TRI’s Picks March 31 Meadowlands

Meadowlands Racetrack Pick 4, Races 6-9, Saturday, March 31, 2012

Last night, we did awful. Love You Always went first over and finished sixth, Bookem broke, Southwest and Glam Cam were in the super and Tiger’s Too Good was too far back. Hopefully lady luck won’t abandon us at the No-luck-for-you orphanage. Tonight’s ticket looks good. Good luck!

$2 Play: 2,6/2,4/9/3 = $8

Analysis:

Race 6- (2) Four Starz Trace tried to prove his talent in a way higher company than this. Since he lost, he will have to start lower and this class may be perfect for him to upset. You may think I’m crazy for picking a 20-1 morning line (also the longest shot on the morning line) but the (6) Southern Sport looks good coming in. A couple of years ago, this horse was in the top company at the Meadowlands, including part of last year. It seems that Mark Ford thought he could go against the big guys in the Four Leaf Clover, but he was unable to do well. At the beginning of the year, he won in non-winners of $10,000 and this is non-winners of $12,750. He makes a slight step up into a bad field and should be the pick of the night.

Race 7- (2) Master Stroke was competitive last week. Closing from way out of it, he only lost by 1 length. In that race, he came from post 5 and he comes to post 2 today. He may be over looked. (4) Excel Nine paced a tough first over last week. As long as he gets a better trip, he should finish in the top three.

Race 8- (9) Picture Me is stepping down into a better company for him. His best race this year was in his last start, where he was a game first over, but faltered. He comes in today with post 9 and may be a price because of his post.

 
Race 9- (3) Noble Falcon was a beaten favorite in his last two starts. His last start, he went first over and faded. He will either burn money or be ignored tonight.

TRI’s Picks March 30 Meadowlands

Meadowlands Racetrack Pick 4, Races 6-9, Friday, March 30, 2012

We took a week off the Pick 4 due to hectic issues at the office. Now that everything is back on track, we return with another Pick 4. It looks good, good luck!

$2 Play: 1,2/9/1,4/7 = $8

Analysis:

Race 6- (1) Love You Always raced well last time. Although she finished off the board, she comes into this with the rail and may be able to upset. (2) Southwind Swallow paced a tough first over as the favorite last time. She comes into this race with an inside post and should be able to get a pocket trip.

Race 7- (9) Bookem is coming off a victory in this class. Although he got a perfect trip, Gingras should be able to get a pocket and redo his magic from last week.

Race 8- (1) Southwest did not dominate against Optional $20,000 Claimers last time like he usually does. Nite Games had more rally than him, so he held on for third. He draws the rail and should handle the slight step up. (4) Glam Cam went up against some really tough gals last time. She won in a slightly lower company than this, but should race well tonight.
 
Race 9- (7) Tiger’s Too Good does well against the conditioned bunch. As long as he doesn’t get the lead, he should easily win it.

Elders Show Their Skills in Leg One of Levy

YONKERS, NY— Yonkers Raceway contested six divisions of the prestigious George Morton Levy series on Saturday, March 24.

The divisions totaled in $300,000 in purses.

Strand Hanover easily defeated rivals in the opening division in 1:52.4. Macraider N finished second and Dreamlands Art was third.

Macraider N and Art Two D Two dueled for the lead around the first turn. Dreamlands Art sat in third and Power Of Tara N was at the inside in fourth. Art Two D Two hung as Macraider N took them by the quarter in :26.4.

At the top of the stretch, Macraider N still lead the way and Art Two D Two was first over in second. Valentino came second over and Strand Hanover followed third over. Macraider N took them by the half in :56.2 (:29.3).

Down the backstretch, Macraider N lead the way and Art Two D Two was not giving up. Dreamlands Art was in the pocket third and Strand Hanover came three wide. Valentino was blind switched at three-quarters in 1:24.3 (:28.1).

Into the lane, Macraider N had to fight off Strand Hanover and Dreamlands Art. Giddy Up Delight fanned from the pylons and came five wide, closing hard. At the finish, Strand Hanover won it. Macraider N was second, Dreamlands Art was third, Giddy Up Delight was fourth, Power Of Tara N was fifth, Valentino was sixth and Art Two D Two finished seventh.

Reibercrombie took advantage of the front speed and closed to upset at 15-1. Code Word was second and One More Laugh was third.

Code Word took the lead, with One More Laugh first over in second and Foreign Officer in the pocket third. One More Laugh cleared the lead at the eighth and Code Word came back onto the outside to retake through a :27.1 opening quarter.

Into the stretch first time, Code Word lead the way, with One More Laugh in the pocket second and P H Jackpot came first over from fifth. Reibercrombie and Stonebridge Tonic followed. Code Word went by the half in :56.1 (:29).

Down the backstretch, Code Word was unpressured. One More Laugh was in the pocket second and P H Jackpot was first over in third. Foreign Officer was buried at the inside and Reibercrombie fanned three wide at three-quarters in 1:24.4 (:28.3).

