Weekend Racing Action

This is a big weekend of racing; too much to cover them all.  There is sires stakes action in Indiana, New Jersey and New York, the debut of the Earl Beal Jr. Memorial at Pocono Downs, the Hoosier Cup at Hoosier Park, and at Tioga Downs, the running of the The Coaching Club Trotting Oaks and The Historic-Dickerson Cup; two races formally contested at the Meadowlands.  With so much racing this weekend, I will be reviewing the big races at Pocono Downs, Tioga Downs and Hoosier Park; all being contested on Saturday evening.

8th Race Tioga Downs   Trot - $75,000; The Coaching Club Trotting Oaks - 3YO Fillies
   2 - Don't Cry Lindy (Hensley, 6-1) - Failed in layoff.  Showed good efforts in stakes.  Should improve.
   1 - Angelette Hanover (Parker, 7-2) - The one to beat on class, but off three weeks.  Your guess.
1A - Firstclassprincess (Marohn, 7-2) - Should improve with better post position.  May land share.
   3 - Cabaret Princess (Johansson, 9-2) - Broke maiden in last race.  Will be tested for class.
   4 - Miss Lee (Lancaster, 20-1) - Last was a clunker.  Could sneak into Trifecta.
   5 - Katie Done Did It (Mettinis, 15-1) - Has shown nothing thus far this year.  Pass.
   6 - Massive Drama (Harder, 20-1) - Shows breaking problems.  Must show ability to stay flat.
   7 - Jezzy ( Schnittkerm 1-1) - Queen of the NYSS.   Willing to accept low odds from post eight?
   8 - Birthday Bonus (Braden, 12-1) - Found herself in last at YR.  Rewarded with post nine.
Coupled: Angelette Hanover and Firstclassprincess - Andrew Owned Entry
No Show Wagering
Selections: 1-7-1A-4
Interesting race.  Jezzy is 15 for 16 but draws post eight and meets open company for the first time.  Angelette is the classiest but has been off three weeks.  Appears to be a two horse race.

 10th Race Tioga Downs Trot - $78,200; The Historic-Dickerson Cup - 3YO Colts   3 - Tiger's Too Good (Parker, 7-2) - Winner of two straight and draws rail.  Steps up.
   1 - Winuendo (Schnittker, 5-1) - Gets class relief but not sure it is enough.
   4 - Whit (Hensley, 9-2) - Has picked up game this year.  Should finish well.
   2 - Live Jazz (Mettinis, 3-1) - Will be a nice horse when can overcome breaking issues.  Not this week.
   5 - Burnin Money (Marohn, 15-1) - Another breaker.  Pass.
   6 - Ice Machine (Norris, 6-1) - Needed class relief.  Threat.
   7 - VC Chocoholic (Merton, 4-1) -The one to beat in wide open affair.
2A - Johnny B Kemp (Braden, 3-1) - Another talented horse when on stride.  Not at 3-1 for me.
1A - High Pan Tolerance (Paquet, 5-1) - Seems over his head and draws post nine. 'Nuff said.
2B - Glidenfordollars (Johansson, 3-1) -  Best of the entry and draws behind leavers.  Don't leave out.
Coupled: Winuendo and High Pan Tolerance - Schnittker Entry; Live Jazz, Johnny B Kemp, and Glidenfordollars - Hartman Owned/Takter Entry
2B - Glidenfordollars scores from the second tier.
Selections: 7-4-6
Wide open affair.  Can see multiple horses with a chance.  VC Chocoholic is the class of the race but gets post seven.  Ice Machine doesn't have to deal with Blue Porche this week and also a threat.  A few horses in this race have breaking problems but if they stay flat they can be right there.  This race has the potential of a relatively large Trifecta.

14th Race Pocono Downs  Trot - $500,000; Earl Beal Jr Memorial - 3YO Open  
1 - I'm The Answer (Sears, 4-1) - Upset winner of his elimination last week.  Won't get same odds this week.
2 - Dejarmbro (Smedshammer, 5-2) - The other elimination winner.  Will need to be up closer to be in striking range.
3 - Big Rigs (Tetrick, 5-1) -  Quit late in last.  Expect the same this week.
4 - Opening Night (Buter, 12-1) - Best efforts in PASS.  Will try to work trip.
5 - Leader Of The Gang (Miller, 10-1) - Parked in last.  Share with trip.
6 - Broad Bahn (Brennan, 6-1) - Will need a slow pace to have serious chance.  Not likely.
7 - Bambino Hall (Napolitano, 15-1) - Draws poorly here.  Can't recommend.
8 - Pastor Stephen (Pierce, 3-1) - Elimination winner draws post eight.  Is the class but will need to work trip.
9 - Buffalino Hanover (Schadel, 20-1) -  Will be lucky to pick up a check.
Also available as the 10th race at the Meadowlands.
Selections: 8-1-2-4
Another interesting race.  Pastor Stephen is the obvious class of the race but draws post eight; will need to get a trip to be there at the end.  I'm The Answer also won his elimination in an honest pace.  Dejarmbro comes from off the pace and needs fast pace; not sure he will get the pace he needs; he may try to wire the field.  Any of these three horses have a legitimate chance.  Let the odds be your guide.  The real question is who completes the Superfecta?  Most pick Big Rigs, but I will take a shot with Opening Night who finished second to I'm the Answer; may be able to boost the Superfecta.

12th Race Hoosier Park  Pace - $500,000; Hoosier Cup - 3yo Open
1 - Townslight Hanover (Tr Tetrick, 4-1) - No shot in NA Cup final.  Will need a trip to be on the ticket.
2 - Samandar (Macomber, 8-1) - Winner of two straight but being tested for class.  Won't be surprised if gets thumped.
3 - Custard The Dragon (Teague, 7-2) - Almost stole the NA Cup consolation last week.  Best efforts in big money events.
4 - Alsace Hanover (Zeron, 6-1) - Another two race winner stepping up.  Minor spoils at best.
5 - Feel Like A Fool (Wrenn, 10-1) - Yet to show 2yo form, but it will be coming soon.
6 - Big Bad John (Miller, 3-1) - Quite late in NA Cup final.  The one to beat.
7 - Major Male (Magee, 15-1) - 3 for 4 but shall we say ambitiously placed?
8 - Wink N Atcha (Gingras, 10-1) - Will need to work a trip to be a factor.
9 - Wind Me Up (Widger, 9-2) - The wildcard.  Expect to land part.
Race features a $20,000 Guaranteed Superfecta
Selections: 6-3-5-9               
Big Bad John is the class of the race and Custard The Dragon looks like a solid second.  The riddle to this race is who finishes third and fourth and it looks to be two of the four Teague entrants who are racing uncoupled.  Wind Me Up seems certain to hit the ticket.  Feel Like A Fool has yet to hit his two year old form but he appears to be on the verge of it; the question is will this be the week he breaks out?  I say yes.  In this $20,000 guaranteed Superfecta, I will play 6 with the 3-5-9 being boxed underneath.