Earl Beal, Jr. Final and features for fillies headline weekend action

The $500,000 Earl Beal, Jr. Final is one of the top stakes on Pocono’s June 29 program. One of these colts could be the Hambletonian champ and certainly Smilin Eli is shaping into a major favorite for the August classic.

The tote board is a mystery in the Earl Beal final; it’s hard to tell who will go off the favorite but Smilin Eli appears to be the one to beat, even with his 9-hole draw. He won over his elim field with ease from post 8 so perhaps one more length outside won’t be a problem for the division’s undisputed leader at this point. “Eli” loves to go to the lead, as does the horse next to him, in post 8, Celebrity Maserati. Since that one drew to the inside of Eli, he’ll likely get a pocket ride and explode into the stretch. In the event that he doesn’t leave, he can close well too, even with slow fractions. These two are certainly the main duo, though neither will offer large odds.  

The first stake on the stellar card that night is the $50,000 Earl Beal Jr. Consolation. The seven trotters will have to deal with the talents of High Bridge. He sat a pocket trip in his elimination until three-quarters, when he made his move after pace-setter Smilin Eli; he quit from there. Expect him to be sent for the front this week, since he drew the rail. In a race with not a ton of speed, he should be in the clear.   

At Yonkers on June 29, a single Hudson Filly Trot elim is presented on the program. The event is worth $20,000 each. There are four eligible gals and the Ray Schnittker-coupled Caneel Hall and Royal Assets may have the edge in form and price. Only the latter is an eligible and, too, the most interesting of the duo. We went with him at Pocono last week and will do so again here.  

At Balmoral on June 29, two eligible colts go in the $37,100 stakes on the card. Both loom dangerous over the locals and we endorse either and both: Longwell and Deweykidumnhowe.

Tioga Downs hosts soph-filly trotters on June 28 in New York Sires Stakes (NYSS, $44,000 plus for each split) and Excelsior Series action. The first of the three NYSS should be an easy walk for Proclaiming April. She just lost as the choice last out for Trond Smedshammer and is one of only two eligibles in the field. This filly is Smedshammer’s hope for a shot at the “Oaks,” and one of his only this season.

The second NYSS has two eligibles. We like Lady Riviera, making her soph debut for trainer Linda Toscano. The filly will be a good price here and we assume she is ready against non-eligibles, where Toscano has aptly placed her for a big season’s start.

The third split for state-breds has two eligibles, both by the sire Crazed. One of them, Crazy Grigio, returns to pick up the pieces of a slow sophomore start due to gait problems. A qualifier with a strong win and a win at Vernon with a powerful brush and commanding stride make the filly look very good for another trot down the “Trail.”

The Excelsior Series offer only three eligibles in four miles that go for $12,500 each. These are the plays, since these are the gals with the papers that can still get them to the August classic. In the first split, it’s Sleep Tight My Luv; in the second split there are no eligibles; in the third one it’s Royalty Free; and the last for the program in the series goes to Playful Credit.

The Hambletonian Society has owned and serviced the Hambletonian since its inception in 1926 and presents the 88th edition at the Meadowlands, where it has been staged since 1981, There are no supplemental entries permitted in the Hambletonian and Oaks, nor are participants allowed to race on Lasix or Butazolidin. Along with the four juvenile Breeders Cup races for thoroughbreds, they are the only events in North American horse racing that prohibit the use of any race-day medication.

Keep watching this blog for updates and races involving eligibles through July and for live coverage from TwinSpires on Hambletonian day. Read race results at the special section archived at the Hambletonian Society web site.

 

‘Beale’ elims are colt-trot trials

Pocono Downs hosts three elims for the Earl Beale, Jr. Memorial on June 22 and the soph-colt trotters are set to sail on the speedy five-eighths oval for $25,000 per split.

In the first round, only one non-eligible takes flight. Sharp off two wins, eligible Dontyouforgetit won’t be lighting up the tote board after a pair of double-digit wins. But the favor of Aperfectyankee seems to be fading and that is good for his odds as he goes from post 5 in this octet of all eligibles.

Public opinion will be strong for Dontyouforgetit and Celebrity Maserati, giving Aperfectyankee far less respect than we would care to acknowledge. So he will be our choice.

