Sevruga Takes Photo in Cutler Thriller

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ— The KDM Stables trotter Sevruga set the fractions for the mile and held off all challengers to take the Cutler in a gate-to-wire 1:51 effort. Guccio finished alongside Wishing Stone in second and Modern Family was with the three on the wire, but got fourth.

Sevruga took the top, with Modern Family tucking into the pocket and Opening Night backing into the three-hole. Sevruga trotted the quarter in :27, at that point Dave Miller sent Undercover Strike first over. Him and Sevruga battled by the half in :55.4 (:28.4), with Modern Family third and Wishing Stone gapping cover in fourth. Sevruga was holding off Undercover Strike, as Wishing Stone tipped three wide and Mister Herbie went four wide.

Sevruga (6) defeats three rivals in Cutler photo (Lisa Photo)

Through three-quarters in 1:22.1 (:26.4), Sevruga kicked to a 2 length lead. Modern Family left the pylons and began to trot down Sevruga. Wishing Stone was coming off cover and Guccio was making up lost ground. Sevruga still had a narrow advantage over Wishing Stone and Guccio was moving up as well, with Modern Family in contention. Sevruga held on to the lead by a nose at the wire, with Guccio and Wishing Stone dead-heating for second and Modern Family finished fourth.

Sevruga ($16.60) is by SJ’s Caviar, out of the mare Stunning Lindsey by Malabar Man. He is owned by KDM Stables Incorporated, trained by Julie Miller and Andy steered the trotter to a 1:51 lifetime mark.

Also on the Cutler card was the $100,000 Meadowlands Maturity for four-year-old pacers, where the Burke-trained Sweet Lou sat off a mild pace to nose-out Warrawee Needy in 1:49.

Hillbilly Hanover took the lead, with Bolt The Duer getting into the pocket and Warrawee Needy was first over in pursuit of the lead through a :27.1 quarter. Warrawee Needy cleared the front past the three-eighths and Hurrikane Kingcole began to chase down the leader. The two were wheel-to-wheel at the half in :54.4 (:27.3). Hurrikane Kingcole cleared the lead into the far turn, Mel Mara was left first over and Sweet Lou was second over.

Hurrikane Kingcole led the field by over a length at three-quarters in 1:21.4 (:27). Warrawee Needy snuck out of the pocket and took over the lead. Sweet Lou fanned off cover, closing hard down the center. Bolt The Duer was showing late pace with Domethatagain, but Warrawee Needy and Sweet Lou hit the wire together in a photo finish that Sweet Lou got in 1:49.

Sweet Lou ($11.20) is by Yankee Cruiser, out of the mare Sweet Future by Falcons Future. He is owned by Burke Racing Stables LLC, Weaver-Bruscemi, Lawrence Karr and Phillip Collura, trained by Ron Burke and Yannick Gingras piloted the four-year-old to a 1:49 victory, a seasonal-mark. 

Kentucky Derby Field Set; 139th Renewal Wide Open Affair

Today is the day marked on every horseman’s calendar around the world, the first Saturday in May is coined for the biggest race in Thoroughbred racing, the Kentucky Derby. The 139^th renewal of the Run for the Roses has been scratched down to a field of 19, with Black Onyx scratching out early Friday morning. The also-eligible Fear The Kitten does not draw in, leaving a wide-open event set to go off at 6:30pmEDT. Now, listed below is the preview of the field horse-by-horse as I analyze the horse and their chance of winning. My top 5 selections are listed at the bottom of the column. Good luck to all and enjoy the festivities offered today!

But first, here is the field heading to the gate for the mile-and-a-quarter journey!

