Remainder of Super Card Filled with Records and Upsets

After covering Races 2-4, we decided to do a full story for the remainder of the Harrah’s Philadelphia card.

Kiss Dont Bite held Marty Party and Moonlit Dragon at bay to win the $150,000 Valley Forge Consolation I in 1:51. Marty Party was second and Moonlit Dragon was third. Moonlit Dragon lead the field by the opening quarter, while Kiss Dont Bite was first over in third. Kiss Dont Bite took the front at the three-eighths and was unchallenged until the stretch drive, where Marty Party and Moonlit Dragon fought hard, but didn’t have enough to beat Kiss Dont Bite.  

Money On My Mind held off a closing Solvato to win the $200,000 Colonial Consolation I in 1:53.2. Upfront Billy was third. Magic Tonight was the leader for most of the mile, while Money On My Mind was in the pocket. “Money” pulled the pocket at the top of the stretch and took the lead, fending off all challenges to win.

Easy Again won the $200,000 Battle of the Brandywine in 1:50.2. Bettor’s Edge was second and I Like Dreamin was third. Bettor’s Edge was the tempo setter and I Like Dreamin was the main threat for most of the mile. Easy Again was in seventh and took advantage of their duel and closed.

Chapter Seven did not disappoint the public as he went gate to wire in the $150,000 Maxie Lee Memorial Invitational in 1:52.1. Anders Bluestone was second and Looking Hanover was third.

Romantic Moment held off a closing American Jewel to win the $350,000 Valley Forge Final in 1:50.1. Dream Of Winning was third. Economy Terror lead the field for most of the mile and Romantic Moment was in the pocket. Major Look applied pressure to “Economy” at three-quarters, while American Jewel was second over and Romantic Moment was at the rail.

Turning for home, Romantic Moment found room and took the lead, while American Jewel and Big Mcdeal were closing on the outside. But Romantic Moment made a perfectly timed move and won.

Googoo Gaagaa returned to his winning ways in the $500,000 Colonial, winning in a stakes record 1:52.1. Market Share was second and Little Brown Fox was third. Making a move at the half-mile, Googoo Gaagaa was first over for most of the mile and still managed to defeat this bunch.

A Rocknroll Dance rebounded from his loss in the Adios and won the $500,000 Battle of the Brandywine in 1:48.1. Pet Rock was second and Sweet Lou was third. Hurrikane Kingcole was the pacesetter through blistering fractions of :25.3, :52.3 (:27) and 1:20.1 (:27.3). A Rocknroll Dance challenged “Kingcole” at three-quarters, took the lead and started drawing away. Pet Rock was closing down the middle of the track and Sweet Lou was holding on for third. A Rocknroll Dance was home free in the final eighth of a mile, Pet Rock was second and Sweet Lou was third.  

Older Horses Ready for ‘Crown’

Saturday, October 22 features the best sophomore and elder horses in the Breeders Crown eliminations. Listed below are my picks for tonight’s card.

Race 1 $25,000

Three-Year-Old Filly Trot Elimination

Notes- (2) Don’t Think Twice made a huge jump in class at Lexington and did very well. She is an improving horse and will be under the radar in here. (8) Jezzy took a while to become the winning machine she was earlier this year. She is in a weak field and looks sharp coming into the elimination.

Race 2 $25,000

Three-Year-Old Colt Trot Elimination

Notes- (3) Chapter Seven did really well in the Bluegrass at Lexington. Although he has not done well in Canada, he is doing great coming into here. (5) For You Almostfree has finished fourth or third in most of his starts. He is the big bomber in here and Jamieson may give him a perfect drive, sitting mid-pack.

Race 3 $25,000

Three-Year-Old Colt Trot Elimination

Notes- (4) Can Anyone Explain may be the most reliable horse in the field. You never know what Broad Bahn, Manofmanymissions or Luckycharm Hanover are going to do. “Explain” is so consistent, if he wins, we will be able to buy a six month supply of maple syrup. (8) Big Rigs did well in the Bluegrass at Lexington. If he doesn’t break, he will be in the exacta.

Race 4 $25,000

Three-Year-Old Filly Trot Eliminations

Notes- (5) Magic Wheel has done very well on the WEG cicuit. She knows the track well and should be in the top three. (9) Miss Sue V did well against the top fillies. She may be the big bomb in here.

