I have completed my initial handicapping for the Hambletonian Day card at the Meadowlands and as usual, it is a top flight card; perhaps the strongest card in North American racing in any breed. Traditionally, the Meadowlands closed with Hambletonian Day but this year there are two more weeks remaining so there is plenty of great racing left.
Before I give you my take on the card, let me provide you with some history regarding my handicapping success for Hambletonian Day; it is not pretty, so take this into consideration when you review my choices. The card is always challenging with horses shipping in from all over to take their stab at the stake races being offered so handicapping is much more difficult than usual, expecially since many of the top horses no longer based at the Meadowlands.
Please remember, these selections have been made two days ahead of time. My selections may change depending on odds and other factors as we get closer to race time.
1st Pace - Fillies and Mares Invitational
4 - Dreamfair Eternal (2-1)
3 - Knock Three Times (10-1)
2 - Cuz She Can (4-1)
5 - Go On BB (8-1)
Dreamfair Eternal seems to be the best in this race. After winning the Roses are Red at 29-1, I am a little concerned with the 2-1 morning line. Knock Three Times closed with a 25.4 last quarter in an Open at Mohawk last week; she may be flying late. Cuz She Can has been going well; may pick up minor spoils. Go On BB has been a terror in the midwest; can't ignore for exotics.
2nd Trot - Merrie Annabelle - 2yo fillies
1 - Bone A Fide (8-1)
2 - Costa Rica (5-1)
4 - Cantab It All (2-1)
5 - Nimble Kronos (15-1)
Bone A Fide looked good in her elimination finishing 2nd after starting from the outside and being parked out. Expect improvement from the rail. Costa Rica on paper is second best winning her elimination last week; note she finished slightly slower than my top selection. Cantab It All is the horse to beat but since I expect her to go off less than 2-1, I will take a chance the race will not go as easy this week. Nimble Kronos is intriguing. This Swedish import made her first lifetime start in her elimination and finished a credible third. She should improve in her second career start; just a question of how much. Must include in exotics and with long enough odds, would consider playing if you are looking for a 'bomb'.
3rd Trot - Peter Haughton Memorial - 2yo colts and geldings
2 - Lucky Chucky (3-1)
5 - Senor Glide (12-1)
3 - Pilgrims TAJ (5-1)
6 - Temple of Doom (10-1)
Lucky Chucky is the horse to beat. Colt is 3 for 3 and is able to race up front or from the back. Accept the fact you will get low odds. Senor Glide is better than the program shows; upset chance with a trip. Pilgrims TAJ won second over with cover last week; don't expect race to go as well for him this week. Temple of Doom was second to top choice last week; must consider in your exotics.
4th Pace - 4yo Preferred
1 - One False Move (6-1)
4 - Riggins (2-1)
5 - Beeeyouuuuuu (5-1)
7 - Share the Delight (9-2)
One False Move's best efforts has come from the rail. Chester invadee is my luke warm favorite to post a mild upset over Riggins. Riggins looked good in his tune up at Vernon but best efforts in past were in NYSS. Less successful with open company and will be overbet. Beeeyouuuuuu looked good in return to the races. Has talent but this may be a little too tough in his second start of the year. Share the Delight broke last week in the invitational. Much success at this level. Only concern is program shows non-winning efforts in first starts back after breaks. Trend continues?
5th Pace - Mistletoe Shalee - 3 year old fillies
1 (pp 1) - Not Enough (9-5)
1A (pp 9) - Yellow Diamond (9-5)
4 (pp 3) - She's A Fan (6-1)
2 (pp 4) - Precious Stone (8-1)
2 (pp 2) - Special Sweetheart (5-1)
An embarassment of riches in this race for Bulletproof Enterprises. Not Enough is a perfect 9 for 9. Winner of the Lismore, Fan Hanover and Canadian Breeders. Would be ranked much higher in the polls except most of her racing has been in Canada. After this week, she should move up much higher in the polls. Yellow Diamond completes a strong entry; she's no slouch herself. She's A Fan finished 2nd in Tarport Hap against Ginger and Fred; lands share. Precious Stone has had poor racing luck; can land in exotics. Special Sweetheart has been freshend; possible for superfecta if entry Bulletproof entry finishes in top three.
6th Pace - $40-55,000 claiming handicap
9 - Windsong Destroyer (8-1)
2 - Anvilanunoit N (3-1)
4 - Fresco Blue (7-2)
8 - Rockinrollin Now (15-1)
Windsong Destroyer just missed in last after being eighth through most of race and going three wide. With a trip, he may sneak in for the win. Anvilanunoit N winner of last two races deserves to be the favorite. However, stepping up in class leads me to think he will be over bet. Fresco Blue raced first over against Anvilanunoit deserves consideration. Rockinrollin Now may spice up exotics.
