Maywood Park Shines

In Chicago racing, Balmoral Park is king of harness racing with Maywood Park being the afterthought.  Well, we are approaching the season of Winter racing, but for those owners and horses going for those last dibs of purse money, Friday night is Maywood Park's time to shine including hosting the Windy City Pace.

Another sign that we are in the winter season of racing is the fact a majority of horsemen are not shipping in to Maywood to race for the stakes money.  In fact, without George Brennan, the driver colony for the Windy City Pace is pretty much local.  No doubt horsemen are discouraged by the lack of a racino bill getting through the legislature, but in the meanwhile, the show must go on.

We will not be handicapping the entire Maywood card, but will be looking at The Windy City Pace, The Galt Stake The Lester Mckeever Stake, The overflowed Abe Lincoln Stake (eleven two year olds competing), and The Cinderella Stake.

2nd Trot - $50,500; The Galt Stake - 3 year olds (1st division)  
  2 - Petruchio (D Magree, 8-1) - Not off recent starts.
  3 - Haulin Lasser (P Wrenn, 5-1) - Doesn't seem to be able to leave.
  1 - Take Heart (Tr Tetrick, 8-5) - Best efforts on the smaller oval, but recent starts have been poor.
  4 - Windsong Hercules (G Brennan, 15-1) - When good is good.  When is the operative word.
  5 - Fox Valley Iliad (H Hochstetler, 4-1) - Been racing well and shows a win at Maywood.
  6 - Live Jazz (D McNair, 5-2) - Seems to be overly favored in the morning line.  Pass.
1A - The Evictor (M Miller) - Strong efforts from the outside.  Can he benefit from the smaller oval?
Selections: 5-3-1A

6th Pace - $35,000; The Lester McKeever Stake - 3yo & Up (ICF)
   2  - Well To Do Guruo (C Leonard, 8-5) - Won Inv at Maywood from the eight hole.  Draws rail.  Pick.
   3 - Fort Silky (M Miller, 5-2) - Finshed second twice to favorite.
   4 - Bonn Scott (M Oosting, 6-1) - May find this field too tough.
   5 - Big Daddy Woo Woo (R Warren, 9-2) - Best efforts against ICF; can't ignore.
   1 - Sports Fanatic (S Widger, 8-1) - Has not shown ability over the half mile oval.
   6 - Windy City Ron (G Brennan, 20-1) - Three race win streak but huge step up.
   7 - Voomerang (T Warren, 15-1) -  Post may eliminate; otherwise would be live.
 1A - Ice Man Cometh (D McNair, 8-1) - Weaker part of entry.
Selections: 2-3-5-6

8th Pace - $127,800; The Abe Lincoln State - 2yo Olds
   2 - Fridaynight flight (T Warren, 5-2) - Raced well at Indy1.  Best efforts against state breds. 
   3 - Caviart Key (D Noble, 3-1) - Close in Am-Nat and races well on half.  One to beat.
   4 - Heavenly Beaches (R Smolin, 20-1) - Trounced in Am-Nat.
   5 - Memory King (M Oosting, 30-1) - Best races in NYSS.
   6 - Peck Blue Chip (S Widger, 15-1) - Seems to be overmatched.   
   7 - M T Nestler (J Sutton, 50-1) - Can't see from here.
   8 - Wajome ( P Wrenn, 10-1)  - Showed efforts in minor PcD5/8 stakes.
   1 - Dick McTracy (K Wilfong, 12-1) - Best efforts here but buried in traffic.
 1A - Uncle Smoothie (B Carpenter, 12-1) - Raced well but draws second tier.
   9 -  Star Recruit (G Brennan, 9-2) - Can rough it from here.  Don't ignore.
  10 - Crime of Passion (M Miller, 5-1) - Winner of Am-Nat.
#1A Uncle Smoothie, #9 Star Recruity, #10 Crim of Passion score from second tier. First tier may not clear.
Selections: 3-9-10-8

9th Pace - $70,000; The Cinderella State  - 3yo Fillies
1 - Crossthreaded (D Noble, 4-1) - Ships in hot from Indiana.  Consider.
2 - Fresh Idea (G Brennan, 3-1) -  Has been improving.  Merits ML?  Your guess.
3 - Mystical MJ (M Miller, 8-1) - Ate up a lot of ground in last.  Could be a long shot.
4 - I Kill Time (M Oosting, 12-1) - Best efforts are not on the two arounds.
5 - Pardon (D Magee, 15-1) - Poor win record this year.
6 - Ole Miss (R Smolin, 8-1) - Expect an aggressive drive here.
7 - Nina Coleada (S Widger, 20-1) - Raced in Lex late closers.  Could be another surprise.
8 - Weekend Update (P Wrenn, 30-1) - Tough spot.
9 - Swinging Beauty (D McNair, 2-1) - Been racing much better.  Second tier only knock.
#9 - Swinging Beauty scores from second tier.
Selections:  9-3-6-1

10th Pace - $175,000; The Windy City - 3 yo Stakes (No Show Wagering)
1 - Mystic Desire (P Wrenn, 9-2) - Share with better trip.
2 - Stonebridge Rocket (D McNair, 12-1) - Threat with better rating.
3 - Onhishonor Hanover (S Wider, 15-1) -  In a bit tough.  Pass.
4 - Four Starzzz Z (R Smolin, 20-1) - Just don't see.
5 - Betterthancheddar (G Brennan, 3-5) - Will be 1-5 by post time.
6 - He's So Hot (T Warren, 8-1) - Returns to track of choice.  Not out of it.
7 - Best Man Hanover (E Carlson 15-1) - Stepping up a bit.  Not out of it.
8 - Dutch Richman (M Miller, 12-1) - Bad post.  Toss.
Selections: 5-6-2-1 


12th Trot - $50,500; The Galt Stake - 3year olds (2nd division)
1 - Evil Urges (J Whittemore, 9-5) -  No chance in last.  Should improve.
2 - Vacation Credit (Tr Tetrick, 10-1) - Just don't see.
3 - Magglio (E Carlson, 8-1) - Best efforts on smaller track.  Not out of it if fave falters.
4 - Mr Web Page (D Shelter, 2-1) -  Class of field, but 2-1?
5 - Ooga Booga (D Magee, 6-1) -  Just don't see.
6 - Powerful Charger (D Bier, 9-2) - Minor spoils not impossible.
Selections: 3-4-1


Racing switches over in Michigan.  This weekend is the last weekend of racing at Northville Downs.  Starting next Friday, the Michigan racing schedule closes out for 2011 at Sports Creek Raceway.