Race 5 $50,000

Open Pace (Breeders Crown Prep)

Notes- (5) Mach Dreamer is always close to the pace. He can close and knows this track really well. He is sharp coming into this race. (8) St Elmo Hero has been magnificent up in Canada. He’s as sharp as a sword coming into the open.

Race 6 $40,000

Mare Pace Elimination

Notes- (3) On The Glass is no longer in the Ron Burke stable, she is part of team Tony O’Sullivan. She beat all these horses in the Allerage at 29-1. She may bomb again from post three. (9) Rock N Soul drew a good post, under her standards. She does real well when she races from the outside. She redeemed herself at Pocono Downs and raced fantastic in the Spring Of Hope at Mohawk. She fancies this racetrack.

Race 7 $25,000

Three-Year-Old Filly Pace Elimination

Notes- (6) Monkey On My Wheel is a horse to go “bananas” for. She is a local favorite and has dominated the Ontario Sires Stakes circuit. She may get a spot mid-pack and come flying at the wire. (7) Swinging Beauty  has always been in contention. She did well at Lexington and should do well tonight.

Race 8 $30,000

Preferred 2

Notes- (1) Peenie has drawn bad posts in several starts, but is aggressive. He should get an advantage with the rail. (4) Red Bugler also is aggressive. He is close to the winner in most of his tries and may redeem himself tonight.

Race 9 $25,000

Three-Year-Old Filly Pace Elimination

Notes- (4) Pretty Katherine beat Krispy Apple in the New Jersey Sires Stakes at the Meadowlands earlier this year. Although she did bad in the Jugette, she is improving and getting more into contention. (5) Rocklamation has been under the radar most of the year. She lost by a neck to Idyllic in the Jugette and is very sharp right now.

Race 10 $25,000

Three-Year-Old Colt Pace Elimination

Notes- (2) Custard The Dragon is questionable at this point. Team Teague has been doing well right now, but have not had any luck in Canada. “Custard” is looking a bit fresh and may bomb. (4) Mystician is the hometown favorite. He has not left Canada in his lifetime. This may be a good thing as he has gone over the Woodbine oval several times, doing very well.

Race 11 $25,000

Three-Year-Old Colt Pace Elimination

Notes- (1) Prodigal Seelster has been heavily bet in the Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Finals. He has finished on the board in all but one start this year. With all the speed in this race, he may close hard. (6) Fashion Delight came back recently after suffering an injury before the Empire Breeders Classic. He did very well in the Bluegrass at Lexington and the Fashion Farms are hot right now.

Race 12 $20,000

NW $14,000 last 5

Notes- (1) Cole Diddy is making a huge step down back to the company where he was very successful. He also drew the rail, which may help. (6) Pontiac Luck did well in this company from post six at Mohawk in September. She may be strong again from post six.

Race 13 $17,000

NW $9,000 last 5

Notes- (4) Classic Rock Nroll is coming off a bad effort against free for all pacers in the Winbak Pace. Before that, he was victorious in this class at The Meadows. He may be victorious again. (6) Top Gear is making a slight step down from a great effort, not quitting. He may improve tonight.  

Historic Meet Closes with Big Bang

On Sunday, October 09, Breeders Crown hopefuls competed at The Red Mile on the final day of the Grand Circuit meet. The day featured the $226,000 Bluegrass sophomore colt trot, $213,000 Bluegrass sophomore filly trot and the $486,000 Tattersalls colt pace.

In the first colt Bluegrass, Chapter Seven (Windsong’s Legacy) rebounded after his poor efforts in the Canadian Trotting Classic, Broad Bahn (Broadway Hall) held off two longshots to finish second, Spectator K (Conway Hall) was third at 88-1 and For You Almostfree (Glidemaster) was fourth at 99-1. Chapter Seven is owned by Richard Gutnik, G. Cocco, Southwind Farms and Jerry Silva. He is trained by Linda Toscano and Tim Tetrick was in the sulky. Chapter Seven returned $2.60.

In the second Bluegrass, Big Rigs (Andover Hall) won, with Can Anyone Explain (Windsong’s Legacy) finishing second, Opening Night (Broadway Hall) was third and Evil Urges (Cash Hall) was fourth. Big Rigs is owned by Miller’s Stable Inc., Dm Stables and Ed Mullinax. He is trained by Kelly O’Donnell and Dave Palone was in the bike. 