At the top of the stretch, Code Word had to fend off One More Laugh and Foreign Officer as they came up the passing lane. Reibercrombie was charging three wide and took the lead in the final sixteenth. Reibercrombie held on to win. Code Word finished second, One More Laugh was third, Foreign Officer was fourth, P H Jackpot and Stonebridge Tonic dead-heated for fifth and Shortstacked finished seventh.

Clear Vision showed he was much the best in the third division of the Levy. Dancin Yankee finished second and Mainland Key N was third.

Mainland Key N took the lead, with Dancin Yankee in second and Clear Vision in third. Clear Vision came first over at the eighth pole and cleared the front at the quarter in :27.4.

No one made a move until the half mile. Fitz’s Z Tam came first over and Power Of A Moment followed, with Shark’s Legacy third over. Clear Vision took them by the half in :56.1 (:28.2).

Down the backstretch, Clear Vision was under mild pressure from Fitz’s Z Tam approaching the three-quarter marker. Power Of A Moment fanned three wide at three-quarters in 1:24.2 (:28.1).

At the top of the stretch, Clear Vision had open road. Dancin Yankee came up the passing lane and Mainland Key N was stalled in third. At the finish, Clear Vision won it in 1:52.3. Dancin Yankee finished second, Mainland Key N was third, Fitz’s Z Tam was fourth, Shark’s Legacy was fifth, Bj’s Bequia was sixth and Power Of A Moment was seventh.

Art Z came back to win the fourth division of the Levy in 1:52. Summer Camp was second and Southern Allie was third.

They sat in post position order from the start to the quarter in :27.1. Nobody made a move until the half in :55.3 (:28.2). Southern Allie came first over from third and Silent Swing followed with Jk Camelot. Electrofire was gapping at the pylons approaching three-quarters. Summer Camp took them by three-quarters in 1:23.3 (:28).

At the top of the stretch, Summer Camp had to endure the late kick from Art Z as he came up the passing lane. Silent Swing fanned three wide and Jk Camelot came four wide. Southern Allie hung on the outside down too the finish. Art Z got up to win it. Summer Camp was second, Southern Allie was third, Silent Swing was fourth, Jk Camelot was fifth, Rampage Jackson was sixth and Electrofire finished seventh.

Atochia defeated the fifth division bunch easily in a 1:52.1 victory. Nob Hill High was second and Rock To Glory was third.

Line Officer went for the lead, with Atochia first over in second and Flipper J was in third. Atochia cleared the lead at the eighth pole and drew clear by about 3 lengths at the quarter in :27.2.

Atochia lead the way down the stretch, with Line Officer in the pocket and Flipper J in third. Flipper J came first over, supplying cover to Rock To Glory and River Shark. Atochia took them by the half in :56.3 (:29.1).

Down the backstretch, Atochia and Flipper J were wheel to wheel heading to the three-quarter pole. Rock To Glory moved into a pocket in third and Nob Hill High closed the gap between them in fourth. Atochia had the lead at three-quarters in 1:24 (:27.2).

At the top of the stretch, Atochia lead the way. Rock To Glory came up the passing lane and Nob Hill High was charging three wide. Flipper J was trying to sustain his position in fourth. At the finish, Atochia held off Nob Hill High to win. Rock To Glory finished third, Flipper J was fourth, River Shark was fifth, Urgent Action was sixth and Line Officer finished last.

Real Nice showed his talent in the Levy series has he held off Foiled Again in a déjà vu filled final division of the Levy. Blatently Good was third and Show Me Up was fourth.

Real Nice went for the top, with Blatently Good in second and Foiled Again in third. Real Nice took the lead and went by the quarter in :27. Real Nice lead the way down the stretch, with Blatently Good in second and Foiled Again third. Twin B Legend came first over in the back and Corky Baran followed that cover. Real Nice took them by the half in :56.1 (:29.1). 

Down the backstretch, Real Nice was still in front. Foiled Again was flushed out first over and was in pursuit of Real Nice. Blatently Good was in third and the rest of the field was starting to lose contact. Real Nice had the lead at three-quarters in 1:24.

At the top of the stretch, Real Nice had to fend off Blatently Good up the passing lane and Foiled Again on the outside. The rest of the field was about 10 lengths behind the trio. Real Nice and Foiled Again battled it out to the wire and Real Nice found another gear to win in 1:51.1, the fastest mile of the night. Foiled Again was second, Blatently Good was third, Show Me Up was fourth, Boi was fifth, Twin B Legend was sixth and Corky Baran was seventh.

A Personal Letter to Gov. Corbett

Lately, the Republican Party has been aggravating me. Recently, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett proposed a budget that would cut $72-million from the state standardbred industry. 

Dear Gov. Corbett,

I am a twelve-year-old enthusiast in the harness racing industry. I also follow politics. I find it ridiculous how you would cut $72-million from the sport. I understand you need to lower our debt and some stuff requires sacrifice but I don’t think you understand the severity of cutting money from this sport.

