Showing posts with label foiled Again. Show all posts
Showing posts with label foiled Again. Show all posts

  • Cotolo’s Harness Review, News And Notes

    POSTED Apr 20, 2014 By Frank Cotolo
    Feature-wise, we hammered at Yonkers on Friday with the Matchmaker and were shut out of the “Levy” on Saturday—but not by Foiled Again. His off-the-board loss on April 19 was a big story in the industry but not for bettors. The story for bettors was that Foiled Again lost and lost badly but the winner was a five-cents-to-the-dollar entry. That is insult to injury, considering how difficult it has seemed to beat the stalwart pacer.

    Our victory was predicted perfectly in round two of the Matchmaker, as Monkey On My Wheel won in the short field, paying $29.40 and $8.90 (no show betting). In the first division, the other Casie Coleman-trained mare, Scandalous Hanover, who was our choice, lost at 2-1, suffering a bad outside trip on the half-mile.

    Our three Levy choices were not entirely skunked by favorites. PH Supercam surprised at 9-1 in division one (Sapphire City was fourth, Apprentice Hanover was third—no show wagering); Dancin Yankee won the next split at close to 2-1 (Texican N was third—no show wagering) and in the Foiled Again loss to Easy Again, Malak Uswaad (74-1) was fifth.

    In our Pick-3 and-4 choices at the Meadowlands Friday we had only one second with Wheels ($3.80, $3). Saturday, our pick in the Pocono feature, All Gold (18-1), finished fifth, while our Meadowlands feature picks were fourth (Hobe Sound, 25-1) and eighth (Burkentine Hanover, 70-1).

    TwinSpires and the Hoosier 10-percent Pick-4 Bonus continued and on Apirl 16 we offered a few additions to tickets. Two of the five we suggested were scratched and the others were off the board. Two Hoosier winners on the horses-to-watch (H2W) list below, however, were involved in bonus exotics.

    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

    Shamderock, $48.60, $17.80, $3.80, Pompano
    Stop The Traffic, $13.60, $5.80, $4, Hoosier
    Southern Artie, $6.80, $5.80, $6 [ok] (Exacta $31.20), Rosecroft
    Jammin Joshua, $4.20, $3.40, $2.10, Hoosier
    Blue Note, $4, $2.60, $2.10, Cal Expo
    Sundowner Bob, $4, $3.40, $2.60, Vernon
    The Midnight Owl N, $3.60, $2.40, $2.10, Freehold
    Frontgear, $3.40, $2.80, $2.40, Hazel

    Seconds

    Roy Orbisong, $25, $9, Scarborough
    Damon Blue Chip, $13.80, $10.60, Pocono
    I Can Feel It, $8.60, $4.40, Cal Expo
    Bettor Be Genuine, $6.80, $4.20, Saratoga
    Somethingtobehold, $6.40, $3.90, Buffalo
    Restless Yankee, $5, $2.80 (Exacta $36.40), Vernon
    Versado, $3, $2.70, Yonkers

    Thirds

    Whiskey Bernie, $8.20, Cal Expo
    Gonna Rock N Roll, $7, Pocono
    Pass The Deck, $6.80, Freehold
    Caerleon Hanover, $4.60, Pocono
    Seagram, $4.40, Yonkers
    Alligator Falls, $2.80, Hoosier
    Palm Beach Boy, $2.10, Freehold

    News And Notes

    More well-known horses were prepping at the Meadowlands in qualifiers over the past weekend, with the star of the show Arch Madness returning from a long hiatus. The veteran trotter from the Trond Smedshammer barn, raced against some other familiar, though younger trotters, Corky and Archangel. Arch Madness left them in the dust, winning by several lengths in 1:53.3. “The buzz among the observers was that he looks as good or better than he has in the past few seasons,” said our source at the morning trials.

    Conditioners Tony Alagna, Jimmy Takter and Linda Toscano were present and Linda had her stable star Market Share on the track for a successful workout sans minus trotting hobbles to freshen for a trip to Sweden to race in the Elitlopp. Takter’s 2013 Breeders Crown frosh-filly pace winner Uffizi Hanover made her first appearance with a 1:54.4 tune up. Takter’s lightly raced Gettingreadytoroll won in 1:53.3. Late to the races at two, Gettingreadytoroll has a single money start, a win in 1:54.2 at Pocono.

    All Bets Off “looked sharp” in his second prep for the Ron Burke stable. The Matron winner in 1:52.4. Burke’s Governor’s Cup winner JK Endofanera won his qualifier in 1:52.4 over Ideal Cowboy and Somewhere Fancy in another key prep for this group. Odds On Equuleus returned to the races after a disappointing sophomore campaign. See And Ski and OK Commander finished across the track together in 1:52.

    It will be six months before we see driver Andy Miller back in the sulky after a frightening accident at Yonkers last week. Miller, driving Marmara Denizi, trained by his brother, Erv, was in the back of the field when unseated during the first race. Also unseated was George Brennan, driving In The Clear, who appeared to step on the wheel of a first-up Fiftyshadesofhay. In The Clear went down. Brennan got up and resumed his drives for the card. According to Miller’s wife, Julie, as well as trainer Scott DiDomenico, Miller broke a pair of lumbar vertebrae in his back. He had surgery and will miss chances to participate in some of the sport’s biggest events of 2014.

    In less than three weeks, Bee A Magician, 2013 Horse of the Year, will be back to races at four. Trainer Richard Norman confirmed that the Kadabra daughter will be qualifying the first week of May. “There are no health problems,” said Norman, “and I’m very pleased with her … It’s amazing but she finished up last year as good as she started. She hit her knee in the first start back but other than that she weathered the storm pretty well.” The plan is to launch her season in the Miss Versatility at Mohawk and then roll right into the Armbro Flight. Last season Bee A Magician won all 17 starts against the same foes in her division. She was discovered on this blog at two. The winner of $2.2 million lifetime did not get our vote for the best of ’13; we went with Captaintreacherous.

    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

  • More Profit Hunting In Yonkers’ Series

    POSTED Apr 9, 2014 By Frank Cotolo
    Here we go again with Yonkers Raceway’s George Morton Levy Memorial and Blue Chip Matchmaker pacing series. It’s round four this weekend. The ‘Levy’ and Matchmaker divisions, as we wrote in our review blog, have been tough to win with the kinds of prices we are used to getting but we have managed to adapt to the uneven flow of prices due to having so many horses coupled. We have managed to squeeze some decent prices out of these fields, especially when place and/or show betting is allowed and even when place isn’t allowed, by hitting exactas with the favorites that pay reasonably.

    So, we go at it again, trying to overcome the adversity presented by the Levy fields and scores of bettors content to cash tickets worth anything. We still feel there are some serious contenders aboard for the series and there is no reason not to zero in on their chances to pay in spades should any win.

    At the Meadowlands again this Friday, we engage in the Pick 3 that is inclusive with the Early Pick 4 and offer contenders for the difficult multi-exotics. Please consider these horses for your combo ticket and for win, place and show (last week we hit two winners that paid off well across-the-board.

