Trotapalooza II (Featuring Buck I St Pat and Enough Talk)

While the action is coming to an end for the season at Tioga Downs (click here for this week's selections), the racing season continues at Vernon Downs with Trotapalooza II with eleven of the thirteen races being trots.  For this edition of Trotapalooza, two heavyweights in the trotting division make an appearance at the Miracle Mile.

Buck I St Pat, the leading trotting mare, and other top mares will be competing in the $150,000 Conway Hall.  In addition to the Conway Hall, there are six tilts of The Kindergarten Classic featuring two year old trotters.  This is the third leg of The Kindergarten Classic, the first leg being contested at the Meadowlands and the second leg at Vernon Downs back on August 20.  Enough Talk returns to action against a strong field of trotters in the top overnight trot. 

As you can imagine, many of the Meadowlands drivers are making the trip north for the Vernon card.  Tim Tetrick, David and Andy Miller, and Daniel Dube in addition to Frank Antonacci, Jan Johnson and Trond Smedshammer will be competing on the card in many of the races.  It promises to be a great racing card.

In the Conway Hall, Buck I St Pat figures to be the winner of the race.  Unfortunately, being coupled with Southwind Wasabi, the winner of the third leg of the Ms Versatility at Vernon, she figures to be odds on.  Hence, you may be better off trying to hit the exotics as it figures to be a race for the second position.

Actually, the most interesting race may be the ninth race; a handicap for the best trotters on the grounds.  Enough Talk returns to action after a disastrous trip in the Ricci Memorial at Scarborough Downs; being distanced in that effort.  One would think he would rebound here but this is a deeper field than you would think.  We will analyze this race in depth.

Here are my early selections for Friday night's card at Vernon Downs:

1st Trot - $10,000; The Kindergarten Classic - 2yo Colts and Geldings 1st Division
4 - Swan In A Million (A. Miller, 9-5)
5 - Whit (Plano, 3-1)
1 - Leonardo Da Lindy (Antonacci, 5-1)
Coupled: Leonard Da Lindy and Aequitas

2nd Trot - $10,000; The Kindergarten Classic - 2yo Fillies 1st Division
1 - Hot Off The Press (J. Ingrassia, 5-2)
7 - Sacred Saint (Smedshammer, 7-2)
5 - Lady Pixie (Goodblood Jr, 8-1)

3rd Trot - $10,000; The Kindergarten Classic - 2yo Colts and Geldings  2nd Division
3  -  Cartier Field (Johnson, 2-1)
1A- Manofmanymissions (A. Miller, 6-1)
6  -  Getmorechips (Tetrick, 10-1)
Coupled: Mr Jim Dandy and Manofmanymissions

4th Pace - $8,000; FM Miracle Mile 2
9 - Mozzi Hanover (Dube, 8-1)
6 - Determined Lady (Bailey, 12-1)
7 - Keep It Fair (Whittemore, 10-1)
2 - Four Starz Poo (Huckabone III, 15-1)

5th Trot - $10,000; The Kindergarten Class - 2yo Fillies  2nd Division
1 - Miss Lee (Bloodgood, 8-1)
5 - Electra Blue Chip (Tetrick, 5-2)
8 - Iron Lady (Goodblood Jr, 10-1)

6th Trot - $150,000; The Conway Hall - Open Mares
1A - Southwind Wasabi (Marks, 2-1) - Won Ms Versatility here.  May be an advantage.  Note post seven assignment.
  1 - Buck I St Pat (Tetrick, 2-1) - Top trotting mare come in off a blazing effort at Chester in Maxie Lee.  Saddled with post eight. 
  6 - Autumn Escapde (D. Miller, 9-2) - Finished second in Ms Versatility and draws well.  If looking for an upset look no further.  
  7 - Highscore Kemp (Antonacci, 10-1) - Draws inside the big two.  Seems to be improving.  May land a share with a trip.
  2 - Broadway Paige (Whittemore, 10-1) - Ships in off a good effort at Pocono.  With the rail may sneak in the exotics.
  3 - Windsong Soprano (A. Miller, 3-1) - Coming off four straight second places.  Has not been able to break through of late.  Can't ignore.
  5 - Yursa Hanover (Dube, 8-1) - Jumped off in last effort at Vernon.  Must mind manners.
  4 - Elusive Desire (Smedshammer, 6-1) - Seems to be overmatched against these.

7th Trot - $6,000; Miracle Mile 3
3 - Earlivic (Harvey, 15-1)
2 - Vacation Day (Nassimos, 10-1)
1 - Mystic Splendor (Tetrick, 5-2)

8th Pace - $11,000; FM Miracle Mile 1
2 - Slimsplace (Tetrick, 6-1)
1- My True Delight (Huckabone III, 8-1)
3 - Delightful Dancer (Whittemore, 9-2)

9th Trot - $15,000; Miracle Mile 1 Hdcp
4 - Scorpion Moon (Tetrick, 9-5) - Was a game winner in Saratoga.  May be able to pull it off.
5 - Enough Talk (Kleinhans, 4-1) - Trainer driving leads one to suspect not sure what happened at Scarborough.
2 - Airzoom Lindy (Antonacci, 8-1) - Late starter this year is rounding into form.  May land in exactas.
3 - John Paul's Legacy (Whittemore, 6-1) - Has raced well on this track.  Just a step below the top three.
1 - Sundowner Bob (Lopez, 10-1) - Sacrificial lamb against these.  Wait for next week to consider.

10th Trot - The Kindergarten Classic - 2yo Fillies 3rd Division
9 - Beatgoeson Hanover (D. Miller, 5-2)
1 - Lady Bella (Goodblood Jr, 8-1)
6 - Temple Of Heaven (Smedshammer, 6-1)

11th Trot - $8,000; Miracle Mile 2
7 - Skad's Winner (Bailey, 8-1)
3 - Cool Touch (Lopez, 9-2)
1 - Unshakeable (Okusko Jr, 5-2)

12th Trot - $10,000; The Kindergarten Classic - 2yo Colts and Geldings
3 - The Lindy Reserve (Antonacci, 2-1)
2 - Charlie De Vie (Hegdal, 3-1)
7 - Whatever It Takes (A. Miller, 10-1)

13th Trot - $5,000; Miracle Mile 4
2 - Incredible Anthonty (Mac Donald, 10-1)
6 - Victoria Hall (Harp, 9-2)
9 - Whiplash (Plano, 7-2)
3 - Dusty Diamond (Tetrick, 5-2)