Post - Horse / Trainer / Jockey / Odds

1 -- Black Onyx / K. Breen / J. Bravo / 50-1 
2 -- Oxbow / D. Lukas / G. Stevens / 30-1
3 -- Revolutionary / T. Pletcher / C. Borel / 10-1
4 -- Golden Soul / D. Stewart / R. Albarado / 50-1 
5 -- Normandy Invasion / C. Brown / J . Castellano / 12-1 
6 -- Mylute / T. Amoss / R. Napravnik / 15-1 
7 -- Giant Finish / T. Dutrow / J. Espinoza / 50-1
8 -- Goldencents / D. O'Neil / K. Krigger / 5-1 
9 -- Overanalyze / T. Pletcher / R. Bejarano / 15-1 
10 -- Palace Malice / T. Pletcher / M. Smith / 20-1 
11 -- Lines of Battle / A. O'Brien / R. Moore / 30-1 
12 -- Itsmyluckyday / E. Plesa / E. Trujillo / 15-1 
13 -- Falling Sky / J. Terranova II / L. Saez / 50-1 
14 -- Verrazano / T. Pletcher / J. Velazquez / 4-1 
15 -- Charming Kitten / T. Pletcher / E. Prado / 20-1 
16 -- Orb / S. McGaughey / J. Rosario / 7-2 
17 -- Will Take Charge / D. Lukas / J. Court / 20-1
18 -- Frac Daddy / K. McPeek / V. Lebron / 50-1
19 -- Java's War / K. McPeek / J. Leparoux / 15-1 
20 -- Vyjack / R. Rodriguez / G. Gomez / 15-1

1 Black Onyx – SCRATCHED

2 Oxbow – He is coming off an odd effort in the Arkansas Derby, where he did not break well and did not try to get into the race. The fractions in the Arkansas Derby were similar to those in which he stalked the pace. He’ll need to break well in order to be in contention late.

3 Revolutionary – Broke very slowly in the Louisiana Derby, but made up 12 lengths in that race to win off a fast pace. I do not like how he broke out of the gate in the Louisiana Derby, where he dived to the inside and was caught in traffic up until a seem opened. In this race, he will either break fast and have shot to win or try and stalk the pace and end up caught in traffic, since he didn’t draw too well.

4 Golden Soul – An oddball in this field. He has a great closing kick, but only when things work out for him. There has to be a fast pace for him to be in the mix late, which is unlikely.

5 Normandy Invasion – Developed a habit of breaking off the pace. He showed a ton of talent in the Wood Memorial last start, where he got away slow and managed to close off the slow fractions. He’ll need to break a little faster and lead the cavalcade of Derby stalkers around the turn if he wants a chance at the crown.

6 Mylute – Generally a front-runner, trainer Tom Amoss changed his strategy with Mylute, breaking near the back instead of the front. It proved successful, as Mylute was a game second to Revolutionary in the Louisiana Derby. My only fear with this one is the fact that if he breaks slowly, he may be caught in traffic for most of the journey. I see him being under horses in exotics, but not winning.

7 Giant Finish – Not a fan of horses that make the switch from artificial dirt to real in their next start. He raced okay in the Spiral and in a non-graded event at Turfway; not much of a factor today.

8 Goldencents – This horse is tricky to predict what he will do out of the gate. He likes to be close to the leaders, but the fractions he has been in contention with are those unlikely to appear in this Derby. In his last four starts, he has been within 2 lengths of the lead through half-miles timed in sub-:47. He seems to be the only horse in this race that has a ton of speed and can still have something in the tank, although the quality of the Santa Anita Derby can be questioned. If he is near the top through a moderately timed half-mile, he could be in the clear.

9 Overanalyze – Another tricky horse to predict tactics in this field. He can break fast, slow, mid-pack, etc. He could be in the mix for minor honors, but will not be near the winners due to the quality of fields he has competed against.

10 Palace Malice – Could provide value in exotics, but an unlikely contender for win. Seems to need a fairly slow pace, which is not possible in this field (although most speed comes from Goldencents).

11 Lines Of Battle – He won the UAE Derby in Dubai. That’s all he’ll win at the moment.

12 Itsmyluckyday – In a slightly similar situation as Goldencents, he loves to stalk the pace but can close in all certain types of fractions. He took the lead in the Gulfstream Park Derby through a :44.4 half-mile, then going to win by 6 lengths in 1:34.2 for a mile. He then stalked moderately fast fractions in the Holy Bull, taking that race as well. He was overtaken by Orb in the stretch of the Florida Derby, as the tempo was very slow. He’ll likely be placed near the leaders and stalk moderate fractions with a move late to charge after the lead.

13 Falling Sky – Horse has speed and will press the pace, but won’t be a contender after three-quarters.

14 Verrazano – I am questioning how this one will stretch out with moderate fractions being set, seeing as he almost lost the Wood when the tempo was slow. He’ll try and press the pace with Goldencents likely, but should run out of steam into the final furlong.

15 Charming Kitten – This horse was made for the artificial and turf surfaces. I’d be surprised if the colt finished in the top five in the Derby.