With the harness racing industry comes thousands of people employed as track hands, tellers, horsemen, drivers, jockeys and trainers. By cutting support money from the sport could see perhaps several thousand layoffs at the six tracks in the state. It’s contradicting when you want to make jobs but make a budget that would lose jobs.

As the industry is trying to recover after many tough years, some states are doing their best, like New Jersey and New York. Pennsylvania was one place where many horsemen wish to work but if tracks lose the support of the government there’s no point to be in Pennsylvania.

Drivers like Tyler Buter, who was ambitious enough to leave Illinois and venture east, started at Pocono and has become a top driver on the east coast. Pennsylvania used to be a top state in agriculture and this industry is a major key in horse racing. If we want to be a top agricultural state, we need to help the sport as much as possible.

You may not have known this, but in California (where harness racing used to be a major part of the state), Cal-Expo is in danger. At its peak, harness racing was held at Hollywood Park, Del Mar, Los Alamitos and other tracks. But all that is left is Cal-Expo; the state has cut support over the years and the sole track is in danger of closing if no one buys it privately by August. Although most tracks in Pennsylvania are privately owned, it is possible your cuts will bring less exciting racing and lower handles, which would damage the sport dearly. If Pennsylvania suffers like California, the sport will be permanently bruised. 

The decrease in support may also bring the elimination of the stake racing. With prestigious races such as the Adios, Battle Of Brandywine, Colonial, Valley Forge, Earl Beal Jr. Memorial, Currier & Ives, Governor’s Cup and others, the sport attracts horsemen and fans, which create business and income for the government as well as the sport.

Thank you for your time and hopefully some one will take action. I want to be involved in this industry in Pennsylvania, contributing to helping it thrive, but my future looks dim if the sport takes a violent spiral down.

                                                Sincerely,

                                                            Ray Cotolo

                                                            Editor of The Racing Inquirer

Mares Complete Round One of Matchmaker

YONKERS, NY— Yonkers Raceway held the opening round of the Blue Chip Matchmaker on March 23, one of the first major tangos of the stakes season. There were five divisions that totaled in $200,000 in purses.

Mystical Diva got the pocket trip and came up the passing lane to win the first division in 1:52.3. Breakheart Pass closed on the middle of the racetrack to finish second and Keepers Destiny faded to third.

Mystical Diva went for the lead, with Cannae Cammie and Keepers Destiny going as well. Keepers Destiny was first over and took the lead from Mystical Diva at the eighth pole. Keepers Destiny took them by the quarter in :27.2.

Into the turn, nobody wanted to venture first over until the top of the stretch. Oceans Motion came first over, Krispy Apple followed and Breakheart Pass was third over. Keepers Destiny took them by the half in :56.4 (:29.2).

Into the clubhouse turn, Oceans Motion challenged Keepers Destiny for the top approaching the three-quarter marker. Krispy Apple was starting to fan out three wide and Breakheart Pass was prepared to follow. Keepers Destiny lead the way at three-quarters in 1:24.1 (:27.2).

At the top of the stretch, Keepers Destiny had to fend off Oceans Motion and Mystical Diva, who was coming up the passing lane. Krispy Apple was closing three wide and Breakheart Pass was eating ground in the middle of the racetrack. Down to the finish, Mystical Diva got passed Keepers Destiny and held off Breakheart Pass. Keepers Destiny was third, Oceans Motion was fourth, Krispy Apple was fifth, Synergy Seelster was sixth and Cannae Cammie was seventh.

Western Silk showed she was way better than the bunch by winning by 2 lengths in a 1:52.3 mile. Naughtytiltheend was second and Summer Snow was third.

New Album took the lead, with Naughtytiltheend in second and Summer Snow in third. They were in post position order at the quarter in :27.2. They stayed that way by the half in :57.4 (:30.2).

Western Silk came first over from fourth heading to the clubhouse turn. Cuz She Can attempted to follow her, but couldn’t keep up. She moved back into the pocket in fifth. Western Silk cleared the top at the five-eighths and Naughtytiltheend came first over, then sat in second. Summer Snow came first over at three-quarters in 1:25.1 (:27.2).

At the top of the stretch, Western Silk had an easy lead. Naughtytiltheend was giving chase in second and Summer Snow was on the outside in third. Western Silk won it easy at the wire. Naughtytiltheend was second, Summer Snow was third, New Album was fourth, Queen Of Royalty was fifth, Cuz She Can was sixth and On The Glass finished seventh.

Rocklamation destroyed this field in a 1:53.2 effort. Hula’s Z Tam closed to finish second and Anndrovette settled for third.

Jk Owhatanite blasted from post 6 to take the lead, with Anndrovette in second and Up Front Kellie Jo was in third. Jk Owhatanite took them by the quarter in :27.2. Heading into the turn, Anndrovette fanned two wide, but went back inside at the top of the stretch. In the back, Pancleefandarpels came first over and Rocklamation followed. Jk Owhatanite went by the half in :56.3 (:29.1).