7th Trot - Nat Ray - FFA Invitational
6 - Glen Kronos (15-1)
10 - Arch Madness (8-1)
8 - Lucky Jim (9-5)
7 - Amour Ami (15-1)
Reaching big time in this race. As many of you know San Pail won the Maple Leaf Trot last week as the beneficiary of 'confusion' behind him. While a very good horse, I don't believe that he fits this class. Glen Kronos is my long shot pick. Tossing out his Canadian starts. Has been racing competetively against Commander Crowe and Torvald Palema. Shows a mile rate of 1:55.3 but this was in 1 5/8 mile races; actually faster. If he returns to his European form he could be tough to beat. As long as odds are long worth a chance. Arch Madness can be flying late and will be up there at the end. Lucky Jim is the best horse in this race. Last race was a fiasco for him as there was confusion to the inside of him during the race which cost him the win last week. Will be overbet. Amour Ami is another European invader. Finished first in Preferred in Canada before being disqualified. Shows being beaten by Opal Viking in Austria. Does not have the talent of Glen Kronos but could pick up minor spoils.
8th Pace - NW25000CD; Opt Claiming $75,000
9 - Palone Ranger (15-1)
7 - Noble Falcon (3-1)
5 - Dougs Fame (7-2)
6 - Captain Cambest (10-1)
Palone Ranger has not been overly successful of late but has been meeting much better week in week out. With any racing luck can upset the tepid favorite with the class relief. Noble Falcon raced credible in Ben Franklin. Loss in Pittsburgh invite concerns me. Dougs Fame sharp in Chester win (with broken equipment). However, note lost last two in $50,000 claiming company. Captain Cambest been racing steady. Possible for exotics.
9th Trot - Hambletonian Oaks - 3yo fillies
1 - Elusive Desire (5-2)
5 - Moonlight Kronos (10-1)
9 - Honorable Daughter (6-1)
2 - Raising Rachel (7-2)
SCRATCHED: 8 - I Wanted Wings
Elusive Desire is ready at the right time. The one to beat. Moonlight Kronos can't be ignored. Sweedish import finished 2nd to top pick while racing from quarantine. Should be tighter and could reverse positions with top pick. Honorable Daughter should be tighter and may improve over placing here. Raising Rachel is not to be ignored.
10th Trot - Hambletonian - 3yo Open
2 - Explosive Matter (5-1)
1 - Muscle Hill (3-5)
4 - Hot Shot Blue Chip (10-1)
9 - Federal Flex (8-1)
Make no mistake about this. This race is Muscle Hill's to win or loose. Explosive Matter has been almost as good as Muscle Hill. Any other year, he may be the one people are talking about. Any bad luck to the favorite makes Explosive Matter the winner. Muscle Hill will be overbet and needs to race perfect. Hot Shot Blue Chip is a speed merchant but just as likely to jump. Federal Flex was simply awful in last. If he goes back to previous race can be challenging at the end. Your guess.
11th Pace - Invitational
4 - Foiled Again (3-1)
2 - Jeremy's Successor (2-1)
7 - Dragon Island (6-1)
1 - Montecito N (4-1)
Foiled Again has been racing consistently better horses. Has class edge in this field Jeremy's Successor won last week at 10-1; will be taken more seriously this week and will not get away as easy this time. Dragon Island has been consistent; draw does not help. Montecito N has been very consistent at Chester; can pick up share.
12th Pace - US Pacing Championship FFA
3 - Mister Big (7-5)
2 - Bettor Sweet (5-1)
5 - Art Official (7-2)
6 - Won The West (10-1)
Mister Big has returned to his top form. The one to beat. Bettor Sweet ran into problems last start; can grab second with a trip. Art Official will be challenging for second best. Won the West is a threat from off the pace. Can pick up a piece with brisk fractions.
13th Pace - NW4CD; NJOS Preferred
3 - VLOS (7-2)
5 - Dream Job (5-1)
1 - Circus Dreamer (10-1)
6 - Pair A Dice (3-1)
VLOS has been racng well all season. Five year old appears to be able to handle the step up in class. Dream Job paced a credible mile at Harrington against Tarver Hanover; check Tarver's finish in 8th race then make choice. Circus Dreamer ships in from Yonkers with two second place finishes. Draws rail and has won here before. Pair a Dice had no excuse in last. Minor spoils possible.
14th Pace - Oliver Wendell Holmes - 3yo colts and geldings
4 (pp 5) - Drop Red (7-2)
1A (pp 4) - Passmaster Hanover (9-2)
6 (pp 7 ) - Vertical Horizon (8-1)
7 (pp 8) - Hypnotic Blue Chip (3-1)
Drop Red has been racing the best all year long with some success. Has class advantage against Passmaster Hanover. Passmaster Hanover signals he is ready for return with a 1.51.3 qualifier. Note most of his success has been against state breds. Vertical Horizon shows some ability; could pick up pieces. Hypnotic Blue Chip success has been versus NY state breds; needs trip to be factor.
15th Pace - NW10000CD; Opt Claiming $30,000
2 - Allamerican Daddy (3-1)
5 - Cole Diddy (9-2)
7 - Ooh Dear Sam (6-1)
8 - Most Happy Keene (7-2)
Allamerican Daddy drops down off mediocre effort; tepid favorite. Cole Diddy has been racing well; primary threat. Ooh Dear Sam has been popular in the claiming box; usually indicates a live horse; should land part. Most Happy Keene tired in last; drop down may be enough to get in photo.
Best of luck to you all and enjoy the great racing.
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