Fillies aggressive in Reynolds

On Tuesday, July 12, 10 “Oaks” eligibles went to post in the $71,501 “Reynolds” memorial at Pocono Downs.

In the first division, Too Busy To Care (Chocolatier) won by a head, with Backstreet Hanover finishing second and Sheer Glide (Yankee Glide) came up for third. “Care” took command with “Backstreet” sitting in second. Broadways Fortune (Broadway Hall) came first over coming by the three-eighths.

At the half, Backstreet came on to the outside and took the lead from Care and “Fortune” was coming on the outside in third. “Glide” came on to the outside and settled behind Fortune. In the stretch, Care came back on to the outside, dueling with Backstreet and Glide was coming in to third. At the wire, Care got up to win it, with Backstreet in second and Glide finished third. Fortune faded to seventh and Cheetah Hall (Tom Ridge) sat in the back and finished sixth.

In the second division, Beatgoeson Hanover won easily, with Celebrity Katie (SJ’s Caviar) second, MM’s Lioness was third and Pantholops (Andover Hall) was fourth. Pantholops took command, with “Katie” challenging first over in second. Broadway Starlet went off stride at the 1/16ths. Pantholops sat behind Katie, who had to sustain the lead from “Lioness” coming on the outside past the three-eighths.

Towards three-quarters, Pantholops came first over, chasing Beatgoeson Hanover. In the stretch, Beatgoeson Hanover was drawing away, while Katie came up the passing lane for second and Lioness was able to hold off Pantholops for third. Don’t Think Twice (Andover Hall) sat back and did nothing, finishing sixth, while Broadway Starlet (Broadway Hall) finished ninth.

In the final division, Tui won, with Decolletage finishing second and Pacific Splash (American Winner) was third.

Tui went for the front, while Im A Centerfold (Glidemaster) pulled back in the pack with “Splash.” “Centerfold” came first over at the three-eighths and challenged the leader by the half. He gave way coming to the five-eighths as Tui was drawing away. Splash circled out three-wide at the top of the stretch and she could not catch Tui. Tui won, with Decolletage staying in second and Splash getting up for third. Im A Centerfold finished seventh. 

Field for the $1-million Meadowlands Pace made official

On Tuesday, July 12, the field for the 34^th $1-million Meadowlands Pace was drawn, with a field of 10 going behind the gate.

Having two colts in the final last year, trainer George Teague Jr. is in pursuit of his second “Pace” victory, bringing three horses to the final. They are Custard The Dragon, Feel Like A Fool and Wink N Atcha. Elimination-winner Custard The Dragon, being driven by George’s son Montrell Teague, is listed as the 4-1 co-favorite. “Custard” won his elim going wire-to-wire in a 1:50.2 mile at 11-1. Custard has won seven of 13 starts lifetime and has earned $551,667. Driver Montrell Teague is looking to become the youngest driver to win the race at the age of 20 years old. Custard The Dragon is owned by Ted Gewertz, R. Feldman, Fannin Racing and George Teague, Jr.

Elimination-winner Big Jim rebounded after a third-place finish in the North America Cup. “Jim” won his first start of his three-year-old campaign at the Meadowlands in the New Jersey Classic prep. He won his elim by ¾ lengths. Big Jim is owned by James Carr and is trained by James Dean. James will be looking for his first Pace win, along with Phil Hudon.

Runner-up to Big Jim, Powerful Mist, has shown talent this year. He moved to late in his Pace elim and was second to Big Jim. Trained by Melvin Wayne Givens, this colt has won 14 of 26 starts and has earned $424,277.

The late-blooming Foreclosure N finished second to Custard The Dragon in the Pace elim. He beat older horses at Mohawk in a preferred event. Trainer Mark Steacy is known for the horses Hana Hanover, Stylish Artist and Majestic Art. Foreclosure stalked the pace and finished second in his elim.

Looking for redemption is trainer Casie Coleman after a seventh-place finish last year with Sportswriter. She returns with Betterthancheddar. “Cheddar” was expected to make the North America Cup Final but finished fifth in his elimination. He finished fifth in the consolation also. In his elim, he made a first-over move after Big Jim and ended up third.