Jk Owhatanite lead the way approaching the three-quarter marker. Pancleefandarpels applied pressure in second and Anndrovette was buried in third. Rocklamation started her three wide journey at three-quarters in 1:25.1 (:28.3).

At the top of the stretch, Rocklamation had a 3 length lead on Anndrovette and a closing Hula’s Z Tam. Down to the finish, Rocklamation held on to win. Hula’s Z Tam finished second, Anndrovette was third, Pancleefandarpels was fourth, Up Front Kellie Jo was fifth, Latin Lyric was sixth and Jk Owhatanite finished seventh.

P Note Blue Chip blew by Symphony In Motion to win the fourth division of the Blue Chip Matchmaker. Symphony In Motion finished second, Fox Valley Sage was third and Keystone Katherine finished fourth.

Symphony In Motion took the lead, with Shacked Up a first over second and P Note Blue Chip was in third. Shacked Up cleared the lead at the eighth and went by the quarter in :28.1.

At the top of the stretch, Keystone Katherine came first over from sixth and Itstimeformetofly followed second over. Shacked Up had no pressure by the half in :58 (:29.4).

Approaching the three-quarter marker, P Note Blue Chip came first over and Keystone Katherine stuggled to keep up. Shacked Up was under pressure at three-quarters in 1:26.3 (:28.3).

Shacked Up was being dug in on at the top of the stretch. Symphony In Motion came up the passing lane and so did Fox Valley Sage. Keystone Katherine was closing on the outside. Down to the wire, P Note Blue Chip took the lead and won it by 2 lengths. Symphony In Motion was second, Fox Valley Sage was third, Keystone Katherine was fourth, Shacked Up was fifth, Myluvmylife was sixth, Itstimeformetofly was seventh and Best Boss was eighth.

The nightcap of the Matchmakers was a thriller as See You At Peelers and Chancey Lady dead-heated in a 1:52.4 mile. Arctic Fire N finished third and Ginger And Fred was fourth.

Chancey Lady took the lead, with Arctic Fire N in second and Save My Shark in third. Chancey Lady took them by the quarter in :28.1. At the top of the stretch, there was no change in order until the half mile in :56.3 (:28.2).

Save My Shark came first over from third and gained slowly into the turn. See You At Peelers tracked her cover, along with Ginger And Fred. Heading to three-quarters and Chancey Lady shown no signs of giving up. They went by three-quarters in 1:23.4 (:27.1)

 
At the top of the stretch, Chancey Lady lead the way, while Arctic Fire N was coming up the passing lane and See You At Peelers was passing Save My Shark. Down to the finish, Chancey Lady lead the way and See You At Peelers rushed up late with Arctic Fire N. At the finish, See You At Peelers and Chancey Lady won in 1:52.4. Arctic Fire N was third, Ginger And Fred was fourth, Save My Shark was fifth, Billmar Scooter was sixth, All Spirit was seventh and Some Girls Do was eighth.

TRI’s Picks March 23 Cal-Expo

Cal-Expo Pick 4, Races 12-15, Friday, March 23, 2012

Last week, we had no winners. We came close with Blissful Kassie, finishing second at 26-1. Tonight’s ticket looks a lot better than last week’s. Good luck!

$2 Play: 7,8/2/8/2 = $4

Analysis:

Race 12- (7) Majestic Lass made a first over move at the three-eighths last week. She took the lead, then quit. She can’t make a strong move like that until the end to win. (8) Bewareofthisaffair dueled first over last week. She took the lead, then lost it to Frankly Scarlett. She should get a good position and close hard this week.

Race 13- (2) Cherry Tree Kate sat far off the pace last time. She gapped her cover into the turn and recovered to finish third. That start seemed to be her “wakeup” and she should do better tonight.

Race 14- (8) Dynamite Express was in the race last week. But he lost ground heading down to the finish. Looking at this field, he is not going up against anyone special. So he should do very well tonight.
 
Race 15- (2) Devilish Donnie made an early first over move from the outside last week and he quit. He draws an inside post tonight and should improve.

TRI’s Picks March 18 Balmoral

Balmoral Park Pick 4, Races 7-10, Sunday, March 18, 2012

Last night, we had one winner, Waiting And Hoping ($10.20). Tonight’s ticket looks a lot better than last night’s. Good luck!

$2 Play: 4,7/4,8/1/3 = $8

Analysis:

Race 7- (4) Incredible Item may be overlooked in this race. Two starts back, he won in this company from the same post. Then, he drew post 9 in the same company and could not prevail. He draws inside again tonight and may blow out this entire sequence. (7) Pansaflying had difficulty in his last two starts. He parked on the outside with cover and finished off the board. He gets a better post than last time tonight and should wake up and be in the top three.

Race 8- (4) Lady Lakers was parked last time and finished second by 4 lengths. She comes into a weaker field today and she either wins or she stinks. (8) Winthisone Hanover had difficulty from post 10 last time. Before that, he was a monster from post 10. He may not have been himself that day and now draws further inside. He may wake up or be a dud once more.

