For photos from the Meadowlands contact Lisaphoto@playmeadowlands.com

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Three Year Olds on Parade

This weekend is a busy one for three year old pacers. On Saturday, we have at Yonkers Raceway two non-wagering events, the Art Rooney and Lismore Paces for 3yos of both sexes. With only four horses for each race, management had no choice to race them beforehand. While the fields are short, the races are still worth watching as each race has horses which may be able to compete against the best in the division.

Mohawk Raceway also presents three divisions of the Burlington Stakes, being used by many horses as a prep race for the Pepsi North American Cup eliminations the following week at Mohawk. Mohawk’s sixth race also marks the North American debut of Awesome Armbro, a highly regarded if unheralded aged pacer from New Zealand who has raced against some of the best horses in Australasia including the champion Monkey King. In his only North American qualifying effort, Awesome Armbro N won in 1:53.3 with a :26.2 final quarter. It would likely be an embarrassment to the Auckland Reactor team if Awesome Armbro found his way into the winners circle first.

Also on the card for Saturday night, the Meadowlands presents the Miss New Jersey and the Jersey Classic for three year old New Jersey sired-pacers featuring some of the leading three year old pacing candidates.  Not be ignored, the NJSS for three year old trotters including some Hambletonian nominees will be competing as well in their $200,000 finals.

Not to be forgotten is Tioga Down’s Bettor’s Delight and Auckland Reactors third attempt at a North American victory at Chester Downs. These races will be discussed in a subsequent post along with my selections for the weekend action at Tioga (there is no racing at Tioga this Friday).

Now on to the action.

Yonkers Raceway, Saturday June 12
4th Non-wagering Race - $150,000; Lismore Pace – 3yo pacing fillies
1 – It’s De Lovely - Shows great improvement this year, has two to beat.
2 – Dancinwiththestarz – Two for two this year including win in the Simpson. Being away compromises chance.
3 – Aries Angel – Tested for class here. Don’t see.
4 – A And Gs Princess – Toss last at Pocono. The one to beat.
Selections: 4-2-1


5th Non-wagering Race - $250,000; Art Rooney Pace – 3yo open
1 – He’s Gorgeous – Devastating 1:52.4 qualifier at Yonkers says he’s ready.
2 – Tobago Cays – Also ran in NJSS may land minor spoils.
3 – We Will See – Seems well overmatched despite fast times.
4 – One More Laugh – Rank in Hempt final. Must mind manners here.
Selections: 1-4-2


Mohawk Racetrack, Saturday, June 12
5th Pace - $100,000; Burlington Stakes – 3yos (1st division)
 1 – Malicious (7-2) – Just missed in Empire Breeders Class final against the #2. Lands share.
 2 – Dr Dreamy (6-1) – Coming in on a two race win streak. Will be tough and brings value.
 3 – Kyle Major (5-1) – Won last in brisk :26.2 last quarter. Should land share.
 4 – Sportswriter (1-1) – Raced well in seasonal debut but at these odds, must show more.
 5 – Grin For Money (30-1) – Faltered versus Ontario breds. Pass.
 6 – Willis Place (30-1) – Another overmatched horse.
 7 – I’m Gorgeous (12-1) – Encountered heavy traffic at Hoosier. Could be an upset candidate.
 8 – OK Commander (30-1) – Not off New York starts.
 9 – Twin B Warrior (15-1) – Good Ontario bred. Would be a threat from the inside.
10 – Code Word (25-1) – Not with these.
Selections: 2-4-1-3

6th Pace - $26,000; Non-winners $30,500 Last six starts. AE: Non-winners $150,000 life time, $100,000 optional claimers, or 4 year olds
 1 – Awesome Armbro N (7-2) - While not out of it, likely needs a start.
 2 – Panmunjom (5-1) – Slight drop down but raced credibly against Won The West two back. Possibility
 3 – Pangiorno (7-1) – Expect a fast pace which will not favor this one.
 4 – Barn Art (10-1) – Wallace trainee seems up against it here.
 5 – Stonebridge On Ice (9-2) – May be a factor if pace is slowed.
 6 – Overcard (7-1) – Must be respected but this class is tougher this week.
 7 – The Ladies Man (15-1) – Will strike out tonight.
 8 – Stonebridge Terror (8-1) – Half length back of Won The West at Western Fair. Incredible value at these odds despite post.
 9 – Anderlecht (7-1) – Draws poorly here.
10 – Balanchine (6-1) – Returns from Georgian Downs preferred to draw the worst of it. Pass.
Selections: 8-3-5