The second elim gives us a chance to once again support Banco Solo. Last out he was only 9-2 and made that first soph outing into a check-cashing mile, finishing third. George Brennan is in town for the ride and that is nothing but a plus, along with odds that will be generous.

Corky will get support again but he has only been able to win a Historic event and should burn some money again, along with Royalty For Life, who comes into his second soph affair after a bad break in his first and a decent qualifier. Still, the crowd may pour some bucks on his behalf.

The third split is a great betting race. Top-rated Smilin Eli gets post 8 and win-streaking Jurgen Hanover is in the 6 hole, while a few guys inside of them are getting better and should be some value.

My Man Can had a horrendous trip last out from post 8 and when you toss that one he should be worth less than his morning line, so we can hope for 6-1 or up. Also, High Bridge has a very good soph record right now and has won on this track before with trainer Jimmy Takter up. Yannick Gingras rides for Takter in this and there would be no reason to be surprised if he gets all the luck in the three turns and wins.

The Hambletonian Society has owned and serviced the Hambletonian since its inception in 1926 and presents the 88th edition at the Meadowlands, where it has been staged since 1981, There are no supplemental entries permitted in the Hambletonian and Oaks, nor are participants allowed to race on Lasix or Butazolidin. Along with the four juvenile Breeders Cup races for thoroughbreds, they are the only events in North American horse racing that prohibit the use of any race-day medication.

Keep watching this blog for updates and races involving eligibles through July and for live coverage from TwinSpires on Hambletonian day. Read race results at the special section archived at the Hambletonian Society web site.

 

Pennsylvania Sires Stakes attract top filly trotters

Wednesday, June 19, Pocono Downs will feature three divisions, 24 filly trotters in all, of the $233,370 Pennsylvania Sires Stakes (PASS). Of the two dozen competing, 13 are contenders for the big dance for filly trotters in August.   

A trio of “Oaks”-hopeful fillies will compete in the first of three eight-horse fields for the PASS, consisting of True Valentine (H-Cantab Hall), Drink The Wine (H-Andover Hall) and Upfrontluckycarol (H-Andover Hall).   

True Valentine will likely provide value for us in the first division. Attracting the patron’s dollars more should be Lady Broadway, Ruffleshaveridges and Drink The Wine. True Valentine made two starts this year, one where she broke and the other was a disappointing fourth-place finish. Because of her resume, she should offer good odds, around 8- or 9-1.   

With those two starts under her belt, someone going to the windows to bet this horse would look like a lunatic but then you look at her qualifier at the Meadowlands. It was the first time she wore hopples and on the slop during the morning at the Big M, she qualified in 1:55.2. Over the fast track at Pocono and from the rail, this filly poses a threat and will be a major contender into the final turn.  

The second division contains five horses eligible for the Oaks, Frau Blucher (H-Broadway Hall), Sheena’s Shadow (H-Yankee Glide), Defiant Donato (H-Donato Hanover), Coffeecake Hanover (H-Cantab Hall) and Thistle Dhu (H-Donato Hanover).  

Frau Blucher is the hottest of the octet, going to gate in Pocono’s 10th event. She won every start this year, defeating a majority of this field in previous PASS races. She is coming off of a 1:55.4 qualifier over sloppy going at Pocono. A filly capable of major improvement in this race comes from the Ron Burke barn, Coffeecake Hanover.  

With four starts under her belt, three of them resulting in second-place finishes, Coffeecake Hanover has been a major player in exotics. It appeared, though, that she needed some issue fixed and this week she adds Lasix. It’s a positive sign and likely that we’ll see a big difference in this filly tonight.  

The final division has five hopefuls, Sina (H-Cantab Hall), Good Intentions (H-Cantab Hall), Royal Assets (H-Donato Hanover), Classic Martine (H-Classic Photo) and Fashion Athena (H-Broadway Hall).  

Royal Assets entered her sophomore season not as sharp as she was at two, being a rival to To Dream On (H-Credit Winner). She may get some money in this field but in the end Fashion Athena should be the post time favorite. It’s good to see that Royal Assets has begun to show improvement since making her three-year-old debut. She’s reverted to racing from behind instead of on the lead and is likely to get a good trip tonight.  