Race 9- (1) Luckability makes a step down into a comfortable condition. Before going to the Claiming Handicap ranks, he was a top pacer in the $4,000 Claiming class. He draws post 1 today and should be able to win this for fun.

Race 10- (3) Alabama Howard got shuffled back and returned to finish second. He draws an inside post once more and as long as he gets two wide cover or the lead, he should be home free. 

TRI’s Picks March 17 Balmoral

Balmoral Park Pick 4, Races 10-13, Saturday, March 17, 2012

On Sunday, we had one winner under 4-1, Majestic Royale ($6.60). Tonight’s ticket looks better. Good luck!

$2 Play: 5,7/7/1/3 = $4

Analysis:

Race 10- (5) Towne Nurse raced gamely in lower company. She steps up and should be prepped to win this race. (7) Discoverer raced well stepping up last time. She made a first over brush at the half and quit right at the wire. She should get a better trip tonight.

Race 11- (7) Waiting And Hoping broke and recovered in this company last time. If she stays flat, she should be able to provide a better effort, tonight.

Race 12- (1) Parked Onda Street made a strong early move from post 9 last time. He draws the rail and should be able to save up his energy for the finish.

 
Race 13- (3) Bursting Blaze raced well from the inside in this class last time. He had to close from post 10 last week and now he draws post 3. He should be able to upset easily.

TRI’s Picks March 17 Meadowlands

Meadowlands Racetrack Pick 4, Races 6-9, Saturday, March 17, 2012

Last night, we had no winners. We came close in two races, with Crown Lady and Bell On Wheels. We should do better tonight. Good luck!

$2 Play: 5,6/4,5/4/4 = $8

Analysis:

Race 6- (5) Higher And Higher woke up in the second leg of the Overbid. She has been tough throughout the year and should be the one to beat tonight. (6) Tea Party Princess has also been competitive in the series. She makes valiant first over moves and sustains a bid to the wire. Her endurance is phenomenal and she may be the only one that could beat Higher And Higher. 

Race 7- (4) Artist’s View did well stepping down from the higher ranks. He re-enters this bunch and looks live coming into this race. (5) Western Trademark may be heavily bet in here. He raced in this class twice in his last six starts. He won stepping up into this class after winning in a $30,000 Claiming event. He makes the same move into this race and will be tough.

Race 8- (4) Gd Airliner started out in the top condition in 2012. He couldn’t beat them and now he steps all the way down into non-winners of $9,500. He made a big improvement, recovering 8 lengths in his last start. He draws further inside and may be the bomber of the Pick 4.

Race 9- (4) Pedro Island tried to beat the free for all pacers in the Presidential earlier this year. He could not, so he stepped down to non-winners of $18,000 last six at Yonkers. Yet again, he could not prevail. He stepped down to non-winners for $12,000 last six and made a big improvement. He comes to the mile once more and may be another major upset.

TRI’s Picks March 16 Meadowlands

Meadowlands Racetrack Pick 4, Races 6-9, Friday, March 16, 2012

On Saturday, we had no winners. Throughout the year, we have lost $257.40, but can be made up as it is only March. Tonight’s ticket is rather expensive, but this should be the only time this year. Tonight’s ticket looks good. Good luck!

$2 Play: 5/3,4,5/5/6,7 = $12

Analysis:

Race 6- (5) Baby Blaze competed in both legs of the Horse And Groom. He broke in the last one, but before that, he got hung and finished third in the opening leg. He also won in this class three starts back. He should be fresh tonight.

Race 7- (3) Love You Always did well against the higher ranks for a bit, but can’t face them well anymore. She steps down and should be better suited for this class. (4) Dragon Princess has improved in the higher ranks. She steps down and should be sharper tonight. (5) Crown Lady is the misfit of these picks. She has competed in this class many times, some with wins and some with losses. It’s up to when she wants to race and it looks like she will tonight.  

Race 8- (5) A Fortune’s Legacy made a hell of a move last week. From post 10, he was first over in seventh at the quarter and challenged the leader at three quarters, then went off stride. As long as he stays flat, he should upset.

 
Race 9- (6) Smoke Pan Mirrors does well in higher company. She makes a slight step down today and should be tough. (7) Bell On Wheels makes a step down after going against way tougher. She was able to win against $30,000 optional claimers and now, she goes for lower. She could provide her second upset of the year.

TRI’s Picks March 16 Cal-Expo

Cal-Expo Pick 4, Races 10-13, Friday, March 16, 2012

After a long break, we return with the Cal-Expo Pick 4. Tonight’s ticket looks good. Good luck!

$2 Play: 8,10/3/2/5,7 = $8

Analysis:

Race 10- (8) Jen’s Delight gapped her cover in her previous start. She recovered and closed to finish second as the second choice. It is likely that the bettors will ignore her because of her outside post, but it might benefit her closing technique. (10) Precious Few made a strong early move for the lead last time. He lost the lead and came first over again at 53-1 to recover the lead, but faded to fifth. He should do well tonight.

