Blinding Sun-Stakes Results At Pocono; Huge ‘Beal’ Upset; Place Prices Parade In Double Digits

Thursday, June 27 Two New York Sires Stakes divisions for sophomore colt pacers were won for a public second choice and first choice, respectively. Neither of those events found us cashing. In the first split, we finished fourth with Buddy Hill (7-1) and then we finished seventh with Reigning Deo (10-1). Friday, June 28 The two trotting Graduates divisions at the Meadowlands went the way of all chalk, so to speak, as the public’s second choices won. In the first field we finished fourth with Backstreet Shadow (4-1) and in the second we finished seventh with Shadow Cat (6-1). At Tioga, Grand Circuit Tompkins-Geers (TG) soph paces were split between a public second choice and a vagrant 24-1 shot. That long price came in a race upset with traffic, causing a judge’s inquiry which resulted in a replacement. Our choice, Alii Nui ($2.20), the favorite, finished second-placed-third from the ruckus. In the second filly TG, the public went along with our contender, Rose Run Uptowngirl ($2.60, $2.30) while their second choice won. In the colt TG, our choice, Cloudbreak (14-1) finished fourth to the crowd’s top pick. Saturday, June 29 Sun Stakes Saturday was rife with trip-winners and trippy prices in the finals and consolations at Pocono Downs. An 8-1 shot that won an elim last week as the favorite, won the Max Hempt Final while our outsider, Air Force Hanover (20-1) faded early and finished seventh. In the consolation, the second choice won; we finished eighth with Major Deception (35-1). The James Lynch final was won by the public’s third choice; we finished sixth with Philly Hanover (42-1). In the consolation we were second as the favorite with Trillions Hanover ($2.40, $2.10) behind a 5-1 shot. In the Ben Franklin Final, we were second with McWicked ($5.00, $2.40), beaten by a 12-1 shot. In the consolation, our 6-5 second choice, Filibuster Hanover, finished seventh to the public’s first choice. In the Great Northeast Trot we lost to the favorite, finishing third with Tight Lines ($3.00) The Cleveland Classic at Northfield was won by the favorite and lost by our outside contender, Dayson (46-1), finishing sixth. HAMBLETONIAN TRAIL Another Sun Stakes Saturday final was the Earl Beal Jr Final, featuring colts eligible to the August classic. Marseille, who we caught early in the season, got to the front early and stayed out of a tangle in the final turn, holding off a rocketing close by Greenshoe by a whisker to win at 57-1. We took third with Green Manalushi S ($2.40). H2W LIST RESULTS The H2W results list across-the-board prices. Also, exactas listed are included when a H2W horse finishes second with a race favorite or the first two finishers making up the exacta are H2W horses (an asterisk appears when both horses were listed to complete a cold exacta). The note “ok” determines that prices published are correct even when a show price exceeds a place price or any or all of the prices are the same. This week, there were 55 active horses (a 7-percent win hit rate and a 31-percent ATB [across-the-board] hit rate). Please note that some H2W results reflect win, place, show and exotic results occurring by press time but some horses race after the blog is posted (we list them the following weeks) It is up to you to follow horses that have not performed before this weekly review. Winners Fight The Truth, $12.20, $5.60, $3.20, Monticello Destination Moon N, $8.00, $4.40, $3.60, Plainridge Watchmeneighneigh, $8.00, $4.00, $3.00, Running Aces Iluvtomakemoney, $7.80, $3.90, $2.40, Buffalo Seconds Pudges Pastime, $21.40, $20.40, Vernon Quite A Sight, $21.40, $13.40 (Exacta $58.00), Meadowlands Dashboard, $17.20, $10.20, Scarborough Pretty Sammie, $13.00, $6.80, Northfield The Saint, $6.30, $3.80 (Exacta $18.80), Monticello Mrs Darcy, $5.20, $2.90, Yonkers Drive ‘em Cowboy, $3.20, $4.20 ok (Exacta $20.60), Scarborough Tempus Seelster, $2.80, $2.40, Saratoga Royaltyhasarrived, $2.20, $2.10, Meadows Thirds Mambo Lindy, $6.80, Plainridge Seaside Bliss, $5.20, Meadowlands Gothic Rock, $3.60, Meadowlands Mi Nana Bonita, $3.20, Scioto News & Notes Tioga and Vernon both celebrate America's Independence with live racing on Thursday July 4. Tioga races a matinee card beginning at 1 p.m. A New York Sire Stakes for two-year-old filly trotters is the highlight, along with pacing races for fillies and mares. Vernon races an evening overnight card that begins at its standard post time of 6:10 p.m. Running Aces announced the list of horses nominated to the 2019 Dan Patch Free-For-All Pace, to be held Sunday, July 21. A total of 19 pacers adorn the list, of which 17 are geldings, along with one stallion and one mare. The 2019 nominees range in age from four to 10. As a group, the 19 nominees have earned over $3.4 million and have won over 400 races. The headliners include 2018 Dan Patch winner Nine Ways, as well as 2017 winner and 2018 runner-up Firedrake. Also, there are Rockin Speed, Fox Valley Gemini, Holdingallthecards and the lone stallion Major Legacy. The lone mare is Juslikeaqueen. Elimination races—each going for $15,000—are on July 14, with the top five finishers from each advancing to the $50,000 final. Pompano Park is getting set for their 56^th racing season with the opening pari-mutuel card on Nov. 3, continuing through May 21, 2020. Florida-bred non-wagering events will get under way on Oct. 12, with Sunshine Stakes action for two- and three-year-olds. Stakes action will continue through November, leading up to Super Night on Dec. 1. In all, it is a 126-night meet. After Dijon’s Elitlopp victory, his connections are considering a stateside visit to race in North America’s biggest event for older trotters, the Yonkers International Trot on Oct. 12 at Yonkers. Although there are logistical issues to overcome, such as the mandatory quarantine for foreign horses, before he would be willing to accept an invitation, trainer Romain Derieux said the $1-million race would fit Dijon well. Should Dijon come to the Yonkers, he would be the third Elitlopp winner to cross the Atlantic for it, joining Timoko and Ringostarr Treb. Extraordinary Extras Indulge in our monthly columns, Alternative Actions and Bettors Banquet at Harness Racing Update