    Until Nov. 18, Hoosier Park is the place to play for TwinSpires Pick-4 bonus bets. The bonus feature includes every Pick 4 on every Hoosier program. We will be adding Hoosier to our horses to watch (H2W) list and suggesting horses during the week on Twitter @FrankCotolo and @TwinSpires. Click here for details.

    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.


    Leveling Levys

    Yonkers Raceway presents three divisions of Levy’s fourth-round on Saturday, April 12 and we are excavating for value despite the adversities presented in these four-turn battles.

    In division one the value problem goes deeper than usual, with a field of seven reduced to five betting entities due to Ron Burke having a trio going for him. If you want to go outside of the entry to win and keep it as a key for exotics, use Keystone Velocity. Although he comes from the 7 hole here, last week, in only his fourth race of the season, he made up about 10 lengths to finish fourth at 75-1. It’s an upset depending on any number of situations but worth a shot considering the others outside of the entry.

    Division two also houses a three-pronged Burke team. The best of the rest from last week is our choice last week, Versado. He closed 8 lengths in his trip to finish fourth at 48-1. With eight starts in 2014 he has finished second five times. Again, he is worth backing as an upset and a good second to the Burke brigade in exotics.

    Finally, we face the mighty Foiled Again, the most prolific earner in the sport’s history; something few to none of his supporters at the windows can say assisted in their success. To add insult to injury, Burke’s other contestant is Bettor’s Edge, who is in his best form so far this season. His efforts in this series have even been bettor than those of Foiled Again, considering his moves during the miles. If you intend to key the Burke duo, use Dancin Yankee and Texican N behind them but if neither of those win, don’t expect to need Pinkertons to escort you home after you collect.

    Matchmaker Mares

    Friday, April 11, there are three divisions in the fourth round of the Matchmaker series. Unfortunately, two of the three mares that had impressive trips last week appear in the first division this week and the other is missing. There are three short fields this week.
    In division one the outsider, again, should be Fashion Mystery. We nailed her for second in round two at an astounding 44-1, catching the triple, too (Ramalama, here in post 2) each exotic paying quite well compared to the series’ payoff history thus far. She is in post 5 of six in division one and should be a strong player.

    We loved the way Bettor B Lucky used the final quarter last week in a two-move effort that got her home fourth but she comes along with the other Ron Burke property, Charisma Hanover. That one has had few excuses for losing twice already but as an entry she and “Bettor” may reduce the value element of this race. Fashion Mystery may still offer a decent price to win and for an exacta due to the unknown element here, the first Matchmaker appearance of Monkey On My Wheel.

    ”Monkey” has been very competitive up north, is a wild card in any race and won an overnight here last week. We can only leave her out of the contest here, considering she is up against stronger content than last week and may be the ruin in a speed duel, which favors our choices.

    Division two features one Burke horse, so with no coupled entries we can shoot for a well-deserved upset, if we can beat Anndrovette. Angels Delight will be the second choice and can beat “Ann,” but we want the entity least likely to grab the public’s attention in a rare seven-horse Matchmaker field.

    Our support, therefore, will go to Let’s Go Higher. She was weighed with post 8 last week and began 11 lengths out of it. She finished a mere 4 ¾ lengths behind Yagonnakissmeornot, who won by 2 over Angels Delight. From post 7 “Higher” needs to get a stronger position mid-field early and use her one burst to take advantage of what may be a burning duel.

    Division three brings together six strongly competitive mares. This is a tight event to call and it may go to a low-priced overlay if bettors lean on a single mare. We can hope wagering centers upon Yagonnakissmeornot, who won here last week and the betting will be softer for Somwherovraraibow. But the latter is three for three this week, a buzz mare and her speed badge will impress bettors. With those two on the outside, then, we may have a shot with a decent price from Summertime Lea from post 1. Judge the price for yourself but as a third choice she should be worth support.

    Pickin’ In Jersey 

    The Meadowlands Early Pick 4 (April 11, $30,000 guaranteed pool, 15-percent take), tails off into the Pick 3 with its second leg. Here are some suggested contenders for the multi-race exotics, as well as they are sound across-the-board competitors.

    Early Pick 4 (Races 3 through 6)
    R3—use 7 Special Command
    Pick 3, (Races 4, 5 & 6)
    R4—use 3 Miss Machqueen, 7 Day To Ponder
    R5—use 6 C-O-To Bluegrass, 7 Lindy Mcdreamy
    R6—use 8 Hobe Sound

    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
    4/11/14, +Jimmi’s Fantasy N R9; +Sleigh Belle R11
    4/12/14, Western Tower R9

    Freehold
    4/12/14, +Screen The Call R9; +Royal Todd R11 

    Hoosier
    4/10/14, Alligator Falls R1
    4/12/14, Stop The Traffic R7; Jammin Joshua R11

    Meadowlands
    4/11/14, +Cult Status R7

    Meadows
    4/11/14, Spicey Victor R13; +JJ Gladiator R14

    Miami Valley
    4/10/14, Xtra Perfect R5

    Pocono
    4/12/14, +Banker Volo R3; Bagel Man R4; +Desperation R8; +Trys Little Prince R8

    Pompano
    4/5/14, +Mystical Muscles R4

    Rosecroft
    4/12/14, +Chepachet R12

    Saratoga
    4/10/14, +Muncie R6
    4/11/14, Sarkozy R12

    Scarborough
    4/12/14, +Southwind Missouri R4

    Vernon
    4/12/14, Unicorn Hanover R7; Sundowner Bob R8

    Yonkers
    4/11/14, +Mctaylor R7

    Ray Cotolo contributed to each Thursday edition.      

  • ‘Levy’ Legs Continue In Lingering Cold

    POSTED Mar 26, 2014 By Frank Cotolo
    Spring may be having a slight problem progressing to its natural state of warming temperatures but that isn’t stopping the season’s most exciting early season series from moving into its second of six episodes. Yonkers Raceway’s the George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series and the Blue Chip Matchmaker is once again featured this weekend. The ‘Levy’ and Matchmaker march through the last weekend in March on Saturday and Friday, respectively.

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

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

    ’Levy’ Continued

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


    Matchmaker Mares

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Meadowlands Moments

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

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

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

    H2W Legend

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

    H2W

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

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

    Dover
    3/30/14, +Chipoffablueblock R13

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Yonkers
    3/27/14, Mystical Diva R10

    Ray Cotolo contributed to each Thursday edition.      

  • Cotolo’s Harness Review, News And Notes

    POSTED Mar 9, 2014 By Frank Cotolo

    We have no excuses for a poor weekend in the winners’ department. Our overnight features did not produce and neither did our attempts to beat favorites at the Meadowlands’ highlighted affairs. In fact, the winner we offered in the William Gilmour Final turned into a massive favorite.