Race 11- (3) Blissful Kassie worked for the lead from post 8 last time. At three-quarters, she still had the lead, but faded badly in the stretch. She draws post 3 today and should be able to save energy to provide an upset.

Race 12- (2) Adora closed well in her last start. She came from post 8 and sat 14 lengths off the lead and regained 11 lengths to finish fourth. She draws post 2 today and should sit closer to the pace and be able to provide an upset. 
 
Race 13- (5) Wrangler Reward got hung badly in his last start. He was first over in fourth at the quarter, then challenged the leader at the half and faded at three-quarters. He will need a better trip to be in the race tonight. (7) Coal Younger traveled a horrible mile last time. He dueled with the leader (a 19-1 shot) at the half and three-quarters and faded badly. As long as he saves his energy, he should be a monster tonight.

TRI’s Weekly Watch List

This is the first edition of the TRI Weekly Watch List, where I give out horses to watch at different tracks over the weekend. Watch these guys as they likely had a troubled trip in their previous start. Good luck!

Harrah’s Chester Friday, March 16, 2012

Race 4

5 The Real Dan

8 Papa Hemingway

Race 5

2 Boca Hanover

7 Princess Bliss

Race 7

4 Red Star Tomahawk

5 Gentleman Friend

Race 10

3 D Jokerman

Race 13

7 Abelard Hanover

Freehold Raceway Friday, March 16, 2012

Race 2

2 Polishedperfection

8 Pen Drop

Race 3

3 Big Sky Angelina

Race 4

2 Show No Mercy

5 Speedy Sign

Race 7

2 Extracurricular

Race 9

2 Hello Linda

Race 11

8 Fancy Pants Sandy

Saratoga Harness, Friday, March 16, 2012

 

Race 10

5 Under The Stairs

Freehold Raceway Saturday, March 17, 2012

Race 4

3 Keep On Flyin

5 Lockridge

Race 8

1 Cheyenne Brian

Race 9

8 Double It Up

Race 12

2 Fuguzzi

Saratoga Harness, Saturday, March 17, 2012

Race 3

2 Tanzanite Hanover

TRI’s Picks March 11 Balmoral

Balmoral Park Pick 4, Races 7-10, Sunday, March 11, 2012

Last night, we had a winner that was under 4-1, Major Monet ($7.60). Sundays are normally our better days, so I see us having a great day today. Good luck!

$2 Play: 3,8/4/6,7/2 = $8

Analysis:

Race 7- (3) Miss Pat Weisar got shuffled back last time. As long as she does not get boxed in or can use the passing lane to her advantage, she will be one to beat. (8) Judy’s Jet got badly hung in this class last time. If she gets a better trip, she will likely win.

Race 8- (4) Lady Lakers was parked in her last two attempts in this class. She needs to get a pocket trip in order to win.

Race 9- (6) Luckability was parked in his last two starts. He does well in this class, as long as he gets a good trip. With post 6, he should do well. (7) Majestic Royale made a huge close from post 10 last time. He also needs a good trip to provide a similar effort to last weeks.

 
Race 10- (2) Alabama Howard did well in this class from the inside. He gets another inside post this week and should be in contention throughout the mile.

TRI’s Picks March 10 Balmoral

Balmoral Park Pick 4, Races 10-13, Saturday, March 10, 2012

On Wednesday, we had two winners that were under 4-1. They were Makin Memories Now ($7.80) and Kitty O’ Brien ($8.80). Tonight’s ticket looks a lot better. Good luck!

$2 Play: 4,5/1/5/3 = $4

Analysis:

Race 10- (4) Firstclassallthway broke at Maywood last time, but still got into contention. He was first over there and at Balmoral, he was hung as well. He should do better today. (5) Bonn Scott was hung at Maywood last time from post 8. Coming to the mile, he should improve.

Race 11- (1) Major Monet cleared the front after a first over move from post 10 last time in this class. He did fade, but not too badly as the 3-1 favorite. He gets the rail tonight and should do well.

Race 12- (5) Aj Get’s The Money does well in this company week after week. Last time, he got hung and faded. He needs a better trip in order to get redemption.

Race 13- (3) Rocknroll Fever always tries to get into the race. Although he has not done that successfully yet, tonight may be the night he bombs this Pick 4.

TRI’s Picks March 10 Meadowlands

Meadowlands Racetrack Pick 4, Races 6-9, Saturday, March 10, 2012

Last night, we had no winners. We came close with Allamerican Major, who was second by half a length at 17-1. Tonight looks a lot better in my opinion. Good luck!

$2 Play: 1,5/3,6/6/2 = $8

Analysis:

Race 6- (1) Fitz’s Z Tam is coming off of a valiant effort in an Open at Yonkers. He has done well at the Meadowlands in previous starts but should do better tonight. (5) Keep Going was a monster in this company three starts back. He gets a better post position and should improve tonight.

