Harness Players Newsletter Vol. 14 presented by Thestable.ca
Friday May 24, 2024
Its Elitloppet week and our man Edison is over in Sweden enjoying all the surroundings and scouting for the big days. Tons of coverage this week from Solvalla or the harness racing center of the universe. I have been a harness racing fan since 1996 and I was aware of the Elitloppet just with my perusing of the Harness Racing News and websites et al. It was only in the past few years that I have discovered harness racing in Sweden and the event that is the Elite Race. I have to thank Edison for exposing me to this world and the horses that compete at the highest level. When you consider the popularity of harness racing in Scandinavia it is easy to be attracted to their biggest race. The history of Mack Lobell and Moni Maker bringing their talents over to that race and taking home the prize only adds to allure. There are plenty of differences between racing over there and over here. Different distances, different starts, and different breeds are just a few of the things one will discover if they sit and watch these cards this weekend. There is fantastic betting in Sweden for harness racing. Tons of multi leg sequences with large pools that attract money from the high and low end of the betting spectrum. (Still waiting for these wagers to become available to US customers). The straight and vertical pools are available and stuffed with money so odds are solid there if you want to bet. Exactas, quinellas, trifectas also are popular with low minimums to keep everyone involved. The ATG website is a fantastic resource for odds, wagering, results, replays, etc. Everything one needs to attack these races. One thing of note that I find especially helpful is the continuous updating of the percentage of a horses usage in the multi leg wagers.
Here are a few examples of current odds for the Elite Race Elims for this Sunday. This is all accessible on the ATG website under Races Tab. You will notice I have V75 highlighted in both pictures and with Win and Show odds for each horse noted look at the third column which has a V75% noted. Some of the favorites in the race as you can see (2) Don Fanucci Zet has 29% of the V75 $ going though him right now. When constructing multi leg wagers it is incredibly useful to know exactly how much $ is flowing through certain horses. Think of how useful this information would be on a Saturday night at the Meadowlands. I know as a multi leg player this information updated in real time would be priceless for structuring tickets. While we cannot as customers use this information for its purpose currently (unable to place the multi leg wagers) it gives another layer to a horses odds within a current race.
Here’s hoping we can somehow bring this system to the US wagering pools/systems. We have the technology obviously……how can we bring this to our wagering platforms? Catch the preview podcast we did Sunday this week and even last years Preview that has plenty of evergreen content. I will post a link below.
Friday Final Answers Livestream with myself, Edison, Thomas Svenson (Fantastic resource for Swedish racing) and the venerable Ray Cotolo to add comedy starting at 3:30 pm on Youtube or catch the audio version.
Enjoy the races this weekend. Get up early and watch the best harness racing on the planet.
~Mikee P
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Here is a nice win for Ready for Landing on May 22 at the Meadows. Countless videos and sharp performances from thestable.ca horses daily. #ownalittleloveitalot
Ohio Open House & Breakfast June 2nd
Current clients of TheStable.ca and their guests are invited to attend our annual Ohio Open House Breakfast.Â
• Date & Location: Sunday, June 2 at Northfield Park
• Training & Broadcast starts: 11am
• Breakfast: Lady Luck Restaurant at 10am
•  Breakfast tickets: $0.00 USD
•  Breakfast ticket sales close: June 1 at 9pm
DETAILS:
Dining Room opens at 10:00. Breakfast and training starts at 11:00. (You may arrive any time between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.)
MENU:
Fresh Fruit
Sausage Links
Scrambled Eggs
Breakfast Potatoes
Assorted Muffins
Yogurt Cups
Coffee & Juice
The restaurant overlooks the track where our US-based two-year-olds will be training in sets.
Seats are limited; if you RVSP and are later unable to attend, please contact kelly@thestable.ca so we can extend the offer to another client.
Its Elitloppet Week check out our Coverage
Harness Players’ Podcast–Swedish Racing Background & 2024 Elitloppet Field Announced
Join Edison Hatter, Mike Pribozie, and Thomas Svensen as they take you across the Atlantic to Stockholm, Sweden to prepare for the 2024 Elitloppet Weekend next Friday, May 24th to Sunday, May 26th at Solvalla. They provide background information on Solvalla’s racetrack, Elitloppet weekend and the special races that take place, the racing styles, starting formats, and distances in Sweden, past U.S. connections to the big race, and thoughts on trainers and drivers to watch out for. The trio also take an early look at the post position draws for the 2024 Elitloppet Eliminations and provide some early thoughts on the races.
