Atlanta Returns For Dominant Role In Casual Breeze; Older Trotters Split In Maple Leaf Trot Elims In Canada

 

Here are the races for week two of the 2018 Breeders Crown Countdown, the exclusive blog that coordinates with our weekly harness blog at TwinSpires.com and the Hambletonian Society to find great wagering opportunities for "Crown" eligible horses (noted in all texts with an “e” next to their names) from all 12 divisions as they race their ways to the finals. For the divisions’ best of the week, check the BCC companion blog, BCC Top Five Lists, generated by current winners and losers most likely to make it to the elims at Pocono this season.

Grand Circuit action shifts to Mohawk this weekend and attracts several Breeders Crown contenders including the sophomore filly trotters in the $136,000 Casual Breeze on Friday, Aug. 24 and aged trotters in two $40,000 eliminations for the Maple Leaf Trot Saturday, Aug. 25.

The single dash for the Casual Breeze pairs Hambletonian winner Atlanta (e) with Hambletonian Oaks winner and Zweig runner-up Manchego (e). If the board plays as it should, Manchego should go off the second choice and then would be the bet as she appears to be the only horse in the field remotely close to Atlanta’s caliber. Everyone else races for third money.

Mares meet the boys in both eliminations of the Maple Leaf Trot with Emoticon Hanover (e) competing against probable favorite and horse-to-beat Marion Marauder (e).

While the likely favorite should walk over this field assuming he’s good enough, another valid win contender, Dancer Hall, could go at a somewhat decent price if his form is neglected by the public in exchange for the class of others in this field such as of Crazy Wow (e), Bills Man (e), JL Cruze (e) or Pinkman (e). He has an affinity for the Mohawk surface, which should at the least place him in contention for the final.

A full field of “Crown” hopefuls align for elimination two including defending-champion Hannelore Hanover (e) and star sophomore filly Ariana G (e) taking her turn against the males. Yet favoritism in this race likely and rightfully goes through Will Take Charge (e) off an easy win in the Crawford Farms Trot two weeks ago.

For a possible upset, try Warrawee Roo off a loss as the favorite in the Earl Rowe Invitational. His best miles have been at Mohawk against the Preferred ranks and his recent escapades on the Grand Circuit could possibly inflate his odds given his relatively even performances in the John Cashman and the “Crawford.” So long as he can bounce back to his big-track form he could play in here.

This season we also maintain lists of the BCC Top-Fives lists with horses in each division, considering the division leaders most likely to make it to the elims at Pocono this season.


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Follow major 2018 BC hopefuls on their journey to the Breeders Crown at Pocono Downs at this Breeders Crown Countdown blog and the TwinSpires harness blog weekly, along with further information on the Hambletonian Society web site.