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. 

TRI’s Picks March 16 Meadowlands

Meadowlands Racetrack Pick 4, Races 7-10, Saturday, March 16, 2013

Last night, we didn’t have a written report for the Pick 4, but handed it out on Facebook and Twitter. We went 2-for-4 last night with one bet, Wheels ($28.40). The other winner was Rocklamation ($3.60). We profited $8.40 for the night. Tonight’s ticket looks good, good luck!

$2 Play: 1,2,7/4,8/1,5/2 = $12

Analysis:

Race 7- (1) High Noon steps up off an impressive 1:49.3 mile in the B-1. He’s got a strong late kick and is an improving pacer and may bring some value tonight. (2) Outrageous Art steps up from the B-1 and is on a good streak. He’s a very speedy pacer and should improve greatly tonight. (7) Versado is the likely favorite in this event. He’s done well against the top pacers at the Big M and will be a fierce foe tonight.

Race 8- (4) Yankee Devil ships in to the Meadowlands off a win near similar at Harrah’s Philly. In his start stepping up from a victory in the C-2, he didn’t take a liking to the extra distance, fading back to fourth. He goes the standard distance tonight and should go faster. (8) Mega Lightning is a victor in the C-1 already. In his first start off a layoff, he won at the line at 13-1, then did not do well stepping up. The drop in class should benefit this guy tonight.

Race 9- (1) Pembroke Dewey drops in class after several starts of traffic issue in the B-1. He draws the rail, so he can get a pocket spot and prove he is much better than this field as they turn for home. (5) Gambler’s Tale is a peculiar pacer. It looks like his owners have high hopes for this pacer, since he is nominated for the William Haughton Memorial. That is a slight angle in our selecting, but he is also an improving pacer and should pace an easy mile tonight.

Race 10- (2) Digital Z Tam gets post relief off of a tough mile dropping last week. From post 8, he gunned for the lead and dueled first over, giving way and tucking into a pocket approaching the half. He was parked through a fast :27.1 quarter, which likely burned him out. He sat a pocket trip and bounced back to just miss the victory in 1:51.1. He will likely try and get another pocket trip tonight the leader will likely rate the mile, which means Digital Z Tam will stalk him all the way and pace hard to the wire. This will be one of his best efforts. 

Millionaire Sire Rocknroll Hanover Euthanized in New Jersey

CREAM RIDGE, NJ— Multi-million dollar sire Rocknroll Hanover, sire of 2010 Horse of the Year Rock N Roll Heaven and other million-dollar pacers, was euthanized at Perretti Farms Thursday (March 14) afternoon. Shipping home from breeding with a mare in Pennsylvania on Wednesday, he showed signs of discomfort early Thursday morning. Rocknroll Hanover’s stomach appeared distended and was sent to Mid-Atlantic Equine Hospital. Dr. Rodney Belgrave revealed to Peretti Farms that the condition was irreversible.

Rocknroll Hanover winning the 2005 Meadowlands Pace

“They believe his condition was a type of gastric impaction, where the stomach fills but doesn’t empty,” said Bob Marks, directeor of marketing at Perretti Farms. “Losing Rocknroll [Hanover] feels just like the loss of the horses in the barn fire here several years ago.”

Marks added that when Rocknroll Hanover was bred on Wednesday in Pennsylvania that, “He gave us a huge amount of semen and seemed fine. This morning they noticed he wasn’t right and while he was eating they said that’s because since their [Rocknroll Hanover] stomach gets larger, they just keep eating.”

Rocknroll Hanover was euthanized at age 11. Foaled on April 12, 2002, Brett Pelling took up the training of the soon-to-be star pacer. The son of Western Ideal, foaled by Rich N Elegant, won major stakes such as the Metro Pace at age two for his owners Jeff Snyder and group of Lothlorien.

