Based on the Meadowlands Pace eliminations and the Yonkers Trot results, it is going to be an interesting summer.
We can put the debate about not being to nominate to the Hambletonian on ice for this year as the bridge jumpers are thanking Yonkers Raceway management for not offering place or show wagering on Googoo Gaagaa as the 1-5 favorite broke twice in the race and finished a well-beaten fourth in the Yonkers Trot which was won by Archangel in 1:54.1 (Stormin Normand and Market Share finished 2nd and 3rd respectively).
While Archangel's effort was helped by the favorite's misfortune, don't minimize his performance. Archangel is expected to compete in the Hambletonian eliminations on July 28.
It would be easy to blame it on the half mile track, but the son of Cam's Rocket didn't seem to have a problem with the first turn and had no problem racing at Ocean Downs last year. According to driver Corey Callahan, the problem was attributable to GooGoo being unable to get good footing in that particular portion of the track and we should expect to see him in the Stanley Dancer Memorial at the Meadowlands next week, a race which usually is the final warm-up for those horses going in the Hambletonian. Regardless, I would be very surprised if we see Googoo Gaagaa in the Nat Ray.
As for the Meadowlands Pace final, it will be a great race. In the first elimination, I was very impressed with A Rocknroll Dance as he finished second to Sweet Lou in the first elimination with plenty left as he was trapped in the stretch. With a better trip, I think he would have turned the tables on the race winner (who won in 1:49.1).
In the second division, won by Heston Blue Chip in 1:49, the son of American Ideal was impressive, as were the second place horse Thinking Out Loud and third place finisher Pet Rock who ran into trouble in the stretch (both were given an impeded denotation on their line).
If I had to guess, my pick for the Meadowlands Pace final will be either either A Rocknroll Dance or Thinking Out Loud depending on how they draw in the final. One thing for sure, this will be a very competitive Meadowlands Pace final.
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Beat the Favorites?
With today's Yonkers Trot and Meadowlands Pace eliminations, they figure to be low paying events. However, upsets do occur, and while they are unlikely in these three tilts, let's see if we can come up with some longshots worthy of the risk betting against the heavy favorites.
Meadowlands Pace Elimination - 1st Division (Race 5)
Thanks to A Rocknroll Dance's (3-1) performance in the Hempt Final at Pocono Downs, Sweet Lou has been given a morning line of 9-5. The question is who has a decent chance at the top two? There are two horses I like in this elimination race. Allstar Legend (1A, Sears, 5-1) has been racing well, finishing second both in an elimination and final of the Hempt at Pocono Downs, finishing second to Rocknroll Dance. Prior to those two efforts, he won at Philadelphia in a 1:48.2 mile in the PASS. In his elimination of the North America Cup, the son of Four Starzzz Shark had no shot starting from the eight hold and being parked out. Starting from post position four this week, he should give a good account of himself.
While I don't expect State Treasurer (5, D Miller, 10-1) to win this tilt, he may add some value to the trifecta and superfecta. This Real Desire colt came from ninth sixteen lengths back at the quarter in his elimination of the North America Cup to finish fourth, only half a length of the elimination winner. In the final, he finished fifth only three and a quarter lengths back in a :26.2 final quarter after being parked out a half mile, having to go three wide at the 3/4 pole. With any type of racing luck, he may very well be in the exotics.
Meadowlands Pace Elimination - 2nd Division (Race 6)
North America Cup winner Thinking Out Loud (5-2) is obviously the favorite in this race, but I am not ready to coronate him the race winner. Heston Blue Chip (2, Tetrick, 9-2) has been racing up a storm, winning all four races thus far this year, racing primarily in the NYSS. Last year's Matron winner shows the colt can win against un-restricted company and with his :26.3 last quarter at Monticello Raceway in a NYSS event three back, shows he has a nice stretch kick. I may very well use Heston Blue Chip in this race to take it all.
