Harness Players Newsletter presented by Nahupicks.com Vol. 22

July 19, 2024

Jul 19, 2024

I usually occupy this space to open the Newsletter but this week I thought I would switch it up a little with the Adios Eliminations this weekend. So here’s a little preview from the man who does all the work on the Meadows, Kevin Plowcha.

The Meadowlands Pace is officially behind us. Legendary Hanover dethroned Nijinsky (to the chagrin of Mikey P) and posted a stakes record win of 1:46.3. It was a great drive by James Macdonald who got the jump and drew away. He continues to show people outside of Canada that he is a world-class driver.

Oh yeah, by the way, this isn't Mikey P. He gave me the distinct honor to kick off this week's edition of the newsletter. He's got this week's Week Ahead. It's Adios eliminations week, baby! As the "Meadows Kid", the race obviously holds a special place in my heart. I've been attending since 2018, but the 2023 edition was the most special for me. It was my first time being involved with a major stakes broadcast (at 20 years old, no less). That day was one I won't soon forget. It's even more surreal to be involved again this year with the same great crew. Hopefully I'll give out some winners. The Meadows is a great place to visit and there are plenty of good people there. I know Mikey P can vouch.

There are two eliminations contested on Saturday for the Adios (races 8 and 9) with a total of fifteen entrants. As far as the elimination rules, it's the top four finishers from each race plus the fifth place finisher with the highest earnings. That makes your field of nine for next Saturday's (July 27th) final. If you want to hear some opinions on the eliminations, check out this week's edition of the Harness Players Podcast.

Race 8 installs (#6) Captain Luke as your 9-5 morning line favorite. He's likely to get a comfy trip in this race, either on the lead or in the pocket. It's much needed for this guy after he's battled hard for minor shares in the big dances. I wonder how much this last month has taken out of him, but the connections clearly think he'll be ready to go once again. My question is, if a horse like (#7) Clever Cody gets to the lead and it lines up 7-6, does Zeron just sit pocket? You get a good trip behind a horse that will likely take you most of the way and you don't expend as much energy making two moves. The Meadows has a passing lane which would give him ample room in the stretch.

It's now or never for Clever Cody. I don't know what he did to Canada, but it sure didn't do him any favors. He's shown great speed on a 5/8s but has faltered in the past against these types. In theory, this is a perfect spot for him. It's not the most stacked elim, and there's a chance it could turn into a merry-go-round. If that's the case and Merriman gets him to the half in :55 and change? He may steal it. If the pace does get hot, Huntingforchrome will be lying in wait. He's another contender purely off his last effort and could blow by no matter how the pace sets up. He's trying to show that last week was no fluke. I'm fully out on Sweet Beach Life. He's done good things at Yonkers including winning the Messenger, but he's going to have to step up big time in my opinion to contend with the others previously mentioned.

Race 9 features a field of eight including 2-1 morning line favorite and 2YO PASS champ Captain Albano. It's been a seesaw of emotions with this guy over the last month. He seemed poised to strike in the NA Cup Final but never got room, put in steps during his M1 Pace Elim, and had no chance in the final with the trip he got. That being said, this is a perfect spot for him to get some confidence back. He's the most talented horse in this elimination and is likely to be driven like it. So, if he's a super likely chalk winner, where's the value underneath? Nuclear could be forgotten about, especially including the break he made last week. His trip in the 3YO Open was tough, and the trip he got in his Pace Elim was brutal. I don't mind Rush In either. This is his second start on Lasix and he's lightly raced, but he'll need to rebound in a big way to give Albano a run. Keep your eyes on the exacta probables and the tote board.

As most like to say, it's a horse race, so anything can happen. I'll be in the booth Saturday giving some opinions. Tune in for the card and especially the Elims. Check out this week's pod and the Spot Plays. Lots of quality content coming out next week.

Catch you later,

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Spot Plays for the Weekend of 7/19-7/21 presented by `Nahupicks.com`

Friday Grand River Race 5 - (4) Viv a Vis Bluechip (6/1) - A strong play both to end the Pick 5 and top the Super High 5 play. He’s fitting in well and draws right behind the car - LETS GO!

~Sugar Doyle

Friday Woodbine Mohawk Race 4 - (1) Chain Gang - shed the shackles in last with long successful 1st over move. Just would not be denied. Best closing quarter in this key multi-leg race.

~Doug Henwood

Friday Century Downs Race 1 - (5) Frostfire - Hopelessly blocked last time, should only need clear track to handle these.

~Murray Slough

Saturday The Meadows Race 8 - (7) Clever Cody - gets back to the 5/8s track which he loves. It’s put up or shut up time with him. Merriman should be blasting and looking to give him very chance up front if he can catch a breather.