In the first filly Bluegrass, Seducedbychocolate (Chocolatier) held off Hey Mister (Muscles Yankee) to win, with Love N Hate (Muscles Yankee) closing for third and Brooklyn was fourth. Seducedbychocolate is owned by Maximum Force Inc., trained by Jonas Czernyson and David Miller steered “Seduced” to a 1:54.3 victory. Seduced returned $16.80 to win. “We wanted to give her a break because she didn’t come out of the Hambletonian Oaks well,” trainer Jonas Czernyson said. “We are aiming for the Breeders Crown,” he added.

In the second Bluegrass, Bold And Fresh (Sj’s Caviar) won for the first time since her Oaks triumph, with Don’t Think Twice (Andover Hall) closing late for second, Lady Andover (Andover Hall) gave way for third and Miss Sue V (Conway Hall) was fourth. Bold And Fresh is owned by Don Bartling, trained by Doug Miller and Dave Miller was in the sulky.

“She had 23 days off after the Oaks and she didn’t take well to that, she hit herself in the Sires Stakes,” owner Don Bartling said. “She was so uptight, so nervous from the layoff and didn’t take well to that. It looks like her next start is going to be the Breeders Crown.” He added.

In the first Tattersalls, Alsace Hanover (The Panderosa) won, with Westwardho Hanover (Dragon Again) finishing second and Fashion Delight (Bettor’s Delight) was third. Alsace Hanover is owned by John Fielding, trained by Tony O’Sullivan and driven by Ron Pierce.

In the second Tattersalls, Hugadragon (Dragon Again) won, with Wind Me Up finishing second and Rollwithitharry (Rocknroll Hanover) was third. Foreclosure N (Rocknroll Hanover) scratched sick because of have colic surgery during the week. Hugadragon is owned and trained by Ron Burke and driven by Yannick Gingras.    

Approaching the Trail’s End

With two weeks left until the Hambletonian eliminations (scheduled for July 30), the Hambletonian Trail is coming to an end. So, we have predicted 29 horses that may show up in the Hambletonian eliminations. Listed below are the top 10 trotters that made it onto that list.  

Blue Porsche (Glidemaster) made his three-year-old debut a winning one. He returned in the Goodtimes elimination, where he won. In the final, he went the entire mile on the outside and still drew away. Although he is undefeated this year, his talent is still in question since most of the other top colts were at Pocono for the Earl Beal eliminations.

Broad Bahn (Broadway Hall) came late on the scene. He scratched from the Breeders Crown at two, due to injury. He came back in a Pennsylvania Sires Stakes on May 30, finishing second. He won his next start, in non-winners of $12,000 last five starts. He then went to the “Beal” elims, finishing second and was third in the final. He beat the early Hambo favorite, Pastor Stephen, in a three-year-old Open in his next start. His most recent start was a second-place effort in the Stanley Dancer, losing to a 13-1 Manofmanymissions.

Charlie De Vie (Yankee Glide)  was purchased at two from Oyvind Hegdal. Now in Chris Ryder’s barn, “Charlie” will be Ryder’s ticket to the Hambletonian. Charlie started off his year well by winning his first four starts. He then disappointed in the Beal elimination, where he made a bad break in the stretch, finishing seventh. He came back in a three-year-old Open, where he won. His most recent start was the Stanley Dancer, where he broke in deep stretch and was placed sixth.

Pastor Stephen (Cantab Hall) was the early Hambletonian favorite. He won his first three starts of the year and then faced Dejarmbro (a non-eligible). He finished second to Dejarmbro in the Beal elimination and again in the final. They met again in the Dancer, where Dejarmbro was third and “Pastor” finished seventh.

Yonkers Trot-winner Leader Of The Gang (Muscles Yankee) looks to become the first horse to win the Yonkers Trot and the Hambletonian since Glidemaster.  He will return July 22 in a division of the $44,500 New Jersey Sires Stakes at the Meadowlands.

Breeders Crown champion Manofmanymissions (Yankee Glide) has been a wild card this year. No one knows what he will do, run or trot. He made a bad break in a three-year-old Open, finishing eighth. Then he returned and won by 6 lengths, paying $29.

Chapter Seven (Windsong’s Legacy) came very late to the scene, debuting with two weeks until the elims. He made his appearance in the Stanley Dancer worth it, where he was in a stretch duel with Big Rigs and got the best of that one to win. Chapter Seven is similar to soph-filly trotter Jezzy in their racing records. Both of them have only lost one race.

Opening Night (Broadway Hall) has not left the Pennsylvania circuit. He has been racing in the sires stakes against horses like Orlando and Swan In A Million.

