Harness Players Newsletter presented by Thestable.ca Vol. 19
Friday June 28, 2024
Several new Harness Players Podcasts this week where we focused our attention on the first legs of The Pacing and Trotting Triple Crown, which take place at Yonkers Raceway on Friday, June 28, 2024. This past week, the talk focused on the eliminations, with just one elimination for the Yonkers Trot and two for the Messenger Stakes. We mentioned on the podcast that the harness Triple Crown is not precisely as high on the list of priorities as it is for thoroughbreds. The entire marketing campaign of the thoroughbred industry centers on the five-week Triple Crown. The Kentucky Derby is the ultimate prize in thoroughbred racing, with everyone chasing it one way or another. Harness racing has the Grand Circuit, but with the money available in Sire Stakes programs now, the top horses are pointed to the spots with the least resistance and the most $. Who can blame owners? Breeding and buying horses is a considerable expense at the bottom levels of competition, and it only increases at the top. Better trainers, vets, and programs cost the most because they are proven at the top level. If an owner is fortunate enough to have a horse that can compete at the top level, they must maximize their earning potential. This often helps offset the cost of the horses that do not have the same abilities. I’ve been in ownership with different groups for many years now. The training costs are consistent, but vet costs can vary. In 2015, I owned part of a horse in the Adios at the Meadows named Utah Beach. He was a solid NW3-4 type competitive in a minor Stake in Chicago, so we decided to race him as he was paid into the Adios. Unfortunately, he was outclassed and couldn’t make the final. The excitement leading up to the race was what I will never forget.
The Adios means a lot to me because of my start in racing when I was 17 years old. The Meadows OTB was in Johnstown, PA, then, and my uncle brought me to watch some of the races one evening—love at first sight. My brother and I used to make the trip to the Adios in Washington, PA, when it was the old grandstand and a slot machine was inside. John Campbell dominated the Adios with his fourth straight win with Davids Pass. The Meadows used to run double cards on Adios Day, and I was there for as much racing as they would give me. I was front and center when my horse was in the elimination but could only hang my head when it was done. I will be chasing that feeling as long as I own horses. The big races still mean a lot to people, and I’m sure the owners will be excited this weekend for these Triple Crown races. Does the Triple Crown for harness racing need something to bring it more glam? A bonus, perhaps? Maybe extra TV coverage? Die-hard fans will notice, but not much fuss will be made. History matters, but only to a certain few, I suppose.
Check out the pods and the 20k Seeded Pick 5 at Yonkers Friday Night. Mohawk Saturday follows the Wednesday podcast with the sharpest guys you’ll see around a racetrack: John Rallis and Murray Slough.
Kevin visited Churchill Downs this week and is having fun, but do you think he slacked on his Week Ahead? C’mon….neva.
~Mikee P.
Thanks for reading In the Money Media Harness Players Newsletter! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.
It's the final week of TheStable.ca's sponsorship of the Harness Players newsletter. I can not thank Anthony Macdonald and Kelly Spencer enough for believing in this and getting us started. We had a ton of fantastic content presenting the stable and are still planning a mid-summer podcast featuring my favorite guest, Laura Brower, so stay tuned for that. I'm considering putting together a recap-type podcast that I'll make available to everyone that gives some highlights of the podcasts we did this year, including with Anthony, Kelly, Garnet Barnsdale, Heather Chang, Tim Twaddle, Dr. Mike Latessa, and, of course, Laura.
We look forward to a continued relationship in the upcoming year and will always root for the Stable and its clients all over North America.
~MP
Check out thestable.ca YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@TheStableCanada
Harness Players’ Podcast | June 22, 2024 | Yonkers Trot Elimination Recap + Monday Preview
In a special Harness Players’ Podcast episode, join hosts Ray Cotolo, Mike Pribozie and Thomas Svensen as they look back at the eliminations for the Yonkers Trot and Messenger Pace from Friday night (June 21) ahead of the final next Friday, June 28. The three also preview the Monday (June 24) card of racing at Yonkers which features a $10,000 guaranteed Pick 5 covering Races 5 through 9.
Harness Players’ Podcast | June 26, 2024 | Yonkers Trot, Messenger & Mohawk
This week on the Harness Players’ Podcast:
A preview of the stakes action at Yonkers Raceway on Friday (June 28) which includes the $300,000 Yonkers Trot and $225,000 Messenger Pace, the first jewel of the trotting and pacing Triple Crown respectively. Edison Hatter hosts the discussion with guests Mike Pribozie and Derick Giwner, of DRF Harness. The three also preview a major Pick 5 on the Friday card which will have a $20,000 seed and has a guarantee of $75,000.
Later in the show, Mike Pribozie hosts a breakdown of the $100,000 guaranteed Pick 5 at Woodbine Mohawk Park for Saturday (June 29) with John Rallis of WEG and The Meadowlands as well as Murray Slough of Century Downs.