The Hambletonian Society has owned and serviced the Hambletonian since its inception in 1926 and presents the 88th edition at the Meadowlands, where it has been staged since 1981, There are no supplemental entries permitted in the Hambletonian and Oaks, nor are participants allowed to race on Lasix or Butazolidin. Along with the four juvenile Breeders Cup races for thoroughbreds, they are the only events in North American horse racing that prohibit the use of any race-day medication.
Keep watching this blog for updates and races involving eligibles through July and for live coverage from TwinSpires on Hambletonian day. Read race results at the special section archived at the Hambletonian Society web site.

‘Cup’ undercard highlights signature trots

Mohawk Racetrack’s feature night, the night of the $1-million North America Cup, is set for this Saturday, June 15. On the undercard of the North America Cup are the Elegant Image for sophomore filly trotters and the Goodtimes for open three-year-old trotters.  

Bee A Magician (H-Kadabra) headlines the field in the $364,266 Elegant Image. Also appearing for the dance are eligibles Mistery Woman (H-Donato Hanover), To Dream On (H-Credit Winner), Handover Belle (H-Andover Hall) and Shared Past (H-Chocolatier).  

Princess Lilly showed to be the most impressive of all the elimination participants, being parked through a :26.4 first quarter and sat a pocket trip. She came out into the stretch in pursuit of the new leader, Bee A Magician, and finished second by a ½ length in 1:53.3. She drew the outside and has a good late kick, so if she sits off the pace, she should be positioned well and come late in the mile with a good chance to beat the heavy favorite.  

The Goodtimes final looks to be an evenly matched field. Rossini (H-Classic Photo), Denver (H-Andover Hall), Bwt Taj (H-Broadway Hall), Rolls Blue Chip (H-Credit Winner) and Caveat Emptor (H-Deweycheatumnhowe) are the Hambo hopefuls going to post Saturday.  

Gotta Secret could be the value in the race. He’ll likely try to sit off the pace and with little speed in this race, he could close well on whoever is leading the mile. Do not take him to win if he is under 6-1.

The Hambletonian Society has owned and serviced the Hambletonian since its inception in 1926 and presents the 88th edition at the Meadowlands, where it has been staged since 1981, There are no supplemental entries permitted in the Hambletonian and Oaks, nor are participants allowed to race on Lasix or Butazolidin. Along with the four juvenile Breeders Cup races for thoroughbreds, they are the only events in North American horse racing that prohibit the use of any race-day medication.

Keep watching this blog for updates and races involving eligibles through July and for live coverage from TwinSpires on Hambletonian day. Read race results at the special section archived at the Hambletonian Society web site.

 

Mohawk, Meadows present eligibles’ showcases

On June 7 and June 8, Mohawk presents soph trotting herds aiming for August. As well, on June 7 colts battle at the Meadows.

Friday, June 7 offers a trio of soph-colt stakes in the Currier & Ives (C&I) series. These are events each worth $44,000 plus.

The first C&I will find the public focusing on Bluto, one of only three eligibles in the field, especially since Dave Palone take the reins. However, we like the soph debut chances of Banco Solo, also an eligible. His qualifier at the Meadowlands was impressive and he has a ton of two-year-old class. Getting a price near his 8-1 morning line may turn out to be quite the bargain if he fires in his debut.

The next C&I features six eligibles in a field of eight. Major Athens deserves a close look in his third outing as a sophomore. The only thing that stopped him from a sires-stakes victory last week was a break. He shouldn’t be penalized for that race. Still, he will come back at odds much higher than his favorite status in that affair. With the probable choices of the public in the 7 and 8 holes, staying flat is all Major Athens has to do if he is feeling anything like he did two back.

A quartet of eligibles show up for the last C&I split. Again, the Palone-driven trotter should get the best of the win pool, leaving It’s Complicated to go off at odds far higher than his chances. He was third at 20-1 last time, in the race where Major Athens broke. This is his third shot as a soph and with a sharp steer he could get a good spot and take advantage of a possible shuffle-duel between Tigress’s Legacy and High Bridge.