~Kevin Plowcha

Saturday Woodbine Mohawk Race 7 - (5) Style for a Mile - out drew the other two class dropper in the race and McNair will likely look to send her right down the road starting from the middle of the gate.

~Garnet Barnsdale

Sunday Pocono Downs Race 11 - (4) Fab Four Hanover - sat last and was never put in play but finished up willingly in latest.

~Derick Giwner

Harness Players’ Podcast–Saturday, July 20, 2024 @ The Meadows

On this episode of the Harness Players’ Podcast (click the link above), Edison Hatter is joined by Kevin Plowcha, Dawnelle Mock, and Cheyenne Christman to discuss the Adios Eliminations taking place this Saturday, July 20 at Hollywood Casino at the Meadows. They discuss the Pick 4 sequence that takes place from Races 6-9 and includes both eliminations of the Adios Pace. They also preview the “Richest Day in PA” for bettors next Saturday with $200,000 in guaranteed pools across 11 wagers on the Adios card.

The Week Ahead with Mikee P

(Since KP is doing the Open this week, I will be taking his article instead.)

The Adios Eliminations are this weekend at the Meadows and Kevin has you covered above, but the two year old’s take center stage on that card with four divisions of the PASS for Pacers. Ron Burke has a strong hand per usual with some precocious types such as Da Lou Ron Ron who broke maiden in 1:53 first out. Railroad Station is in the second division having a mark of 1:51:1 already facing a son of the red hot Papi Rob Hanover in Dreamboat Hanover who is 2 for 2 so far. Burke has another maiden breaker in division three with Th Colby bringing another fast mark to the contest. Bitcoin Hanover headlines division four with three wins already in his young career. All divisions go for 48,027 on Saturday.

Sunday features some Grand Circuit events at Plainridge with a full field for the Spirit of Mass. Trot going for 250k. Chapercraz comes in off his huge upset in the Hambo Maturity last weekend meeting several older classy veterans. It’s Academic is second back after a fourth place finish from off the pace in the Cutler on June 29th. He has been one of the top trotters in the US for the past several years and looks to repeat his win in the race last year. Logan Park and Esplosione ship in from Canada for Rob Fellows. ‘Park has been solid so far this season at the Open level, and proved himself late last year on the Grand Circuit.

The 100k Clara Barton also highlights that card Sunday at Plainridge Park with Sylvia Hanover taking on Grace Hill and Always Be Naughty amongst others with a new pilot, Tim Tetrick, in the bike. The four year old is still looking for her first win this year after not losing much in the past two seasons. The 5/8 mile track has proven a problem for her in the past, resulting in breaks in stride. Red hot Fourever Boy lands in the 75k Bert Beckwith Memorial Invite having found a home at Plainridge in winning his past three starts.

The 250K Gerrity Pace takes place Saturday at Saratoga in NY. This is a strong edition of the race featuring Borgata standouts Backstreet Shadow, Coaches Corner, Desperate Man, Rocknroll Runa A, Pleaseletmeknow as well as Hellabalou. These horses have been knocking heads over the half mile tracks most of the year. A newcomer Ken Hanover who won a preliminary round of the Graduate Series for 4-year-old pacers in 1:47.4 on June 22 at The Meadowlands and finished sixth from post nine in the final on July 6. He was second in the Joseph Augur Memorial at Harrah’s Philadelphia in May and third in the Dave Brower Memorial the last weekend of June. The evening will also feature six New York Sire Stakes races for 2-year-old pacing colts. Overall purses for the night exceed half a million dollars.

And finally on Saturday, The Meadowlands features the $76,700 Tompkins-Geers for 3-year-old male trotters and a trio of $30,800 divisions in the Tompkins-Geers for 3-year-old filly trotters. Elista Hanover has a record of 8 wins in 9 starts this year and will be tested by Miss I La in Race 6 Saturday night. Honey Sweet will be the favorite in Race 8 with She Shaq, Cool Ma Belle and Sambuca Hanover looking to upset. Spy Coast looks the last favorite of the filly races in Race 12. Svanstedt has two challengers in the race with Cocktailwithakick and Upallnight Hanover. The boys have a big field in Race 9 and a favorite from the rail in Secret Agent Man. A trio of challengers from the Ake Svanstedt barn loom along with Bright Star for Alagna and Bella’s Musclehill from Nifty Norman. Bargain is also in the race looking to use his speed on the mile track.

That’s it for this weeks Week Ahead. KP will be back next week. Enjoy the races this week!

Mikee P

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