Showing posts with label winter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label winter. Show all posts

  • Deep-Winter Prose

    POSTED Jan 16, 2013 By Frank Cotolo
    Don’t let the recent unseasonable few days on the east coast fool you, cold days and nights are in play and we can only hope this deep freeze gets deeper to kill the flu germs that have spread so rapidly over the seaboard.

    But we keep the betting fires burning, so to speak, with more from the Meadowlands winter stakes (Clyde Hirt and the Presidential) and hot suggested contenders from our exclusive horses-to-watch list (H2W). It’s enough action to keep your TwinSpires account sizzling all weekend.

    The Big Hirt

    Leg two of the Clyde Hirt series rolls on Friday, Jan. 18, again for $16,000 a pop, featuring the just-turned four-year-old male pacers. 

    In the first event, Cee Pee Panic looks to be in a perfect spot for trainer Ron Burke. The gelding was wide to the lead in leg one and held tight, not losing much ground as four hit the wire within a length. He was the dead-on choice last week but may be a bit more tonight with Bestjetyet probably getting top dollar in the win pool after last week’s victory.  

    With Holdingallthecards bound to be a huge favorite in the second chapter, we like the looks of Who Dat Love from the inside. He raced well with a strong brush mid-mile and was hanging right by the leader at three-quarters before tanking. A wonderful longshot possibility presents itself here, as that race, his first of the season, could be sending up a flare for a sharp four-year-old season. It’s worth it to catch him now if that is true because he will offer some bucks to win tonight. 

    In round two, also, Ethan Hanover could grind out a good mile and if he doesn’t overcome the top choice or our longshot, he could be a major factor and may be in the exotic mix as well. A great trifecta includes the choice, “Ethan” and “Who.” 

    In the nightcap, Mr Dennis seems to have a slight edge and will elude the crowd since One Through Ten figures to attract the public the most. Mr Dennis held well after fighting a speedy start and getting the lead, only to be shuffled but still hold third in a stretched out finish.  

    Hail To The Chief Candidates


    The Presidential series continues at the Meadowlands on Saturday, Jan. 19. The free-for-all pacers seem all to be challenging Golden Receiver and this week an 11-horse field comprises the second leg. 

    It would be no stretch of fact or figures to predict that Golden Receiver will sweep the legs and win next week’s final. He is sharp now and racing best early in the season as he did last year before the competition became deeper. If any wagering is worth it, then, using him as a key or in second and third for exactas and triples in lieu of an unexpected turn around are the only tactics.

    We would suggest Mr Hasini N and Dial Or Nodial as the alternatives and his cohorts if he be the key. Mr Hasini N was very sharp last week and came up a tad short as two bulwarks closed over him late. Dial Or Nodial looks to be sharper at four and put in a great mile last week.

    Watching Winter Winners


    Our horse-to-watch list (H2W) continues. This is the exclusive list released to TwinSpires harness players through this blog and there is no other list like it anywhere. It is our personal playing information and we are sharing it with you.

    Again, about using the H2W list:

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

    Are you new to this blog? Here is a primer on how to read the H2W list.  

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

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

    Special Note


    Some tracks will have programs that fall between our press dates, which could have H2W listed horses lost in the records. This is not always true but make note that Northfield is one of the tracks we cover that races in between many of our reports. We suggest that you monitor this list for your own benefit, tracing horses that may be in the outskirts of our reports.  

    We hope that you may add to the H2W to make it more personal when you find horses that deserve to be watched. As well, we endorse any horses you wish to keep on the list more than twice, as sometimes the third time is not only the charm but the best reward. The best example this year so far is Macjurcoharry. He failed twice on the H2W and was dropped. His first race after being dropped resulted in a win where he paid $57.20. It is your call as the bettor and the adjustor of our H2W to follow horses as much as you like; just as it is your judgment that guides how they are wagered. This is a strong tool if you add it to your artillery of tools, including your own handicapping and betting prowess. 