Two elims for the Elegant Image event next week are worth $35,000 each at Mohawk on June 7. There is more competition in this for Bee A Magician than presented itself over the last few weeks in province-bred stakes. To Dream On tries again after a disappointing debut in New York. She should not be dismissed due to that misstep. Mistery Woman is also talented and should be in the mix. We think it is time to try to beat “Magician” by backing one of those two, based on the closing odds. Probably, Mistery Woman will wind up the overlay contender but watch for odds you would never have expected for To Dream On.

The second “Image” mile should continue the winning streak for Shared Past. She seems tons better than this field and has no trouble beating any in her division so far by leaving from outside posts.

This year’s Goodtimes elims at Mohawk are not laden with eligibles. There are only six colts in the two divisions that have eyes on August and that is uncommon over the past few years for this stake.

In split one we like Per Henriksen’s BWT Taj. Per trains one of his only shots at the Hambo this year and this field is a good place to start a successful road to the elims. Per is driving and that is a good sign because no one knows a Henriksen horse like Per. If he has his “s^^^ together,” as Per is apt to express it, this could be a good night for “Taj.”

In the second Goodtimes elim, another trained-and-driven eligible colt looks to improve on a two-year-old season. Ray Schnittker would hope that Caveat Emptor could be near as good as his Hambo winner and the sire of this colt, Deweycheatumnhowe. He had some jumping problems at two but “Emptor” still showed fight and the turnaround of a season may have given him what he needs to be a contender. We know the price will be right.

The Hambletonian Society has owned and serviced the Hambletonian since its inception in 1926 and presents the 88th edition at the Meadowlands, where it has been staged since 1981, There are no supplemental entries permitted in the Hambletonian and Oaks, nor are participants allowed to race on Lasix or Butazolidin. Along with the four juvenile Breeders Cup races for thoroughbreds, they are the only events in North American horse racing that prohibit the use of any race-day medication.

Keep watching this blog for updates and races involving eligibles through July and for live coverage from TwinSpires on Hambletonian day. Read race results at the special section archived at the Hambletonian Society web site.

Currier & Ives hosts fillies in lucrative trio

On June 5, the Meadows presents soph-filly trotters going in three classic Currier & Ives splits worth $36,000 each.

In round one there is a quartet of eligibles among the eight going to post. Coffeecake Hanover has been an eligible we supported during his three soph efforts and each has had its excuse for not winning, with two of those miles taking second. But here, with Dave Palone getting the drive again at the Meadows, the colt will be barraged with bets. That being the case, we move to our second choice, another eligble, Feather Your Nest.

A price is almost guaranteed, even though local Richard Stillings gets the drive. The second public choice should be Cupcake, who we also supported before but who is having gait issues, none of which is helped by post 7 here.

Another four eligibles (fillies are eligible, remember, for both the Hambletonian and the “Oaks”) go in round two of the Currier & Ives and they appear the race’s biggest threats. Bargain-wise we could be getting some good odds on Classic Martine due to his leaving from post 8, especially since Royal Assets on the rail will be the public’s choice.

Along with that is a probable bargain from Ma Chere Hall, who debuts her soph season here after qualifiers at the Meadowlands that are both strong. This is a top-class, well-bred gal who may make a big noise in the division. As well, trainer Jonas Czernyson has been sending out fit and ready properties this season. At first crack, Ma Chere Hall could leave this field wondering in the stretch. The class may not be so obvious to the betting crowd, though hot driver Corey Callahan will attract some bets. The point is that if Ma Chere Hall is as good at three as expected, this may be the best price to get on her all season. Along with “Martine” you may have quite an exacta.

Finally, only one eligible shows up for the third event. Upfrontluckycarol may be in the best spot yet early this season to pick up some dough and she will probably not be the favorite. Though she was third in her recent race, it was a better mile than the one before, where she finished second, because she was chasing Fra Blucher, who has ravaged the early division stakes.

The Hambletonian Society has owned and serviced the Hambletonian since its inception in 1926 and presents the 88th edition at the Meadowlands, where it has been staged since 1981, There are no supplemental entries permitted in the Hambletonian and Oaks, nor are participants allowed to race on Lasix or Butazolidin. Along with the four juvenile Breeders Cup races for thoroughbreds, they are the only events in North American horse racing that prohibit the use of any race-day medication.

Keep watching this blog for updates and races involving eligibles through July and for live coverage from TwinSpires on Hambletonian day. Read race results at the special section archived at the Hambletonian Society web site.