16 Orb – He loves to stalk the tempo. He has proven he can do it to fast and slow tempos, but the part that worries me is the position he likes to be in the race. He’ll likely be caught in a herd and could end up like Union Rags last year. He’ll likely have an advantage breaking from the outside gate, but may take the turns badly.

17 Will Take Charge – Won the Rebel not so impressively. Not a fan.

18 Frac Daddy – He was desperate for points, going into most of the preps during the championship series for the Derby. He did bad in Florida, but finished second in the Arkansas Derby to a weak field. If this horse wins, then the brass monkeys shall fly out of the jungle and bombard a local Native-American tribe.

19 Java’s War – He is a deep closer. He does need some kind of pace to close into. Problem with closers in the Derby is the fact that they have to close. He’d have to get away very well in order to be in any sort of contention.

20 Vyjack – He is a questionable longshot from post 20. He has shown he is not a one-dimensional horse; he can stalk the pace and close. It seems that the main reason for his loss was due to the fact that the tempo was very slow in the Wood Memorial. He has a good kick around the turn, which is a useful skill to have in the Derby. As long as he does not get into any traffic, he should finish well.

Selections – 12-8-16-20-5

Hoping that Itsmyluckyday! Happy Derby day all! 

Favorites Prevail in Levy, Matchmaker Finals

YONKERS, NY— After a month of competition in preliminaries, the finals for the George Morton Levy Memorial and Blue Chip Matchmaker were contested as the feature races on Saturday night at Yonkers Raceway.

Through soft fractions, Feeling You sat behind pacesetter Camille and paced up the passing lane to score as the second favorite in 1:52.4 in the $285,000 Blue Chip Matchmaker. Camille took the front from Feeling You at the quarter in :28. Eighthunrdollarbill sat in third and Anndrovette got away fourth. Approaching the apex of the clubhouse turn for the second time, Anndrovette began her first over bid after tempo setter Camille. Meanwhile, Feeling You sat in the pocket through the half timed in :57 (:29).

Feeling You winning Matchmaker - Mike Lizzi Photo

Anndrovette applied stronger pressure heading to three-quarters. Rocklamation tracked her cover, as did Ramon Disomma four lengths away from Camille. Feeling You was anxious for room in the pocket as the tempo quickened to 1:24.3 (:27.3).

Camille began to weaken into the stretch and Anndrovette surpassed her. Feeling You had an opportunity to pace and exploded up the passing lane, getting up by a half-length to win the Matchmaker, over Anndrovette and Camille in 1:52.4 (:28.1).

Feeling You ($6.10), a six-year-old daughter of Cambest out of the mare Ripreza Hanover by Artsplace, is owned by Stephen Oldford, Oldford Farms LLC and Tyler Buter, trained by Amber Buter and Tyler Buter steered the mare.

Razzle Dazzle stole the Saturday night feature, the $450,000 George Morton Levy Memorial, as he rated the mile and held off all challenges to win as the public choice in 1:51.3.

Razzle Dazzle took command from the rail, while Versado tucked into second and Foiled Again got away in third. Razzle Dazzle paced the quarter in :27. Dancin Yankee pulled the pocket from fifth, flushing out Annieswesterncard from fourth. He then stalled to attempt to flush out his stablemate Foiled Again while Razzle Dazzle got a :56 breather (:29).

Razzle Dazzle holding off Foiled Again in the final yards to
win the Levy - Mike Lizzi Photo

Foiled Again led the two wide flow into the backstretch. Annieswesterncard stalled second over and Dancin Yankee was third over far off the lead. Versado sat the pocket as he watched Foiled Again and Razzle Dazzle battle at three-quarters in 1:23.3 (:27.3).

Foiled Again flattened out into the stretch as Razzle Dazzle had more pace in the tank. Versado made a move to the passing lane, while Annieswesterncard was making up ground. Foiled Again flew back at Razzle Dazzle with one final bid, but came up a neck short at the wire. Versado finished third and Annieswesterncard was fourth in 1:51.3 (:28).

Razzle Dazzle ($4.10) is a six-year-old gelding by Real Desire, out of the mare Town Feather by Big Towner. He is owned by Ira Kristal, trained by Mark Silva and Brian Sears steered the pacer to a gate-to-wire effort in the Levy. 

