The "B" Track Tour - Northlands Park

As suggested by some readers, the "B" track tour heads north of the border to the frozen tundra of Alberta; specifically Northlands Park where Saturday's temperature is due to hit a balmy -9C (or to us Yankees, who insist in remaining on the farenheit temprature scale, a whopping 15F).

Why of all weeks have we chosen Northlands Park this week?  Northlands Park is hosting the Alberta Super Stakes (Sires Stakes finals) so a stop on the "B" track tour gives us the opportunity to see the best Alberta offers.  Now let's not kid ourselves, Alberta is no Ontario with racing conducted at Alberta Downs (1 mile) , Grand Prairie (1/2 mile) , and Northlands Parks.(5/8 mile).  In 2011, Alberta Downs will be racing 96 days; Saturday thru Monday from February 1 through September 30.  Grand Prairie, also known as Evergreen Park, will race 25 days from July 8 through August 28, while Northlands Park may not be racing in 2011.  The net result is Alberta is looking at a total of 111 harness dates in 2011.    Of course, problems are not just in Alberta; British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Manitoba all have problems keeping their harness racing industry significant.

That being said, it should be a challenge wagering on a racing card where most drivers and trainers are unknown.  Not all ADWs accept wagers on Northlands Park so  you may need to look to find one that carries the Northland signal. 

Here are my selections for Saturday afternoon's card at Northlands Park.  Additional information, may be available from http://www.thehorses.com/ (a site sponsored by Horse Racing Alberta).  Northlands Park offers live video of their races at http://www.thehorses.com/northlands-park/live-video-feed.  Note:  You will see many of the recent track conditions as 'fr' which represeents frozen; something you typically don't see in the United States.

1st Pace - $5,500; NW 2 PM or $7,500 LT- 5YO and Under
4 - Silver Eagle (Gagne, 3-1)
5 - Too Young Man (Sifert, 8-1)
6 - Cenalt Wizard (O Hoerdt, 4-1)
1 - Ambers Best (Clark, 2-1)
Coupled: Amebers Best and Western Choice

2nd Pace - $50,000; Battle of Alberta; 4yo Colts and Geldings (ASS)
3 - Raysmidnightcal (Starkeewski, 4-1)
3 - Wargler Hitech (Clark, 1-2)
5 - Kramers Man (Marion, 15-1)
1 - Cenalta Proide (Clark, 6-1)

3rd Pace - $50,000; Battle of Albertal 4yo Mares ASS)
5 - Sealedwithaprimise (Calrk, 3-1)
6  - Nazo Finally (Hudon, 4-1)
2 - Prefect Summer (Grundy, 5-1)
8 - Lady and Thetrench (Lcark,2-1)
AE - Barnona Hush (Grundy, 20-1) - Must be considered if drawn in with an inside oist,

4th Pace - $3,000; Claiming $4,000
4 - Anover Deal (Warrington, 5-1)
2 - Great Offer (Gagne, 6-1)
8 - G Super Sosnic (Gray, 8-1)
AE - Art By Dylan (Grundy, 8-1) - Contender if Draws in
3 - Good Chi (O Hoerdt, 2-1)

5th Pace - $25,000; Battle of Alberta Consolation - 3yo Colts and Geldings (ASS)
1 - War Cry Ranger (Monkman, 1-1)
2 - Light Of The Board (O Hoerdt, 3-1)
8 - Hot Attack (Hudon, 4-1)
5 - Outlaw Wild Thing (Hennessy, 20-1)

6th Pace - $100,000; Battle of Alberta - 2yo Fillies (ASS)
7 - Wrangeler Starlight (Clark, 6-1)
3 - Barona Josie (Tanish, 1-1)
5 - Mis Conduct (Hudon, 8-1)
AE  - Big Bang Theory (Hudon, 8-1) - Sharp effort on return.  Must include if draws in.
2 - Clintons Keepsake (Clark, 2-1)

7th Pace - $25,000; Battle of Alberta Consolation - 3yo Fillies (ASS)
1A - SabotaJ (Gagne, 9-5)
  1 - Tajerine Dream (Chappell, 9-5)
AE - Crush on Clinton (Clark, 4-1)
  5 - Spring Baby (Clark, 3-1)
  2 - Dramway Celebrity (Campbell, 6-1)
Coupled: Tajerine Dream and Sabota J

8th Pace - $10,000; NW 12,001 Last 6 Starts; AE: NW 60,000 LT
6 - Neal Diamonique (Gagne, 2-1)
1 - Almost No More BS (Gray, 3-1)
2 - Hilldrop Shady (Grundy, 8-1)

9th Pace - $100,000; Battle of Alberta  - 2yo Colts and Geldings (ASS)
2 - Bacherlor Pad (Hudonn, 3-1)
3 - Silent Rescue (Chappel, 4-1)
1 - Shaky Deal (Campbell, 10-1)
4 - Takem Todakleaners (Grundy, 1-1)

10th Pace - $100,000; Battle of Alberta - 3yo Fillies (ASS)
5 - River Lass (O Hoerdt, 9-5)
1 - Wrangler Raine (Monkman, 6-1)
4 - W Jean (Clark, 3-1)
7 - Rossridger Fortune (Clark, 7-1)

11th Pace - $!00,000; Battle of Alberta - 3yo Colts and Geldings (ASS)
2 - Clintons Escape (Clarkm 2-1)
5 - Barona Ice (Tanish, 5-2)
8 - Flak Jacket (Gray, 8-1)
7 - Dees Promise (O Hoerdt , 3-1)

12th Pace - $3,000; Claiming $4,000
7 - Mr Skeddadler (Chappel, 2-1)
5 - Oakridge Mac Yay (Tanish, 8-1)
4 - Outloawclassichroem (O Hoerdt , 4-1)
8 - Red Star Golfedr (Gray, 10-1)