Harness Players Newsletter Vol. 33 presented by contestjockey.com
October 18, 2024
Breeders Crown 2024 is upon us with a record number of entrants (194, to be exact) competing for 7 million in purses at the mecca of harness racing in America: The Meadowlands Racetrack.
In the Money Media and the Harness Players Podcast have you covered this week with the typical Roundtable hosted by your boy, which included harness racing experts Thomas Svensen, Garnet and Nick Barnsdale, and Cheyenne Christman. All bring a unique perspective to analyzing the Eliminations for each division of the Breeders Crown. This year’s version lacks the Star Power of prior years, especially with the retirement of Jiggy Jog S this past week. Two-year-old stars such as Rose, Louprint, Fallout, and World Record holder Sippinonsearoc headline Friday’s card with an early post time of 12:30 pm. The Roundtable could not cover all of the Breeders Crown Eliminations for the weekend so we settled on the Early Pick 4 on Friday (Races 6-9) and the Pick 6 for Saturday (Races 4-9). Luckily we have the ambitious and talented Kevin Plowcha to give his thoughts for the races the Roundtable was unable to cover. There will also be picks and analyses for both days on nahupicks.com featuring the usual Meadowlands Handicapper Jeff Janusek.
Saturday brings the three-year-olds and the Older horses to the fore. Sig Sauer brings his fresh KY Futurity win back from the Red Mile to take on TCI and Amazing Catch. TCI hasn’t been able to duplicate his phenomenal two-year-old season, but adds Lasix and the qualifier with Lasix was a blowout win. The other 3-year-old Trot Elimination features Highland Kismet with a new pilot in Tim Tetrick facing off against Tony Adams who pushed him into a 52 3/5 first half in the KY Futurity Final. Double millionaire Karl with his new stud deal awaits another duel as he returns to the site of his Hambo Win.
The Older Pacers always put on a show and Bithemissal looks back to himself after his ten-hole Red Mile win in the Allerage. Charlie May is getting back to his favorite surface and could be ready to fire another longshot cannonball. The other elimination likely goes through Abuckabett Hanover who has been sharp all season, making over 600K in only 11 starts.
The Open Mares on the Pace features a full field with eight horses making the Final. Twin B Joe Fresh is the favorite right now for Horse of the Year and draws the ten post in this race. She has been incredibly dominant this season only losing one prep race in her first start of the season. Her main rival Sylvia Hanover awaits here with a post edge and a nice Red Mile win of her own to build that confidence. These two have put on a show in the past but we may have to wait for the Final for the real fireworks.
This week's other great news is the HUGE contestjockey.com contest for the Breeders Crown next Weekend, featuring huge prizes on both days.
Jump in if you aren’t already for our already plentiful harness contest lineup including Fraser Fridays, Century Mile Saturdays, Western Fair Tuesdays, Rosecroft Wednesdays. FREE contests FREE Money!
Check out the Spot Plays and Coverage this week….get ready for the Finals next week we will have it all here for you!
~Mikee P.
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Spot plays for the weekend of 10/18-10/19 presented by nahupicks.com
Friday Meadowlands Race 5 (3) Karinchak - beaten 7/5 fave pocketed up for place at Pocono 9/23; reunited with Mark Macdonald who was aboard for 8/12 Monticello NYSS maiden win and impressive 1:55 2/5 M1 qualifying win 10/10 over Mohawk Million Champ Maryland.
~Mel Keith
Friday Meadowlands Race 9 (7) Lasting Dream (7/2 ML) is one I’ve been chasing in Canada. She has been racing extremely well in Grand Circuit competitions. I'm looking for her to break through in the Elim and cash before everyone sees.
~Kevin Plowcha
Friday Meadowlands Race 10 (2) Prince Hal Hanover (8/1 ML) has been freshened up after a very sharp deuce in the Metro Final. Looking for anything, but a heavy fave in this elim…
~Sugar Doyle
Saturday Meadowlands Race 4 - (4) Buy a Round - sits, stalks, gets the late measure.
~Garnet John Barnsdale
Saturday Meadowlands Race 8 - (7) Charlie May returns to his favorite surface off a nice confidence-boosting win at Plainridge. He has to beat the ‘Missal but I’m expecting a sharp effort at at price here.
~Mike Pribozie
Saturday Meadowlands Race 10 (1) Oakwood Ardan IR (7/2 ML) really should have won the Canadian Pacing Derby with the trip he got, but now he returns to the Meadowlands where he loves to be. Does Abuckabett Hanover get an “elimination drive”? If so, the race could be set up for Oakwood.
~Kevin Plowcha
Saturday Woodbine Mohawk Race 10 (3) R J Ringo - has already won at this level and I’m going to swing for the fences with him hoping and expecting he will get send forward leaving the gate on the class drop.
~Garnet Barnsdale
Kevin Plowcha’s Breeders Crown Eliminations We Didn’t Cover in the Roundtable….
