Harness Players Newsletter presented thestable.ca Vol. 12
May 10, 2024
Well how about that Derby? The spectacle that was this year’s Derby was three noses on the wire with an 18-1 winner. No lack of controversy with some bumping in the stretch between the 2nd and 3rd place finishers. I was listening to the Owners Box (highly recommend btw) podcast this week (In the Money black feed) with the owner of Mystik Dan talking about the evolution of “Derby week”. Just 12 years ago on the “Thurby” (the Thursday before Derby) one of her horses won a 10 claimer. Now Derby week has blossomed into huge days with stellar races and big crowds. Handle soared this year also with the big competitive fields and large crowds pouring it in from Tuesday to Saturday. Can harness racing find something to model here? What if Hambo week was treated this way? I know I would love to see a week like that building up to the big race with big harness racing nightly at the Meadowlands. The Jug has a similar version of this with their lead up to the big day with the racing that goes from Sunday to Thursday and having the fair as the backdrop. I think it works. I personally would like to see more of this from the organizers of these big events. The growth of Derby week is no accident. It uses the backdrop of the Derby itself to make the other races that week feel more important to the connections of the horses. This trickles down to the fans and their feelings about these races and days at the racetrack.
I was at The Meadows helping Jeff Zidek on the broadcast on Saturday with Kevin Plowcha also in the booth. We had a blast that day despite some weather at the track as did the huge crowd. We gave out plenty of good ideas and several winners only adds to the broadcast. It’s a gambling game. Promoting wagering throughout the broadcast is something I wish there was more of at other harness venues. Analysis matters, so finding people that can provide it so that others can benefit only adds to the racetrack experience. The novice crowd that comes to the track on big days are looking for help. Appreciate Jeff and Scott Lishia for having NAHU in the booth to add something to the broadcast. I know Kevin had fun.
New things coming soon…..a little tease….but we have some things in the works. Enjoy a different type of pod this week with some quick Sweden recap with Edison and then a fabulous interview with the Director of Marketing and Communications for theStable.ca Kelly Spencer highlighting the inner workings of the Stable. She tells a great story of her owning a share in one of the stable horses that really sums up the stable experience. Spot plays crushed again last week……Check them out below.
Talk soon,
~Mikee P
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Lots of great feedback from the Laura Brower podcast. If you didn’t catch it you can find it here: https://inthemoneypodcast.com/harness-players-podcast-thestable-ca-special-showcase-w-laura-brower/
Harness Players’ Podcast | 5/9/24 | Elitloppet Updates + TheStable.Ca Segment
(click on the photo above to access the podcast page)
This week’s Harness Players Podcast features a quick Sweden recap leading up the the fast approaching Elite Race (Elitloppet) on May 26th with Edison Hatter and Mike Pribozie. Next up is an interview by Mike with the stable.ca’s Kelly Spencer, who is the Director of Marketing and Communication for the stable.ca. She covers many topics including her start into harness racing, the benefit of the fractional ownership model, actual ownership experiences, and how people can get involved. The process of acquiring horses is also touched upon along with the day to day functions at the stable.ca. It’s a must listen for stable clients and new interested parties.
The Week Ahead from Kevin Plowcha
The pomp and circumstance of Derby Week are over. It's time to focus on what really matters: what are the key races over the next week in the harness racing world? Let me enlighten you...
We begin in Washington, PA where The Meadows hosts three PA Sire Stake races on Friday (5/10) for 3YO filly trotters totaling just over $145,000. Some fillies will be making their first starts of 2024, such as Sambuca Hanover. She went 5-for-11 last season and made over $275,000. Another is She Shaq for Team Svanstedt, who only missed the board once last year. The Meadows will also have four PA Stallion Series events for 3YO filly trotters.
Woodbine Mohawk Park hosts a quartet of SBOA Finals on Saturday (May 11), all for over $120,000. The four races span the early pick-4 on Saturday night's card (races 4-7). Three of the four have big morning line favorites with Willy's Home Run, Pass Line, and Funtime Bayama respectively. Race 6 appears to be setting up for a battle between undefeated Convoy Hall and last year's Superfinal winner Willowtime, who has yet to race this season.
Flamboro Downs will have eliminations for the Charles Juravinski Memorial Cup on Sunday (May 12), an open race for 4YOs. Elimination one features the return of Seven Colors as well as Redwood Hanover. Elimination two features No Control and local product (local to me, anyway) Liteningonthebeach, who ships from The Meadows for Tim Twaddle. I'll be no doubt cheering that horse on.
The final big money events of the week come from Oak Grove and Rosecroft, who both will have Sire Stake finals on Monday (5/13) and Tuesday (5/14) respectively. Oak Grove features 4YO horses, while Rosecroft has 3YOs.
The purses and pools are getting bigger as summer inches closer. No better time to get involved and see what kind of score you can make. See you next week!
Spot Plays for the Weekend of 5/10 and 5/11 presented by Nahupicks.com
Friday Woodbine Mohawk Park - Race 7 - (1) Give Me Karets - post relief and a 26/4 recent closing quarter beats all of these at a price.
~Doug Henwood
Friday Woodbine Mohawk Park - Race 6 - (4) Concealed Bob McClure might be in the right place at the right time at a decent price
~Brad A (Chicago guy)
Friday The Meadows Race 10- (4) Somethintobelievein - was a dominant winner in her May 1st qualifier. A step forward off that puts her right there. She showed decent ability last season despite just two starts.
~Kevin Plowcha
Friday Western Fair Race 7 - (7) Velocity Impetuous at 4/1 - Finds a good spot facing many that have been camera shy this season. The outside post should allow for decent value, but I’d demand at least 7/2 come post time. A strong play to begin the Late Pick 4
~Sugar Doyle
Saturday Afternoon Century Downs Race 8 - Part of the Western Regional Driving Championship: (1) Moonstruck - super strong front end win last time, Kelly H chooses her in the driver draft ands she is also trained by him. Takes no prisoners here…try to catch her.
~Murray Slough
Saturday Woodbine Mohawk Race 4 - (3) R Liza (7/2 ML) - was awesome off the layoff. This looks like a two horse race and I’ll take the value of them.
~Rod Allums, Jr.
Saturday Woodbine Mohawk Race 8 - (1) Watching Sunset - raced great in defeat last week but he was a victim of pace and trip. He is razor sharp and dangerous.
~ Garnet Barnsdale
Swedish Horse Racing
www.swedishhorseracing.comis the place for replays, odds, news and much much more for all tracks in Sweden More podcasts coming this year for all the major races with Edison Hatter, Mike Pribozie and Thomas Svensen!Great first pod last week. Elitloppet Coming May 26!!!!
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