    H2W


    Buffalo
    1/1813, Fancy Foxy R2; Freds Dream R4; Little Gus R5; Yukons Luck R5; Keystone Fling R8
    1/19/13, Pro Kid R3; Ashton Seelster ae R3; ML Jackhammer R7; PW Tootsie R9; Marians Man R10; The Grey Bullet R12;
     

    Cal Expo
    1/18/13, +Herzon R3; Stretch Artist R3; Wildcats Major R6; Smiling Major R7; Blue Boy Yankee R8; +Incredible Gambler R9; +Sun On The Rocks R10; Cat Call R13
    1/19/13, +Dani California R2; +Nowerland Collins R8; +D Man R8; +Mystically Mine R13
    Viking Mia N/R; +Cherry Tree Nicole NR; +Moody Miss; N/R
     

    Fraser
    1/18/13, Red Star Bogart R1; +This American Life R3; +Delite Debettor R4; +Latino Hall R6; +Tahuya Clem C R6; +Segomo R8; +Red Star Cashflow R8; +Midnight Destroyer ae R8; +Ghostrider R11
    + Thunder Noise N/R; +Tap Out N/R; +Workfortheman N/R
     

    Freehold
    1/18/13, Map Of Hawaii R5; +Fandango Dancer R7; +That’s A No No R9
    1/19/13, Rockinrollin Now ae R1; Move On ae R4; Bullville Player R5;  Best Life R6; The Life Boat ae R6; Hurrikane Anthony R8; Cam’s Future R11; GW Gizmo ae R12; Whipper Snapper R12
     +Milliondollar Art N/R; +J’omama NR; +Country Fresh NR; +Cool Ashlee NR

    Maywood
    1/18/13, +Colefederate ae R1; +TE’s Zenyatta R8; +Lazy Lizard R9; Sign The Prenup R10; Looking For Jack R13; Nine Innings R13; +Five Cougars A R14; Guts N Glory R14; Dick McTracy ae R14
     

    Meadowlands
    1/17/13, Paisley R3
    1/18/13, Rocknroll Jewel R6
    1/19/13, +Mighty Young Joe R6; Time To Roll R 9; Corky Baran R12
     

    The Meadows
    1/18/13, All Day Pass R3; Haverford Hanover ae R3; Campo Basso R6; Wardog Hanover R7; Grin-n-scoot R7; Wizkey Road ae R9; Aj Niko D’oro R10; Bs Surgin Dan R12; Ram Jam ae R12; Ak’s Livin Large ae R13; Bourbon St Hanover R15; Fool To Cry R15
     

    Northfield
    1/18/13, Fast Attack R1; Iknowwhatboyslike R2; Rhianne R3; Scootin Jenna R5;+She Shell Cruise R9; Coupon Lady R10; Best Tasting R11; Friskie D R13; Forever Lucky R15
    +Kinnick N/R; +Arts Shadow N/R; +Lucky Express N/R; +Lucky Express 

     
    Pompano
    1/19/13, Straight Jack R1; +Super Railee R2; Whiteland Will R2; Legal Dream R4; Diamonds Star R5; Rick’s Sign R5; Card Hustler R5; +Future Plans R6; Mai Tai Guy R7; Stonebridge Bonus R7; Special Strides R8
    +Wellthereyougo N/R; +Desert Hanover N/R
     

    Yonkers
    1/17/13, On The Tab R2; Whatever Lolawants R11
    1/18/13, Holly Hill Master R2; +For You Almostfree R3; Fuel Cell R5; +Sir Jillian Z Tam R6; +Armbro Casino R10
    1/19/13, Talktomecourage N R5; Western Dakota R5
    +Celebrity Bluechip N/R; Hula’s Z Tam NR; Armbro Casino R11
     
     
    Cartoon by Thom Pye

    Ray Cotolo contributed to this edition.

  • Presidential Lures A Lot; Watching For Winners Continues

    POSTED Jan 9, 2013 By Frank Cotolo
    The Meadowlands winter stakes have represented the launching of the stakes season for as long as the track has been open and this year, even under new management, is no different. The highlight events start with the first legs of the Clyde Hirt and the Presidential at the Meadowlands this weekend. The Clyde Hirt runs on Friday and the Presidential is set for the Saturday card.

    The ‘Hirt’ Factors


    Four divisions of Clyde Hirt preliminary legs are scheduled for this Friday, Jan. 11, all looking to prove to be eventful miles four four-year-old male pacers (Mr. Hirt was a popular harness journalist through the sport’s golden years).

    The first division kicks off the card, with two likely favorites in the field: Vodka Is Terror and Star Chaser. We looked away from the chalk and looked for value, which shows to be in two horses, Bestjetyet and Connery Blue Chip.
     
    Bestjetyet is making his second start off of a layoff but what makes him look so appealing is how well he improved with the addition of Lasix. His last start was the first start with Lasix and he charged home in a :27.4 to finish third to the series favorite, Holdingallthecards. He should be closer to the pace this week and use that late kick to perhaps pull off a minor shocker.  

