barns to trainer David Smith and been declared eligible to race.

    Deshawn Minor was the listed trainer of Smilin Eli and most of us covering the classic trot stakes considered the colt a top contender. But there were rumors that the real conditioner was Carl Conte, Jr., who has a license to train but not in New Jersey. An investigation led to the discovery on July 12 of Smilin Eli near Cont’'s barn at the unlicensed Dreamland Farm and as a result the trotter was scratched the day before he was scheduled to start in the Stanley Dancer Memorial at the Meadowlands.

    Smilin Eli was placed on the stewards’ list as ineligible to compete as the racing commission investigated the situation. The connections told the commission the trotter was at Dreamland only because his caretaker stopped to pick up a lost cell phone while taking him to be treated in a hyperbaric chamber at Walnridge Farm. Zanzuccki said the commission questioned the validity of that story. It is against commission rules to treat a horse in a hyperbaric chamber that close to a scheduled start.

    Zanzuccki said while the horse has been cleared, the investigation has not been completed. or not a hearing is necessary involving all or some of the parties.”

    Extraordinary Extras

    Indulge in many standardbred topics at my Hoof Beats blog titled Vast Performances.  
     
    Connect to Twitter and follow Frank and Ray Cotolo for up-to-the-minute suggestions on wagers at many harness raceways. Then, wager from your TwinSpires accounts.  
     
    Ray Cotolo contributed to this blog.

     

     

    Cartoons by Thom Pye

  • Cotolo’s Harness Review, News And Notes

    POSTED Jul 13, 2013 By Frank Cotolo

    After Captaintreacherous won the Meadowlands Pace, as we predicted, the fabulous pacing colt’s win price of $3.20 looked gigantic. His total command of the mile was another notch in the belt of a pacer that will rank among the best of all time, including his great sire, Somebeachsomewhere. 
     
    Once again, handicappers tried to make cases for other colts, continuing to deny the superlative performances of the “Captain” and using nothing but blind hope to support their arguments. The Captain took the front and the race was over but before he won he put more distance between him and the rest of the field. Odd On Equuleus was the best of the rest, 3 ¼ lengths behind the winner. 
     
    The Captain heads for the Battle Of Brandywine at Pocono next. Watch our blog for details, including which pacing colts are going to pursue an upset as that scenario continues to be a piece of fiction. 
     
    In the “Haughton” we were third with Sweet Lou but we were right about the loss of last week’s buzzing speedster Warrawee Needy, who lost to Pet Rock. Opening the huge Meadowlands program, a colt we told you was poised for a big win but lost when we gave him out last time, won big. Hurrikane Kingcole raced a huge mile at 9-1 to win. 
     
    The favorites won the New Jersey Sires Stakes finals for the freshmen and I Luv The Nightlife was super winning the Mistletoe Shalee but paid a mere $2.80. 
     
    The soph-colt trotting event featured a surprise scratch. Smilin Eli was taken out of the race. The filly trotters again fell victim to the fabulous Bee A Magician. You can read those race reviews in detail if you visit the Hambletonian Society’s special archive page featuring our Hambletonian Trail stories.
     
    H2W   
     
    $16.40 Spender Hanover, Buffalo
    $15.80 Hammers Cam, Running Aces
    $11.60, Wanna Win, Northfield
    $8.30 Fly High, Saratoga
    $7.50 Manic Hall, Vernon
    $7.20 Wingull, Pompano
    $4.80 Filou Dream, Northfield
    $4.70 Sweet Fancy Moses, Vernon
    $3.40 All Shuttle, Scioto
    $2.60 Ee Bay, Scioto
     
    The following are the horses that finished second or third along with their post-time odds. Special notes on those finishes follow. 
     
    Seconds:
    Pathway Dot Com (7-1), Northfield; Missplacedart (7-2), Meadows; Nanicoke (9-1), Vernon; Brooklyn’s Dagger (4-1), Running Aces 
     
    Thirds:
    Zaine Royal (14-1), Meadows; Big Rock Star (5-2), Meadows; Hallin Cash (5-2), Vernon; Olay Boko (3-5), Vernon; Mchoffman (7-2), Vernon; Place At The Beach (4-1), Running Aces; My Immportal (10-1), Pompano; Diamond Master (4-1), Pompano 
     
    All adjustments for returnees to the list and additions will be in the Thursday blog. 
     
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
     
    News And Notes
     
    Truro Raceway was slated to close July 14 may have an extended life. New plans are in progress to save the Nova Scotia racetrack from the bulldozers. “I feel two-hundred percent better than I did yesterday,” Steve Morton, president of the Nova Scotia Harness Racing Industry and the Truro Harness Horse Owner’s Association, said in a story in the Truro Daily News. You can read the whole story here.  
     
    Batavia Downs is poised to open. The 2013 season gets underway on July 22. Horses may begin arriving on July 16. The first draw of the season will take place on Friday, July 19, which will be for the opening night’s races. The 67th season at America’s oldest lighted harness track features 72 race dates, including six matinees. Evening post time is 6:30 p.m. and matinees tip off at 1:15 p.m.
     
    The historic track, located in Genesee County, N.Y., is having a $27 million facelift which will move and expand the gaming floor to the ground level. The projected opening is Aug. 30. “We’re excited about nearing the completion of phase one of the expansion project,” said William White, VP of Administration. “We have been working closely with Todd [Haight, GM of live racing] to put this facility back together in time for racing. I’m confident both our racing and gaming customers will enjoy the benefits from having both venues on the same level.”
     
    With eight horses entering the $543,000 Maple Leaf Trot on July 20 at Mohawk, no eliminations will be needed for the classic race for Open trotters. Mister Herbie, last year’s champion, will look for back-to-back wins for trainer Jeff Gillis. “Herbie” has earned $1,308,388 along with 17 victories. He has raced just three times this season.
     
    “He’s had a hoof issue,” Gillis said, “which has been well documented so we’re not really as fit as we’d like to be. He’s a good horse and has won after long layoffs before. His hoof issue right now is under control and right now it’s just catching up. He didn’t have a harness on him for two and a half weeks after his last start at the Meadowlands so we’re just getting him fit again.”
     
    A fascinating news report from Arizona regards the strange case of Phoenix Trotting Park in Goodyear, which is practically the middle of the desert. Read the story about what is and will always be a bad idea for a racing facility by clicking here.
     
    Extraordinary Extras
     
    Indulge in many standardbred topics at my Hoof Beats blog titled Vast Performances.  
     
    Every weekend as part of that blog we offer Balmoral Pick-4-and-win picks at the USTA’s Strategic Wagering Program page which includes suggested win bets. 
     
    Connect to Twitter and follow Frank and Ray Cotolo for up-to-the-minute suggestions on wagers at many harness raceways. Then, wager from your TwinSpires accounts.   
     
    Ray Cotolo contributed to this blog.  

     

    Cartoons by Thom Pye