Yonkers Trot (Race 6)
This race is understandably limited to win wagering with Googoo Gaagaa (3-5) drawing the rail and Storm Normand (5-1) drawing the second post, you can understand why exacta wagering was cancelled. That being said, Market Share (3, Gregory, 10-1) may be worth a look, only if he stays at or above 10-1. Market Share won his elimination of the Goodtimes in 1:53,2 at Woodbine but in the final, was parked out half of the race, being forced go to three wide, closing to finish fifth a length off the leaders. Returning to the half mile oval, Market Share may be worth a look. .
Meadowlands Pace Elimination - 1st Division (Race 5)
Thanks to A Rocknroll Dance's (3-1) performance in the Hempt Final at Pocono Downs, Sweet Lou has been given a morning line of 9-5. The question is who has a decent chance at the top two? There are two horses I like in this elimination race. Allstar Legend (1A, Sears, 5-1) has been racing well, finishing second both in an elimination and final of the Hempt at Pocono Downs, finishing second to Rocknroll Dance. Prior to those two efforts, he won at Philadelphia in a 1:48.2 mile in the PASS. In his elimination of the North America Cup, the son of Four Starzzz Shark had no shot starting from the eight hold and being parked out. Starting from post position four this week, he should give a good account of himself.
While I don't expect State Treasurer (5, D Miller, 10-1) to win this tilt, he may add some value to the trifecta and superfecta. This Real Desire colt came from ninth sixteen lengths back at the quarter in his elimination of the North America Cup to finish fourth, only half a length of the elimination winner. In the final, he finished fifth only three and a quarter lengths back in a :26.2 final quarter after being parked out a half mile, having to go three wide at the 3/4 pole. With any type of racing luck, he may very well be in the exotics.
Meadowlands Pace Elimination - 2nd Division (Race 6)
North America Cup winner Thinking Out Loud (5-2) is obviously the favorite in this race, but I am not ready to coronate him the race winner. Heston Blue Chip (2, Tetrick, 9-2) has been racing up a storm, winning all four races thus far this year, racing primarily in the NYSS. Last year's Matron winner shows the colt can win against un-restricted company and with his :26.3 last quarter at Monticello Raceway in a NYSS event three back, shows he has a nice stretch kick. I may very well use Heston Blue Chip in this race to take it all.
Yonkers Trot (Race 6)
This race is understandably limited to win wagering with Googoo Gaagaa (3-5) drawing the rail and Storm Normand (5-1) drawing the second post, you can understand why exacta wagering was cancelled. That being said, Market Share (3, Gregory, 10-1) may be worth a look, only if he stays at or above 10-1. Market Share won his elimination of the Goodtimes in 1:53,2 at Woodbine but in the final, was parked out half of the race, being forced go to three wide, closing to finish fifth a length off the leaders. Returning to the half mile oval, Market Share may be worth a look. .
Thursday, July 5, 2012
All Hail King Palone
North America has a new all-time dash winning driver and his name is Dave Palone. This afternoon, the Hall of Famer passed the legendary Herve Filion's 15,180 dash wins by driving the 2yo Herculotte Hanover to victory at the Meadows, his home track for his entire career since 1982, to put him over the top with 15,181 career victories.
Update: Palone won an additional three races (a total of five on the day) on the card, giving him 15,184 career victories.
Some will argue Palone's not racing at the Meadowlands diminishes his accomplishment, but they would be mistaken Would it have taken Dave Palone longer to get to this point? Likely yes, but to minimize his efforts by racing at The Meadows would be doing a huge disservice to Palone and The Meadows community. After all, many a top driver has raced on the Meadows circuit at one time or another before they headed east, plus it takes a lot of hard work and resilience to accomplish what Palone has done in these 30 years. Not everyone thrives on the top stage and it often is not a question of wanting to be the king of the pond at a smaller track instead of being a minnow at the big track. For some, it is quality of life which matters; money is not the deciding factor to them, it's family. Besides, when you win roughly $105 million in purses over your career, no one needs to take up a collection for you.
To give you a perspective on how good Dave Palone is as a driver, John Campbell, the ambassador of harness racing has won roughly 300 starts per a year over his 35 years career, while Palone has averaged approximately 506 wins per year, basically 200 more victories each year.