Evergreen content from last years Sweden Show Here:
First Over With Edison Hatter–Introduction To Swedish Racing & 2023 Elitloppet
On this very special First Over with Edison Hatter episode, Edison introduces us to the world of Swedish Horse Racing and Solvalla Racecourse, which will be hosting Elitloppet– The Elite Race– this weekend, the most prestigious mile harness race in the world. Edison is first joined by Mike Pribozie to break down some quotes from Todd McCarthy, Sarah Svanstedt, and Marcus Melander to introduce the concept of Swedish racing. Next, Edison is joined by Mike Laudon, a former Solvalla trainer and current broadcaster, commentator, and betting expert in Sweden, to dive deeper into Sweden and it’s racing. Finally, Edison takes a walk down memory lane with Hall of Fame driver John Campbell to talk about his experience at the 1988 Elitloppet, when he and MACK LOBELL won the race for the United States.
Final Answers Show Livestream Friday at 330 PM EST on ITM Youtube
The Week Ahead from Kevin Plowcha
We're nearing the end of May, which means summer is just around the corner. Stakes season has been here for a few weeks now, but the competition continues to get better and better. Whether it's big purses and field sizes or anticipated battles between superstars, this week ahead is sure to have something for everyone.
Destination number one is The Meadowlands for Saturday night (May 25) New Jersey Sire Stakes Finals action for 3YOs. Both divisions go for $240,000.
Race 6 (Fillies Final) features a field of eight and a likely heavy favorite with (#8) Odds On Steno. Listed at even money on the morning line, this Alagna trainee has cruised in both of the preliminary legs. Last time out, she was a winner at 1-9. The outside post is a challenge but one she can definitely overcome.
Race 10 (Colts & Geldings Final) has a full field of ten with two main standouts. (#2) Better Is Nice, who is adding Lasix, has the big post edge on his main rival from the prelims. That would be (#10) Arbitrage Hanover, who was unable to be caught because of the solid rating up top by Todd McCarthy. This could shape up to be a ding dong battle between brothers, assuming (#6) Endofstory doesn't spoil the party. His two prelim wins haven't been against the top two, but they have still been impressive nonetheless. It's hard to ignore Dexter Dunn in big races. This will be a fun race.
Speaking of fun, how about that Harrah's Philly Sunday action??? Over $600,000 in total purses up for grabs in a 16-race marathon card.
The Betsy Ross Mares Invitational, Maxie Lee Memorial Invitational, and Joseph Auger Memorial Invitational highlight the card (all for $100,000 each), as well as three power packed divisions of PA Sire Stakes action. This would end up as a novel if I went through each race in detail, but it's a card that you HAVE to tune into. Programs are free, so get capping! I will give a couple of horses to watch on the card below in the Spot Play Section.
It also wouldn't be Memorial Day without some quality Harness Racing to watch. Hoosier Park and Oak Grove both have plenty of Sire Stakes action on tap to keep you company while you chow down on some burgers and beers. As does Woodbine Mohawk Park, who kicks off their ONSSÂ Gold races on Saturday night.
Make sure you get in these pools. There's always money to be made, but especially on these big days.
Spot Plays for the Weekend of 5/24 and 5/25 presented by Nahupicks.com
Friday Century Downs Race 7 - (6) I Got Socks. Had the most live late legs last time for Logan Gillis and just missed by an inch. Faces a very suspect group here andf just needs to repeat that last effort to win. Not likely to get 10-1 ML but maybe 5-1?
~Murray Slough
Friday Woodbine Mohawk Race 11- (3) Chiefs Dream Girl, Todd Ratchford- Big mare has been sharp recently and could get the perfect setup to get a nice win at decent odds.
~Brad A
Friday Woodbine Mohawk Race 4 - (4) Barstool Mountain - Calculations say yes and he was used a couple of times in first start of the year.
~Doug Henwood
Sunday Solvalla Sweden Race 1- (1) Jaguar C Boko - is trained by Olle Alsen, who has great success in the past in the Speed Race. This is a unique race that will go just 3/8ths of a mile. Three groups of three horses will race and the winners will all race one more time to determine the winner. Drawing the rail in a super short sprint race can be a big advantage.
~Edison Hatter
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