Eligibles haunt weekend events

Saturday, June 25 at Pocono Downs, the Earl Beal, Jr. Memorial Final goes for $500,000, featuring Hambo hopefuls aplenty.

Pastor Stephen (Cantab Hall) will face non-eligible Dejarmbro in a strong field. The latter is not intimidated by colts aiming at the August classic, he is willing to mow down any field available. 

Broad Bahn (Broadway Hall) is also here, along with Big Rigs (Andover Hall), Opening Night (Broadway Hall), Leader Of The Gang (Muscles Yankee), Bambino Hall (Tom Ridge) and Buffalino Hanover (Cantab Hall). Magnum Kosmos (SJ’s Caviar) is an AE if there is a scratch. 

Dejarmbro has been made the favorite at a soft 5-2. “Stephen” is 3-1 and may be a bargain if anywhere near those odds.  

As well, Big Rigs on a smooth gait is a hell of a trotter and if he wakes up and takes advantage of his speed and the over-ambitious journeys of others in the field, he could ignite a great win price.  

The Grand Circuit Historic-week events for eligibles are at Tioga Downs this year and on Saturday, June 25, the spectacular Jezzy looks to enjoy another clear path heading to the Hambletonian Oaks Final.  

Jezzy (Credit Winner) is five for five and doesn’t appear to be threatened by this crew, going for $75,500 (photo left). She is beginning to look like the trotters’ version of See You At Peelers.

Don’t Cry Lindy (Chocolatier) could be her only threat, though a mild one. Also on board are eligibles Angelette Hanover (Yankee Glide), Firstclassprincess (Classic Photo), and Massive Drama (Credit Winner).

On the colt side, the $78,200 Historic features Tiger’s Too Good (Conway Hall), hot lately. Trainer Joe Holloway’s ticket to the Hambo is in better shape than the high earner Ice Machine (Muscles Yankee). That one has been off his game since a streak that included the Dexter Cup early at the beginning of the Hambo Trail season.

Also here are Winuendo (Windsong’s Legacy), Whit (Classic Photo), Live Jazz (Andover Hall), VC Chocolate (Chocolatier), Johnny B Kemp (Credit Winner) and Glidenfordollars (Glidemaster).

 
“VC” is the obvious co-contender for Trond Smedshammer’s barn. He is yet to put in a giant mile but at this point in the Trail that is not a negative factor. VC has been cashing major checks.

Ray Schnittker’s Glidenfordollars is two wins for four starts and also on the cusp of a big mile. It may not, however, be this one.

Reviews, results and archives appear at Hambletonian Society.

Buffalo sires stakes have a sprinkle of hopefuls

On Wednesday, June 22, six Hambo hopefuls will square off in the New York Sires Stakes at Buffalo Raceway.

In the first division, there are two eligibles. They are Typical Newyorker (Conway Hall) and Evil Urges (Cash Hall).

“Evil” has been doing better than most expected. He was second in his last outing at Yonkers and should get a lot of action here. “Newyorker” was third and has a right to improve.

In the second division, Alaric (Credit Winner) and New Zion (Conway Hall) are both eligible. Alaric is an outsider in this, for sure, but “Zion” has been in the mix lately and deserves another shot.

There are no eligibles in the third and fourth divisions.

In the fifth division, Whitewater Rapids (Credit Winner) is the only eligible and he has been in and out of the spotlight since the Dexter Cup. If he stays on gait he is dangerous, with speed he is yet to handle. He broke again last time but smooth sailing takes this group easily.

In the last division, House On Fire (Conway Hall) is the only eligible. His gait problems make him suspicious. Unlike “Rapids,” he hasn’t shown he can recuperate enough in a mile where he breaks to be dangerous.

Results, reviews and archives are available at the Hambletonian Society website.

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.

New York-bred colts barrage Yonkers

On Tuesday, June 14, nine Hambo-hopefuls will go to the gate among seven divisions of the New York Sires Stakes for colt trotters at Yonkers Raceway. The first two divisions will be held before the betting program.  