Magnum Kosmos (SJ’s Caviar) is in the same situation as Opening Night; he has not left Pennsylvania. He has only raced in the sires stakes and the Reynolds at Pocono. In those races, he has dominated horses like Del Cielo and Buffalino Hanover.

Fawkes (SJ’s Caviar) has been the “under-the-radar” horse, he is always a longshot no matter how he raced previously. Jonas Czernyson trained another under-the-radar horse, last year’s Temple Of Doom (now in the hands of Larry and Ray Remmen).

Here is the list of the horses, in no particular order, we predict will appear in the 2011 Hambletonian eliminations.

Pastor Stephen (Cantab Hall)

Manofmanymissions (Yankee Glide)

Charlie De Vie (Yankee Glide)

Evil Urges (Cash Hall)

Leader Of The Gang (Muscles Yankee)

Winuendo (Windsong’s Legacy)

Whitewater Rapids (Credit Winner)

Fawkes (SJ’s Caviar)

Live Jazz (Andover Hall)

Orlando (Andover Hall)

Mr Web Page (Muscles Yankee)

Ice Machine (Muscles Yankee)

Whit (Classic Photo)

Celebrity Bombay (Yankee Glide)

Del Cielo (Broadway Hall)

Luckycharm Hanover (Andover Hall)

Chapter Seven (Windsong’s Legacy)

Blue Porsche (Glidemaster)

Big Rigs (Andover Hall)

Big Sky Storm (Classic Photo)

Broadway Legs (Broadway Hall)

Whiskey Tax (Revenue S)

Vc Chocoholic (Chocolatier)

Broad Bahn (Broadway Hall)

Magnum Kosmos (SJ’s Caviar)

Opening Night (Broadway Hall)

Buffalino Hanover (Cantab Hall)

Swan In A Million (Andover Hall)

Hambo Hopefuls Dancing

On Saturday, July 16, fourteen Hambletonian eligibles squared off in two divisions of the $332,000 Stanley Dancer Memorial at the Meadowlands. Also, 11 Hambo eligibles went to post in the $201,812 Pennsylvania Sires Stakes (PASS) at Pocono Downs.              
In the first “Dancer” division, Manofmanymissions (Yankee Glide) went off at 13-1 based on his dull running trip the week before when he was beaten by Charlie De Vie (Yankee Glide). This week, however, “Man” was all out, in stride and drew away from the field to win it.

Broad Bahn (Broadway Hall) got second, while Dejarmbro, the only non-eligible, was placed third as “Charlie” went off stride and was disqualified for not losing ground after a break.

Off the board were Live Jazz (Andover Hall), Whit (Classic Photo), Luckycharm Hanover (Andover Hall) and Pastor Stephen (Cantab Hall).

The second Dancer division did more to cloud the Hambletonian picture, as Chapter Seven (Windsong’s Legacy) made his first start of the year a big one, fooling no one wagering as the 4-5 choice. He beat Big Rigs (Andover Hall), who had a smooth-gaited night like Man, and Big Sky Storm (Classic Photo) got the show money.

Off the board were Mythical Hall (Andover Hall), Evil Urges (Cash Hall) and Pegasus Blue Chip (Glidemaster).

In the first PASS division, Magnum Kosmos (SJ’s Caviar) won, with Orlando (Andover Hall) second and Fort Valley As (Tom Ridge) third.

“Valley” took the lead, with Buffalino Hanover (Cantab Hall) in second and Orlando was first over in third. “Magnum” got cover from Orlando, in fifth. Unabating (Broadway Hall) went on a break. Swan In A Million (Andover Hall) went on a break entering the stretch.

Magnum took command at the three-eighths, while Orlando sat in second and Valley was shuffled to third. “Buffalino” came first over at three-quarters, challenging Valley for third. In the stretch, it was Magnum and Orlando dueling it out to the wire and Magnum was able to hold off Orlando by a nose. Valley finished third. Unabating, Buffalino, Del Cielo (Broadway Hall) followed.

In the second division, Opening Night (Broadway Hall) won, with Just In (Andover Hall) finishing second and Fawkes (SJ’s Caviar) was third. Onirique took command, with pressure from Bambino Hall (Tom Ridge) and Sevruga sat third. In the stretch, “Bambino” gave way, while “Opening” circled three wide and took command. Opening drew away, while “Just” gave chase in second and Fawkes was closing in third. Opening won, with Just finishing second and Fawkes was third. Bambino finished seventh.