Fiery Features Afoot On Stormy Weekend; Power Plays Pit Punters Against The Odds

Now the west and east in North America have each been granted winter storms of their own. One is named Maya and the other is named Nadia (the latter sans the “Lobell” family name). We focus on the names of our suggested contenders, which this season so far are returning high double-digit prices across the board. We encourage that trend as we engage our mid-February selected features. Across the board, our H2W (horses-to-watch) list is enough to heat your bankroll during the winter storms. Our point-blank approach to H2W horses increased last week to over 50-percent on its across-the-board returns, so check out the list of valuable favorites and double-digit outsiders for any wagers you target. Consult the H2W for all of your harness action. FEATURES^FEATURES^FEATURES Yonkers / Race 7 Thursday, Feb. 14 Notable in this field are two entries. The most valuable to the bettor may be Exs And Ohs. Last week he was 9-2 in a similar class and was beaten along with the rest of the field by a usual wire-to-wire favorite. The race was so one-sided to the public choice that Exs And Ohs’ performance may look lame. It is not lame. Thomas Corelli’s student left the gate gifting the front-pacing winner 8 ½ lengths. On and off through the mile, “Exs” gained ground while never leaving fourth place. At the finish line he gained a length but lost position, ending up fifth. He will not be as obvious a bet to those who made him 9-2 last time. From that same race, Seven Iron, who was 6-1, made a big play against the wiring winner and closed well to be second by 2 ¾ lengths. He may be the exotic partner needed to further increase a winning ticket containing him and Exs. POWER PLAYS Pompano / Race 3 Thursday, Feb. 14 A winner we gave at Pompano last week, Anytime Anyplace, beat two other closely regarded public choices. One of those favorites that we fancy returning this week is Rosella. The Wayne Henry-trained-and-driven gal made an early move at 2-1 in order to gain a length that hurt her against ground-saving opponents. Leaving from post 6 this time, she could use the energy of that brush to better use with a strong second- or third-over trip and win easily. For exotic partnership, probable-favorite Diamond Eyes is a must in the mix. She has won two for five starts and with a seven-horse field it is difficult to throw her out of any exotic-ticket position. As well, combo-ticket prices would swell using the seasonal debut of I’m Very Special. FEATURES^FEATURES^FEATURES Meadows / Race 3 Friday, Feb. 15 Zone Blitz made the most of being sent off 13-1 by finding a close-up spot early and coasting but able to keep up against the top two public choices (the third choice tanked and was probably only among the top three wagered upon because Dave Palone drove). The winner and the place horses had it very easy. The winner (the public’s top choice) had a perfect trip gifted by the second choice. In a archetypical harness race, the horse in second with the soft trip pulled out late and scooted home while Zone Blitz held the rest of the field at sway. Closers beware—this time the race could be dictated by Zone Blitz. Hopefully, Zone Blitz will still driven by Dan Rawlings, who never gets the kind of bloated action a Palone or Merriman or Wrenn, Jr. get, and we could get ourselves a super-worthy price for thewin. FEATURES^FEATURES^FEATURES Yonkers / Race 1 Friday, Feb. 15 Last week, Beyond The Silence N had no shot from post 8; not due to the post as much as due to a slow start and nothing to race after late in the mile (the winner went wire to wire). Giving him a pass on that performance also includes his debut mile of the season, with no wonder he went off at 59-1. In the second race this season he goes again at New York half-mile. On the Friday program Beyond The Silence N gets post 6. Make note that trainer Peter Tritton has been sending his stock out to win at a 38-percent clip and Beyond The Silence N has a better shot at helping Tritton keep, if not increase, that strong number in his second outing this year. The crowd will more put stock in three others than in Tritton’s steed, which will make for a fair price. POWER PLAYS Meadowlands / Race 6 Saturday, Feb. 16 This event offers an exacta, trifecta, and a 10-cent superfecta and it is a leg of a Daily Double. Here are four suggested contenders, analyzed in post-position order. Last week, at this same level, Ever Again was mistakenly overlooked, going off at 9-1 and driving home to be second. He may not be dismissed to that extent this time but considering the droppers involved, he should still be worth more than his chances. Right behind Ever Again last week, finishing third, was Bravo Tex N. They occupy posts 1 and 2, respectively. “Bravo” races in only his third pari-mutuel event since coming from Down Under, where he was competitive in that country’s extra-distance races. Bravo is a strong addition to exotics. Rootin Tootin drops as he goes in his fourth event of the season. He’s from the Roll With Joe family, and has been cashing checks over the four turns across the river. This drop and the softer bunch should put him in the mix. From post 9, Solo Story could pump up the worth of exotics. He should not be overlooked in the vertical bets. Toss out his Feb. 9 effort at Freehold, which helps boost his odds 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 Buffalo 2/16/19, +Indy Ingot R2; +Johnny Chip R2; +Southwind Onyx R12 Cal Expo 2/15/19, Cowboy Dirtyboots R1; Be My Lucky Lady R4; Yankee Time R6 2/16/19, +Totally Racy R2; Pink Lady R4 Dover 2/14/19, Piece Of The Rock R3; Artic Adventure R4; G W T R9; Own It R13 2/18/19, Flamboro 2/14/19, Mark Your Paige R7; Silky Cam R9 Fraser 2/15/19, +Its My Birthday R4 Freehold 2/15/19, Too Much Hanover R5; Jeramaya R6; Always Picky R9; Sing Along R11 2/16/19, +Skyway Billy R4 Meadowlands 2/15/19, +Ohio Larry R12 2/16/19, Drunk On Your Love R1; Jacamino R4 Meadows 2/15/19, +Willieontime R6 2/17/19, +Uncle Leroy R8 Miami 2/15/19, +Abba Official R2; +Hardts Or Bettor R13 2/16/19, Rock Of The Ages R2; +Shakerattlenrock R5 2/18/19, E L Flight R3 Mohawk 2/14/19, Lively Larry R2; Kenny Joe R4 2/16/19, +Its Huw You Know R8 Monticello 2/14/19, +TKRs Metro Specs R5 Northfield 2/16/19, +Kick It In Kate R3; My Fleet Three R5; Demi Ivy R6; Dancing Lisa R10 Pompano 2/14/19, Superior Raven R1; Firewater Jake R5 Yonkers 2/15/19, +Clear Idea R7; +Tidquist R11 2/16/19, Shneonucrzydiamond A R7; Don Domingo N R8; Christen Me N R11