Saturday Musings

Could a wager like the 123Racing Pick-6 take off in harness racing?  It is possible.  When you consider you don't need to win all six races to be a winner, it gives players reluctant to play a normal  Pick-6, a reason to play it.  The idea of the 123Racing Pick-6 is you earn points in each race your horse finishes 1st through 3rd with points earned based on parimutuel payoff (how exactly the points are assigned is not known.  The handicapper with the most points at the end of six races is the winner with payoffs for the handicappers with the second and third highest points.

What makes the wager also interesting is a social network aspect; a leader board showing the top tickets in running during the series of races.  You can check your ticket against the leaders and hopefully crack into the top ten.  In otherwords, you can know where you stand realtime in the wager as the races move forward instead of seeing where you finish at the bitter end.

While older players may not be overwhelmed, younger players should flock to a wager like this.  When will see a wager like this?  If the wager is successful elsewhere, we can be seeing it at a harness track near you.


The American-Nationals are being contested tonight at Balmoral Park.  Father Patrick is 2-1 in his tilt this evening (Race 4) and there is no way I would take him at those odds.  Right now, I plan to look at EL Titan at 8-1 as a possibility but if bet down too much, I will look elsewhere.  In the 3yo filly trot (Race 6), I will be looking at Cee Bee Yes though 9-2 is not particularly attractive.  Hopefully, the odds will improve.

The 4yo and up trot (Race 9) lacks a little pizzazz with Sebastian K missing, but it turns into a better wagering race.  I look for a Takter victory, but once again, the other Takter horse; Master of Law.  The 4yo and up pace (Race 12) has Foiled Again at a chalky 5-2; too low for my taste.  I may be looking at a Clear Vision (6-1) - State Treasurer (7-2) exacta play in a box.

Bottom line is this is a great racing card and the way things are going in Illinois, who knows what next year will bring?  If you have time, give them a look this evening.


While the Monmouth Park at Meadowlands meet continues towards its conclusion, it's refreshing to note we are a little over a month away from opening night of the 2014-2015 standardbred meet which commences on November 14.


I can't help but wonder how many people will show up at Yonkers Raceway for the Commander Crowe - Sebastian K battle in this year's International Trot.  I understand the crowd will not exactly be huge, but give Yonkers Credit here; hope they are rewarded for their efforts.