Brrrr... "B" Track Tour - Scarborough Downs

This week, the tour heads north to Scarborough Downs in Maine for the "B" Track tour.  When it comes to horse racing, Maine is harness country as it is the only state conducting racing that doesn't have a thoroughbred track.  There are two active extended pari-mutuel tracks in the state, Bangor Raceway and Scarborough Downs and there are eight agricultural fairs where harness racing is conducted.

While Scarborough Downs does not have VLTs on track, the way the law works in Maine, a portion of the revenue earned at the slots at Bangor Raceway does get shared with horsemen down state.  The voters in Scarborough have turned down slots a couple of times so there has been some talk about moving Scarborough Downs to an area that is more receptive to VLTs (as a sign as how bad things are at Freehold Raceway, it should be noted that at Freehold, $4,000 claimers are racing for $2,000 while $3,000 claimers at Scarborough race for $2,400-2,700 and $4,000 claimers are racing for $3,000). 

Like other "B" tracks, drivers that have plyed their trade in Maine have gone on to success elsewhere with Jason Bartlett and Jordan Stratton being the most recent drivers to make the move to the 'big' time.  There are several well known local drivers by the names of Drew Campbell, Heath Campbell, Leigh Fitch and Gary Mosher.  The horses that race at Scarborough tend to race on the Bangor, Scarborough, the fairs, Rockingham, Plainridge and Saratoga circuit with an occasional horse making the journey to Yonkers or the Meadowlands.

The Scarborough meet is winding down for the winter.  After Saturday's card, there are only three more racing days remaining (Dec 27, Jan 2, Jan 3) before racing takes a break until April.

Using the Scarborough conditions, we see how the past performance program can be improved.  There are a slew of $3,000 claimers on Saturday's card.  There is a straight claimer, claimers for winners over, and claimers for non-winners.  In the program, all these races are being reported as 3000CL.  It would be helpful if the program could show 3kCLwo1000L5 or 3kCLnw1000L5 in the past performances for claiming races with an earning condition or races condition.     

The following are my early selections for Saturday, December 26 (post time 12:05PM).  While my handicapping is being done based on a fast track, the forecast does call for a mix of snow and rain.

1st Pace - $2,700; FM Claiming $3,000 (w/o $1000 last 5 starts)
5 - Western Hope  3-1
6 - Kitty  4-1
3 - Lets Hurry On  5-2

2nd Pace - $2,700; Claiming $3,000 (w/o $1000 last 5 starts)
8 - Successful Venture  9-2
6 - Trebuchet  4-1
2 - Naughty Narcissist  7-2
1 - Osbornes Jet  5-2

3rd Trot - $2,400; Claiming $3,000
2 - Sentimentalvictory  2-1
4 - Psychic Credit  3-1
5 - Numberonefan  5-1

4th Pace - $2,700; Claiming $3,000 (w/o $1000 last 5 starts)
3 - Ascot Bourbon  9-2
1 - Gold Ball  7-2
5 - Champagne Charley  5-1

5th Pace - $2,700; FM Claiming $3,000 (w/o $1000 last 5 starts)
6 - Dream No More  4-1
7 - Lavish Jen  7-2
3 - Analytical  5-2

6th Pace - $2,400; Claiming $3,000 (n/w $1000 last 5 starts)
7 - Truly Signful  5-2
1 - Bos Laughin  6-1
5 - Lucky Rider  7-2
6 - Macks A Pearl  9-2

7th Pace - $2,700; Claiming $3,000 (w/o $1000 last 5 starts)
6 - Hollywood Best  9-2
2 - Duke Wayne  5-1
8 - Show-Time-Sam  7-2

8th Pace - $3,000; Claiming $4,000
3 - Three Button Door  6-1
4 - Trade Boss  3-1
8 - Morty  5-1

9th Pace - $3,700; Non-winners $1500 last 5 starts or claiming $5,000  AE: Non-winners $2500 last 5 starts or claiming $6,000 to draw outside
6 - Tough Company  2-1
2 - Passthegreypoupan  7-2
7 - Four Starz Gala  9-2

10th Pace - $2,400; Claiming $3,000 (n/w $1000 last 5 starts)
1 - Cincy Maynard  5-2
8 - Sea Dog Time  9-2
5 - Carolina Star  6-1
3 - Appointed Time  4-1