Rock N Roll Heaven, sired by Rocknroll Hanover, winning
the Little Brown Jug in 2010

The Western Ideal colt showed his real talent on the track at age three. In his sophomore campaign, he captured the North America Cup, Meadowlands Pace and other major stakes on the 2005 calendar. Perretti Farms bought a share of the star pacer and sent him to stud in New Jersey. He retired at the end of 2005 with a lifetime mark of 1:48.3 and $2,754,038 in career earnings.

Rocknroll Hanover stood stud for eight years up to his euthanization today. He’s sired such millionaires as Rock N Roll Heaven, Put On A Show, A Rocknroll Dance, Rocklamation and Ticket To Rock, all of which have a lifetime mark sub-1:51 miles. 

Escape The News stalks ‘Speedy Needy’ to win leg two of Aquarius

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ— The Burke trained Escape The News, off a second place finish in leg one of the Aquarius, sat a pocket trip as Warrawee Needy paced fast fractions to win leg two of the Aquarius series in 1:48.4.

A quintet of four-year-old pacers lined up behind the gate for the second preliminary and Warrawee Needy, with Escape The News and Yo Cheyenne Rocky, were the quickest. Warrawee Needy cleared the lead at the quarter in :26.2. Nobody challenged him and he paced the half in :53.4 (:27.2).

Escape The News slingshots past 'Needy' to win

Escape The News began to tip out of the pocket as Warrawee Needy took the field by three-quarters in 1:21.1 (:27.2). Bakin On The Beach was closing in first over in third into the stretch. Warrawee Needy had a 2-length advantage on Escape The News at the top of the lane. Escape The News began to pace him down entering the eighth pole and approaching the wire, Escape The News got up in time to win it by a half-length in 1:48.4 (:27.3). Warrawee Needy was second, Bakin On The Beach was third and In Commando finished fourth.

Escape The News ($5.80) is a four-year-old gelding by Artiscape, out of the mare Ideal News by Western Ideal. He is owned by Burke Racing Stables, Weaver Bruscemi, Jjk Stables and Howard Taylor, trained by Ron Burke and Yannick Gingras guided him to a pocket-trip victory. 

TRI’s Picks March 9 Meadowlands

Meadowlands Racetrack Pick 4, Races 7-10, Saturday, March 9, 2013

Last night, we had one winner, Star Keeper ($5.80). Last night was another reason proving that this is a tough sequence to hit. Tonight’s ticket looks better than last nights and every horse on our ticket should be contention tonight. Good luck!

$2 Play: 2,3,5/1,2/2,9/1 = $12

Analysis:

Race 7- (2) Live On steps up off an easy victory in the B-2 last week. There is a ton of speed in this race and he’ll likely stalk the leaders and fly into the stretch. (3) The Pokester gets post relief off a tough mile, where he rode the cones and flew down the center of the track to finish fourth in the B-1. He’ll likely stalk the pace as well and has a good late kick to pass his rivals through the stretch. (5) Sir Ziggy’s Z Tam can close well. In a race where there is a ton of speed, he’ll stalk the pace, find cover and fly into the stretch with a say at the wire.

Race 8- (1) Arezzo Hanover paced a tough first over mile against similar last week and still came home strong. From post 7, he got away mid-pack then went first over in pursuit of the lead. He parked for the rest of the mile, but came home in :27.3. He’ll likely be closer to the top tonight and could get a pocket trip, where he can swing into the stretch and overtake foes easily. (2) Long Live Rock gets needed post relief. He’ll likely be near the leaders and will save ground in a pocket, where he can use his strong late kick into the stretch and pull off an upset.

Race 9- (2) Terror High is the obvious horse in here. He’s dropping down from the Junior Trendsetter final, where he finished third in 1:52.1. He’ll likely try and get a pocket trip again and he has a strong kick into the stretch, so he’ll likely be prime turning for home. (9) Eres Tu is the value of this event. Although he drew post 9, this horse is 2-for-2 and has so far improved with every start. He made a brush to the lead in the slop last time and won for fun in 1:55.2. I expect him to leave for mid-pack and ride cover for most of the mile and he’ll likely storm down the lane to get into contention and win.

