Palm Beach $50,000 St Patrick's Day Invitational Preview

Like Eminem said, "You only get one shot, this opportunity comes once in a lifetime."

Eight of the top hounds in the country will put it all on the line for one chance at 50K this Saturday afternoon, as the Arthur J Rooney St Patricks Invitational is set to roll.  With the entire nation watching, a certain news network on pins and needles and a Triple Crown within reach, this Final likely is the biggest race Palm Beach has seen in some time.

Here is a preview of the eight Finalists and the odds we believe they will go off at come post time.

#1 Fraulein Morgan  ~ Janie Carroll Kennel (4-1 Odds)

The season wins leader and inside box loving "Bachelorette" is thrilled to be on the rail and brings her superior game back to the Royal Palm Course for the first time since October of 2015.  Middle distance runners have fared well in this Invitational, with former winners Ethel Is Here & Flying Zinc, plus Atascocita Camry all hitting the ticket recently.  Would be one sweet victory for owner Monte Jacobs who has finished runner-up in the Daytona 550 and Derby Final this season with his racers.

#2 Whirlin Toodlelu  ~ Douglas Kennel (3-1 Odds)

"Toodles" is back in a stakes final after finishing runner up in the Labor Day Puppy Stakes in September.  The best combo runner in this field can rush with the best and can close like a freight train.  Her fan base can compete with just about anybody in the country in sheer size.

#3 Hot Prospect Gal  ~ Aggainis Kennel (7-1 Odds)

"Whitney" and her team would have really liked to get an outside hole because she is flat out dangerous from the outside.  Gal will be trying to win the Agganis Kennel their first Invitational title since all the way back in 1999 with Baci.

#4 Pat C Faro  ~ Koppe, Staats & Collins  (5-1 Odds)

The hottest greyhound coming into this Final winning three straight with stop watch busting splits.  Can she get near the front with so much early burn around will be the key for Faro to have a chance to bring home the pot of gold to the Shake & Bake boys and owner Pat Collins.

#5 Big Red Dog  ~ Rader Racing (4-1 Odds)

The best lid flipping skills in all of South FLA. "Clifford" has burst his way to 18 wins and is making his third stakes final appearance already in his young career. Will need a huge lead to bring it home because Cliff does not do well with classy closers on his tail.

#6 Barts Big Bang  ~ Douglas Kennel  (8-1 Odds)

If the Big Bang is anywhere near the front early, the Douglas Team is going to win their first ever St Pats title.  Huge closer that has consistently hits the ticket this season, with a 77% hit rate.

#7 Janice Dean  ~ Brindle Kennel (2-1 Odds)

The main reason the nation will tune in for this broadcast.  The two time stakes champion named after the Fox News meteorologist will be looking for the Triple Crown at Palm Beach after taking the He's My Man & Derby championships consecutively.  Trainer Alvin Rink and his team have to be ecstatic that their girl drew the outside hole, where she has done her best racing on the sprint course. You can put her Walk of Fame star out on the walkway immediately if she is able to win this one.

#8 Super C Martha  ~ Lester Raines Kennel (5-1 Odds)

Will the bright lights be too much for the rookie?  With only 9 official starts in her young career here, this will be the challenge of a lifetime.  Martha does draw a very favorable box and will have a ton of room to maneuver. Has shown lightning early speed and solid closing ability already.

Predictions

Lost in all of this is that this greyhound writer is going for the Triple Crown as well after I picked the "Weather Machine" in her two stakes victories.  I've said it all along that there is simply something magical going on with Janice Dean and I'm not wavering from her here.  She goes up to New York to meet her biggest fan on Fox & Friends after this with three victory blankets, a Triple Crown and a story that even Hollywood would find incredible.

Picks 7-2-6-1

Here are picks from our friends around the country in the industry:

Mike Jameson  ~ Palm Beach Track Announcer

"Looks like a wide open race to me. Of course, I have to go with the sentimental favorite Janice Dean. She has gotten us national media attention for Palm Beach and the sport of greyhound racing.  I think deep down inside we all hope for Janice Dean to win this race and I'm going to pick her in this one."

Picks 7-2-5-6

Randy Birch - International Host of BigJackpotBetting.com

"The more I look at this race, I think Janice Dean will win. Super C Martha will cut to the inside past Janice and Janice will own the outside.

Picks 7-1-3-4

Jeff Prince - Palm Beach Track Handicapper

"Going with Janice Dean. Barts Big Bang should break slow and Super C Martha is more of a rusher than an early speedster. Plus, I like experience over puppydom.  Janice may have to pass Big Red Dog and I think Toodles and Morgan will be on the ticket. This is one of the best fields in many years."

Picks 7-2-5-1

"FasTrack" Dale Simons - Palm Beach Track Announcer

"Faro is just too good right now.  250 Euro to win and all -126-126"

Ramon Cadavieco  - Palm Beach & Hollywood Track Announcer

"I believe the big loop around move by Janice Dean might get it done here.  A big upset win by Morgan from the rail is not an impossible task if she manages to get around the cheap speed, she will catch up."

Picks 7-4-5-8

Steve Lesser "Page" - Palm Beach Track Announcer

"7-2-1-5 Janice Dean in the perfect box."

Enjoy the conclusion to this story race fans.  This should be one end to the script we will be talking about for some time. Good luck athletes and owners!