Trotapalooza at Vernon Downs

It's no secret that I love a good trotter.  Yes, trotters, young ones in particular, are more prone to jumping off-stride, but there is nothing more beautiful than seeing the motion of a trotter at full speed.  After all, there is a reason the generic term for standardbreds is 'trotters' and not 'pacers'. 

Hence, the unusual coverage of a Thursday night card at Vernon Downs, which I am calling Trotapalooza 2010.  Tonight's card of ten races features eight trotting races, includes a NYSS races for three year old trotting colts, a NYSS late closing event for two year old trotting colds, and the final preliminary leg of the Miss Versatility Trot.  In honor of Trotapalooza, I will be providing my selections for the entire race card.  

The Miss Versatility draws a short field of five this week, yet remains an interesting wagering proposition.  The races would appear to be a contest between Autumn Escapade, Yursa Hanover, and Elusive Desire.  However, the two outsiders in this race can not be dismissed without some consideration.  Southwind Wasabi, a breaker in the last two races qualified last Friday at Freehold in a business-like 2:01 and picks up the leading driver at Vernon Downs, Josh Marks.  Highscore Kemp, who has been disappointing in her two starts against this class of horse, put in an impressive eight length victory at Vernon two weeks ago; was it a case of beating up easier or a case of the mare turning things around after a slow start this year?

My selections for this evening's card are:

1st Vernon Downs - Trot - $13,200; NYLC - 3yo Colts
3 - Off The Grid (Morrill, 3-1)
6 - He'smyman (Ranger, 2-1)
4 - Tobell (Hennessey, 9-2)

2nd Vernon Downs - Pace - $3,600; FM Non-winners of 3 pm lifetime
6 - Zinescape (Plano, 9-2)
5 - Marthe My Dear (Goodblood, 7-2)
1 - Sakra's Mo (Lems, 6-1)

3rd Vernon Downs - Trot - $25,000; Miss Versatility Leg 3 - Open Mares  
2 - Yursa Hanover (Ranger, 4-1) - Second leg winner looks to repeat here with decent odds.
3 - Autumn Escapade (Miller, 9-5) - Best here on paper but effort at Chester doesn't merit these odds.
1 - Elusive Desire (Hennessey, 6-1) - Needed to start tonight in order to qualify for final.  Been away for almost a month.
4 - Southwind Wasabi (Marks, 8-1) - Has shown little of late but secures the services of the leading driver at Vernon.
5 - Highscore Kemp (Antonacci, 10-1) - Impressive eight length winner in last but this is a much tougher bunch.

4th Vernon Downs - Trot - $33,277; NYSS - 2yo Colts and Geldings (1st Div)
5 - Dejarmbro (Gregory, 5-2)
6 - New Identity (Morrill, 7-2)
8 - Tober (Miller, 6-1)
1 - Surface Tension (Daley, 9-2)

5th Vernon Downs - Trot - $33,277; NYSS - 2yo Colts and Geldings (2nd Div)
1 - Tiger's Too Good (Hennessey, 7-2)
7 - Whitewater Rapids (Schnittker, 5-2)
6 - Rhthmic Moves (Brunet, 10-1)

6th Vernon Downs - Trot - $13,100; NYLC - 3yo Colts
2 - Royal Taga (Stark, 9-2)
5 - Signal Hill Ginger (Gregory, 3-1)
6 - Conkey (Hennessey, 2-1)

7th Vernon Downs - Trot - $33,877; NYSS - 2yo Colts and Geldings (3rd Div)
3 - Keenan (Morrill, 6-1)
5 - Neal (Miller, 5-2)
9 - Sing Out (Gregory, 8-1)
1 - Lucid Thoughts (Whittemore, 10-1)

8th Vernon Downs - Trot - $33,277; NYSS - 2yo Colts and Geldings (4th Div)
3 - I'm The Answer (Gregory, 9-2)
4 - Johnny B Kemp (Johansson, 5-2)
8 - Quantum Cashman (Henry, 6-1)

9th Vernon Downs - Trot - $13,200; NYLC - 3yo Colts
6 - Headingforaruckus (Gregory, 6-1)
2 - Takecareofbizness (Antonacci, 2-1)
4 - Sir Kensington (Segel, 9-2)

10th Vernon Downs - Pace - $2,900; FM Non-winners of 1 PM lifetime
9 - Computer Art (Huckabone III, 12-1)
6 - Viewish (Gregory, 7-2)
7 - Banocariza (Plano, 5-2)
5 - Tellajet (Huckabone Jr, 8-1)