Race 10- (1) Andy Baran gets post relief off of a bad mile. Last time he got post 1, he was shuffled back and shook lose in the stretch to finish third. He’s consistent and will likely get a pocket trip from the rail, which then he can come into the stretch and kick home in sub-:28. 

TRI’s Picks March 8 Meadowlands

Meadowlands Racetrack Pick 4, Races 7-10, Friday, March 8, 2013

Last week, we went 0-for-4 in the Pick 4. In three of the four legs, we were on the board, so our horses gave us a race. Tonight’s ticket looks better and should be easier to hit due to less horses being entered. Good luck!

$2 Play: 7,8,9/2,3/3,4/7 = $12

Analysis:

Race 7- (7) Let’s Go Higher is shipping in from Yonkers after coming off some good miles. She drops in class tonight and should be placed near the top for a pocket trip. (8) Smoke Pan Mirrors is a consistent performer. She closes well in every start, but has been burdened many times with bad posts. She draws in with a weak field this week and should be placed around mid-pack, instead of pacing two wide the entire mile. She can close easily if she gets a good trip. (9) Star Keeper is the B-2 pacer in this field. She came from post 9 last week, cleared the lead and lost it into the stretch. She goes against a weaker field as well, so she should have an easier time on the top.

Race 8- (2) Upfront Billy trotted an impressive mile last week, going first over at the half, fighting for the rest of the mile and coming home in :27.3. He is sharp at the moment and I expect him to be placed near the lead, where he can swing into the stretch and pull off the upset. (3) Waldorf Hall used up his energy last week going for the lead. From post 8, he trotted for the top, didn’t get it, so he tucked into third. He trotted well into the stretch, just missing by three-quarters of a length. He should save ground this week and be poised to fly into the stretch.

Race 9- (3) Ideal In Vegas drops in class and makes her first start back off a layoff. She is coming off a good qualifier, where she came home in :27.4. Expect her to be near the top and have something left for the stretch. (4) Rock Ann Rolling gets post relief off a tough mile. Last week, she was parked the entire mile in the back. She’ll get away mid-pack and save ground, where she’ll be live into the stretch.

Race 10- (7) My Leap Of Faith gets post relief after a tough mile last week. From post 10, he got away in the back and closed the entire mile to finish fourth, with a final quarter of :27.2. He’ll be closer to the pace this week and can close hard if needed, but will likely ride cover. 

TRI’s Picks March 2 Meadowlands

Meadowlands Racetrack Pick 4, Race 7-10, Saturday, March 2, 2013

Last night, we went 2-of-4 in the Pick 4, with Mugshot Jess ($9) and Upfront Billy ($5.20) coming in as winners. Sadly, they weren’t overlays, so there were no win-bet winners last night. Tonight’s ticket looks much better than last night’s. Good luck!

$1 Play: 7,8/1,2,4/6,7/8 = $12

Analysis:

Race 7- (7) Dial Or Nodial is one of the obvious choices in this field. He is a fast pacer that has had bad luck with first over trips against the likes of Golden Receiver. He should do a little better tonight, since he goes against a weaker field, but may go for the top early on. (8) Abelard Hanover is finding his stride at age five. He is excused for his last start, since he was closing on Golden Receiver and the track was sloppy. He should launch off the gate for the lead and can kick home in a sub-:27 final quarter easily, which he would do if he takes command.

Race 8- (1) Freddy Day Hanover did well in his first start dropping in class. He showed he was competitive, pacing a :26 and change half mile to take the lead and quit. Since he draws the rail, he should go for the lead or protect the cones and can save his energy for the stretch drive instead of using it up early. (2) Friskies Cheapsuit gets post relief after a tough first over mile last week. He was parked every step on the slop and when trying to take the lead, was denied clearance. He ended up quitting. He drops into the company he’s won in before and has a good kick in the stretch. He’ll likely be placed near the lead and will slingshot into the stretch. (4) Bettor Win is stepping up off an impressive parked mile last week. From post 7, he came from last riding cover and flew by them all in the stretch to win. He’ll be more forwardly placed tonight and he can kick for home easier closer to the top.