Race 7- (3) Future Character makes a slight step up after just losing to Artist’s View at 20-1 last time. If he sits closer to the pace, he may be able to take over in the stretch. (6) Artist’s View is coming off of a great effort in this class. He came first over and won at 6-1. Likely, the bettors will stay away from him with his outside post, which I think may give him a better advantage.

Race 8- (6) Hanks Kid made a strong early move from post 10 last time. He was first over for the entire mile and faded at three-quarters. With post 6, he should get an easier pocket spot and save up his energy for the final three-sixteenths.

Race 9- (2) Pence Hanover finally leaves the non-winners of $16,000 last five bunch. He gets a better draw this week and should be tough off the step down.

Remembering Two Major Breeders

The week of March 3 brought one of the major deaths in the sport of harness racing. R. Peter Heffering passed away last Saturday of an unknown cause. The co-owner of Tara Hills Stud and Canadian Hall of Fame inductee was 80 years old.

I know little of Peter, since I got involved in the sport two years ago. But from my dad’s remembrance blog of Peter, he said he was, “a man you could forget even if you only saw him once. He was a tall, looming fellow and he said nothing more than ever had to be said. He appeared stoic but was not; he internalized. Once it was his turn to present an opinion or take a side, he was anything but passive.” You can read his blog on Hoof Beats.

We remember Peter has a major horseman, via the campaigns of Precious Bunny, Riyadh, Pacific Rocket, Kadabra, Strong Yankee and Majestic Son. He won almost every race an owner can dream of winning. His resume included the Little Brown Jug, North America Cup, Meadowlands Pace, Canadian Trotting Classic, Breeders Crown and many divisions of the Ontario Sires Stakes.

We remember Precious Bunny through the rivalry he had with Artsplace and Die Laughing. The three pacers made people come to the races to see who the best was this time. Precious Bunny’s major wins included the North America Cup, Meadowlands Pace, Art Rooney Pace, the Adios and the Little Brown Jug. He was voted horse of the year in 1991. Peter bred Precious Bunny to foal another horse of the year, Bunny Lake. Precious Bunny was voted into the Canadian Hall of Fame in 2004.

We all remember the 1993 Little Brown Jug as in my opinion; it was one of the greatest Jugs ever run. Riyadh came into it, looking to be the eighth horse to win the Triple Crown. After winning his elimination, the second heat would be the challenge of his life as Life Sign won his elimination in fine style. Life Sign hung throughout the final heat and Presidential Ball sat in the pocket. Riyadh was pressured down the stretch and Life Sign took the lead at the wire and Jim Morrill Jr. settled for second aboard Riyadh. The eighth Triple Crown winner would be Western Dreamer in 1997.
                                          1993 Little Brown Jug

Peter’s fabled trotter Kadabra was another horse of the year for Heffering. In 2002, he was not eligible for the Hambletonian, which was won by Chip Chip Hooray. Through the other races, Kadabra was the one to beat. They voted him trotter of the year in 2002. He went on to race eight times at four, winning four of them and $249,600. He won the Titan Cup and Arthur J. Cutler Memorial. In the Cutler, he defeated Magician, who won the race in 2000 and 2001. Kadabra would race slightly the rest of the year and retire to Peter’s Tara Hill Stud.

We also remember the loss of Geoffrey Stein, who collapsed due to apparent heart failure after completing his daily morning jog. The co-owner of Preferred Equine died at 58 years old.

Geoff got involved in the horses when he went to Roosevelt Raceway to watch Une De Mai win the International Trot. After he graduated college, he started his career in harness racing as a chart caller for Sports Eye (Now Harness Eye) and then became the assistant editor. He left Sports Eye in 1981 to buy, sell and race standardbred horses. He started a limited partnership known as Select Standardbred Inc. He partnered with his friend David Reid in 1988 to purchase Preferred Equine and in short time, it became the sports leading sales agency. Geoff and David ran many of the year’s top sales corporations, including Tattersalls and Garden State Sales. 

Geoff was a part of Moni Market Breeders, who owned the great Moni Maker. He also got involved with Ice Wine Stable, a thoroughbred ownership group. He later managed the stallion career of 2008 trotting superstar Crazed.

"The one thing that I'm most proud of throughout my career is I don't think there's anybody in the business that could say that they were ever cheated or treated dishonestly,” Stein once said.

There are no words that can be said for these two magnificent breeders. All we can say is, rest in peace, you will be missed throughout the sport.

Higher And Higher Recovers to Win Round Two of Overbid

Higher And Higher rebounded after two losing efforts to upset in the second leg of the Overbid. Tea Party Princess was second, Put On A Show was third and Rocklamation finished fourth.

Put On A Show left for the lead, with Chancey Lady in second and Ginger And Fred sat third. Put On A Show went by the quarter in :27.2. Tea Party Princess came first over from fifth at the three-eighths and cleared the front before the half. Put On A Show sat second and Chancey Lady came first over. Tea Party Princess lead at the half in :56.4 (:29.2).