Congrtulations to the new King of North American harness racing as he continues to add wins to his record breaking total and takes aim at the world record holder German driver Heinz Wewering, who is credited with 16,000+ wins (the exact number is not readily available).
Update: Palone won an additional three races (a total of five on the day) on the card, giving him 15,184 career victories.
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| Dave Palone (USTA Photo/Ed Keys) |
To give you a perspective on how good Dave Palone is as a driver, John Campbell, the ambassador of harness racing has won roughly 300 starts per a year over his 35 years career, while Palone has averaged approximately 506 wins per year, basically 200 more victories each year.
Congrtulations to the new King of North American harness racing as he continues to add wins to his record breaking total and takes aim at the world record holder German driver Heinz Wewering, who is credited with 16,000+ wins (the exact number is not readily available).
Cal Expo to Resume Racing November 2
In a recent blog entry, I discussed the likelihood of an agreement ot resume racing at Cal Expo. Here is a press release which elaborates further on the deal. The press release does not mention Golden Bear Racing, the management team which EWS is planning to use to run the harness meet.:
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (July 2) – At its June 29th meeting, the Board of Directors of the California Exposition & State Fair unanimously approved a term sheet outlining the major components of a proposed agreement for the operation of a harness racing meet between the parties.
European Wagering Services is a wholly owned subsidiary of Webis Holdings PLC traded on the London AIM. EWS holds licenses with the Isle of Man Gambling Supervision commission and the North Dakota Racing Commission for operating the advance deposit wagering platforms link2bet and WatchandWager respectively.
The next steps in the process will be to:
Cal Expo and European Wagering Services (EWS) One Step Closer to Fall Harness Racing Meet
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (July 2) – At its June 29th meeting, the Board of Directors of the California Exposition & State Fair unanimously approved a term sheet outlining the major components of a proposed agreement for the operation of a harness racing meet between the parties.
European Wagering Services is a wholly owned subsidiary of Webis Holdings PLC traded on the London AIM. EWS holds licenses with the Isle of Man Gambling Supervision commission and the North Dakota Racing Commission for operating the advance deposit wagering platforms link2bet and WatchandWager respectively.
The next steps in the process will be to:
- Draft a final agreement to ratify by the Board of Directors of each entity
- Request the allocation and approval of harness racing dates at Cal Expo from the California Horse Racing Board
- Submit for approval an application to operate a harness racing meeting by EWS to the California Horse Racing Board.
“We are pleased that EWS has stepped forward to operate the
harness racing meet here at Cal Expo” said Racing Committee chair Cynthia
Bryant. “Our hope has always been that
harness racing would continue at Cal Expo as it supports many jobs and greatly
impacts the local economy.”
The proposed harness racing meet at Cal Expo will begin on
November 2, 2012 and conclude on May 11, 2013 and will operate on a two and
three day per week schedule.
Super High Five Debuts Saturday; Pick 5 Changes
The Super High Five debuts Saturday night at the Meadowlands with a $20,000 guaranteed pool the first night. The Super High Five will be conducted on the last race each racing program, replacing the Superfecta and has a 10¢ minimum wager (five horse box costs $12.00) and features a 15% takeout will be the last race on each racing program. There will be no carryover provision for the Super High Five.
Those who play the Pick 5, will like to know the takeout rate is being reduced to 15% with a $20,000 guarantee each night of racing. Other changes being instituted:
Pick 3: An additional Pick 3 will be offered starting with the seventh race.
Pick 4: New guarantees. Thursdays and Fridays: $50,000; Saturdays: $100,000
Pick 5: 15% takeout rate (starting Saturday) with a $20,000 guarantee each day.
Pick 6: $10,000 guaranteee on Fridays
Those who play the Pick 5, will like to know the takeout rate is being reduced to 15% with a $20,000 guarantee each night of racing. Other changes being instituted:
Pick 3: An additional Pick 3 will be offered starting with the seventh race.
Pick 4: New guarantees. Thursdays and Fridays: $50,000; Saturdays: $100,000
Pick 5: 15% takeout rate (starting Saturday) with a $20,000 guarantee each day.
Pick 6: $10,000 guaranteee on Fridays
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