TwinSpires.com Blog

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.      

This weekend hopes for weather less violent as March digs into its place for 2014. At the Meadowlands this Saturday, March 8, we will see the first wave of sophomore pacers in the William Gilmour Memorial Final for $60,500 and three- and four-year-old trotters in the Charles Singer for $53,200. That’s as high as it is getting so far in the features department.

We continue to pick and choose a few specific races from common cards where we hope to keep up with our success of presenting some strongly priced winners. We love the Meadows and we are there again this Friday, March 7, to discuss a few races at length for optimum value wagering.

More horses to watch (H2W) at the Meadows and for overnight events throughout the TwinSpires harness menu are presented exclusively below. This list provides wins, places, shows and exactas every week, featuring contenders that, for the most part, the public dismisses. We have added harness racing’s newest track, Miami Valley, in Ohio and have already resulted in successful plays. Saratoga opens again and is also added. 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.

’Gilmour’ presents

Sophomore pacers that we may not see again down the stakes road are led by the obvious Dinner At The Met in the William Gilmour Memorial Final. Jimmy Takter trains three here, which could upset the betting configuration (program unavailable at press time) but we have to watch for value from National Debt. He is looking for his second win in as many tries and could be the speed of the speed, certainly if he commands his inside post and rates the quarters. Let the price be worth it by your judgment but he could be a strong third choice with “Met” and Capital Account leading the support bank.

’Singer’ On Stage

With Time To Quit perfect with five wins in this Charles Singer series, coming into the final from the inside is going to make you think twice about playing at all. Just behind him, Perfect Alliance is four for four this year and then you have most of the horses they have beaten between them to fill out the field. So, a very light endorsement is handed to Clementine Dream, who is the most competitive past the top two and is bound to be a price from post 8. Trainer Mark Harder also has Ray Hall from post 4 and if they are coupled (no programs available at press time) you need not worry about making a decision.

This week’s overnight offerings:

Meadows
March 7, Race 6

A horse (Goggles Paisano) we chose second in a would-be giant exacta last week, in which we nabbed the 15-1 winner (Pop Cop), surfaces the morning-line (ML) choice stepping down into this conditioned pace. However, another horse, Brown Titan, is here with an unreasonable 12-1 ML and stands the best chance to blow this field away. Hanged for three calls dropping to this level last week, Brown Titan hails from Northfield, where he collected checks in Open company. Those foes were better than these, further strengthening our support for him here. For exotic plays, be sure to use Incredible Dragon, who has shown spark at this level and is sitting on a big mile in his fourth start after a brief rest.

Meadows
March 7, Race 11

This conditioned trot is no conundrum, considering obvious choices are marked with short ML odds and have inside posts that fans love to count on when betting. But on the outside, post 9 (scored on the far outside at the Meadows), RT USS Chilton steps up a slight notch and may overcome a trip scorned by his post and win at a big price. As a legitimate contender, “Chilton” has won two of three, the middle loss of the trio due to breaking stride, mostly. He has a dual style, so if he manages to have to go with the outer flow due to his post, he should be flying in the stretch. Consider, also, that the ML choice is also a stepper-upper with two of three wins but Connie Keeper has post 2, so the inequality is based upon post as well as raw speed data, which is fine to ignore. Use her in exotics, though.

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
3/7/14, +My Roberto R7; +Fox Valley Dylan R7; +Pip’s Jenny G R12; Blessingfromabove R13

Dover
3/9/14, +Devvils Embrance N R9; JRs Midnight Cry R13

Flamboro
3/6/14,; +Northern Triumph R4; +Justabiteveil R9; Strong Hope R11
3/8/14, +Justabiteveil R1; +Lightning Charger R5

Fraser
3/7/14, +Terra True R2; Jack Junior R6; +Last Luck R7; +Yanotherhos R11

Freehold
3/7/14, +Stand Guard R5; +All On My Own R10

Meadows
3/7/14, +Perfect Change R2; +Yosemite Camn R3; +Mccedes R6; D Mac R7; Dew N Doughnuts R10; +Bergerac R10; +Dojea Nodoze R13; +Four Starz Elder R14

Miami Valley
3/7/14, +TM Valley Storm R3
3/8/14, +Woop D Do Bazzle—AE—R1 

Monticello
310/14, Garbarino R8

Saratoga
3/7/14, Real Yankee Fan R3; +Cash Poor R9; +The Northern Dude R10
3/8/14, Sand Summerfield R9

Yonkers
3/7/14; Blacktuxwhitesox R7; Likeabatouttahell R8; Yo Cheyenne Rocky R9


Ray Cotolo contributed to this edition.      