    The horses-to-watch (H2W) list results are below, not looking as impressive as they have over the past few weeks for a major reason. Last Thursday’s offerings were slim. Many of the horses expected to thrive did not race, leaving the list rather limp. A few tracks, like Buffalo, Miami Valley and Monticello, presented slim-to-none H2W members. Still, the list presents some successes. Don’t let this discourage you, we endorse the great across-the-board and exotic plays you can find through the H2W exclusively for your TwinSpires harness bankroll. One poor week did not stain our season, which has already produced many top-prices horses.

    Also last week, did not rise to the occasion of Buffalo Raceway’s TwinSpires bonus Pick 4. For the first time in over a month we went winless, offering only one third and two seconds in six suggested contenders.

    Remember that every Wednesday night TwinSpires’ 10-percent-bonus Buffalo Raceway 50-cent Pick 4 wagers continue. We assist with suggestions for your ticket via Twitter -- @FrankCotolo, @TwinSpires and @BuffaloRaceway and have delivered some major contributions to the winning combinations.

    The surprise favorite in the “Gilmour” final was National Debt. We underestimated the public’s eye on this unbeaten colt. He won and paid $2.80, $2.10, $2.10 (ok). In the Charles Singer Final we ran out of the money with Clementine Dream at 43-1.

    In our overnight features at the Meadows, our second choice, another overwhelming public choice, Connie Keeper, won ($2.20, $2.20 [ok], $2.10) while our first choice, RT USS Chilton finished seventh at 15-1. In the second chosen overnight Brown Titan finished sixth at 8-1 and second-choice Incredible Dragon was fourth at 17-1. Failed choices from our previous week’s overnight features appear for the second time in the H2W list. 

    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

    Blessingfromabove, $8.60, $4.40, $2.80, Cal Expo
    Dew N Doughnuts, $7.80, $5.80, $3.80, Meadows
    Yo Cheyenne Rocky, $4.40, $3.10, $3.40 ok, Yonkers
    Strong Hope, $4, $3.10, $2.30, Flamboro

    Seconds

    Cash Poor, $5.10, $3.90 (Exacta $14), Saratoga
    Stand Guard, $4.40, $2.80 (Exacta, $13.40), Freehold
    Four Starz Elder, $4, $2.80, Meadows
     All On My Own, $3.60, $2.20, Freehold
    Garbarino, $3.30, $3.80 ok, Monticello
    Mccedes, $3, $2.60, Meadows
    Real Yankee Fan, $2.30, $2.30 ok, Saratoga

    Thirds

    D Mac, $5.20, Meadows
    The Northern Dude, $2.30, Saratoga
    Lightning Charger, $2.10, Flamboro

    News And Notes

    A 16-month contract with the Illinois Harness Horsemen’s Association allows Maywood and Balmoral parks to hold racing again. The opening of the 2014 racing season will take place on March 14 at Maywood. Balmoral’s opening weekend starts March 15. Post time at both tracks will be 7:10 p.m. (CDT). In a slight departure from its usual racing schedule, Balmoral will be dark on two Wednesdays, March 19 and March 26 before continuing with its usual Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday racing schedule. Maywood will race on Thursdays and Fridays as usual.

    The rugged Foiled Again made his 2014 bow for the Ron Burke barn in a qualifier at the Meadowlands and showed no ware for the worn as he defeated Bettor’s Edge in 1:53. Also returning with a sharp prep for Team Burke was Charisma Hanover in a 1:53.2 romp over 2013 Breeders Crown-winner Shelliscape. Summertime Lea is another four-year-old mare making her 2014 debut for Burke and she finished strongly to win in 1:52.3. And Burke’s Sweet Lou is back for a five-year-old campaign and qualified with a win in 1:52.1 mile with a 26.4 final panel under no Matt Kakaley urging.

    Buffalo Raceway has added Thursday, March 27 to its racing schedule. The race card gets underway at 5 p.m. Racing at Buffalo continues throughout March on Wednesday and Thursday with a 5 p.m. post and Saturda,y which starts at 6:40 p.m. Racing in April will take place Wednesdays at 5 p.m. and 6:40 on Fridays and Saturdays at 6:40 p.m.

    The winter rehabilitation for Hambletonian-winner Royalty For Life is reportedly older. The four-year-old trotter will work out of the Massachusetts stable of George Ducharme after recuperating from surgery. “He is supposed come April 1 when I'll be moving the stable to Vernon Downs,” said Ducharme. “Royalty” underwent surgery to remove a bone chip from a knee last fall. Surgeons said the operation went perfectly and the horse’s prospects to race again are great. Royalty was scratched from the Breeders Crown Final after finishing fourth in his elim on Oct. 12, which turned out to be his final start of the year.

    At Dover, reports track publicist Marv Bachrad, horses with long winning streaks dot the daily track race programs. Among them is Manhattan Rusty N, who currently, is king of the claimers, winning five straight. He was claimed for the third time in four races, this time for $30,000. Ideal American stretched his win streak to four, Fire In The Belly also is on a four-win skein and Spinfiniti has a three win-streak. The TwinSpires harness blog suggestion is to for these horses and wager against them with legitimate contenders because the streaking winners will be hugely over bet.

    A list of 77 sophomore pacing colts have been nominated to the 31st edition of the Pepsi North America Cup. Headlining this year's group of nominees is the Dan Patch Award winner and undefeated Hes Watching, who set two world records last season along with six track records for trainer and co-owner David Menary. Though the colt had a frosh mark of 1:50 and $291,722 in earnings, he didn’t defeat any top 2013 frosh-colt pacers as his top performance in stakes races were in New York Sires Stakes. Arthur Blue Chip, on the other hand, banked $400,120 last season (and we supported him here when he paid the most for his frosh winning efforts) for trainer Dr. Ian Moore. Luck Be Withyou, the 2013 Breeders Crown champion, is on the list. He won five of 11 tries last year for trainer Bill Cass and won $363,000. Last year's Metro Pace winner Boomboom Ballykeel (a TwinSpires harness blog selection paying $23) and the undefeated National Debt are also on the list.

    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

  • Cotolo’s Harness Review, News And Notes

    POSTED Dec 1, 2013 By Frank Cotolo

    There were not many surprises on the last big stakes program for harness racing this year, held on the Meadowlands’ second week of the current meet, which was also week two of its grand opening with a new facility and reversed racetrack. But we were on top of the only true outsider win, which took place in the Final Four fall finals.

    Our choice in the Valley Victory, Muscles Network, won and paid $17. That wasn’t all we offered in the stakes race, since we nailed the exacta with Nuncio at $42.20 and the triple with Southwind Spirit third, paying $107.60.

    Though she won the Goldsmith Maid and we did not attempt to beat her, Shake It Cerry paid only $2.10, $2.10, no show betting).

    Three other events found us second, with Arthur Blue Chip ($3.20, $3.20) in the Governor’s Cup, Act Now ($6.40, $3.40) in the Three Diamonds, and Ma Chere Hall ($2.80, no show betting) in the Moni Maker.

