Harness Players Newsletter Vol. 18 presented by Thestable.ca
Friday, June 21, 2024
As predicted Nijinsky won this year’s 1 million $ Pepsi North America Cup finely Saturday night in front of a nice crowd at Woodbine Mohawk. Nijinsky was given a perfect drive rallying off cover to win by Louis Roy stamping himself the top 3-year-old colt right now. Interestingly the first Hambletonian Society Breeders Crown top 10 poll was released this week and it certainly brought about the usual opinions and reactions.
Greg Reinhart fired the first shot:
Now Karl has been lights out this year so far there is no doubt, however, does his dominance in Sire Stakes so far rate higher than a win in the NA Cup by Nijinsky who has yet to lose this year? The obvious comparison lies in the College football poll that goes week to week but early is largely built on reputation first and actual wins second. Karl is a generational star so ranking anyone above him seems blasphemous to some. Derrick Giwner agreed saying he was one of the 11 that picked Karl first.
John Rallis shared his debut poll with me via text:
Another vote for Karl on top with Nijinsky right behind in second. My instant reaction was Nijinsky #1 (obviously biased) but I can understand the point of view. My issue with his poll was having It’s a Love Thing so highly ranked. She has been sharp and just won the big 3-year-old filly race but I feel others have done more so far this season. His poll was weighted heavily with Canadian horses and the top three from the NA Cup.
Our man Edison Hatter’s poll:
Somehow Nijinsky being 5 for 5 winning a million-dollar $ race only lands 7th in the top 10. More Karl love, and Linedrive Hanover off his Mohawk Gold Cup win is 3rd. A nice win to be sure Ed but others have performed much better (hello Hellabalou) within the older pacing ranks.
There is an old saying that opinions are like A**holes- everybody’s got one. One thing about this poll it always creates discussion about Harness Racing. More on this if you catch the early week Harness Players Podcast with Edison chatting with GB about the poll. He also has a great segment about this weekend’s Yonkers Stakes including the Yonkers Trot and Messenger Eliminations starting the Harness Triple Crown.
A bonus podcast for Yonkers is coming this Saturday for the races Monday night.
Did you follow the spot plays last weekend?
~Mikee P
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Harness Players’ Podcast | 6/19/24 | The First Top 10 Poll + Yonkers Friday Eliminations
On this episode of the Harness Players’ Podcast, Edison Hatter is first joined by Garnet Barnsdale to discuss the first Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown Top 10 poll of the year. The 35 voters of the poll, including Edison and Garnet, put NIJINSKY in the top spot after his North America Cup win, with TWIN B JOE FRESH and KARL rounding out the podium positions.
Next, Edison is joined by Thomas Svensen, Derick Giwner, and Greg Reinhart to discuss the Friday, June 21 program at Yonkers Raceway that includes eliminations for the Yonkers Trot and the MGM Grand Messenger Stakes. The quartet also gives tickets for the Pick 5 sequence, including Races 5 through 9 on Friday evening. Finals for the Yonkers Trot and MGM Grand Messenger will take place next Friday, June 28.
Programming note: A special edition of the Harness Players Podcast will be recorded Saturday recapping Friday’s Yonkers races plus looking at the Monday pick 5.
Here’s some Friday thoughts for Yonkers Raceway from Edison:
Race 4: #1 FLYING KRONOS may well be the most talented horse in the field, but he hasn’t been seen in a peri-mutuel race since last November. However, his qualifier a few weeks ago looked very solid. Added bonus of getting #1A SOUTHWIND METRIC as part of the entry. Underneath, I like #2 BARGAIN despite some of the breaking issues he’s had. Again, added bonus of picking up #2A DUKE OF WALNER as part of the entry.
Race 6: #2 HOWLENTHEHILLS went winless last year at two, but has been an impressive 5-for-5 so far this year, including a pair of New York Sire Stakes wins. He’s the clear top pick here and will be used as my single in the Pick 5. #6 AMERITRIC at 10-1 on the morning line can be a usable horse underneath. He got burned early through a wicked fast first half last time out, but he will need to work out a trip from the outside post tonight.
Race 7: #1 MR THREE O FIVE was solid last year in some New Jersey Sire Stakes spots and was third this year in the final. Draws a nice inside post, much better than the post 8 he has a few weeks ago here in a trip over the Yonkers track. Again, we pick up another horse as part of the entry: #1A BET ON MAC. Underneath, #4 HUNTINGFORCHROME was a fast closing second off a strong early pace last time out in New York Sire Stakes company. Had some solid class last year at two and will look to take another step forward tonight.The Week Ahead with Kevin Plowcha
This week's featured stakes action comes from all different parts of North America. It's a nice spread to sink your teeth into as June is coming to a close.
