Whispers Turn into A Roar; Weekend Stakes Action

The whispers have finally turned into a roar. Harness racing columnist Andrew Cohen discusses doping allegations involving trainer Luis Pena on the Harness Link website and it is drawing varied responses.   Hopefully, these allegations are addressed quickly, one way or the other. The whispers have been going on since the meet began and it is not good when the integrity of racing at the leading tracks is under question. If there is a problem deal with it, don't drag it out. If there is no problem, then Pena deserves to have this cloud lifted.

There is stakes action this weekend on both sides of the border. Friday evening, Western Fair Raceway holds several series finals plus the Molson Pace. On Saturday evening, the Hoosier Cup will be contested at Hoosier Park. For those who wish to play Western Fair Raceway, free programs are available here.

Taking a quick look at the Hoosier Cup, my selections are Foreign Officer, Aracache Hanover, and Touch the Rock. There is a wild card in my selections. World of Rocknroll has been cross-entered in the $200,000 NJSS final at the Meadowlands as well as in the $500,000 Hoosier Cup on the same day. While the Hoosier Cup is worth $300,000 more than the NJSS final, I suspect he will be going in the NJSS where he drew post position two instead of starting from the second tier in post position twelve in the Hoosier Cup (nine across at Hoosier). My selection anticipates World of Rocknroll staying in New Jersey. Should World of Rocknroll go in the Hoosier Cup, he would be my third choice in the race.

Here are my selections for the series finals and the Molson Cup at Western Fair on Friday evening.

3rd Trot - $46,900; City of London Trotting Series Final - Fillies and Mares
1 - Rebas Song 2-1
2 - Bank of Ballykeel 6-1
5 - Oaklea Roz 7-2
6 - Hope Seelster 5-2

4th Trot - $50,200; City of London Trotting Series Final - Colts and Geldings
6 - Indigo Hall 7-2
1 - Aztec Seelster 5-2
8 - Berndt Reynolds 3-1
4 - Tymal Time 6-1

6th Pace - $52,600; City of London Pacing Series Final - Fillies and Mares
2 - Jael Seelster 2-1 (POE)
4 - Whats Your Fantasy 8-1
1 - Starting Bid 4-1
1A-Cents Of Humour 4-1
6 - J M Lastax 5-1

9th Pace - $54,400; City of London Pacing Series Final - Colts and Geldings
6 - Encore Seelster 6-1
4 - Cajon Thunder 15-1
1 - Fresh Herb 1-1
3 - Lawmen Reign 5-1

10th Pace - $312,000 - Molson Pace FFA Final
1 - Won The West (1-1) - Speed horse controls the rail. Logical choice.
2 - Lucky Man (5-2) - Made two moves to finish second against #1. Could reverse positions.
3 - Stonebridge Terror (6-1) - Won his elimination and will be a threat.
4 - Foiled Again (2-1) - Half mile expert faltered at the end in last. May be tailing off?
5 - Legal Litigator (5-1) - Coleman trainee races better from the inside.
6 - Hypnotic Blue Chip (6-1) - Scored minor upset in last after being interfered with. Could be a possible upset.
7 - Pangiorno (15-1) - Field to deep and bad post.
8 - Annieswesterncard (10-1) - Too tough a spot.
9 - Panmunjom (AE) - Also eligible could be a factor if he draws inside.
Selections: 6-1-2-3