    Captaintreacherous did not fare well against the older pacers, finishing sixth to Foiled Again (pictured above from Meadowlands). Modern Legend, our other outsider possibility, ended his bid one spot in front of the great sophomore. Arch Madness was fourth in the FFA trot, won by the top choice, Market Share, who we chose behind him (no credit for us), paying $4.60 .

    Sunshine Beach, the huge choice at Dover on Dec. 1, won the Progress Pace ahead of a 78-1 shot, with our choice, Dedi’s Dragon, third.

    The horses-to-watch (H2W) list last week was abbreviated due to the Thanksgiving holiday and a large number of horses that were poised to take their second shot on the list unavailable to race. This left us without horses at our usually covered tracks, including the Meadows, Batavia, Freehold and Pompano. Also, Pocono closed, leaving many of the Pennsylvania stock heading for Philadelphia in the coming weeks.

    With the stakes season over, our year-ending blogs will consist of more tracks covered on the H2W list, as well as some feature races around North America at various raceways. In other words, there is plenty of action left in 2013, so keep those TwinSpires accounts ready to take advantage of the overnight parade of potential winners we will concentrate on presenting.

    H2W RESULTS
    The H2W results list across-the-board prices.

    Seconds

    Power Everywhere, $5.60, $3.60, Northfield
    Bette Davis Eyes, $3, $2.40, Cal Expo
    Van Donk, $2.20, $2.10, Cal Expo

    Thirds

    King Cat Anvil N, $6.20, Saratoga
    Racketeer, $4.70, Saratoga

    News And Notes

    Dover Downs’ defending driver champion, Corey Callahan, came up with his biggest night of the meet driving seven winners on Nov.26. He also had six losers on the night, two of them favorites, one at 5-2 and the others promising double digits. The flat-bet profit on Corey for the program was $14. However, that was due to one horse winning that paid $16.20. The other six winners for Corey paid $2.80 to $6.80. Once again, a leading driver at a track only makes a profit due to an anomaly.

    Further evidence of a lack in importance of specific driver participation in betting took place at the new Meadowlands on Nov. 29. John Campbell won four of 10 mounts with a high price of $18.80. He was a flat-bet investment of $20. His other winners’ prices helped produce a profit of  $18.80, the anomaly of the quartet.

    As well, Billy Dobson had six wins at Saratoga on Nov. 27 for a flat-bet profit of $16.60 with a $22 investment. Dobson had to have two winners at $10 each to accomplish less than Campbell earned with one less mount.

    Great drivers’ news is that Cat Manzi returned to the bike after recuperating from a bad accident at Freehold in September. He won his fifth drive back at Freehold and donated the day’s earnings to a fund for Anthony Coletta, who is still in a coma from an accident at Philadelphia.

    Foiled Again’s victory on Nov. 30 gave his lifetime earnings a lift. The nine-year-old stalwart has won $6,030,968. He maintains his status as the richest pacer of all time. Trainer Ron Burke said his pacer will be “shut down until the middle of January and then start coming back [as a 10-year-old]. He doesn’t get long rests. He races a lot. So basically it will be the same path as the last couple of years.”

    After the win, the buzz for Foiled Again’s final 2013 achievement, which would be to win the Horse of the Year ballot, was loud and clear. Even though Bee A Magician won her 17th-straight race as a sophomore and because Captaintreacherous’ loss against Foiled Again will not help him get any more votes, Foiled Again went right to the top as the favorite to win the coveted title.

    We will report on the voting (in which we participate) but as we have done at this corner for years we will be reporting on our own horse of the year, based on the prices winners have been treated to through our blogs over the past 12 months. Don’t miss one edition of our twice-weekly TwinSpires harness blog, the exclusive and only blog for harness racing bettors.

    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

  • Season’s Superstars Storm Through Meadowlands, Dover

    POSTED Nov 27, 2013 By Frank Cotolo


    The new Meadowlands opened amid the season’s first wintry mix. For a few of the first races of the refurbished racetrack, pacers wallowed through snow and rain. As the track’s second weekend of the landmark meet approaches, a gargantuan storm travels up the East Coast but hopefully will have no affect on the Nov. 30 program. The snow, ice and rain may be history by the time Captaintreacherous and Bee A Magician attempt to make their own marks. The former takes on older pacers and the later goes for a perfect season of 17 wins.

    On Sunday, glamour-boy pacers are the highlight at Dover Downs in the Progress Pace, which wraps up the stakes season on the first day of the last month of the year.

    Generational Conflict

    The contest of which every harness bettor and fan dreamed will be a center point of the Meadowlands’ $3.4-million program Saturday night as Captaintreacherous, the champion soph-colt pacer, faces stalwart older horses in the three-year-old-and-up Free For All worth $512,000.

    Captaintreacherous will start from post 8 against nine of the best free-for-all pacers in the country, including Foiled Again and Pet Rock, who have set up their own rivalry all season.  The stakes are high for the 10 pacers, so aggressive driving with horses taking no mercy on one another is likely. That said, there are two scenarios possible, one where the youngster prevails and one where older wins.

    Starting with the youngster scenario, the only way Captaintreacherous can win the race is with a pocket ride. Whether it is directly behind the leader or racing close early, a great amount of speed in the first quarters will surely benefit a winning journey.

    This speed scenario will likely be set by Golden Receiver, who always works for the front, Bolt The Duer, who takes no prisoners when gunning for the front, and Sweet Lou, who has recently found a forte racing on top. What makes this speed scenario more extreme is that “Bolt” drew post 10, where speed is necessary early to be put into the race. A lead-killing first quarter will set the fire for anyone in close proximity to the lead, which if Captaintreacherous wants to win, he’ll need to be placed.

    The other scenario too involves dying speed, but will not go to Foiled Again or Pet Rock. All year, Modern Legend has come close to winning, but with this being the final major race of the season, it will be all-things go for everyone. Since Modern Legend races off the pace, as well as draws well, a fast pace would just benefit his closing talent and give him the win he deserves against this group.

    In the $500,000 Free For All with the older trotters, Wishing Stone will look to repeat his outsider victory in the prep. But Market Share will be bet heavily again and will have more to say about which horse tries to steal the race on top. We liked how Arch Madness stayed close to the leader last week and finished second effortlessly. He may be a bit more aggressive late this time and be able to save ground for the big push, edging out Market Share at a price.

    Final Four For Froshes

    A quartet of stakes for two-year-olds of both sexes and both gaits, are also on the Meadowlands program. In no particular order, here is our analysis of each.

    Frosh-colt trotters, some of them next year’s Hambletonian hopefuls, line up for the $494,750 Valley Victory. The top hopeful, Father Patrick, has already tossed in his horseshoes for this season, which may be judged as charity considering how he dominated all of the members of this mile.
    Nuncio, who finally satisfied our status appointment as second best in the late season (we endorsed him in both Breeders Crown races with “Patrick” after supporting his talent most of the year), comes off a sweep of the division in Matrons and faces most of those he has already defeated. He will be the top choice—that bet is a lock. But can he be beaten here?