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

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

But we are crossing that bridge as we come to it, continuing this week with specific overnight events and our highly successful horses-to-watch (H2W) list. Wins, places, shows and exactas abound. We have added harness racing’s newest track, Miami Valley, in Ohio. Please note that horses from our featured overnight events the week before appear on the H2W list as second-time members if they did not win when we highlighted their previous race.

This week’s overnight offerings:

Meadows
Feb. 28, Race 3

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

Meadows
Feb. 28, Race 5

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

Flamboro
March 1, Race 2

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

Flamboro
March 1, Race

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


H2W Legend

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

H2W

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

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

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

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

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

Freehold
2/27/14, +Look Siera R1

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

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

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

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


Ray Cotolo contributed to this edition.      

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

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

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

Again this week we analyze specific overnight events with great profit-producing probabilities and we swing at similar common events with less explanation in our highly successful horses-to-watch (H2W) list. Wins, places, shows and exactas abound. We have added harness racing’s newest track, Miama Valley, in Ohio. Please note that horses from our featured overnight events the week before appear on the H2W list as second-time members if they did not win when we highlighted their previous race.

This week’s overnight offerings:

Fraser
Feb. 21, Race 6

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

Fraser
Feb. 21, Race 

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


Dover
Feb. 23, Race 2

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

Dover
Feb. 23, Race 3

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


H2W Legend

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

H2W

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ray Cotolo contributed to this edition.      

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

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

But we have enough activity to keep the steam sizzling; we have specific overnight events with highly probable profit-producing choices, as well as our horses-to-watch (H2W) list includes entries poised to strike again with wins, places, shows and exactas across North America. Please note that horses from our featured overnight events the week before appear on the H2W list as second-time members if they did not win when we highlighted their previous race.

This week’s overnight offerings:

Meadows
Feb. 14, Race 7

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

Meadows
Feb. 14, Race 9

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

H2W Legend

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

H2W

Buffalo
2/13/14; +Schooner Or Later 9; Bagel Man R11

2/14/14; +Ms Luck R9

2/15/14; Sand Savage R8; +Literate Hanover R9

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ray Cotolo contributed to this edition.      

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

In lieu of features, we once again choose specific overnight events with highly probable profit-producing choices. And, of course, there is our horses-to-watch (H2W) list. Please note that horses from our featured overnight events the week before appear on the H2W list as second-time members if they did not win when we highlighted their previous race.

This week’s overnight offerings:

Charlottetown
Feb. 7, Race 4

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

Charlottetown
Feb. 7, Race 8

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

Meadows
Feb. 7, Race 7

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

Meadows
Feb. 7, Race 7

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

H2W Legend

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

H2W

Buffalo
2/6/14; +Diditagain Hanover R2; Mr Terror R10; Schooner Or Later R11.

2/7/14; +Green Olives R2; +Elite R3; Ms Luck R6; +Ricky O Bay R6; +Upfrontoutthedoor R11; Windy City Ron R11; +Literate Hanover—AE—R11.

2/8/14; +Trojan Seelster R5; +Naked News R7.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ray Cotolo contributed to this edition.      

This week, again in the throes of the Polar Vortex (unaware at press time if any of the tracks involved in our choices have cancelled), we cover the aptly titled Blizzard Series Final at Woodbine on Jan. 31. It’s an early season highlight as we roll into February. There is plenty of racing this weekend, however, weather permitting, and regardless of the sports’ world’s focus on the Super Bowl on Sunday.

Our overnight events, specially chosen races, present highly probable profit-producing fields and our horses-to-watch (H2W) list, both which have been productive as 2014 heads for its second month. 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.

’Blizzard’ Conditions

It should come as no surprise that the second leg of this two-leg series for three- and four-year-old filly and mare pacers was raced in a sheet of falling snow so strong that it clouded the call of the races. Now the $34,000 final field leaves the gate at Woodbine on the last night of January, hopefully, as the weather dictates.

The short series has been packed with entries and the first or second favorites have won all but one edition, which was taken by a 4-1 shot. Looking for an outside contender here, however, appears simple. Not one of the choices in all the prelims repeated a victory, so it is possible that one that has been abandoned may be the key. We see that one as Zip Car.

