Boys To Brawl in Earl Beal, Jr. Eliminations

Pocono Downs is readying for one of their star-laden programs of the race season, hosting eliminations for several sophomore stakes events (see main TwinSpires harness blog), including two elims for the $500,000 Earl Beal Jr. Memorial on Saturday, June 25. 

The first elimination features seven Hambo-eligible trotters, leaving Dayson and Truemass Volo the pair that is ineligible.

Public support should be spread among three trotters: Brooklyn Hill, Dayson, and Milligan’s School. Dayson and Milligan’s School have displayed the most vulnerabilities of the trio, so, if let go as the third choice like his morning line states, Brooklyn Hill should provide value.

Hollywood Highway also offers a potential upset from post 9. He enters off a second-place finish in a division of the Pennsylvania Sires Stakes, going first over to challenge for the lead. From his outside post he’ll have to show speed, which should allow him to get a good trip either towards the lead or following cover.

Elimination two is composed entirely of Hambo hopefuls, led by winter-book favorite and current dominator of the division, Southwind Frank, starting from post 8.

Assuming the public clings to him as they have in his two starts this season, the price on Lagerfeld would be highly appealing, especially since he is poised to sit the pocket, his ideal trip.

The racing of classic divisions—soph-colt-and-filly trotters—on their quest to the Hambletonian and Hambletonian Oaks finals continues its exclusive, extended coverage from TwinSpires and the Hambletonian Society. Recaps of races covered in this blog can be found at the archive section of the web’s home for the Hambletonian Society.

Ray Cotolo contributes to this blog