    Muscle Network may go undetected as a decent contender, hiking his odds to overlay status. He is back after a difficult “Crown,” breaking in the prep and going a rough trip in the final. But he was on his game before that for trainer Jonas Czernyson, a productive conditioner. With Southwind Spirit probably settling as the second choice, “Network” could be a high third or fourth choice, a worthy wager at those levels.

    The frosh-filly trotters untie for the $456,150 Goldsmith Maid. The short field may be hopelessly struggling for a way to defeat Shake It Cerry. Other than a major misstep by “Cerry,” the quintet against her needs divine intervention to win. Though the obvious exacta partner would be Scream And Shout, you could look for a better price with the chances of Sweetie Hearts, who comes with a good resume from a strong fall series in Canada.

    First-season filly pacers make up the $394,950 Three Diamonds. What is left of this scruffy division produces a competitive field. Act Now is the one that gets our attention. Her Crown efforts were strong, with a bad trip in the arguably tight final (finishing ninth) and a third in the elim. She won a Kentuckiana stake at Hoosier among stiff rivals, one of three she won in eight starts. She is fresh and probably will offer a decent price against the probable choice, Ali Blue

    The richest of the finals is the $534,500 Governor’s Cup, showcasing the sport’s top young boy pacers. The final has become an open betting affair, due to the scratch of Somestarsomewhere early this week, provoked when the Ron Burke trainee pulled a curb while training. Burke reported this injury as “minor” and that it will not affect his colt’s three-year-old season.

    With the public’s choice currently on the fence, the 2013 Governor’s Cup has become a true bettors’ event. Many freshmen are coming into it in top form, such as So Surreal, Jk Endofanera and Stevensville. The division’s favorite early this season, Arthur Blue Chip–we had him before he caught on, when he paid well (Metro elim), seeks redemption off of a bad trip in the Crown. We like his chances.

    Improving with two qualifiers at the Meadowlands, the speedy son of Shadow Play is making the first major appearance of his career, having scratched out of the Metro Final and not making the Crown final. Looking back to the Crown, he was parked the mile, setting fractions of :53.4 and 1:22.2 in a battle against Luck Be Withyou. The colt showed that he doesn’t need to race on the lead in his most recent qualifier, which will likely be a winning position with the tremendous amount of speed these guys offer.

    Soph Fillies On Fire

    Bad news came early this week as I Luv The Nitelife was scratched from another Nov. 30 feature, the $167,500 Nadia Lobell. Suffering an undisclosed injury that demands surgery and threatens to end her career, the super filly and domineering damsel of this division won’t be the main problem of the stake’s field. However, what was one big problem becomes, in its absence, a myriad of problems, as chances to win spread out among the cast.

    That opinion is not shared by many, as the three obvious choices, Charisma Hanover, Shebestingin and Somwhereovrarainbow will contest the favorite’s spot, according to all handicappers. But this is not a match race between those three. In fact, the presence of all three could conspire into the perfect storm for an upset. For instance, Jerseylicious has competed against the top of the line sophs all season but has not had a chance to pace late at a lot of speed. That speed should be present as the top three may shuffle the fractions before the final turn. That may give Jerseylicious the opportunity she needs. One thing is certain, she will be a high-priced fourth choice at best, an overlay no matter how you cut the mile or evaluate the field.

    Bee A Magician hopes to race similarly to all of her 16 starts this year and win as easily in the $253,000 Moni Maker for glamour-girl trotters. This, above all of those 16 races, however, could be the one that allows us to bet against the queen of ’13.

    Which scenario could manufacture the filly’s first loss of the season? The possibilities exclude a break; only a severe trip problem could make the difference of a nose at the finish line. That is the fun bet—not the heavy one—to make, which has some potential to turn a virtual exhibition race into a contest.

    Parking “Bee” is possible from four gals: Ma Chere Hall, Andie Sophia, Little Bitty Lies, Time To Kill and Mistery Woman. The only chances this quartet has center around major speed challenges or building a wall that forces Bee wide more than once in the mile. Time To Kill may fire for control, as will “Lies,” the cheapest of the lot, and Andie Sophia could try to take over or thicken the outer flow along with Mistery Woman by the half. If Bee is not in command by the half there may be hope for an upset from “Chere,” who could get the best ground-saving trip from the outside scenario.

    Progress Report

    Dover’s signature race, the $284,160 Progress Pace, is set for this Sunday, Dec. 1. Morning-line favorite Sunshine Beach will seek redemption in the sophomore final after losing to last year’s two-year-old colt pace Matron winner Twilight Bonfire in the elim.
    The other scenario also involves fading speed but may not go to Foiled Again or Pet Rock if they attack one another dearly. All year, Modern Legend has come close to winning but with this being the final major race of the season it will be all-things go for everyone. Since Modern Legend races off the pace, as well as draws well, a fast pace would just benefit his closing talent and give him the win he deserves against this group.
     
    Dedi’s Dragon’s main accomplishment this season was defeating Captaintreacherous, a near impossible feat by a colt with his record. In the Progress preview he got away 13 lengths off the lead, entered the two wide flow by being placed third over and closed to finish third through moderate fractions. He will start from the rail this week, which should allow him to be placed a bit closer to the lead. With faster fractions likely in the final, the race should set up for the Burke trainee. 

    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
    11/29/13, +Skyway King R6; +Bette Davis Eyes R12  
    11/30/13, +Van Donk R7
     
    Freehold
    11/22/13, +Makemywishcometrue R10  
    11/23/13, +Bettorific R7

    Maywood
    11/29/13, +Speed Minister R2 

    Northfield
    11/29/13, Hot Mandy R1; +Sporty Callie R2; +Gee Up R2; +Carmelita’s Girl R3; +Power Everywhere R8; +REO Speeddragon R10; +Truffle Shuffle R11
    11/30/13, +Lost Photo R1; +Basilio Blue Chip R7; +Point Standing R13
     
    Philadelphia
    11/29/13, Carlena Hanover R10
     
    Saratoga
    11/29/13, +Hi Edith R2; +Delightfuldanielle R4  
    11/30/13, +Racketeer R3; King Cat Anvil N R4; +Spencer B R13
     
    Cartoon by Thom Pye
     
     
    Ray Cotolo contributed to this edition.


  • Meadowlands hosts single ‘Pace’ elim atop full weekend menu

    POSTED Jul 3, 2013 By Frank Cotolo

    Captaintreacherous, the bravado glamour-boy pacer, won’t be in the Meadowlands Pace eliminations this Saturday, July 6. The Meadowlands will, however, be the highlight of the weekend in the standardbred world with elims for the major event’s final next week, as well as two for older pacers going for the William Haughton Memorial championship.