Also blooming late is Bestofbest Hanover. He was victorious in the North America Cup consolation, beating Pace elim-winner Custard The Dragon and Pace contender Betterthancheddar. In his North America Cup elim he came closing hard but came up a bit short in the stretch, finishing fourth. He also won a division of the Somebeachsomewhere stakes at Mohawk. Bestofbest Hanover has won seven of 13 starts and has earned $137,695.

Here is the field for the 34^th edition of the $1-million Meadowlands Pace

PP-Horse-Driver-Trainer-Odds

1 Westwardho Hanover-Jody Jamieson-Timothy Pinske-15-1

2 Big Jim-Phillip Hudon-James “Friday” Dean-2-1

3 Custard The Dragon-Montrell Teague-George Teague Jr.-4-1

4 Feel Like A Fool-Brian Sears-George Teague Jr.-12-1

5 Wink N Atcha-Yannick Gingras-George Teague Jr.-15-1

6 Powerful Mist-Andy Miller-Melvyn Wayne Givens-5-1

7 Betterthancheddar-David Miller-Casie Coleman-10-1

8 Roll With Joe-Brian Sears-Edward Hart-6-1

9 Bestofbest Hanover-Mike Lachance-Daniel Martin-10-1

10 Foreclosure N-Tim Tetrick-Mark Steacy-15-1

In the Meadowlands Pace Final, Big Jim will be the heavy favorite. But seeing as he narrowly held on in his elimination, Powerful Mist will be the outsider. He sat far back and came roaring on the outside but ran out of stretch, giving the victory to Big Jim. The Pace this year is full of speed and Bestofbest Hanover made a huge move from the back to finishing fifth. The speed in this race may tire out some of the horses and set up for “Bestofbest.”

Announcement

I would like to announce that I will stop doing my Pick 5 tickets at the Meadowlands. You can still check out my Pick 4 tickets. There just won't be a Pick 5 ticket.

TRI’s Picks July 14 Meadowlands

Meadowlands Racetrack Pick 5, Races 1-5, Pick 4, Races 6-9

In the Pick 5, we had three winners. They were Pet Rock ($3.20), I Fought Dalaw ($2.20) and Custard The Dragon ($24.20). In the Pick 4, we had three winners. They were Big Jim ($5.20), Mega Lightning ($6.60) and Mcflirty ($7.00). This week’s profit has gone up to $12.20. Let’s start off the racing week with some longshots and economical tickets.

Pick 5

50 cent Play: 17/12/6/2/12 = $4

Analysis:

Race 1- (1) Quiche Lorraine S has improved in her last two qualifiers. She will get an advantage with the rail this week. (7) Bluff made a first-over attempt for command around the far turn at Pocono and still finished in a sub-1:58 mile. She may have no problem with this field.

Race 2- (1) Sheracer was shuffled at Pocono in the Reynolds and finished second through the passing lane. The rail may help. (2) Susan’s Desire went a sub-2:00 mile in the slop at Chester in here most recent qualifier. If the track is fast, she may blow by this field.

Race 3- Coming off of a third against tougher Maidens, (6) Consus Blue Chip may show better in this poor field.

Race 4- (2) Peace paced some rough miles at Balmoral. Getting the rail and stepping down may give her a chance.

Race 5- (1A) Weingartner won at Pocono with a first-over move. He will be the one to beat in here. (2) Quit Smoking Now trotted a better mile in his qualifier while in the barn of Steve Elliot. He will stay with Elliot and may be a monster in here.

Pick 4

$2 Play: 5/16/5/1 = $4

Analysis:

Race 6- If he can get the trip, (5) Man O’ War will have a shot at victory. He also has the advantage, since this field is poor.

Race 7- (1) Sir Sisu gets the rail this week. Since he has the rail, he may be able to get a good position easily. He may also bring a price. (6) Rathbone N can be a great horse at a great price. But that will only be if he can get the trip, which he may this week.

Race 8- If she can get a spot mid-pack, (5) Pure Barre will be in contention. Her post may help her as well.

Race 9- (1) Kissmatt will be in the race if she doesn’t get shuffled back. With the rail, that may help her prevent that.