In the second division of leg one Zip Car was sent off a little more than 3-2 and finished second as the public choice. It was a fertile trip as she left, dueled wide, got the top, extended her lead and lost by a mere neck to the second choice at the wire. The next week, in leg two, from post 9 she was sent off at 68-1. She hardly participated in that event and yet she shows up in the final, drawing the outside again. Whatever the strategy her trainer and driver decide to use, she is going to be a factor in this race and the kind of factor that can upset a field that comes to the final with no dominant femme.

Also taking a shot in the final after a few tough trips is Stoneridge Classy. She made a huge brush in the snow, gaining 5 lengths and unable to find the wood afterwards and was MIA with the rest of the group with the snow at the three-quarters. She should play a role in the exotics and is also in a good spot to upset. Together, these two, with forms of success, will storm the toteboard in the Blizzard final.

This week’s overnight offerings:

Northfield
Jan. 31, Race 4

Friskie Pants was active on our H2W list a few back and though he was competitive he didn’t win. However, he comes back to his most successful level of late and goes into the 4 hole while dropping down. He has the kind of speed that can make a front-pacing win possible and he has the ability to sweep and go the distance late. Here he may take the first option and if he makes it we should be looking at a great price.

Northfield
Jan. 31, Race 7

The first two morning-line (ML) choices, coming from posts 1 and 2, will find a challenge from outside-contender Wild Ride. His ML is 15-1 for reasons unexplained to us. This Ontario-bred has made a good home in Ohio and raced lightly towards the end of last year, not doing badly against better horses than this group. Given his probable odds, which may make him the third choice at best, he is the bet here to be on top or close enough to spook the first two choices (certainly the 1 horse), resulting in a firm win price for us.

Meadows
Jan. 31, Race 8

It’s time to play “Beat Palone” again at the Pittsburgh-area track and this is a great race to do it, considering he will be driving the top choice, the ML favorite from post 4, and sucking in the majority of win-mutuel dollars. You may be able to beat the popular driver’s mount with obvious-second-choice D Mac but a better price should be available for Double Dribble. This gelding will go under the betting radar and perform far better than the public allows its chances. You can toss out his sloppy mile dropping into this class and the race before that where he stepped up two levels after winning in the one below this. In other words, he belongs here after his win on Jan. 10 and is positioned to make Palone slayers happy with a great win price. A quick note: Schoolkids, once a viable sophomore in the top level and now eight, is looking for a level to suit him and is, oddly enough, trained by the other Palone, Mike. Don’t hesitate to put this guy in exotics if you are looking for a pumped up price because once he finds a spot he may find it in him to make a few more bucks for his connection before retiring (notice he is a winner of almost $1 million).

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
1/31/14; Cole Diddy R1; Bagel Man R3; R A’s Shakenbake R5; Green Olives R7; Upfrontoutthedoor R7; Del Cielo R8; Diditagain Hanover R11
2/1/14; Trojan Seelster R1; Yorkster R2; Ricky O Bay R4; Sand Savage R7; Naked News R7; Sundowner Bob R8; Elite R9; Literate Hanover R10

Cal Expo
1/31/14, +Perfect Pitch R8; I’m An Athlete R10; Castle Oaks R13
2/1/14, +Hi Ho Hi Ho R6; Skyway King R10; +Melboy R12; +Big Guy Two Win R12; Hot Cowboy R13; Yank My Missle R14

Charlottetown
2/1/14, +Flag Of Honor R1; +Lexis Mandy R3; +Honeymoonisover R4; +Trustmeonemoretime R5; +Artners In Crime R6; +McMaverick R7; +Bakardi Arti R11;+Capitalism R12

Dover
2/3/14, Cowboy Artist R6

Flamboro
2/1/14, +Sullys Guide—AE—R6; Stonebridge Adore R7; Tigraseelster R7; Anahar Chase R9; NJs Trick Pistol R10

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

Northfield
1/31/14, Ciro’s Pride R1; Tallerthanwoody R3; Genuine Star R8; Whitewater Delight R10; Oh Whata Guy R12

Meadows
1/31/14, Amazing Quest R4; SJ’s Hottie Won R5; Eddie Sweat R6; Forever Just R10; Dellie’s Jewel R13

Pompano
2/1/14; + Mc Kelvie R2; +Dreamnwillie R7

Western Fair
1/31/14, +Hazy Lady R2; Arnies Kick Start R4

Yonkers
1/31/14; All Star Dragon R4; The Northern Dude R11
2/1/14; Eighteen R2; Safe Harbor R7; Dinner Guest—AE—R7; Lightning Strike R12.