    The soph-colt-and-filly trotting events (Hudson Filly Trot at Yonkers, Reynolds Stakes at the Meadowlands and Pennsylvania All Stars) on the Hambletonian Trail are analyzed on the exclusive blog. 

    Our exclusive harness horses to watch (H2W) list from tracks around North America is short but sweet, presenting horses you need to take seriously at tracks around North America.

    TwinSpires offers special bonuses for Hoosier Park throughout the harness meet. Check out the Hoosier details here. 

    Meadowlands Pace Elim Examination 

    After a hard, well-earned, courageous win the Max C. Hempt Memorial last weekend at Pcono, Captaintreacherous will not have to earn his way into the final field of the Meadowlands Pace by racing in an elimination. He is one of three horses to receive a bye (he is exempt from qualifying for the July 13 final) based on seasonal earnings. 

    When a total of 13 horses entered the race, a single 10-horse elimination was all that was needed and it will be held Saturday night, July 6 at the Meadowlands. The top seven finishers join Captaintreacherous, Wake Up Peter and Twilight Bonfire in the final. 

    Here is the elimination field in post-position order:
    Someplace Special, Johny Rock, Sir Cary’s Z Tam, Sir Richard Z Tam, Sunshine Beach, Resistance Futile, Lonewolf Currier, Rockin Amadeus, Beach Memories and Odds On Equuleus.

    We have to endorse Johny Rock, who finds a shot here to become first-tier divisional material. His “Hempt” elim was a fine race but he could not handle, as most could not, the final field. The “Pace,” now a $600,000-and-change race, presents some horses that do not seem to be as sharp as he has been against some tougher groups.

    Captaintreacherous’ trainer, Tony Alagna, said he was hoping for this scenario when he decided to skip the Somebeachsomewhere Stakes in Canada and focus on the North America Cup, Hempt and Meadowlands Pace. He won four races, elims and finals, of the first two and, undefeated in five starts at three, he has $808,293 in earnings. 

    “When we decided to go to the Hempt,” Alagna told Ken Weingartner of the USTA, “we thought it was possible the Meadowlands Pace could have only the one elimination and we would get a bye. Everything has just been falling into place … I have all the faith in the world in him – I know what kind of horse he is. He even impressed me and I’m not easily impressed. But that was a monster trip [he used to win the Hempt] … He came out of the race super; excellent.” 

    Captaintreacherous is the defending Pacer of the Year, winning that title as a two-year-old. He has won 13 of 15 races and earned $1.72 million for the ownership group known as Captaintreacherous Racing. 

    Alagna, who also trains bye-taking Wake Up Peter, winless in six races this year but still having earned $156,225 thanks to third-place finishes in the North America Cup and New Jersey Sire Stakes championship. Wake Up Peter will qualify on July 6 at the Meadowlands to prep for the Meadowlands Pace final while Captaintreacherous will relax. 

    Twilight Bonfire, the other bye-earner, has a win in four starts this year and finished second in the North America Cup. He has earned $304,336 this season for trainer Danny Collins, and was the striking longshot to finish second to the “Captain” in the “Cup.” He will race in a $30,000 Invitational at Scioto on July 6 (see H2W below). 

    Big Pacers 

    The older pacers are at it again, this time in two elimination divisions to get into the field of the William R. Haughton Memorial (WHM). The top five finishers from each elim will advance to the July 13 final.  

    The first division presents the return of hot-and-rich Foiled Again, who woke up two races ago after a few disturbing performances. Last week Foiled Again won the $500,000 Ben Franklin Pace at Pocono over his usual foes and became the first pacer in harness racing history to reach the $5-million earning mark.  

    Also in this split is Golden Receiver, who has been terrible lately with no excuses from his connections or performances. Though some are saying he is a “cold-weather horse,” the claim is unfounded in his history. He returns to his favorite oval and still deserves attention. 

    Warrawee Needy, A Rocknroll Dance, Sapphire City, Hugadragon, Heston Blue Chip, Razzle Dazzle and Our Lucky Chip round out the elim field. Heston Blue Chip has come back at four stronger and able to match the veterans of the division. In this group he may be a strong overlay.  

    The second WHM elim features Aracache Hanover, Bettor’s Edge, Fred And Ginger, Bolt The Duer, Up The Credit, Pet Rock, Hurrikane Kingcole, Dynamic Youth and Sweet Lou. Last week we handed you Bolt The Duer, who won in 1:47.4, equaling the fastest mile ever for a pacer on a five-eighths-mile track. We supported Bolt The Duer because we thought he could win the way he usually wins—taking advantage of a suck-a-long trip behind a speedy pacesetter. That is exactly how he won. This time the pacesetter was Heston Blue Chip, cutting fractions of 1:21 to three-quarters. 

    On the two-turn Meadowlands oval in this combination of pacers, Bolt The Duer won’t get the convenience that affords him victories. Although Hurrikane Kingcole is capable of cutting deadly quarters and coming up short, most of the other foes here are superior pacers to “Bolt” and could take advantage of a fiery three panels. We like Sweet Lou to be tactically placed for a big mile at a very good price. 

    Eliminations for the July 13 Mistletoe Shalee were scheduled for the same program but are unnecessary, since only enough three-year-old female pacers entered. The field for the final is Acquavella, Charisma Hanover, I Luv The Nitelife, Jerseylicious, Nikki Beach, Novascotia Hanover and Shebestingin.  

    Frosh State-breds 

    The second leg of the New Jersey Sires Stakes (NJSS) for freshman pacers is on the Saturday agenda at the Meadowlands also. In the first colt pacing split take a hard look at Doo Wop Hanover, who had the toughest trip against the likes of these youngsters and will be a good price here. 

    Then, in split two, Rockeyed Optimist is a perfect longshot play. His qualifier presented a big brush that must be respected as he comes into his first pari-mutuel start. He is a well-bred Rocknroll Hanover colt from a mare by the great Artsplace. 

    The fillies’ initial split offers a sharp chance with Danielles All Aces. She showed her first signs of good speed in a NJSS leg against Ideal Helen, who will be the drop-dead public choice in the next split. “Danielle” could be ready for her first powerful mile and not as the favorite. 

    My Lady Day deserves a shorter morning line than 10-1 and has a big advantage over Ideal Heaven with an inside post so we should take her at the overblown price and see if she can turn the tables on the obvious. 

    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 

    Bangor
    7/4/13, +Fiorenza R10

    Buffalo
    7/5/13, Billy Mccool N R5; +Destinationunknown R11
    7/6/13, +Creating A Dream R3; +Win A New Day R4; Spender Hanover R5

    Maywood
    7/5/13, +Five Cougars A R1; +Too Tall Tamarac R2; +Innovation R5; Bluebird Muffler R9; +Guts N Glory R11

    Northfield
    7/6/13, +Casimir Luckynutz R2; A Bay Bay R12

    Pompano
    7/6/13, +Diamond Amber R9; Scoot Diablo R11

    Running Aces
    7/6/13, Lo Hot Pancakes R8; +Twentyone Guns R9

    Saratoga
    7/6/13, +Hazel Nut R2; +Jds Memory R2; Fly High R5; +Mighty Art R7; Pop Z Pop R7; Prince Argental R12

    Scarborough
    7/6/13, +Mr Sigle’s Dream R3; +Fourth Page R5

    Scioto
    7/4/13, Ee Bay R6
    7/6/13, Twilight Bonfire R7

    Ray Cotolo contributed to this edition.