Race 9- (6) Alex Bullville is improving in this company. In his last start, he came from mid-pack and rode cover, flying in to the stretch and taking the lead until Mega Lightning came from nowhere and nipped him at the line. He’ll likely try to pull the same move today, but should have better success off a week’s rest. (7) Andy Baran is coming off a near victory in this class from post 9, getting away fourth and second over, storming down the stretch to lose by a neck. He’ll likely leave to get away near the top and will either ride the cones or pick up cover and close into the stretch.

Race 10- (8) Wall E is making his first start off a long layoff from August. In his last two starts, he made bad breaks. He qualified right after that and he broke again. The layoff looked to be just making some fine-tuning and adjustments. He qualified in the slop flat in 1:58 and on a fast track in 1:56.3. He should improve very well in his first start back and will likely try and go for a spot near the top, getting the coveted pocket trip needed to win this event. 

TRI’s Picks March 1 Meadowlands

Meadowlands Racetrack Pick 4, Races 7-10, Friday, March 1, 2013

Our journey to accomplish the difficult is far from over. We have been on a horrible streak, coming in with 0-for-4 on our ticket last week. The first week of the month of luck does not give us a break. Another sequence has been carded and is more difficult than the last. I’m fairly confident in tonight’s ticket. Remember to bet any horses that are 4-1 or up on this ticket. This is also the first new post on glipho! I’d like to quickly welcome the members of glipho reading this post! Good luck!

$1 Play: 3,4/1,5/3,4,10/3 = $12

Analysis:

Race 7- (3) Mugshot Jess is very consistent against this group. In his last start, he was caught behind dead cover and recovered to finish a good third to a hard closing Photo King. He gets a post near the rail again, so he’ll try and leave for the lead in a race where there is minimal speed, which gives him a chance to rate the mile or ride cover to have something for late. (4) Zuerest steps up off an impressive mile in the B-1 last week. He fought for the lead through a modest :28.1 quarter, yet strolled the rest of the mile practically wrapped up. He should be equally as good as this bunch and should leave for the top, he looks to be the only other speed too. Which means he could rate and storm home.

Race 8- (1) Mojarra Hanover draws the rail in the A-2 again. Last time she drew the rail, she rode the cones and snuck through late to pull off the 20-1 upset. She’ll likely get away mid-pack, due to the incredible amount of speed in this race. It will set up nicely for a closer from mid-pack, plus Bongiorno knows this mare well, so we can expect her to get a good drive. (5) Clear View Hanover is another closer in this equally matched field. She’ll likely be placed closer to the pace this week, so she’ll have less ground to close late. If she gets a good trip, she’ll close in sub :27 easily.

Race 9- (3) Upfront Billy is the obvious horse in this field. Coming off a good qualifier, where he closed in :26.2, and is coming off of the American National and Oliver Trotting Classic. This classy trotter should be primed and ready to go today after that fast qualifier. (4) Dash For The Cash didn’t get a chance to trot last week, as he was locked at the cones for the mile and snuck through to finish fifth. I expect him to be more aggressive tonight, perhaps going first or second over, just to get in the mile somehow. He may even go for the lead in this pace-lacking field. (10) My Leap Of Faith drops down into a class he should do much better against. Unfortunately, he drew post 10, but it should work for his race tactics. He’s a closer, so if he gets away far off the pace, he should have no trouble catching up. He should be forwardly placed tonight, perhaps sixth or seventh, and pick up cover and fly off it late to pull off his patented slingshot-stretch drive combo.

Race 10- (3) Twin B Navigator is coming off of two good efforts in the C-2 trot. He gets post relief, after making a big move to the lead from post 8 and dropping out late. He should be placed in a pocket second or third to save ground, then use his speed as a late kick into the stretch.