Life Goes On

I realize everyone is focused on what may happen at the Meadowlands, but there is one thing people are forgetting; life goes on.  For sure, the potential loss of the Meadowlands would be a serious blow but I refuse to equate that as meaning the whole industry goes down like the Titanic.  The standardbred industry will continue to function and find its new equilibrium, whatever that may be.  The sun will come out tomorrow.... (aren't you glad I'm not singing?)

With that in mind, we move on.  There is plenty of good racing this weekend and I will cover some of it in today's entry.  There will be great racing the rest of this year and wherever it occurs, I will be covering it in the future.  With that in mind, let's take a look at this weekend's action, starting with Cal Expo.

My selections for the Cal Expo Pick 4s for Thursday evening, including the $10,000 guaranteed pool for the late Pick 4 may be found here.  The takeout for both Pick 4s is 15%.

My selections for Friday and Saturday night's Vernon Downs' card have been updated to reflect late driver changes and may be found here. 

In addition, we are going to review some of the key races being conducted elsewhere this weekend starting with tonight's Tie Silk final at Woodbine.  In addition to the Tie Silk final, we will be looking at the fourth leg of the Matchmaker series at Yonkers on Friday evening and the fourth leg of the Levy Memorial series on  Saturday evening.  Lastly, if you have nothing to do on Sunday, and you live in the NY/NJ/PA Metropolitan area, head to New Egypt for Horse Rescue United's Open House.

Woodbine, 6th Race, April 14 - Trot; $60,000 Tie Silk Final - 3yos Non-winners of $30,000 in 2010
   1  R AS Shakenbake (Zeron, 9-2) - Hampered by second tier in last.  Winner of 9 of 12.  Can win it all.
   2  Handsome Yankee (Ouellette, 15-1) - Has been dealing with breaking problems.  Share if flat.
   3  Going For It (Macdonald, 15-1) -  Best efforts on B tracks.  With racing luck may land part.
   4  Ibrox (Jamieson, 1-1) - Won elimination but in my opinion, is beatable.  No way at even money.
   5  Sholty (Hudon, 30-1) - Has been lackluster in  each start.  Can't see.
   6  Con Brio Hall (Moiseyev, 4-1) - Held strong in despite parked w/o cover.  Legitimate chance.
   7  Field of Dream (Macdonnell, 20-1) - Jumped off in stretch and shows jumps in the past.  Pass.
   8  Only The Best It (Allard, 20-1) - Broke in only p-m start and two of three qualifiers.  Can't see.
   9  Onirique (Plante, 20-1) - Post hurts but could land minor spoils.
 10  Hearthetrainacomin (Filion, 12-1) - Had two race win streak before last week's miscue.  Upset play?
AE  Unforgettable Fire (Saftic, NL) - No chance even if he draws in.
Selections:  1-6-4-9

Yonkers, 6th Race, April 15 - Pace - $40,000; Matchmaker Series - FFA Mares - Leg 4 Division 1
1  Cannae Cammie (Bartlett, 10-1) -  Seems to do better racing from the outside.
2  Shacked Up (Goodell, 6-5) - Good effort in first start back.  Eligible to improve.
3  Headpoles R Us (Manzi, 6-1) - Needs a trip to be a factor.  Does she get it?
4  Rev Me Up (Gingras, 8-5) - Improved in last start with move inside.  Possibility.
5  Up Front Cruiser (Dube, 15-1) - Ford enters the series with Cruiser.  Does he know more than we do? 
6  Giveittoemstraight (Brennan, 6-1) - Can never cout out a Pena-trainee.
Selections:  3-2-4

Yonkers, 8th Race, April 15 - Pace - $40,000; Matchmaker Series - FFA Mares - Leg 4 Division 2
   1  All Spirit (Brennan, 8-1; pp 1) - Rail favors this mare.  Don't ignore.
1A  Up Front Kiellie Jo (Bartlett, 8-1; pp 6) - Best efforts from the outside.  Completes solid entry.
   2  Hula's Z Tam (LaChance, 5-1; pp 2) - Has picked up pieces in series.  Not likely to step up.
   3  I-Lady (Stratton, 10-1; pp 3) - Can shock field with a trip.
   4  Ramona disomma (Goodell, 10-1; pp 4) - Seems to be up against it.
   5  Ginger And Fred (Gingras, 3-5; pp 5)  - Post may compromise chances.
   6  Run On Luck (Dube, 12-1; pp 7) - Has managed to grap share from the outside.  Share with trip.
Selections: 3-1-5

Yonkers, 9th Race, April 15 - Pace - $40,000; Matchmaker Series - FFA Mares - Leg 4 Division 3
1  Ticket To Rock (Miller, 3-1) - Would be choice accept for scratch sick in last.
2  Save My Shark (Pantaleano, 9-5) - Expect to tire at the end.
3  Symphony In Motion (Gregory, 8-5) - Looks to repeat offf last week's effort.  May repeat.
4  Jasperthat A (Manzi, 10-1) - Seems to be overmatched.
5  Shanghai Lil (Gingras, 6-1) - Sharp in series debut.  May challenge for win.
6  Flirtiscape (Brennan, 10-1) - Hasn't been a factor thus far.
Selections: 5-3-2