  • Cotolo’s Harness Review, News And Notes

    POSTED Jun 30, 2013 By Frank Cotolo

    Captaintreacherous, again denied by many, this time due to his outside post position in the Max Hempt Final at Pocono on June 29, paid a remarkable $4.80 by winning the race with defiance toward every harness-handicapping notion available.  
     
    The ever-so-great sophomore pacer, with Tim Tetrick aboard again, left from post 9 and raced on the outside for all three turns of the mile, sometimes three wide, and got up by a neck to defeat Vegas Vacation in 1:49.2. And he did it on the surface that was pelted by rain an hour before the event, turning the condition of the surface to “sloppy.” 
     
    Raised eyebrows are yet to fall back into place; the “Captain” is going every bit as perfectly as we predicted from the start of his soph career. It could be that we have seen the last time he will win at anywhere near 7-5. Twice now we have urged readers to wager on him over even money and twice the Captain came through. This is indeed a special pacer, a racer of greatness, able to avert adversity for the sake of winning. 
     
    We were also correct about the Ben Franklin Final, as Bolt The Duer received the trip needed to win, paying $6.80. 
     
    Our speculation into the onslaught of freshman races over the weekend produced only one winner and it was very obvious to all. He’s Watching won at Saratoga Harness and paid a paltry $2.90. The remainder of our ventures into the frosh world were all failures from 8-5 to 51-1. 
     
    For result stories and our winners on soph-colt-and-filly trotters’ stakes, visit the Hambletonian Society’s special archive page for the Hambletonian Trail stories. 
     
    H2W 
     
    $9.40 Cheyenne Cam, Buffalo
    $6.80 Columbia Art, Northfield
    $3.60 Hillbilly, Pompano
    $2.40 Vodka Is Terror, Saratoga 
     
    The following are the horses that finished second or third along with their post-time odds. Special notes on those finishes follow. 
     
    Seconds:
    The Riddler (8-5), Maywood 
     
    Thirds:
    Guts N Glory (2-1), Maywood; Misty’s Dignity (6-1), Northfield; MJ’s Victory (3-1), Northfield; Lislea Bonita (7-1), Scarborough; Parthenon (3-1), Running Aces; Twentyone Guns (5-1), Running Aces 
     
    All adjustments for returnees to the list and additions will be in the Thursday blog. 
     
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    News And Notes

    Also at Pocono on June 29, Foiled Again’s win in the Ben Franklin Final put the stalwart pacer’s earnings over the $5-million mark, putting him third to Varenne and Moni Maker on the list of standardbred’s highest earners. Much like Captaintreacherous did in his win on the same program, Foiled Again took an overland journey to win, catching Pet Rock and Razzle Dazzle at the wire. Now a nine-year-old, Foiled Again joined the Ron Burke stable in 2008. 
     
    With Arch Madness cutting the fractions in Pocono’s opening race on June 29, Uncle Peter got the perfect trip right behind him to come out in the stretch and win in 1:50.3. That is the fastest mile won by a trotter on a five-eighths track. Arch Madness fired major fractions of :26.2, :55 and 1:22.1 to allow Uncle Peter the speed badge. 
     
    Though we offered an alternative to the mighty I Luv The Nitelife in the June 29 James Lynch Final at Pocono, we also warned of this filly’s dominance over her soph division. When she won the “Lynch” she became the sport’s newest millionaire. This is rare so early in the season but she could be as special for her sex as the Captain is for his division. It was her fourth-straight win this year, having taken the Fan Hanover in Canada and winning her Lynch elim last week. 
     
    More baby races at the Meadowlands over the weekend offered some tips on youngsters looking in fine fettle to battle as the frosh season ensues. Trotting colts Flacco and Trixton, both trained by Jimmy Takter were impressive in wins. Trixton was the most expensive trotting yearling sold at auction last year, bringing a final bid of $360,000. He won for the second time in baby events.
     
    Dottie Major won at first asking for trainer Nick Surick; Put On A Display, a $175,000 Somebeachsomewhere filly led all way to win; colt pacers Murder He Wrote and Winds Of Change looked strong in victory. Two-year-old colts Stay Up Late and Avalanche Hanover also made good impressions.
     
    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. 
     
    Recent Balmoral winners in tickets include:
     
    TE's Zenyatta, $32.40; Bring It All, $20.00; Galactic Star, $8.40; Shiswell's Delight, $8.40; Dontbeachatme, $8.00; Make Me Fly, $4.60; Mister Virgin, $4.00; Justlivinthedream, $2.80, $2.20.
     
    Connect to Twitter and follow Frank and Ray Cotolo for up-to-the-minute suggestions on wagers at many harness raceways. Then, wager from your TwinSpires accounts.  
     
    Ray Cotolo contributed to this blog.
     

     

    Cartoons by Thom Pye

  • Chapter-Three ‘Levy’ And More Early Spring Strikes

    POSTED Apr 3, 2013 By Frank Cotolo

    At Yonkers we take on the third leg of divisions for the George Morton Levy Series, coming off a fabulous streak in the second episodes. Foiled Again is yet to strike and will try again this Saturday, April 6, while the aged-pacing mares return for round three of the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series the Friday before.

    More harness information than anywhere else you can wager on the web includes TwinSpires’ exclusive harness horses to watch (H2W) list from tracks across the continent. We have a lot of new members of the lists, covering many weekend events that could offer great prices for all kinds of wagers available.

    As well, the TwinSpires’ 10-percent bonuses for winning Pick 4s at Buffalo Raceway on Wednesday nights and Woodbine on Saturday nights continue.

    Check out the details for Woodbine here.

    Check out the details for Buffalo here.

    And check into the Hambletonian Trail blog, our exclusive information center where through April you can get acquainted with the eligibles to the classic Hambletonian and “Oaks,” each raring to start in spring stakes battles to get spots in the August 2013 classics. Bookmark the blog and check in often as the season ensues for great betting information on the stakes leading to the first weekend in August. It’s an exclusive series spinning off from this blog, brought to you by TwinSpires and the Hambletonian Society.

    ‘Levy’ Pacers Pound Onward

    Saturday is set for the third leg of contests of “Levy” divisions at Yonkers Raceway. Five divisions are slated for the 12-race card.   

    Second Wind N may take the play in the opening division. It appears to be a wide-open sextet of free for all pacers. We will go with the RonBurke entry here, primarily with Atochia. Atochia has put in some good miles but has not had the luck of the draw. He likes to try to be near the top and from post 3 this week he may be able to fulfill that mission.   