    Connery Blue Chip is also a potential to upset. Before his two well-paced qualifiers he was coming off of four-straight victories at Yonkers. He shows gate speed so he’ll likely try to be on the lead or in the pocket and pass rivals into the stretch. Him and Bestjetyet will make a valuable play in the exacta.  

    My Last Tri is our selection in the second division. He ships to the Meadowlands after several okay efforts at Harrah’s Philadelphia against non-winners of three. Exempting his last start, where he attempted to get in the mile from post 8, he has paced very good second-place finishes, picking up cover or getting into the mile somehow to close good ground. He draws the rail this week and it’s likely he will get a pocket trip, which should really benefit his way of racing.  

    The third division looks to be the weakest, which should help Mr Dennis reach the winner’s circle. He raced against tougher in his last start, so post 8 didn’t help him too much (finished 10th in that mile). Before that event he shows valiant miles at Harrah’s Philadelphia and Pocono, emerging victorious in two of the five. He gets post relief this week, so expect him to get into the mix and perhaps make a move for the lead into the far turn.  

    Holdingupallthecards will be tough to beat in the final division. Holdingupthecards will likely take the lead but the main rival to his gate-to-wire attempt this week will be Ringo. He generally gets away in third or fourth and makes a move for the top approaching the half. It could be possible that Ringo gets the lead and Holdingupthecards gets away second and Ringo could stroll around the oval on the lead from there.  

    Residential Presidentials


    The Presidential series attracted 13 free-for-all pacers, the highlight of the bunch being Golden Receiver. Two $40,000 divisions are carded for Saturday, Jan. 12.  

    Golden Receiver drew into the first division, so value will be tough to find here. We’ll try with Meirs Hanover. He chased Golden Receiver as he kicked away to pace home in :25.4 in the Free For All last week. Meirs Hanover will likely pace a pocket trip and could pass Golden Receiver if the big public choice is not feeling up to the task this week. 

    The second division looks better for wagering than the first. Our value selection is Mr Hasani N. In a race where there is little pace, Mr Hasani N always launches off the gate, so he’ll be the likely tempo-setter. With the speed of the miles he has shown he could easily take this field wire to wire, which is the best we cam expect.

    Our horse-to-watch list (H2W) continues. This is the exclusive list released to TwinSpires harness players through this blog and there is no other list like it anywhere. It is our personal playing information and we are sharing it with you.

    Again, about using the H2W list:

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

    H2W Keys


    Are you new to this blog? Here is a primer on how to read the H2W list.

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

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

    Balmoral
    1/12/13, +Bring The Rain R1; Bring It On Kaajay R8;
    1/13/13, Mr Prospect R10
     

    Cal Expo
    1/11/13, Viking Mia R3; Herzon R11; Incredible Gambler R14; + Mousseline Hanover R14; Mystically Mine R15
    1/12/13, Dani California R1; Sun On The Rocks R2; Red Star Gilda R3; D Man R4; +Persuade Me R5; +Marlene’s Angel R6; Cherry Tree Nicole R10; Nowerland Collins R14
    +Moody Miss; N/R; Cherry Tree Luke N/R
     

    Fraser
    1/11/13, Ghostrider R1; Red Star Cashflow R2; Midnight Destroyer R4; Segomo R4; Thunder Noise R5; North Shore Boy R7; This American Life R7; Delite Debettor R10; Latino Hall R11; Tahuya Clem C R11
    +Tap Out  N/R; +Workfortheman  N/R
     

    Freehold
    1/11/13, +Cannes R5; +Lily Langtree R8; +Allthatnthensome R11
    1/12/13, +Milliondollar Art R5
    +That’s A No No N/R; +J’omama N/R; +Fandango Dancer N/R; +Country Fresh N/R; +Cool Ashlee N/R

    Maywood
    1/11/13, Really Lucky R2; Five Cougars R3; Colefederate R9; +Rejoiceandbehappy R9; Guts N Glory R12; Winordietrying R 13; +Cams Princess Wave R13; +Georges Ztam R14
    +Bring The Rain N/R; +TEs Zenyatta N/R; +Lady Lizard N/R

    Meadowlands
    1/12/13, +Armbro Billow R10; Mighty Young Joe R12
    Don’t Point At N/R; +Three New Dawns N/R
     

    Northfield
    1/11/13, +Sand Latte R4
    +Kinnick N/R; +Arts Shadow N/R; +Lee A Bryant N/R; +Lucky Express N/R; +Triple G N/R; +She Shell Cruise N/R; Rd Rustler N/R
     

    Pompano
    1/12/13, Future Plans R1; +Kennairnmachmagic R3; Wellthereyougo R3; Super Railee R5; Diamonds Star R6; +Dragons Blood R7; +Lucky Sniper R8
    +Desert Hanover N/R; Lee Wind N/R; Muscles To Spare N/R; Jazz Band N/R
     

    Yonkers
    1/11/13, For You Almostfree R4; Sir Jillian Z Tam R6; Arctic Fire N R6; Celebrity Bluechip R8; Hula’s Z Tam R9; Armbro Casino R11
     

    Ray Cotolo contributed to this edition.