FRIDAY
Race 3 (2YO Filly Pace Elimination)
#1 - Looksgoodinloulou is one I've been high on from the very beginning. She comes off a World Record tying 1:48.3 mile. The rail isn't as coveted as it once was at The Meadowlands, but it gives Gingras options. He can quarter move her to the front or sit just off the leaders and pounce late. Dexter Dunn should be aggressive with #8 - Miki And Minnie and try to steal it up top. Appears to be a formful contest.
Race 4 (2YO Filly Trot Elimination)
#7 - Santa Caterina appears to be improving with more starts. She comes off a second place finish to the filly who accepted the bye into the final (Champagne Problems). Dunn should give her every chance. Underneath spots are wide open.
Race 5 (2YO C&G Trot Elimination)
The boys have made far more miscues this season than the girls, it appears. Opens up a chaotic division even more. Certainly feels like the most wide open elimination of the afternoon. Is Dunn aggressive with Hidalgo? It puts him in a great spot to strike if so. Tactical Dynasty and Emoticon Legacy have looked incredible at times, but haven't always kept it together when it counts. What kind of trips do they get? #5 and #8 appear to definitely be blasting. Good luck figuring it out from there.
Race 10 (2YO C&G Pace Elimination)
Can they beat #6 - Fallout? He proved that he could win away from Lexington, then returned and obliterated the competition. #2 - Prince Hal Hanover gave him all he could handle in that aforementioned Metro. The qualifier coming in was not very good, so he may be looking towards the final. I would say it's "Prove it" time for #4 - Swingtown, but I think that's wrong. He's another major player in this division who just had no chance in the Metro and lost to another good one in his latest (Sippinonsearoc). Dunn in the bike is very intriguing for his Meadowlands debut.
Race 11 (2YO C&G Trot Elimination)
Another formful elimination on paper. #1 - Super Chapter absolutely cruised in his latest. He matches very well incredibly well against these. The wild card is #5 - Go Dog Go. He was going to win his last two, but spoiled it late with breaks in the stretch. The connections add hopples looking to keep him flat. His talent can match Super Chapter's, but can he mind his manners when it counts? #4 - Maximus Mearas S could only watch as Super Chapter rolled away in his latest, but he's one that is getting faster with each start. Deserves a long look.
SATRUDAY
Race 1 (3YO Filly Pace Elimination)
#8 - My Girl EJ is about as sharp as she ever has been. Another case where Dunn is looking to blast and last.
Race 2 (2YO C&G Trot Elimination)
#1 - Sig Sauer finally put it all together after chasing a wicked first half. He gets away from Karl and Kismet and should have plenty to show in this race. #7 - Amazing Catch got a great drive in his latest. The Canadian Trotting Classic champion will look to keep his sharp form going.
Race 3 (3YO C&G Pace Elimination)
Likely the softest division of the weekend. (#3) Captain Albano should have no trouble handling these if he's okay. Qualifier shows that he appears ready to rock.
Race 10 (Open Pace Elimination)
Can they beat #8 - Abuckabett Hanover? He raced incredibly well when coming up just short against Bythemissal. I don't think he gets a full "elimination drive", but I don't see his full power being used in this elimination. Could open things up to Meadowlands lover #1 - Oakwood Ardan IR or the white hot #5 - Ruthless Hanover.
Race 11 (Open Mares Pace Elimination)
#10 - Twin B Joe Fresh has lost one time this year. She has been the Queen of this division. Now, she has post ten for the elimination. If anyone can overcome it, she can.
Harness Players Podcast Breeders Crown Eliminations Meadowlands Friday/Saturday 10/18 10/19
On this special edition of the Harness Players’ Podcast, join host Mike Pribozie as he leads a handicapping and gambling discussion looking at the 2024 Breeders Crown eliminations at The Meadowlands Racetrack in East Rutherford, N.J. on Friday (Oct. 18) and Saturday (Oct. 19). Join Mike for betting strategies and analysis alongside panelists Thomas Svensen (Trainer), Cheyenne Christman (U.S. Trotting), Garnet Barnsdale (Daily Racing Form) and Nick “Ace” Barnsdale (Harnesslink).
Harness Players’ Podcast | 10/18/24 | Late Pick 4 @ Fraser Downs
Join host Edison Hatter and the DRF Harness’ Garnet Barnsdale as they handicap and give out tickets for the Late Pick 4 (Races 7-10) on the Friday, October 18 card at Fraser Downs. The duo also discuss the free-to-enter Contest Jockey contest on the card and give some general strategies they’ll use this week. Other topics include the upcoming Breeders Crown at the Meadowlands, the Top 10 poll, the retirement of Jiggy Jog S, and more.
HARNESS CONTESTS NOW on TWINSPIRES.COM
Harness Tourneys Currently on the Schedule $150 Hoosier Park Challenge October 18
Swedish Horse Racing
www.swedishhorseracing.comis the place for replays, odds, news, and much much more for all tracks in Sweden. More podcasts are coming this year for all the major races with Edison Hatter, Mike Pribozie, and Thomas Svensen!
The ITM YouTube Channel has a Harness Racing Section that archives all our video podcasts.
Check out thestable.ca YouTube channel here https://www.youtube.com/@TheStableCanada
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