Breeders Crown Finals Are No Locks For Any Involved At Hoosier Park

Breeders Crown Finals weekend is here. Along with our Breeders Crown Countdown blog, TwinSpires harness blog presents a unique approach to the 12 Breeders Crown finals—the Hambletonian Society’s richest and most prestigious events at Hoosier Park. The “Countdown” covers the six events on Friday, Oct. 27 and below we cover the six finals for Saturday, Oct. 28.

More winners are looming boldy in our regular feature—the H2W (the horses-to-watch) list at the bottom of this blog. Aim at boosting the payoffs in any pari-mutuel pool with our contenders; they have a strong history playing important roles in all kinds of wagers. Do your own handicapping and then consider our H2W selections when creating all tickets. Of course, remember to be fully armed with a plentiful TwinSpires betting account. 

BREEDERS CROWN OPEN TROT
($526,250)

If last week’s Hoosier surface favored speed, look out here for Marion Maurader. Chasing Crazy Wow last week, Paula Wellwood’s enduring trotter got second after leaving last. He began 10 ¼ lengths behind and was only 1 ¾ lengths behind “Crazy” at the wire. It was a beautiful race against the bias. Add to that his similar journey in the extra-distance International Trot on the Yonkers half-mile and even another bias shouldn’t keep him from you here.

BREEDERS CROWN TWO-YEAR-OLD COLT TROT
($600,000)

The “bias factor,” if you buy the bias, so to speak, works here for Fiftydallarbill, who closed fiercely against it in a division elim. Crystal Fashion won it racing close to the lead and beating Samo Different Day after that one dueled through the first quarter. The other elim winner, Fourth Dimension, beat favorite Met’s Hall, who the crowd will once again back strongly. Fiftydallarbill may not have to close from so far back, as the favorite speed may burn itself out in the wicked Hoosier stretch.

BREEDERS CROWN TWO-YEAR-OLD COLT PACE
($600,000)

The two elim winners will get a lot of action, leaving us with a pair of outside contenders bound to be involved at the finish line, if not in an upset. Closing Statement raced better than winner Karpathian Kid, who got a perfect trip over Joe Holloway’s bright colt.

Also be aware of Brian Brown’s Whos Better. This 32-1 shot raced against the grain, closing to be third against our elim-winner, Stay Hungry, who got a great trip as did the place horse Shnitzledossomethin.
 
BREEDERS CROWN THREE-YEAR-OLD COLT TROT
($527,500)

It is impossible to stay off of What The Hill at this point. Perhaps with a 12-horse field bettors will go bargain hunting and spread out the odds. Certainly Lindy The Great will be in the top three bet upon but he is not a better colt. Neither is International Moni or Yes Mickey.

In the Lindy The Great elim, we picked up a mighty second with New Jersey Viking and we expect him to be in the thick of this when the wire arrives, even ahead of “Lindy” and “Mickey.” Pairing “Viking” with What The Hill should boost an exotic. No one can predict jumps, so though strange results can develop if trotters make missteps, we stand firm considering all things are equal.

BREEDERS CROWN THREE-YEAR-OLD COLT PACE
($527,500)

Fear The Dragon’s worst race came at the worse time and so he did not make the final, finishing last in his elim for no apparent or reported reason. He must be well, since he is entered in one of the supporting stakes on this program but his absence turns the glamour-boy pacing final into a argumentative handicapping arrangement.

A dozen are on board and a few have not faced the familiar names that Fear The Dragon has beaten all year. Rock N Tony, who won the terrible “Fear” elim, is no match for Downbytheseaside, but that one will go off cheaper than “Tony,” fooling no one. Funknwaffles is a supplement making the final and should be expected to contribute to exotics. Blood Line showed specific speed last week but even the bias couldn’t help him finishing short.

Then there’s Boogie Shuffle. He sat as cold as possible behind Downbytheseaside and was full of pace to finish second by a single length at 6-1 last week. He could have a few more steps in him that do the damage here, especially if beaten second choice Miso Fast takes on Downbytheseaside anywhere along the mile.

BREEDERS CROWN OPEN PACE
($421,000)

Here’s a shot at a big price—Manhattan Beach. In the first Open Pace elim, Manhattan Beach raced easily as well as the top three, finishing fourth with ¾ lengths separating him from Dealt A Winner, who won. Beaten favorite Sintra was disappointing in the Mach It So win but Mach It So had the track playing his way and stayed afloat.

The crowd will embrace McWicked again and Dealt A Winner could be their top choice. The second tier, with three leaving there, will have some maneuvering to do and could wind up giving Manhattan Beach some seriously helpful cover. Considering the balance of pacing power in these stalwarts, going for the big price is more than a great option here.


H2W Legend

Review our choices and follow the wagering at the prescribed track. These are possible contenders we have judged from reviewing races. The horses’ names are listed beneath the name of the track after the date they will be racing. The race in which they are entered (R and race number) follows. If a + is in front of a horse’s name it means it is appearing on the list for the second (and last) time because it failed to win the first time it appeared. An “ae” signals the horse is entered on the also-eligible list. If a horse is listed twice, refer to the entries on the night of the race since a horse may enter in more than one race. Types of wagering on any of the H2W listed horses are based on your judgment. If you have any questions, email us at TwinSpires.

H2W LIST

Bangor
10/27/17, +Fiesty Baran R8

Batavia
10/27/17, Noble Legend R8
10/28/17, +Bakken R10; +Art Again R11; Ontheclock Hanover R12

Cal-Expo
10/28/17, +Natives Revenge R3; Make It Big R7; Kukalaka R9

Dayton
10/28/17, +Supreme Z Tam R9

Dover
10/30/17, So Sublime R4; Bogetta R6; Cam B Zipper R12

Freehold
10/26/17, +HMS Firecracker R5
10/27/17, +Mugshot Jess R5

Hoosier
10/28/17, +Dia Monde R1; +Fear The Dragon R6

Monticello
10/26/17, Ideal Romance R4

Northfield
10/29/17, +Bourbons Best R3; +Diva Dejarmbro R9

Northlands
10/27/17, +Awhimaway R7; +Hot Tap R8; +Starface R10
10/28/17, +Royal Renegade R2; +Hot Tap R8; +Smilys Amira R1

Northville
10/27/17, Sweet Fancy Moses R10

Philadelphia
10/26/17, +Possessed Fashion ae R2 ae R10

Plainridge
10/27/17, Thrill Chaser R5

Pocono
10/28/17, Boogie Nights R13

Rosecroft
10/28/17, Breezeintheshade R6

Saratoga
10/26/17, +Traverse Seelster R8
10/27/17, +Woodmere Lukypercy ae R1; +My Spring Fling R8

Yonkers
10/26/17, +Ashok Ace R8
10/27/17, +Sues Night Out R10
10/28/17, Dr J Hanover R6; Blood Brother R11