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.

Yonkers Trot headlines hopefuls’ stakes agenda

H = Hambletonian eligible

Saturday, July 7’s Yonkers Trot and Hudson Filly Trot find the aiming-for-August groups squaring off in big stakes. But on Friday, July 6, and Saturday, fillies fight and colts grapple at the Meadowlands, Pocono and Hazel Park. (Note that the Hudson Filly Trot is a non-wagering stakes event.) 

World champion Googoo Gaagaa drew post 1 for the Yonkers Trot, worth $445,594. The ruling glamour-boy trotter who is not eligible to the coveted classic is the son of a pacing sire (Cam’s Rocket) and has won 11 of his 12 starts and $345,945. Googoo Gaagaa comes to the half-mile track off a 1:50.4 win—the fastest ever over a five-eighths mile oval—in the Earl Beal Jr. Memorial Final at Pocono. 

The potential giant killers include Stormin Normand (H-Broadway Hall), Market Share (H-Revenue S), Muscolo (H-Muscles Yankee) and Archangel (H-Credit Winner).  

The best anyone playing against “Googoo” can hope for is a shuffling speed duel between Googoo, Market Share and Archangel. The latter has been a speedball in New York-bred events and Market Share loves the top. So, as fast as Googoo can fly, those two could burn him enough to make room for Stormin Normand to close, either in the inner lane or wide late.  

The companion event, the Hudson Filly Trot, has only three soph fillies but is worth $185,194 and goes as a non-wagering event. Still considering a challenge for the boys, millionairess Check Me Out (H-Donato Hanover), last season's divisional champ, scared away all but Real Babe (H-Donato Hanover) and Aunt Mel (H-Yankee Glide).  

At Hazel Park a sweet trio, so to speak, of Chocolatier progeny vie for spots in next week’s William Connors Final. Looking to add some money to their accounts while they eye a spot at the classic, the first $10,000 elim features Ghirardelli Lindy (H-Chocolatier) and Duluth (H-Chocolatier). We liked Duluth earlier in the season, going against better in a New Jersey Sires Stakes, and although an appearance in the Hambo is, at best, a longshot, he could have it all over this soft group.  

In the second split you only have to look at Mr. Candyman (H-Chocolatier) and decide if he is worth the wager, being the classiest here, which is going to be obvious.

Saturday at the Meadowlands, five colts take to the track in a $46,452 W.N. Reynolds stake. This mile features the soph debut of last year’s frosh-colt trot champ, Possess The Will (H-Donato Hanover).

If he is ready, he is primed to go a big mile and then race conservatively over the next month to be fresh for his big target, the Hambo. His biggest foe, should he care to be challenged, will be Lightning Storm (H-Donato Hanover), who has been far better than expected in four starts, winning half of them quite quickly.

Also here are Power Play (H-Donato Hanover), Money On My Mind (H-Cantab Hall) and Modern Family (H-Cantab Hall).

Friday’s Reynolds is for the fillies with two divisions worth $28,426 each. Win Missy B (Conway Hall) is coming from a decent win but may not deserve favorite status. Certainly Temple Blue Chip (H-Cantab Hall) is rounding into winning form and will be an overlay.

Also here are Quarentine S (Varenne), D’Orsay (H-Yankee Glide), Riverfest and Chocoholic (Chocolatier).

The second split hands a 3-5 morning line to Maven (H-Glidemaster), which sets us off on Chocolatta De Vie (H-Chocolatier). She will be greatly overlooked and could surprise at a mighty price.

Three $50,000 Pennsylvania All Stars splits go on July 7 at Pocono, featuring fields larger that the Yonkers Trot with many Hambo hopefuls.

Fashion Astral (H-Broadway Hall) has not been too sharp but from the rail in division one may be able to control the fractions and finally get that first soph win. Also here are Fogelberg (SJ’s Caviar) and Another Amaretto (H-Andover Hall), with Bullvillcomeonjohn, Boytown, Redder Than Red and Upfront Billy.

In division two we once again like Frost Bites K (H-Broadway Hall). Even the races he has lost, six of 10, have been good races and here he is not up against anywhere near as much as he has taken on this season.

Also here are Astarisborn Hanover (H-Donato Hanover), Nothing But Class (H-Andover Hall).Can Do, Celebrity Hall, Hawaiian Caviar, The Big Thea Thea and Beluga Ridge.

