Harness Racing: Matrons Do Dover; Hoosier Class

Even though the champs have made their statements, the 11th month of 2021 harness racing is rife with action.

Standardbreds love the coming of the cold, so it’s time to get hot betting them at TwinSpires. The never-ending TwinSpires H2W (horses-to-watch list) continues, along with the Mohawk Miles search for longshots in any class.

MOHAWK MILES

Thursday / Nov. 4
Mohawk

Each week we highlight some probable longshots from Mohawk Park in this feature 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.

In Race 3 – Ricky Resolve – Well-bred youngster eyes win to launch good soph season in 2022.
In Race 9 – Greystone Natali – Well meant at 3-1 with two moves to finish third.

MATRON KIDS

Thursday / Nov. 4
Dover

Two-year-olds looking for late-season bucks are off to Delaware for the Matron Stakes. Dover Downs showcases the frosh divisions this week.

Colt pace ($146k)

When was the last time anyone saw four horses in a six-digit race? The quartet of colts is surprising, even for this time of year, but here they are: two by Sweet Lou and two by Captaintreacherous, a pair trained by Tony Alagna and only five winning races among them. The longest morning line (ML) at 9-2.

Market Based did not make the Breeders Crown final, though he lost in the elim won by Monte Miki, who won the final. Nautical Hanover also lost a BC elim at 54-1; Fourever Boy (32-1) failed as well. Only Atlas Hanover comes from a non-stakes event, though he lost. But Alagna’s colt was 3-1 in the event. Alagna’s pair could finish one-two, with the BC entry atop. But considering the lackluster losers from the BC, this four-way contest may offer the best money with an Alagna exacta the hard way—Atlas to Nautical.

Colt trot ($179k)

A traditional eight take on this division’s top prize. Letsdoit S (ML favorite) was a hot horse in the BC elim but a disappointing fourth to Testing Testing, who was dull in the final. Double Deceiver, however, made the final and was a solid 7-1 with endorsements and was gallant to begin in the final but burned out by the half. We like the Kadabra colt, Esplosione, who comes off a win at Philly and is on the improve.

Filly trot ($130k)

The biggest disappointment of the BC was the elimination of Venerable immediately at the start as she jumped off the gate and walked home. Undefeated until that moment, she calls for revenge here. Actually, one break out of nine races (eight of them won) is a good enough percentage to key her in exotics (a win price is absurd), and to make the exotics worthy, try using Ake Svanstedt’s Hill Of Cash S at a huge price.

Filly pace ($145k)

We backed A Girl That Twirls before she won a Simpson Stakes, which was her most recent effort, and she became good enough to win that $32k event at Philly. We were also in touch with Frantasy Hanover before she hit at a big price and those are the two we endorse here, having class edges that can do the trick.

HOOSIER REDUX

Friday / Nov. 5
Hoosier

A month from the season’s end at the Indiana track and a week after the Breeders Crown comes a few more exclusive six-digit soph stakes.

Carl Erskine ($165k)

Seven soph-colt trotters line up, mostly locals, and one of them standing out for us is Swingforthefences. Melanie Wrenn’s son of Swan For All has missed hitting the board but once and loves this track. He is the class of the locals and the best opponent for the price against Ron Burke’s probable favorite, Brookview Bolt.

The Crossroads of America ($105k)

Ten soph-filly trotters make up this field, including a few national contestants. Take a good look at Katies Lucky Day. At 2-1 she disappointed backers in a BC elim but that support was among fillies that were far better than most here, and she was made 2-1 based on her excellent performances at The Red Mile. Toss out the BC elim and consider Katies Lucky Day seriously here.

USS Indianapolis Memorial ($120k)

The soph-filly trotters engage in this contest and BC final longshot Scarlett Hanover is the outsider against the big guns—Hot Mess Express. In the final, Scarlett Hanover was only a length off of Test Of Faith, arguably the best of the division. She was a firm contender to upset “Faith” last time and takes on that role again against “Express.”

The Monument Circle ($220k)

Brett Pelling’s Whichwaytothebeach qualified on Oct. 29 and won in 1:52, proving only that he's still as good as when he looked like he could win the “Jug.” That discussion is over, but we see the same talent as he takes on glamour-boy pacers here, and it’s our decision to support him among lesser foes. We hope bettors go again for Bulldog Hanover, who was anointed by Canadians while we and some others backed the best colt and winner of the North America Cup.

H2W LIST

H2W Legend

Review our choices and confirm the wagers available at the prescribed track. H2W offers possible contenders researched from reviewing races. Horses’ names are listed beneath the name of the track with the date of their race and the race number (R6). If a + is in front of a horse’s name, it appears on the list for the second time (horses are listed twice only if, at first, they fail to win). An “ae” signals also-eligible. Types of wagers to make are based on your judgment.

Dover

11/4/21, +Valentine Express R4
11/8/21, +Disco Soliel R12; +Always Close R13; +Sporty Spook R14

Freehold

11/5/21, +First Car R2; Yer So Bad R8

Dayton

11/4/21, +Redskittle R3
11/5/21, American Empress N R11; +Debt Motivated R13
11/6/21, Christen Me N R6; +Do Work Son R14

Hoosier

11/4/21, +Woodside Emileah R9; +Sullenberger R12; +Katie Doodle Dandy R13
11/5/21, Primo Giovanne R8

Monticello

11/4/21, Beach Blast R7; Brookdale Jessie R8

Meadowlands

11/5/21, +King Of Heroes N R2; +Runhappy Ten R6; +Typhoon Stride N R9; +Top Flight Angel R11

Meadows

11/5/21, +Winning Is Sweet R4; +Western Tyrant R4; +Major Action R4

Northfield

11/6/21, +With Wings R4; Bronze Over N R6; +Uptown Callie R8; Rockin Farrati R12; Cinder Rock R15
11/7/21, Deprived R10

Northville

11/5/21, Airtime Lin R3; +How Tweet It Is R5
11/6/21, Hangon Man R12

Oak Grove

11/7/21, Princess Dayna R1; King Ragnar R3; Mayo Neighs R7

Philly

11/4/21, Brigadoon R4

Plainridge

11/4/21, Mr Wiggle Pants R5
11/5/21, Tobasco R3

Vernon

11/5/21, +The Changing Moa N R9

Yonkers

11/4/21, +Pray The Rosary R3
11/5/21, Paduka R 3; A Fancy Face R7; Heart On My Sleeve R8
11/8/21, +Regal Son R2