In the first division, the only hopeful in here is Rarely Ordinary (Conway Hall). He has had only one third in one start and must improve here to beat fellow state-breds.  

The second division also has no betting and features to eligibles. They are Evil Urges (Cash Hall) and House On Fire (Conway Hall). “Evil” has won two of five for Illinois-trainer Homer Hochstetler and is the top money-winner in this field. “Fire” is a Ray Schnittker-trained hopeful that is getting better with each start, having won two of seven in the early season.  

In the third division, wagering begins and Whitewater Rapids (Credit Winner) and Market Rebound (Credit Winner) are the eligibles in here. “Rapids” finally got a good post and showed his stuff after some troubled trips that showed promise. He is ready to add another win here, as “Rebound” still searches for the winner’s circle.  

New Zion (Conway Hall) and Typical Newyorker (Conway Hall) are both eligibles in the fourth division. This is a very even field which will probably be won by a smooth gait and a good trip, two things the eligibles should depend upon.  

Johnny B Kemp (Credit Winner) is the only hopeful in the fifth division and although he is the morning-line favorite he has been disappointing in his first two starts. Trainer Jimmy Takter may have him sent to the lead to try to steal this one, otherwise it could be another dull effort.  

In the sixth division, Tiger’s Too Good (Conway Hall) is the only eligible and he seems to tower over the competition here.

There are no hopefuls in the last division.

Reviews, results and archives are available at the Hambletonian Society website.

Trotters go for Goodtimes

On Saturday, June 11, 10 Hambletonian eligibles will square off in third eliminations of the Goodtimes at Mohawk.  

In the first elimination, Blue Porsche (Glidemaster) will likely be the public choice for his near perfect record. Other eligibles in here include Ice Machine (Muscles Yankee), Attorney Hanover (Angus Hall), E L Rock (Yankee Glide) and Del Cielo (Broadway Hall).  

“Porsche” will be the one to beat, which is why Ice Machine will be good in his exotics. “Ice” will likely be higher odds than usual due to Porsche and since he broke in the New Jersey Sire Stakes. It was most likely just a little flaw and he should return well.   

In the second elimination, VC Chocoholic (Chocolatier) will be the likely favorite as he raced well here in the Champlain stakes. Also in here are Spectator K (Conway Hall), Highland Thunder (Conway Hall), Whiskey Tax (Revenue S) and Just In (Andover Hall).   

Since “VC” should get a lot of play, Whiskey Tax may be ignored. He has raced very well in Canada and you can give him that one race at the Meadowlands.  

The third split offers a pair of eligibles, Pegasus Blue Chip (Glidemaster) and Fort Valley As (Tom Ridge). Neither looks as if an upset is possible considering the strong non-eligible favorite here.

Reviews, results and archives appear at the home page of the 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 for gals in three splits

On Wednesday, June 8, Hambletonian Oaks eligibles are mixed in a trio of Currier & Ives stakes at the Meadows. Each split is worth $40,000.  

Four hopefuls go in the first split, with Celebrity Katie (SJ’s Caviar) returning off of a surprise win in a Pennsylvania Sires Stakes (PASS) on June 1 and has to face Pacific Splash (American Winner), who put in a clunker in another PASS split that day.  

Also in the mix are Lady Ridge (Tom Ridge) and Too Busy To Care (Chocolatier), either yet to put in a strong race.   

In split two, Hot Off The Press (Cantab Hall) is one of a trio of eligibles, also coming off of a surprise PASS win on June 1. She may look better than this crowd, though she has yet to prove she can go with the division’s best.  

Four eligibles are in the nightcap. Bold And Fresh (SJ’s Caviar) was scratched from one of the June-1 PASS miles and shows up here hopefully packing the punch expected from her in that affair.    

Pantholops (Andover Hall) did not fire last out and must be better here to beat “Bold” and any improvements coming from the likes of Pay Me Sister (Revenue S) and Im A Centerfold (Glidemaster).

For reviews, results and archives, check Hambletonian Society site.