    In the second division, we will try and light up the tote board with two bomb contenders. First off, it is likely that Forever Just and Clear Vision will be bet the heaviest. Our first upset-potential pacer is Little Michael B. He was burdened with two bad posts in the first two prelims. From the rail he may try to be near the pace and stalk, where then he can pull first over late or fly up the passing lane and try to upset. Our other horse is Yo Cheyenne Rocky. He gets post relief after a good closing mile from post 7 last week. Although he closed on a seriously fast pace, he’ll be closer this week from post 4 and could be a menace late. Both of these pacers would also be good in the exotics.   

    The third division goes to Team Burke again with Something For Doc. He appears unbeatable after his incredible 1:51.4 and again we will not try to challenge him.   

    We will go against Foiled Again yet again this week with Casimir Jitterbug, who won for us last week at double digits. He gets post relief and will be near the pace. If he sits a pocket trip he’ll be sharp in the final eighth and fly late.   

    In the final division, there is a lot of speed. Heat comes from Dancin Yankee, Versado, Rockincam, Annieswesterncard, Sapphire City and Code Word. That’s half of the field. This race is the perfect one to pick a pacer who will try and stalk the pace, Great Vintage. The full brother to Vintage Master closed well in a slow pace from post 6 last week in his Levy premier. With the rail, he will be able to get away well and stalk the pace, so he can come into the stretch with something left for a rally.   

    Matchmaker mares


    This Friday, April 5, attracted four divisions of the Blue Chip Matchmaker, entering its third preliminary at Yonkers.   

    The Burke entry of Rock N Soul and Foxy Lady will likely take a majority of the betting, as will Royal Cee Cee N and Eighthunrdollarbill. We are taking a horse we did last week, Feeling You. This week, the Buter-trainee gets post relief, drawing the rail after finishing second at 30-1 from post 7. She’ll try and get away near the top and stalk the pace just to fly up the passing lane in the stretch.   

    Next, yet again the Burke entry of Ginger And Fred and Ramalama will likely take a majority of the wagering, as will Krispy Apple. We will take a mare that scratched out of the first leg due to injury and returns after two weeks off, Moonlit Dragon. This mare is always sharp and a menace to the pace. This race lacks front pace, so she’ll likely try to clear and rate while another horse will try and clear the lead from her. She will then try to get a pocket trip and fly up the stretch if there is no room.   

    In division four the favorite, again, is a Burke entry—Camille and Darena Hanover. Camille is attempting a series sweep, winning her first two preliminaries with ease. This race has plenty of speed from all parts of the track. Camille, Anndrovette and Ramona Disomma all have a ton of gate speed. “Ramona” has to try and get the lead from post 7, so she may get parked and challenge the pace. Our selection, Collage, will try and stalk the pace. If she sits a perfect trip and the pace is hot up front, expect George Brennan (who will likely drive her) to fly up the open stretch with a ton of horse left. 

    The Burkes have a trio in the fourth division, Hot List, Rocklamation and Bettor B Lucky. Rocklamation has been sharp, so the Burkes have favorites in all four of the Matchmakers. We went with two threats in this division, Warrawee Koine and Full Picture. Warrawee Koine is coming off an impressive first-over mile where she dead-heated with Royal Cee Cee N in 1:53.3. She seems to be improving and is a kind of mare that can be roughed up in the end of the mile and hold well. Full Picture is coming off a good first effort from a layoff. She was locked at the cones and closed late to finish second to Eighthunrdollarbill in her first Matchmaker division last week. She’ll likely improve in her second start off the rest and try to find cover if she gets away near the back.

    H2W Legend


    As we publish weekly, here is the H2W legend, Review our choices and follow the wagering at the prescribed track to decide how you will use the information.

    The horses names are listed beneath the name of the track after the date theywill 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 have a NR after the name on a separate line from dated entries.   

    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

     
    Buffalo
    4/4/13,+Native Treasure R2
    4/5/13, +Brother Nick R6; +Tyler’s Echo ae R7; Hope To Reign A R7; +Adelia’s Prince R12
    4/6/13, Cheyenne Cam R5; Diditagain Hanover R10; Kiasma R11; +Marvelthisbliss R13
    Hes Redhot NR; Dream Ticket NR 

    Cal Expo
    4/5/13, Cheswick R1; Bee Gee R1; Cigarchompin Mona R2; DD’s Tiger R5; Inside Broadway R5; Beach Crisi R6; KD Rowdy One R8; Ginnysdoodledandy R9; Incredible Gambler R12; Youremyaddiction R13
    4/6/13, Paul The Powerful R2; Southwind Sydney R5; +Aj’s Little One R5; Loddi Dorian Blues R6; Haggin Oaks R7; Devin Hall R8; Jane The Brain R8; Candy’s Pool R9; Dani California R10; My Tryin Ryan R10; Peppy Jack B R13; Dynamite Express R13; Racetrack Diva R14
    Boo Coo Blush NR; Windy City Paige NR  

    Fraser
    4/5/13, +Such A Night R1; Happy Herman R1; RNR Express R1; +Red Star Bogart R1; +Red Star Kermit R2; Spoons R3; Passing The Girls R5; Fancy Ideal R5; Ronny Woo Woo R9; Western Nitro R10; Garden Gate Ll R10; Camblazer R10; Barona Ferrari R11; Mmmmmh R12; +Semper Fortis R12; Tahuya Speed R13
    4/7/13, +TN Promised R10
    Just Ryan NR 

    Freehold
    4/4/13, Kentucky Freeze R3
    4/6/13, Fleeting Desire R2; Lucky Cadet R2; Red Star Tomahawk R3; Highland Terrific R5; Pacey Deucey R7; Gw Gizmo R10
    Big Sky Bets NR; Hot Cha Cha NR 

    Lebanon
    4/5/13, Jo Jo’s Circus R1; Ms Memphis Bird R2; Jenny The Genie R5; Sadies Scooter R6; Enticing Beauty R7; Stinky Sham R9
    4/6/13, Dakotas Bridgeman R4; Stubbysleisureguy R5
    Bell Valley Indian NR  

    Maywood
    4/4/13, Sand Jake R1; Joanies Irish Luck R1
    4/5/13, Heartland Liberty ae R2; Fox Valley Touche R4; Nightinthebox R7; Bruener R10; NJs Big Deal R11; Cams Princess Wave R13; Anescape N R14   
    Meadows
    4/2/13, +Ellisarro Hanover R6
    4/6/13, Ak’s Livin Large R4; Pure Defiancy R4; +Whotooksam R5; +Grateful John R7; Zinzinnati Zeke R7; +Valdez R10; +Jc Mik Mac Jilio R12
    Ccs Lover NR 

    Northfield
    4/5/13, Wildatthebeach R2; Cute And Cruising R3; Apple N Strawberry R5; Sporty Callie R7; Doowrah Double R9; Cooby R13


    Ray Cotolo contributed to this edition.