Harness Racing: Canada-Bound Grand Circuit Harness

The Grand Circuit rolls across the border into Canada with its particular mix of stars from the two countries and a slew of high-pursed stakes with divisions, elims and finals. Load the TwinSpires account and peruse our spins on the best bets with our features and the in the never-ending TwinSpires H2W (horses-to-watch list). Our ceaseless arrogance seeks financial gain suggesting horses to enhance your exotic combinations and fair-priced win, place and show finishes.

FILLY PASS

Thursday, Aug. 26
Meadows

Pennsylvania Sires Stakes (PASS) for frosh-filly trotters is presented in two $80k divisions as the program ensues. Division one finds Ake Svanstedt holding most of the cards with Baptism. The son of Southwind Frank began his first season without finishing worse than second in four starts. However, we will back Dreamonhigh, who is a worthy competitor from the hot barn of Jennifer Bongiorno. This is an Andover Hall filly, but the older sire is potent with a great resume for money-earners.

The second PASS split, eight at the gate, has a pair of Svanstedt fillies, both by Southwind Frank (Ake likes that sire for sure), but again we look for the underrated gal. We find Per Engblom’s Vogue, winning one of four. She’s a Father Patrick product coming from a stable growing in stature as the season ensues. Also, from post 8 the crowd may dismiss Mon Cheval, also a Father Patrick, whose dam is Shake It Cerry, a prominent filly trotter who won tons.

GRAND CIRCUIT

Thursday, Aug. 26
Mohawk

A pair of Champlain $85k divisions for frosh-filly trotters and a trio of $62k for frosh-colt trotters start the big Mohawk Park Grand Circuit weekend.

Fillies' Division 1

Clockwork Orange’s sire is Resolve, whose products have put him near the top of the sire average-earnings list for frosh trotters. The earning trend should continue with this one over the other Resolve filly (Resolving).

Fillies' Division 2

Luc Blais trains the sole Father Patrick product here with Gyre Hanover. Although Father Patrick has dipped in the standings, he still out-earns the products of the other sires represented here. Blais has her raring to go for the bigger bucks.

Colts' Division 1

There are many frosh-colt trotters in three Champlain splits. Nine go in the first round which includes a sole Chapter Seven colt, World At War Deo. As a big favorite last out he broke from post 10 at the start. A smooth gait is all he needs here.

Colts' Division 2

Mercutio (Bar Hopping) was the crowd’s second choice in his last outing where he came up short but raced on gait better than “Deo” in that race coming from the hot Baillargeon barn.

Colts' Division 3

Marcus Melander’s Temporal Hanover may wind up the favorite but might still be worth it. This colt is by Walner, the sire on fire this season. Melander could make up a lot of ground from a disappointing first half of the season with trotters like this one.

PENN PACERS

Friday, Aug. 27
Meadows

One eight-frosh-pacing-colt PASS division worth $159k is the key event at the Meadows with three sires represented lining up. The products of Always B Miki, Sweet Lou, and Captaintreacherous support a legacy of speed for these colts. It is not an easy call to measure one above the rest considering their earnings and records for 2021.

Ron Burke sends three to post - the top earner JMs Finaltreasure, followed by Birthday, both by Sweet Lou. The former just lost at Pocono to Market Based, Nancy Takter’s Sweet Lou colt. The latter finished off the board on the same day.

True Blue Lindy (Always B Miki) just won in Canada and takes our money in this for trainer Jeff Cullipher. He managed a perfect trip and won easily, making the trip south a breeze for the Meadowlands’ top trainer.

ZWEIG ZONE

Saturday, Aug. 28
Vernon

Glamour-boy and-girl trotters return to stakes stature in the Harry Zweig Memorials at Vernon. The fillies go for $140k; the colts for $325k.

The colt field does not resemble this year’s Hambletonian compared to past Zweigs, and that puts 2021 Hambo final entries at the top of our contenders list. That list has only four colts.

Take All Comers and Dancinginthedark M are the best here. The former chased Captain Corey with verve at Pocono, finishing third at 20-1, while Dancinginthedark M has been his own worst enemy via losing his stride. Otherwise, he sparkles. Ambassador Hanover was all out to finish third in the Hambletonian at huge odds. Only Spy Booth, who found a late path to finish second in the Hambo, is looking for his first win of the season.

The filly Zweig offers last week’s star, Darlene Hanover, a chance to start a late-season streak that could go all the way to the Breeders Crown. Her toughest competitors are—in this order—Iteration and Dazzling Reign. Using your judgment with odds when the betting begins, place those three into trifecta position and pull the trigger.

CIRCUIT VISION

Saturday, Aug. 28
Mohawk

Two Somebeachsomewhere (SbSw) splits at around $86k each headline the Grand Circuit action (see WoMo listing in the H2W below for others in features on this program). Not many star glamour-boy pacers came north to assemble in the division’s pair of stakes, but make note of one that makes showing up a serious drive for dough.

That’s Brett Pelling’s Whichwaytothebeach. In the first SbSw split, Pelling’s pacer sticks out profusely. He has been getting better, and last week in a Hempt consolation, he flew to a solid win. Pelling also had South Beach Star in that race and he finished seventh, assuring he would miss the trip to Canada. Stonebridge Rex is our advised exacta partner with Pelling’s pony.

In the second SbSw division, Bulldog Hanover, Canada’s favorite for the North America Cup, will be an overwhelming crowd-pleaser. It’s only a field of six, and we want to go with Powertrain over “Bulldog,” for price and purpose.

H2W LIST

Freehold
8/27/21, Charlie Ona Harley R9; Devious Delight R10; Heavens Showgirl A R10

Hawthorne
8/28/21, +Pancetta R4; +Royale Big Guy R5

Hoosier
8/26/21, +Bean Shooter R11

Meadows
8/26/21, +Iron Wheel R3; Rebel Devil R5

Monticello
8/26/21, +My Last Chance R8

Mohawk
8/28/21, Lady Arthur R5; Frantasy Hanover R6; Beyond The Sea R12

Philly
8/27/21, Attention Please R1; Time Watch R10

Plainridge
8/26/21, Stihl N R8
8/27/21, Jackpot Jessie R6; +Chav Hanover R7

Pocono
8/28/21, +Gemologist R2

Running Aces
8/26/21, +SD Watch Me Now R1; +Maze R1; Rojo Caliente R5; Baia's Delight R6

Saratoga
8/28/21, +Flow With Joe R5; Rockin The Arena R8

Scioto
8/28/21, +Grantmeawish R9; Wild Bill R9

Vernon
8/27/21, Ex Crown R3; Summer Chrome R4; Dream On A Roll R12
8/28/21, Northoftheborder R2; Golden Gun R12

Yonkers
8/26/21, Bolt Of Beauty R7; Candy On The Beach R9