The Week Ahead with Kevin Plowcha
I don't know about you, but it felt like June flew by. The Late Closers are long gone, and we're all of a sudden just a few days away from one of the biggest Harness Racing months of the year. This weekend is loaded, as they all will be moving forward. Let's take a look at it:
The Main Event on Friday (6/28) takes place at Yonkers Raceway, featuring the $300,000 Yonkers Trot (race 8) and the $225,000 Grand Messenger (race 7) finals, as well as two divisions of the NY-NY Mile stakes ($55,000 each) and MGM Filly Pace final ($90,000). There is also a $75,000 Guaranteed pool in their Pick-5 which starts in race 5.
In the Yonkers Trot, (#1) Security Protected, who is 3-for-3 this season and accepted a bye to the final, is your 3-2 ML favorite. He has the post edge over (#8) Situationship, who may have no choice but to blast from the far outside. In the Messenger, the goal is to dethrone (#4) Howlenthehills who is 6-for-6 this year and won his elimination by a head in 1:53.3. (#6) Janelle Granny will certainly take his shot. The other elimination winner rebounded from his NA Cup defeat with a neck win in 1:52.3.
As June comes to a close, it means the two-year-old stakes races are in full swing as they start their seasons. The Meadowlands and Woodbine Mohawk Park each feature 2YO stakes action on Friday.
Meadowlands has two divisions of the Kindergarten for 2YO colt & gelding pacers and trotters, and just one division each for the 2YO filly pacers and trotters. Mohawk has a single division of the Tompkins-Geers for 2YO colt & gelding pacers and trotters.
Speaking of two year olds, the stakes action continues for them on Saturday afternoon (6/29) at The Meadows. They host a total of six stake races for the filly trotters. Between the PA Sire Stakes and Stallion Series action, the purses total just under $250,000.
Saturday night is another loaded night of action as we head back to The Meadowlands. It's one of their signature cards as they feature four stake races for the older horses: Dave Brower Memorial (4&Up Open pacers), Crawford Farms Trot (4&Up Open trotters), Perfect Sting (4&Up mare pacers), and Six Pack (4&Up mare trotters). They also feature five total divisions of the Reynolds for 3YO trotters, as we get to see Karl (race 6) and T C I (race 9) once again.
Sunday afternoon at Harrah's Philly (6/30) features three divisions of the PA Sire Stake and Stallion Series for 3YO filly pacers. The third division (race 7) features a rematch between Geocentric and My Girl EJ while Rocket Deo, who is 4-for-4 this year and has a win over EJ, will look to spoil that party. Sunday evening sees two divisions of All Stars action at Pocono for 2YO colt & gelding trotters.
To close out the week, Vernon Downs plays host to a big stakes card on Thursday (7/4) which includes the Zweig Memorial and second legs of the NYSS and Excelsior for 2YO colt & gelding trotters. The Meadows will also get in on the Thursday stakes action with PA Sire Stake and Stallion Series action for 2YO filly pacers.
Tons of money on the line for these horses, and likely tons of money going into these pools. For those 2YO races, Watch. Those. Qualifiers! And make sure to check out this week's Spot Plays below.
Spot Plays for the Weekend of 6/28-30 presented by Nahupicks.com
The Meadows Friday Race 7 - (7) Mister Spot A is a classy veteran debuting for the Coleman barn. Could show some early speed this week with Palone and surprise.
~Kevin Plowcha
Friday Century Downs Race 4 - (3) Electric Amadeus (5/2) ML - was locked and blocked by a stopper last time out when she appeared ready to roll. Aggressive steer by Miller here gets it done.
~Murray Slough
Woodbine Mohawk Friday Race 2 - (2) Fancy Lettering - Jody should have her out 3rd behink Control my Fire and Where’s My Phone, giving him they freedom to pick his trip. I think her last quarters will let her grind herself past the leaders in deep stretch at a decent price.
~Mark Duncan
Northside Downs Friday Race 10 - David Lloyd George - dropping out of the open for the first time since arriving here and should find this spot a lot easier. Not a ton of early speed to his inside and this guy does his best work on the lead. Top Call
~Peter McGuigan
Grand River Raceway Friday Race 7 - (6) Shesonebadmomma (5/2 ML) - makes her first Canadian start after a HUGE winning qualifier in 1:53.2 last week for the new barn. Appears to be a key player for Leg 2 of the Late Pick 4.
~Sugar Doyle
Truro Raceway Friday Race 9 - (9) Malignity (5/2 ML) faded late in first start as a 4 year old. Should be better this week and the wide open field of 9 may provide some value.
~Grady Hachey
Woodbine Mohawk Saturday Race 3 - (7) Au Jus Hanover - was absolutely airborne in deep stretch in his qualifier on June 21 while under no urging. Beaton pupil should offer a square price with Drury in the bike for this debut.
~Garnet Barnsdale
Swedish Horse Racing
www.swedishhorseracing.com is 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! New Podcast this week!
Huge Week to sign up for ITM Plus with Tons of fresh content every week including Podcasts, written content, and notes from the Handicappers on the Free Podcasts to help with ticket structure.
Thanks for reading In the Money Media Harness Players Newsletter! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.