The nightcap features another shot for Uncle Peter (H-Cantab Hall), who has been uneven while facing the likes of Googoo Gaagaa. He needs to win this for a few reasons and may be able to with a smooth gait as he is up against four second-tier hopefuls: Solvato (H-Donato Hanover), Lindys Jersey Boy (H-Cantab Hall), Pekoe Fashion (H-Broadway Hall), as well as Mr Ridgetaker, Mikesbrotherfrank, Pilgrims Power and On The Podium.

Get to TwinSpires for wagering all of the great races leading to the Hambletonian and “Oaks” and read all the result stories at Hambletonian Society’s exclusive “trail” section.

Eligibles spread out for holiday weekend

The July 4^th holiday weekend has a bunch of mild affairs in store for Hambo or “Oaks” eligibles.  

As Canada finishes celebrating its 144^th birthday, July 2 presents Ontario Sires Stakes (ONSS) at Georgian Downs that include some Oaks eligibles.  

In one of the three $40,000 eliminations for the ONSS Final, Attorney Hanover (Angus Hall) comes from the second tier, post 11. She is the only Oaks hopeful in the field.  

The second elim is free of eligibles but the third one has a trio. Oh Sweet Baby (Angus Hall), Mary’s Out Cruisin (Here Comes Herbie) and LA Freeway (Kadabra) are all province-breds competing on the circuit’s highest prized events. Keep and eye on “Freeway,” as Kadabra fillies have proven to be quite competitive on their own turf.  

That same evening at the Meadowlands, a field of colt eligibles battle in a $25,000 Open Trot. Here, Manofmanymissions (Yankee Glide), pictured on left, returns to battle with his own division after taking on older guys in New Jersey.  

Winuendo (Windsong’s Legacy) looks to earn more to get into the final month’s group of prospects, as does Rarely Ordinary (Conway Hall).  

Fawkes (SJ’s Caviar) was the recipient of a win in a chaotic race, giving him a clear-sailing trip to win at high odds at the Meadows. He will need to perform with less luck to stay in the best company of this division. Not Nice (Glidemaster) is also struggling and up against deep competition here.  

Charlie De Vie (Yankee Glide), however, has lost on his own cognition, breaking stride being his biggest enemy. On his best behavior he has a very good shot to beat “Man,” who will no doubt be a huge favorite.  

On July 4^th at Chester Downs, filly trotters with eyes on August compete in three Pennsylvania Sires Stakes (PASS), each worth more than $66,000.  

Pantholops (Andover Hall) is yet to win in four starts, placing in three. Broadway Starlet (Broadway Hall) joins the trio of eligibles in the first split. She has two wins in seven starts and is the best chance for an upset here. Cedar Dove (Andover Hall) could be a second choice in the field.  

The second PASS split features Pacific Splash (American Winner), who has trailed off since her early season success. Lady Andover (Andover Hall) has some work to do, as the other two hopefuls bring in a bundle of bankroll earnings.  

Hot Off The Press (Cantab Hall) and Celebrity Katie (SJ’s Caviar) have shown some life that has earned them some clear paths to August. More earnings in theirs accounts is the goal in this event.  

Upsetting recently in state-bred action, Bold And Fresh (SJ’s Caviar) is the only eligible in the last of the three splits. She should be the favorite here and may tower over this group.

Weekend trots on fire at Mohawk

Friday, June 17, Mohawk’s overture for the big “Cup” program the following night features soph-colt trotters in the $50,000 Goodtimes Consolation. In the race, the likely favorite will be Daylon Magician, a non-eligible, since he was 1-9 last time out.

But the horse that may not get the play he deserves will be Just In (Andover Hall). He left from the 8 hole in his Goodtimes elim and got a spot mid pack. He came moving just too late to catch a fading Whiskey Tax (Revenue S) and didn’t make the final. Other eligibles in this mile include Pegasus Blue Chip (Glidemaster) and EL Rock (Yankee Glide)

Saturday, June 18 starts with the $519,000 Elegant Image Final for some “Oaks”-eligibles. It looks as if Crys Dream (Taurus Dream) will be the obvious fan favorite and is certainly the one to beat. If you want to key her, use watch Lady Rainbow (Muscles Yankee). She is still an improving horse and may have a shot here, so consider a win bet, too. This teeters on a pass. 