Into the far turn, Chancey Lady challenged Tea Party Princess. Put On A Show was getting a pocket trip in third and Rocklamation was second over in fourth. Tea Party Princess controlled at three-quarters in 1:25.3 (:28.4).

Higher And Higher winning in 1:52.1

Tea Party Princess was losing momentum at the top of the stretch. Rocklamation fanned three wide and Royal Cee Cee N and Anndrovette were closing from the back with Higher And Higher. Put On A Show was riding the pylons to get past the leader. Heading down to the wire, it was a six horse lunge to the wire, but Higher And Higher shot like a cannon in the final sixteenth. She won by about 2 lengths at the wire. Tea Party Princess finished second, Put On A Show was third and Rocklamation finished fourth.

Higher And Higher is a five-year-old mare by Western Terror out of the mare Pro Bowl Best by Cambest. She is owned by Daryl Bier, Glenn Del Russo and Charles Dombeck and was trained and driven by Daryl Bier.

TRI’s Picks March 4 Balmoral

Balmoral Park Pick 4, Races 7-10, Sunday, March 4, 2012

Last night, we had one winner, Tuffrey N ($4.80). Now, if you listen, you would have known not to bet him to win as he was under 4-1. Same went with most of the other horses on our ticket. Tonight looks very good. Good luck!

$2 Play: 4/2,10/2/7 = $4

Analysis:

Race 7- (4) Right N Ink is coming off a win from post 9 in this class. She got the top and was able to sustain her bid to win. With post 4, she should be able to do even better than last week.

Race 8- (2) Stylemaster made a strong early move in her last start. She couldn’t catch the leader, so she settled for second. She is a beaten favorite coming into this weak field and should have a better advantage. (10) Alabama Hanover always provides a good race. But it always ends up with her faltering. As long as she doesn’t hang tonight, she should do well.

Race 9- (2) Merry High was fairly competitive in this company. Last time, she battled for the lead, but lost by half a length finishing third. It is another horse entering a weak field and she should be able to defeat these horses, easily.

Race 10- (7) Lady Lakers seemed to have woken up in her last start. She was ready to take the lead, but ended up hanging for the rest of the mile. She needs a good trip in order to win.

TRI’s Picks March 3 Balmoral

Balmoral Park Pick 4, Races 10-13, Saturday, March 3, 2012

Last week, we had no winners. Tonight’s ticket looks very good. Make sure to bet these horses if they’re 4-1 and up. Good luck!

$2 Play: 5,7/1,2/5/6 = $8

Analysis:

Race 10- (5) Fox Valley Absolut did not race normal last time. She tried to close and she finished a game third. As long as she sits close to the pace, she may finally redeem herself to win. (7) Timeless Artist was a game foe in an Open last time. She hung for two calls of the mile until he lost 1 length and finshed fourth. She needs a good trip to get into the race.

Race 11- (1) Westedge Matt tried to race from the top last week. He faded from having to work for the top. With post 1, he shouldn’t have to work to get the lead and could upset. (2) Tuffrey N steps down after having difficulty in the non-winners of $5,000 last five. This class should suit this horse well tonight.

Race 12- (5) Bell Valley Zeke is the one to beat. He had to work for the top in every start in this company. He has failed to win in his last two, but should be able to win tonight.

Race 13- (6) Ajs Delight got shuffled back in his last start. He had no room heading down the stretch, so he settled for seventh. He needs to get into the two wide flow in order to win this race.

TRI’s Picks March 3 Meadowlands

Meadowlands Racetrack Pick 4, Races 6-9, Saturday, March 3, 2012

Last night, we had no winners. We came close to upsetting in the Overbid with Tea Party Princess, who was second at 10-1. I am very confident in tonight’s ticket. Good luck!

$2 Play: 8/1,3/3,7/2 = $8

Analysis:

Race 6- (8) Picture Me burned out early in this class last time. As long as he doesn’t make an early move and saves his energy, he should finish on the board.

Race 7- (1) Artist’s View may have finally found a comfortable class. He was competitive from the outside post at Yonkers last time in non-winners of $18,000 last six. Let’s face it, it would have to work perfectly for this horse and with all the speed in this race and he has the rail, he should get a perfect trip and upset. (3) Voice Of Truth steps down after some tough efforts in Opens at Dover. As long as he gets a good trip, he should be competitive.

Race 8- (3) Regil Tiger made a strong early move in this class last time. He got shuffled back and closed to finish fourth. If this horse doesn’t burn out early and gets a trip, he will be tough to beat. (7) Pan Grad came fairly close to winning last week. But the problem was he was too far back. As long as he’s closer to the pace, he should be in the top three.

Race 9- (2) Bet On Roulette made a strong first over move last time. He was close to the leader in sixth, but the leader drew away and his tank was empty. With the inside, he should get a better trip and have more left in the stretch.