Yonkers, 11th Race, April 15 - Pace - $40,000; Matchmaker Series - FFA mares - Leg 4 Division 4
1  Twin B Tiara (Pantaleano, 12-1) - May land share with the rail.
2  Tomorrowpan (Dube, 9-5) - Post cost victory last week.  Should improve chance from here.
3  Anndrovetter (Bartlett, 7-5) - Looking for a hat trick this week.  Get's into duel with #2?
4  Park Avenue (Goodell, 8-1) - May be the beneficiary of possible speed duel.
5  Farmers Tuition (Manzi, 12-1) - Share with best.
6  Breakheart Pass (Gingras, 8-1) - Will be tougher here this week.  Not out of it.
7  Only The World (Brennan, 20-1) - Has not shown quality starts over this oval.
Selections: 4-3-2

Yonkers, 5th Race, April 16 - Pace - $50,000; Levy Memorial - FFA H&G - Leg 4 Division 1
1  Giddy Up Lucky (Goodell, 7-5) - Definite threat from rail.  May be overbet.
2  Lahaye (Bartlett, 6-1) - Should land share.
3  Trueys Legacy (Lewis, 15-1) - Meets easier filed.  Would not be a complete shock if wins.
4  Malicious (Miller, 10-1) - Seems to be up agaisnt it.
5  Mainland Key N (Tetrick, 5-1) - Could have outside chance with a trip.  Don't ignore.
6  Real Nice (Brennan, 4-1) - Division winner draws poorly.
7  Dreamlands Art (Gingras, 15-1) - Needs post relif
Uncoupled: Lahaye and Malicious race uncoupled
Selections: 4-1-2

Yonkers 6th Race, April 16 - Pace - $50,000; Levy Memorial - FFA H&G - Leg 4 Division 2
   1 Mcapulco (Gingras, 8-5; pp 1) - Weaker half of entry, but rail helps.
1A Mccedes (Dube, 8-5; pp 5) - Has not yet shown form of past.
  2  Aliveandwell N (Manzi, 10-1; pp 2) - Share with trip.
  3  Go Go Solano (Bartlett, 5-1;  pp 3) - Has been reacing in tougher divisions.  Chance.
  4  Handsome Harry (Miller, 10-1; pp 4) - Jumped off lsat week for no reason.  Pass.
  5  Keystone Rideau (Brennan, 8-1; pp 6) - May land share without dealing with Foiled Again.
  6  Foreign Officer (Tetrick, 3-1; pp 7) -  Most consisten of field.  Can't irnore.
Selections:  3-5-6

Yonkers 7th Race, April 16 - Pace - $50,000; Levy Memorial - FFA H&G - Leg 4 Division 3
   1  Atochia (Gingras, 8-5; pp 5) - Seems to be hitting his stride.  Ready to score?
1A  Dymond Joe Mindale (Miller, 8-5; pp 6) - Really hasn't shown much.
  2  Sand Savage (Stratton, 12-1; pp 1) - Has failed miserable in this series.
  3  Doubletrouble (Pantaleano, 3-1; pp 2)  - Lands share with a trip.
  4  Urgent Action (Barlett, 5-1; pp 3) - Swept Sagamore and debuts in Levy.  This is tougher.
  5  Erics Legend N (Tetrick, 6-1; pp 4) - Not likely.
  6  Shark's Legacy (Holland, 12-1; pp 7) - Lucky to pick up a check.
Selections: 1-3-4

Yonkers 8th Race, April 16 - Pace - $50,000; Levy Memorial  - FFA H&G - Leg 4 Division 4
   1  Lucky Bettor (Gingras, 4-1; pp 2) - Burke trainee has shot from inside.
1A  Southern Allie (Miller, 4-1; pp 8) -   May be flying late.  Don't ignore.
  2  Gallant Yankee (Tetrick, 8-5; pp 1) - Needs trip to be a factor.
  3  This Is Wyatt (Goodell, 3-1; pp 3) - Has thrived in this series.
  4  Blatantly Good (Bartlett, 5-1; pp 4) - Legitimate threat to favorite.
  5  Legal Litigator (Miller, 6-1; pp 5) - Tough spot here.
  6  Shoobee's Place (Dube, 20-1; pp 6) - No real chance to be a factor.
  7  Real Gentleman (Brennan 20-1; pp7) - Post hurts.
Selections: 4-3-1A

Yonkers 9th Race, April 16 - Pace - $50,000; Levy Memorial - FFA H&G - Leg 4 division 5
   1  Foiled Again (Gingras, 3-5; pp1) - Likely to romp here.
1A  Versado (Miller, 8-1; pp 8) - Definitely not the start of this entry.  Pass.
  2  Forensic Z Tam (LaChance, 10-1; pp 2) - May compete for second best.
  3  Mr Massimo (Brennan, 6-1; pp 3) - Seems to be a tough spot.
  4  Blueridge Western (Bartlett, 15-1; pp 4) - Has not shown his best this year.
  5  River Shark (Tetrick 5,1; pp 5) - Has been racing well in this series.
  6  Valentino (Pantaleano, 8-1; pp 6) - Woke up last week  With trip may factor.
  7  Classic Rock NRoll (Dube, 12-1; pp 7) -  Finishing3rd in three legs.  This post will put end to streak.
Selections: 1-2-5