8th Pace - $100,000; Burlington Stakes – 3yos (2nd division)
 1 – Future Million (50-1) – Ambitiously placed against tough field.
 2 – Rock N Roll Heaven (3-5) - NJSS champion looks to conquer open company. Can do it.
 3 – Rock Me Please (8-1) – Hot but steps up here.
 4 – Ideal Matters (8-5) – Still not convinced he is as good as some people say. Picks up a share.
 5 – Windfall Blue Chip (10-1) – Expect pace to fast for him at the end.
 6 - Stonebridge Tonic (40-1) – Outsider plain and simple.
 7 – Art N Charm (50-1) – Appears overmatched against these.
 8 – Mach Dreamer (50-1) – Best efforts are on the B circuit.
 9 – Rojettes Best (50-1) – Indiana invader seems to be over his head.
10 – Triple Major (25-1) – Don’t see him here.
11 – Shipps Xtravganza (50-1) – Maiden will still be looking after this race.
Selections: 2-3-4-8


9th Pace - $100,000; Burlington Stakes – 3yos (3rd division)
1 – Touch The Rock (4-1) – Toss last. Not out of it.
2 – Luckcamotion (50-1) – Outclassed and overmatched.
3 – Mcaracas (4-1) – Two race win streak snapped with impossible trip in last. Starts a new streak?
4 – BP Chimo (7-1) – Finally gets a good post. Can possibly beat top choice.
5 – Delmarvalous (3-1) – Will be competitive here.
6 – Woodstock (9-2) – Needs a fast pace to be relative.
7 – Aracache Hanover (10-1) – Not out of it. Consider if value.
8 – Keystone Raptor (7-1) – Faltered in last. Don’t see.
9 – Trick Man (15-1) – Appears to be overmatched.
10 – Warrawee Legend (10-1) – Would need to step it up from post 10.
Selections: 3-4-5

Meadowlands, Saturday, June 12
3rd Pace - $175,000; Miss New Jersey - 3yo NJ Sired Fillies
1 - Naughtytiltheend (4-1) - Clearly is second best here.
2 - Rock N Soul (8-1) - Can't compete against these.
3 - BJ's Mayreau (5-1) - Filly is improving but pace may be too fast for here here.  Not out of it.
4 - Put On A Show (8-5) - Appears to dominate this field.
5 - She Just Rocks (10-1) - Can pick up a piece with racing luck.
6 - Its Only Rocknroll (15-1) - Failed in nw2cd last start.  Pass.
7 - Rockaroundthetrack (15-1) - Looked better at Chester.  Must prove self.
8 - Lover Of Art (10-1) - Not from here.
9 - Full Picture (8-1) - Lands a share despite the horrible post.
Selections: 4-1-9

4th Trot - $200,000; NJSS Final - 3yo fillies
 1 - Boinga (9-2) - Four for five this year and draws rail.  Live one.
 2 - Springtime Volo (8-1) - Made seasonal debut a winning one.  Eligible to improve.
 3 - Unefoisdansmavie (6-1) - Meets tougher here.
 4 - Bar Slide (7-2) -  The one to beat if flat.
 5 - Muscle Armour (10-1) - Still looking for first win of the season.
 6 - Jettalady (15-1) - Not a realistic chance.
 7 - Costa Rica (3-1) - Seasonal debut was a winning effort.  Still not sure if her speed has picked up.
 8 - IPO Blue Chip (15-1) - Post should eliminate.
 9 - Glide Power (10-1) - Outside chance at best.
10 - Keystone Tabby (10-1) - Likely a maiden after tonight.
Selections: 4-1-7-2

5th Trot - $200,000; NJSS Final - 3yo colts and geldings
 1 - Flex The Muscle (10-1) - Dexter Cup winner is a possible longshot from the rail.
 2 - Take My Picture (8-1) - Suffering from seconditis.  Wouldn't be a shock if he improves. 
 3 - Plan Of Action (15-1) - Appears to be overmatched.
 4 - The First Time (12-1) - Another one which seems to be aiming high.
 5 - Muscle Massive (7-2) - Don't think he will get to ride the inside here.
 6 - Temple Of Doom (9-2) - Major contender here. 
 7 - Classic Viking (15-1) - Outclassed and overmatched.
 8 - I've Got It All (6-1) - Three for four this year.  Would need to step up his game to make it four for five.
 9 - Break The Bank K (5-2) - Draws the worst form the contenders.  Looking to beat the favorite.
10 - Priority Photo (15-1) - Post takes away any chance.
Selections: 1-6-2-5

6th Pace - $500,000; New Jersey Classic Final - 3yo NJ Sired Open
 1 - Classic Rock NRoll (15-1) - Here's one where the rail goes against him.  Pass.
 2 - Valentino (4-1) - Pena trainee is two for two sine the trainer change.  Will try to wire the field.
 3 - Allthatgltrsisgold (8-1) - Will be flying late.  Could steal it all.
 4 - All Speed Hanover (2-1) - Expect to see him in the photo at the end.  One to beat.
 5 - Piece Of My Rock (10-1) - In tough here.
 6 - BG's Folly (5-1) - Another one likely to falter in the stretch.
 7 - Shoobee's Place (10-1) - Could land share.
 8 - World Of Rocknroll (6-1) - Seems like he may have peaked at Hoosier.
 9 - BJ's Bequia (20-1) - Overmatched.
10 - Foreign Offier (15-1) - Not completely out of it.
Selections: 3-1-2-10

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