Also aiming at the Oaks in this field are Oh Sweet Baby (Angus Hall), Iron Lady (Daguet Rapide), Seducedbychocolate (Chocolatier), Cedar Dove (Andover Hall) and on the also-eligible list is eligible Crème De Cocoa (Chocolatier).

In the $347,000 Goodtimes Final, Blue Porsche (Glidemaster) and VC Chocoholic (Chocolatier) will get all the money.

But one that will be ignored is not a Hambo hopeful. We like the chances of a non-hopefull, Mr Joe Sixpack to upset. He dueled for the front at the quarter and then went first over at three-quarters to finish third.

Also in the mix with Hambo dreams is Ice Machine (Muscles Yankee).

Reviews, results and archives at the home page of Hambletonian Society.

Fillies vie in ‘Elegant’ elims; Magician splits make colts appear

On Friday, June 10, 11 Hambletonian Oaks eligibles go to the gate at Mohawk in the two Eligantimage elims, while the Meadowlands hosts three splits of the Magician series for the colts, with eligibles included.  

In the first “Elegant” elim, it is tough to predict the public choice. But it could be Lady Rainbow (Muscles Yankee). Also in it are Iron Lady (Daguet Rapide), Fitness Girl (Muscles Yankee) and Cleopatre Duharas (Cantab Hall). “Lady” did not show her potential in the Casual Breeze at Mohawk. She should be able to do better here.  

In the second elim, the likely favorite and one to beat is Crys Dream (Taurus Dream). Also in it are Andover The Top (Andover Hall), Crème De Cocoa (Chocolatier), Seducedbychocolate (Chocolatier), Cedar Dove (Andover Hall), Oh Sweet Baby (Angus Hall) and As Ya’ll Like It (Yankee Glide). Crys Dream is tough but Andover The Top may be able to do it. She draws the rail after a poor performance in the Casual Breeze. Also watch Crème De Cocoa.  

In $15,000 splits at the Meadowlands, three fields of the Magician host 11 Hambo hopefuls them.  

Man O’War (Chocolatier), Aequitas (Glidemaster) and Consus Blue Chip are in the first mile and “Man” holds the edge, having been racing with better than the non-eligibles here and racing more consistently than the hopefuls.  

The second chapter has five hopefuls: Orlando (Andover Hall), Celebrity Bombay (Yankee Glide), The Evictor (Valley Victor), Mr Web Page (Muscles Yankee) and Wicked Schooner (Broadway Hall). Orlando, despite his gait problems, has been productive and is the top money-earner among the Hambo-aimed colts here. He is a formidable favorite.  

In the closing division, Unabating (Broadway Hall), Matrix (Yankee Glide) and Muscles Malone (Muscles Yankee) take on seven others and don’t stack up very well against the best of the others so far this season. We may be seeing improvement from Unabating, who could be a longshot to win this, though he has the most money in the bank.

Check all reviews, results and archives at the Hambletonian Society page.

Currier & Ives, et al for eligibles

On Monday, June 6, nine trotters, six of whom are Hambletonian eligibles, will contest in the $125,000 Currier & Ives at The Meadows.  

There is no clear favorite in the Currier & Ives. But based on the morning line, it may be Not Nice (Glidemaster).  

Also in this field are hopefuls Fawkes (SJ’s Caviar), Glidenfordollars (Glidemaster), Mythical Hall (Andover Hall) and Buffalino Hanover (Cantab Hall).  

Buffalino Hanover may be the one the public ignores based on his post. He may bring some value from the 9 hole, plus he is not going against as tough of company as he has recently. He lost to Pastor Stephen, Opening Night and Orlando in the two Pennsylvania Sires Stakes. Knowing this horse, he may finally get a rest from higher class and may trot the best he has all year. Good in the exotics would be Glidenfordollars.  

At Yonkers that same day, “Oaks”-eligible Medust Blue Chip (Credit Winner) takes on non-eligibles in a New York Sires Stakes mile worth $46,102.

In another division, Pretty As My Mom (Conway Hall) and Ima Que T (Dream Vacation) also look to improve their bankrolls against non-hopefuls.


Results, reviews and archives are available at Hambletonian Society pages.