Saturday Night Stakes Crescendo

With the Grand Circuit heading into Delaware and Lexington, stakes season is reaching a crescendo elsewhere as harness racing's best head into the championship troika of Delaware, Lexington, and Woodbine (The Breeders Cup).

Since there are so many stakes to deal with on Saturday, allow me to provide you with my selections for these races.

Indiana Downs

7th Pace - $105,900; The Elevation - 2yo Colts and Geldings (1st Division)
5 - Sweet Lou (Palone, 2-1)
2 - Caviart Key (Smith, 3-1)
3 - Fridaynightflight (Sutton, 5-1)
Coupled: Dick Mctracy and Sell The Dream - Sawgrass Farms and Joe Seekman trained entry.

9th Pace - $106,900; The Elevation - 2yo Colts and Geldings (2nd Division)
2 - A Rocknroll Dance (Gingras, 5-2)
5 - Mykindachip (Shelter, 5-1)
6 - Star Recruit (Wrenn, 7-2)
4 - I Like Dreamin (Tr Tetrick, 8-1)
Coupled: Goose On The Rocks and Peck Blue Chip - Sawgrass Farms and Joe Seekman trained entry.

10th Pace - $281,000; Kentuckiana Stallion Management - 2yo Fillies
   2 - American Jewel (Palone, 9-5)
 1A - Poloar Opposition (Gingras, 9-2)
   3 - Podges Lady (Tr Tetrick, 3-1)
 10 - Real Touch (Paver, 15-1)
Coupled: Live Wire and Polar Opposition - Diamond Creek Farm and Erv Miller trained entry.
#9 Stealin The Show and #10 Real Touch score from the second tier.


Balmoral Park  (Super Night)

1st Trot - $100,000; The Su Mac Lad - 3yo Colt and Geldings (ICF)
3 - Fox Valley Iliad (Wilfong, 4-1)
2 - Powerful Charger (Carpenter, 3-1)
1 - Powerful Tom (Warren, 5-1)

2nd Trot - $103,000; The Lady Ann Reed - 3yo Fillies (ICF)
2 - Maplegrove Shaelyn (Patton, 5-1)
7 - Zumba Mouse (Miller, 5-2)
9 - Fox Valley Ruffian (Husted, 7-2)
5 - Powerfulconnection (Carpenter, 6-1)

7th Pace - $122,000; The Lorna Propes - 3yo and Up Fillies and Mares (ICF)
2 - Mystical Victress (Miller, 5-2)
1 - Rev Me Up (Carlson, 4-1)
8 - Dee Dee Sage (Leonard, 12-1)
7 - Land D's Taylor (Cox, 12-1)

8th Pace - $184,000; The Filly Orange and Blue - 2yo Fillies (ICF)
  7 - No Respect (Carlson, 3-1)
  9 - Kendyl (Wilfong, 5-1)
10 - Sleazy Does It (Leonard, 9-2)
  6 - MJ's Bid (Miller, 4-1)

11th Pace - $159,000; The Grandma Ann - 3yo Fillies (ICF)
  6 - Fox Valley Praline (Roberts, 7-2)
  7 - Fox Valley Touche (Hiteman, 4-1)
10 - Nina Colead (Magree, 12-1)
  3 - Onebrewfortheroad (Leonard, 12-1)

12th Pace - $120,000; The Tony Maurello - 3yo and Up Hores and Geldings (ICF)
4 - Omaha Survivor (Carlson, 15-1)
3 - Southern Sport (Oosting, 6-1)
6 - Doubletrouble (Carpenter, 9-2)
1 - Thisbigdogwillfight (Hiteman, 12-1)

13th Pace - $188,000; The Pete Langley Memorial - 3yo Colts and Gelding (ICF)
3 - Rockin Rumble (Roberts, 9-2)
2 - Boi (Magee, 6-1)
9 - Sporty Gypsy (Hiteman, 15-1)
8 - Dutch Richman (Miller, 3-1)

14th Pace - $241,000; The Orange and Blue - 2yo Colt and Gelding (ICF) $25,000GTD High Five
  8 - Crime of Passion (Miller, 3-1)
  4 - Al's Hammered (Smolin, 6-1)
  6 - Zall Good (Carlson, 7-2)
10 - Peachys Pistol (Simpson, 9-2)
  1 -King Midas' Touch (Seekman, 12-1)


Mohwak Raceway

4th Trot - $447,000; The Peaceful Way - 2yo Fillies
10 - Check Me Out (Tetrick, 2-1)
  2 - Superstar Hanover (Pierce, 4-1)
  4 - Win Missy B (Ritchie, 5-2)

7th Trot - $1,000,000; Canadian Trotting Classic - 3yo Open
2 - Daylon Magician (Moiseyev, 3-1)
6 -  Sim Brown (Waples, 8-1)
3 - Manofmanymissions (Miller, 5-2)

9th Trot - $469,000; William Wellwood Memorial - 2yo Open
  3 - American Gangster (Sears, 3-1)
10 - Prestidigitator (Filion, 15-1)
  2 - The Game Plan (Moiseyev, 4-1)

Eleswhere, it is reported in The Record that negotiations with Morris Bailey for Monmouth Park.  However, it was noted that if the deal with Bailey falls through, the NJSEA may either turn to the other bidders, the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association or John Brunetti, former part owner of Monmouth and owner of Hialeah Park or put the who project up for bid.

The good news is Bailey and the NJSEA are still talking.  However, it gives credence to the backstretch rumors speculating that Brunetti may end up with the Oceanport .  That may or may not be good for thoroughbred interests, as Brunetti is racing cheap quarterhorses just to get a slot parlor running at Hialeah.