HarnessRaycer’s Picks March 29 & March 30

After several months since the first week of this series, I decided to renew it. Since we had no luck whatsoever at The Meadowlands in the Pick 4, tallying a deficit of more than $200, I decided to fall back on this due to a big win that came to us in week one. We bet $40 on December 22 and one horse paid us a ton of money. High Def Z Tam won the Preferred pace, returning $19.90 to win. We put $6 on him to win and got $59.70, but we also hit the exacta, which returned $206.20 for $4. Our $200 bankroll greatly increased to $425.90 off that one day! Sadly, High Def Z Tam died in a race accident shortly after that victory, which makes that win a memorable one. I am back to bring more profitable bets and get you more bang for your buck at different tracks across North America. Good luck!

BANKROLL: $425.90

Friday, March 29

Harrah’s Philadelphia Race #8

(3) Gambler’s Tale – He is a sharp horse shipping in from The Meadowlands. He races against similar today and should be placed near the lead, a spot most winners at Philly are located for the mile.

Plays: $4 Across The Board on 3, $2 exacta box 2,3,7    Cost: $24

Yonkers Raceway Race #5

(1) Big Sky Storm – He drops in class and draws the rail after racing from post 8 against better. He closed well to finish fourth in that effort, should be very sharp from the inside.

Plays: $6 win on 1, $2 Place-Show on 1                                Cost: $10

Buffalo Raceway Race #5

(7) Simple Lease – This gelding has shown three good efforts from outside posts against similar. He’ll be somewhere on the board and at Buffalo, the outside post horses are very profitable if they hit the board.

Plays: $4 Across The Board on 7                                           Cost: $12

Saturday, March 30

Meadowlands Racetrack Race #7

(2) Bolero Andrew – If any upset were to come in at the Meadowlands on Saturday, it would likely be in this event. The B-1 class at The Meadowlands has proven to be a company of fierce competition, attracting the same horses week in and week out. He gets post relief off of a big mile against this group from post 8. He’ll likely be near or on the lead and have something saved for the stretch drive.

Plays: $10 Across The Board on 2, $2 exacta 2/1,3,6            Cost: $36

Meadowlands Racetrack Race #9

(6) The Pokester – This horse has never been the same since he dropped from the A-2. He is very sharp, but seems to get into traffic and or issues often. He has a strong late kick, so if he’s off the pace, he can recover. He’ll likely try to ride cover for a victory and be greater value than his 3-1 odds last week stepping down.

Plays: $4 Win on 6, $2 exacta box 1,6,10                               Cost: $16 

Woodbine Racetrack Race #4 

(8) Monte Cristo – This gelding qualifies for one of my favorite angles at Woodbine. He is coming off a good effort against this class two starts back and stepped up, only to do poorly against better. He drops back down into a company he’s done well in before and though he did not get the luck of the draw, expect him to be in the mile late and or near the lead and make a move late.

Plays: $4 Win on 8, $4 exacta 8/2,4                                        Cost: $12

Total Cost: $110

Bankroll: $315.90

Good luck!

TRI’s Picks Meadowlands March 23

Meadowlands Racetrack Pick 4, Races 7-10, Saturday, March 23, 2013

Last night, we went two-for-four in the Pick 4. The four legs were filled with chalk, resulting in a $223 payoff for $1. Tonight’s ticket should be much more competitive and be filled with value. Good luck!

$1 Play: 2,3,6/4,6,8/2,6/4 = $18

Analysis:

Race 7- (2) Martial Bliss gets post relief after a good second place effort in this class last week. He should try to stalk the pace this week and have a little more for the stretch drive. (3) Come On Ridge steps up from the C-2 pace after three first-over parked efforts over the last three weeks. He was the favorite in two of the three efforts and always challenged the leader. His last start was his first start going the standard mile in awhile. He should improve greatly if he gets the right trip. (6) Arezzo Hanover burned himself out on the lead last week, pacing a :26.4 opening quarter and quitting into the stretch. He’ll need to ration out his speed tonight to have a shot.