  • Additions To Divisions; Winter Watch Ensues

    POSTED Jan 2, 2013 By Frank Cotolo
    We wish a happy birthday to racehorses of all breeds.

    Jan. 1 of each year marks the universal birthday for racehorses. Whether born in January or June, all horses are a year older now. New divisions will form as the months ensue. Don’t hold your breath, we won’t see the youngsters for months. The older groups will begin the stakes season in the bitter cold and the stalwart veterans will meet new foes as last year’s sophomores join their ranks.

    Meanwhile, we are watching the overnighters closely in our horse-to-watch list (H2W), scoring from east to west with hot entries that have already returned a gamut of prices. Remember that this is an exclusive list, it is released to TwinSpires harness players through this blog and there is no other list like it anywhere. It is our personal playing information and we are sharing it with you to benefit from the great track action available at TwinSpires through the cold months when the sport’s stars narrow down to those winners we play.

    Again, about using the H2W list:

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

    H2W Keys


    Are you new to this blog? Here is a primer on how to read the H2W list.  

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

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

    Balmoral
    1/5/13, +Sporty Gypsy R10; Bring It On Kaajay R11
    **+Whirlwinddiplomacy; **+Gilly Ho; **+Casino Comp R10
    **Check Balmoral entries for 1/6, which are unavailable at press time, so see if ** are entered or if they are N/Rs
     

    Cal Expo
    1/4/13, +Little Box Out R1; +Chevie Balboa, R3; +Scootin Higher R4; +Cherry Tree Nicole R6;
    1/5/13, Marlene's Angel R3; Cruisin Inmybeamer R3; Majestic Lass R4; +Ajs Little One R6; Mousseline Hanover R8; +Ogs Si Bon R10; +Racetrack Diva R11; +Laugh Away R12; +Persuade Me R15
    +Rd Lou N/R; +Cherry Tree Luke N/R8; +Komodas Fantasy N/R; +Moody Miss N/R
     

    Fraser
    1/6/13, +Red Star Brooklyn R2; +Succulent R5; +Another Opinion R7; +Cam On Mink R10; +Millbanks Ariel R11; +Pureform Goodtogo R11
    +Tap Out N/R; +Workfortheman N/R
     

    Freehold
    1/4/13, Lady Bess N R4; Cannes R5; Lily Langtree R8; +Superstar Dream R8; That’s A No No R9; +Tourific R9
    +J’omama N/R; +Fandango Dancer N/R; +Country Fresh N/R; +Allthatnthensome N/R; +Milliondollar Art N/R; +Cool Ashlee N/R

    Maywood
    1/4/13 Bring The Rain R1; Dan Lowe R3; Tes Zenyatta R8; Lady Lizard R12
    +Rejoiceandbehappy N/R; +Cams Princess Wave N/R; +Georges Ztam N/R
     

    Meadowlands
    1/4/13 + Likeabatoutahell R7; Don’t Point At R8
    1/5/13 +Three New Dawns R5; +Armbro Billow R10
    +Arctic Fire N/R
     

    Northfield
    1/4/13, +Macjurcoharry R2; Lucky Express R3; +Passionate Gold R3; +Triple G R3; +Cien R4; +Perfekjehlmnkalfas R5; +Custers Last Stand R13; +Harmony Oaks Rebel R14
    +Rd Rustler N/R; +She Shell Cruise N/R; +Kinnick N/R; +Arts Shadow N/R; +Lee A Bryant N/R; +Sand Latte N/R
     

    Pompano
    1/5/13, Lucky Sniper R1; Lee Wind R2 ae; Dragons Blood R3; Muscles To Spare R5; Jazz Band R6; Kennairnmachmagic R6; +Max Q R9; +Major Najor R10 
    +Desert Hanover N/A
     
     
    Cartoon by Thom Pye

     
    Ray Cotolo contributed to this edition.