Harness Preview: Picks and Horses to Watch Aug. 3-7

Selected features, stakes coverage and the never-ending TwinSpires’ horses-to-watch list (H2W) share keys to success in exotics, win, place and show payoffs.

Thursday, Aug. 3

MOHAWK MILES

Each week, we highlight probable longshots from Mohawk Park (WoMo) in this features section. If they do not win at first crack, we add them to the H2W the following week as a bet-back while adding new possibilities to this Mohawk Miles section.

Race 4—Cruising Tom; Ships from Hanover off of mediocre race?
Race 7—Job Hunter; No Huntsville offspring is ever as bad as its most recent race.
Race 8—Top Mast; Beaten favorite out for revenge.

N.Y. SOPHS PACE

Yonkers

Race 4—In the first of two $80K-plus sires stakes for soph-filly pacers, the public will dump on Earthwindfire and Turn On The Charm. In a six-filly field, there seems to be no escaping a pass. Or, go for the upset without digging deep into your bankroll and take Sweet Home.

Race 7—Here is a race that should offer good prices in a six-horse field. Two Huntsville gals go at it, and we’ll support the rail-leaving B On The Hunt.

Saturday, Aug. 5

HAMBLETONIAN DAY

Meadowlands

Hambletonian ($1 million)

There were a few Hambos in the past four decades offering fair debates about fields such as the one this year. The elims proved one, two, or even three strong contenders do not dominate this crop of sophomores. What may emerge from the final is a mid-season division leader. However, that prediction is a greater guess than handicappers can argue.

All things considered, Oh Well may be an overlay. As well, French Wine may be noticed for the win spot, but will be an overlay, as he was underrated so far and woke up big time in an elim. Ron Burke’s elim-winning duo is the best bet for bouncing and are bound to be underlays. For our money, bettors will dismiss French Wine, offering a good price and putting trainer Julie Miller into the winners’ circle.

Hambletonian Oaks ($500K)

In the elims, we supported one winner, Walner Payton, and one loser, Bond. The latter was disappointing, burning speed through three-quarters to barely make the final. How many chances should Bond get? The answer is more chances. If Bond does not scratch because what went wrong for two races is a physical problem, then take her at the best price she offers since her yearling tab.

John Cashman Memorial ($278K)

Even from post 8, even against four Ake Svanstedt entries, Venerate can shine at a decent price, even though to the left of this older trotter is the most likely crowd choice.

Sam McKee Memorial ($128K+)

In division one of two, the price veteran pacer is Southwind Gendry. Ron Burke may only have this one to bring in some big cash on the program, but it should be a double-digit result.

In division two, Tattoo Artist should make amends for being beaten in his last two and should have a better win price here for losing them.

Cane Pace ($315K)

Looking for more prices means putting some faith in soph-colt pacers Seven Colors and Ammo. The former almost won the Adios, and the latter can prove himself worthy of being in the division with the best post he has this season. Confederate must be beaten.

Lady Liberty ($171K)

Silver Label stepped down in Canada, won, and returns to the mare-pace class she has done well against. She may find the stretch drive here a whole lot of fun at a price—again.

John Steele Memorial ($131K)

A short, older trotter field at six, look out for Fashion Schooner now that she is back on her best stride. She can get to the big Jiggy Jog S on a sunny Saturday, believe me.

Shady Daisy ($97K)

Five glamour-girl pacers? It’s still a match race—four fillies against Sylvia Hanover. Or pass.

H2W LIST

Horses to watch (H2W) are strong contenders evaluated from overnight-race charts (including qualifiers), replays, and trainers’ current win percentages. Each horse appears in two consecutive lists if it does not win on its first listing.

H2W horses are suggested for win, place, show (across the board) wagering and to be included in exotic combinations.

Exactas listed in H2W results reflect an H2W horse finishing second to a race favorite or if the first two finishers were on the list, when an asterisk appears for cold exactas. The note “ok” determines prices are correct when a show price exceeds the place price or all three prices are identical.

Some results reflect horses racing after preview blog posts and appear the following week. As well, some horses will not appear a second time when their first time is followed by a race at a non-parimutuel fair. They will get a second time on the list when returning to a betting race.

Hoosier
8/4/23, +Shock Wave R1; +Kerrin Joseph A R6

Meadowlands
8/5/23, Kilmister R4; Blonde Bombshell R5; Poof Of Record R6

Meadows
8/3/23, Get The Caviar R3;+Alonso R7; Tardis R10

Monticello
8/3/23, Koepka R7

Northfield
8/5/23, +Figureitoutgus R1; Adashious Hanover R11

Northville
8/4/23, Bearcreekhoney R2; Ask Me Ifi Care R2; Holton R6

Ocean
8/3/23, +Beyond The Moon R9; +Southwind Legend R12

Plainridge
8/3/23, +Booraa R5; +Quarrel R5; +Kokanee Seelster R8; +Nineteenth Man A R8; +Finnbar R10

Pocono
8/6/23, +Love That Smile R1

Running Aces
8/3/23, Wonder Of Love R6; Give Me This Dance R7

Saratoga
8/5/23, +Gubner R8
8/6/23, +Racine Bell R6

Scioto
8/4/23, +What A Dandy R3

Tioga
8/4/23, One Hand Keg Stand R5
8/5/23, Brilliant Beauty R6

Yonkers
8/3/23, Max R3; +DP Realordeal R12
8/7/23, +Prestige Seelster R1