First up is Yonkers Raceway. They play host to the Yonkers Trot and Grand Messenger eliminations on Friday night (6/21). The lone Yonkers Trot elimination is in race 4 and features a field of eight, but just six betting interests due to two entries. The top five finishers will advance to next week's final and join Sir Pinocchio, Situationship, and Security Protected who all received and accepted byes. Your 2-1 morning line favorites are the 1-1a entry of Flying Kronos S (PP2) and Southwind Metric (PP8). Flying Kronos appears tough to beat after his most recent qualifier and stakes back class from last season, but, as we ask every time elimination races occur, how hard will he be raced? The post draw is random for the final, so there is no benefit for him, or anyone, finishing first or fifth. Fly By (PP5) is a contender who has shown little gate speed this season but could come rallying late for a good finish. I'm Out (PP1) gets the benefit of the rail. He's a versatile type who has steadily worked his way up the ranks lately and could show the most intent of anyone in this field.
There are two eliminations for the Grand Messenger (races 6 & 7). Both feature seven horses with the top four from each advancing to the final. Elimination 1 appears to have a clear standout in (#2) Howlenthehills who is 5-for-5 this season and is racing for top Yonkers driver/trainer duo Matt Kakaley and Travis Alexander. His last win came at Vernon Downs in 1:50.1 in a New York Sire Stake.
Elimination 2 sees NA Cup participant (#6) Janelle Granny who leaves from post seven because of an entry. He has raced on a half a few times before and will likely be blasting to ensure his spot in the final. (#1) Mr Three O Five and (#2) Sweet Beach Life have the post edge on Janelle, but not the class edge. Both are coming off overnight prep races at Yonkers which help them get used to the track again. Can they step up and use the inside posts to their advantage? We'll find out Friday night.
Saturday (6/22) has stakes action all day beginning in the afternoon at Pocono Downs. 3YO filly pacers are in the spotlight with a total of three divisions. Many horses are shipping down from Mohawk after their big weekend. Division one (race 6) has a lot of questions surrounding the field. Does (#2) Reigning Jade get a setup? Will (#3) Flawless rebound with post relief? Where does (#5) Stonebridge Halo fit? Is (#7) Dandy's Mercy for real? She's taken a huge jump from two to three. This should set up for a very solid betting board in that race.
The second division (race 10) features (#1) Caviart Belle and (#6) My Girl EJ, the second and third place finishers respectively in last weekend's Fan Hanover final. It appears to be a two filly race, but Pass And Stow has shown to be no slouch and could upset with the right trip. The final division (race 12) is another short but interesting field. (#4) Rocket Deo is 3-for-3 this season and should have every chance for another good trip. (#6) Canigetalouploup reunites with Dexter Dunn. Where will she be placed off the gate? Is (#3) Cocco Puff Power a stakes filly? We're going to find out. She's been right there at The Meadowlands. How much speed will she show on Saturday?
Saturday night's featured action comes from The Meadowlands. It's all about the four year olds in the third leg of the Graduate Series. It was a successful return for Winner's Bet who cruised to a 1:50 win last week. Special Way made her return to action as well and finished second. Both are back this week. As are the 4YO Open pacers who provide exceptional action every time they clash. Coach Stefanos uncorked a wicked 1:47.3 win last week and retains James Macdonald who makes another trip down to drive him. No Control upset the field in his Graduate race last week when he won at 29-1 in 1:47.3. This division is shaping up to be one of, if not the most, competitive in the sport. Also on Saturday night is a pair of Ohio Sire Stake races from Scioto Downs for 3YO filly pacers.
June is winding down, which can only mean one thing... The two year olds are here! Saratoga and Oak Grove have Sire Stakes for the 2YOs on Monday (6/24). Oak Grove continues their big week with four Sire Stake Finals on Tuesday (6/25).
More stakes action concludes the week. We're at the time of the year where big money is on the line at most tracks every week. Yonkers hosts 2YO filly trotters for the NYSS on Tuesday, and Woodbine Mohawk Park closes out the week with the Tompkins-Geers stakes and OSS Gold action on Thursday (6/27).
No million dollar races, but way more than that up for grabs this upcoming week. Make sure you scroll down and catch those red hot Spot Plays!
Spot Plays for the Weekend of 6/21-6/23 presented by Nahupicks.com
Century Downs Friday Race 8 - (5) Daisy Corvette - drops from preferred, Mike H has done well with her in the past, may close in to win.
~Murray Slough
Woodbine Mohawk Friday Race 3 - (1) Power Code - this 2 year old son of Cattlewash has caught my eye. Managed 27 flat final quarter after leading throughout n last qualifier. Jody and his Dad can get it done.
~Doug Henwood
Woodbine Mohawk Friday Race 7 - (6) BBC Sportsboy - has won 5 of 6 out of town and seven so far this year. Fresh Moreau and JMac off the claim in a spot where the chalks have issues.
~Mikee P.
Woodbine Mohawk Saturday Race 7 (5) Flyingevenbettor N drops, draws great and gets McNair back. An aggressive try is coming.
~Garnet Barnsdale
Check out the HorsePlayer Happy Hour Tour Thursdays featuring ITM personalities benefitting Thoroughbred Horses of Saratoga with a top prize of two BCBC Seats worth $10,000!
Huge Week to sign up for ITM Plus with Summer Meets just around the corner! Tons of fresh content every week including Podcasts, written content, and notes from the Handicappers on the Free Podcasts to help with ticket structure. The international coverage this week was amazing!
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