Race 8- (4) So Take That is technically stepping down since his B-1 effort on February 23. In that event, he was parked the mile from post 8. His last mile looks the best, giving chase to a speedball at Yonkers. Before that, he raced horribly due to post 6. He should improve with post 4 tonight. (6) Union Man Hanover gets post relief after a good mile from post 10, where he was parked and broke at the line. It was on an off going and he has shown good efforts in this class before. In his first start off a layoff, he was shuffled out of the mile and closed to finish third. He should get a good trip tonight and close from mid-pack. (8) Dr C’s Z Tam is the best horse in this field and may provide value. He has a fierce late kick, even if the mile is fast. He is going against slower tonight, so he should have an easy time closing on this pack.

Race 9- (2) Stonebridge Cowboy ships in from several good efforts at Yonkers. He gets post relief tonight and will likely try to stalk the pace. (6) All My Life is coming off two impressive races at Freehold, winning them wire-to-wire in sub-1:56. He should adapt to the two turn mile better and improve greatly as value.

Race 10- (4) Shellysblockbuster has a lot of potential speed to the inside of him. He’ll likely try to stalk the tempo and kick for home late, like he did last week against claimers. He was shuffled and closed hard to finish fourth in 1:54.4. He should get the right trip to pull off that same stunt again. 

TRI’s Picks March 22 Meadowlands

Meadowlands Racetrack Pick 4, Races 7-10, Friday, March 22, 2013

Last week, we had two winners that were under-lays, Versado ($4.00) and Pembroke Dewey ($8.80). Tonight’s ticket is a little more spread out and the slated Pick 4 races appear wide-open, but I think we nailed them. Good luck!

$2 Play: 3,4/3,4/4,6/1,7 = $16

Analysis:

Race 7- (3) Southwind Jazmin gets post relief off a tough effort last week. She likes to be on the lead and may try to rate the mile or get a pocket spot due to other leavers. Either way, she has a good late kick for home. (4) Unred Hanover is the likely favorite in this event. She’s coming off a second place effort to Rocklamation, where she was shuffled back and shook lose late. She should get a better trip tonight and be a fierce foe, not at a good price though.

Race 8- (3) Hoboken Sonny is a free-legged trotter tonight. He takes off the hopples off of several good efforts against better. He drops into the C-1 tonight and should improve greatly. (4) Westside Lindy is likely going to take some play. He’s dropping down off a tough mile, where he brushed to the top passing the half and tried to rate, but quit. He gets post relief today, so he should have something left for the stretch.

Race 9- (4) Love You Always is excused for her last mile. Post 9 is deadly at The Meadows, so we take a look at her effort from post 5. She made an effort to get into the mile and finished third. She should take to the two turns better and could provide us with an upset. (6) Joanniehasafanny is also upset potential. She is stepping up from the C-2 after an impressive mile. From post 9, she got the lead, was shuffled and retook the lead at three-quarters, winning in one of the fastest miles in the field, 1:53.3. If she gets the right trip, she will be very competitive tonight.

Race 10- (1) Buzz Bomb trotted a good mile from post 7 off a layoff last week. He closed well to finish third and should be better placed with the rail tonight and kick for home better. (7) Spectator K is dropping down off a good mile from post 8. He cleared the lead and settled for fourth. The drop in class should help and he should stay flat as Andy Miller knows this trotter well. 

Gate to Wire Effort by Escape The News in Aquarius Final

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ— Escape The News, off a victory in leg 2, took the sextet of four-year-old pacers around the Meadowlands oval to win the $57,000 Aquarius Final on Saturday, March 16.

Escape The News got the top and Warrawee Needy tuck into second. Mr Dennis tracked them from third as Escape The News paced the quarter in :27. In Commando made a move to the outside approaching the half, supplying cover to Bakin On The Beach. Post time favorite Warrawee Needy and Mr Dennis were locked at the cones through a :55 (:28) rated half-mile.

In Commando was in pursuit of the lead into the far turn. Escape The News gave him the cold shoulder passing three-quarters in 1:22.4 (:27.4). Warrawee Needy had room to pace as In Commando faltered at the top of the stretch. Yo Cheyenne Rocky began passing tiring rivals and moved into third. Escape The News battled off a drifting Warrawee Needy through the stretch and held on by a ½ length to win in 1:49.3. Warrawee Needy was second, it was another 5 lengths back to Yo Cheyenne Rocky in third.

Escape The News ($5.00) is a four-year-old gelding by Artiscape, out of the mare Ideal News by Western Ideal. He is owned by Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, Jjk Stables and Howard Taylor, trained by Ron Burke and Yannick Gingras did the steering.