Threes-And-Up Conflicts Abound For Big Bucks, Big Action

We’re back at Yonkers this week on May 23 for stakes; this time with sophomore pacers battling for berths in next week’s Art Rooney Memorial. Two elims gather the fields of prospective “Rooney” finalists. But the guys don’t out-number the girls this weekend, as filly pacers charge at a few tracks.

At the Meadowlands that same night, sophomore colt-and-filly pacers meet in division two of the New Jersey Sires Stakes (NJSS). Filly pacing sophs take on three lucrative Pennsylvania Sires Stakes (PASS) divisions at Philadelphia on Thursday, May 21.

Sunday at Philadelphia, three $150,000 invitationals bring together a score of popular older pacers and trotters of both sexes. Some great betting opportunities should prevail.

The sophomore trotters will battle again on the Hambletonian Trail. Look for that blog, which follows great betting races for the classic divisions—soph-colt-and-filly trotters, on these pages. It’s exclusive, extended coverage from TwinSpires and the Hambletonian Society.

Overnight racing continues to present profits and our exclusive horses-to-watch (H2W) list publishes serious contenders for winning in across-the-board/exotic action. Please peruse the list and don’t miss out on exciting probabilities from our personal files.

TwinSpires also continues to team with Hoosier Park for another season of player perks. Click here to check it out. A spring special offers free harness past performances through June. Click here to take advantage of the deal.

Fillies At Philly

PASSes worth $71,000-plus each offer three divisions at Philadelphia on May 21. Ron Burke sends a pair in the first split and one debut sophomore, Linda Toscano’s Better Said, comes from a sharp qualifier signaling a sharp mile. Those factors could make Brian Brown’s Somewhere Sweet of off at a higher price than her chances. She is sharp and could take advantage of this field and a few win bettors.

More value may loom in the second split, which appears to be relatively even in early sophomore talent. It is a mystery which one of these gals will seduce the bulk of the win betting unless the crowd favors trainers over performance. Anyway, look out for a probable higher price than necessary with Casie Coleman’s Showtime Terror. The post is bound to scare some away but it could be a good spot for Casie’s gal to fire big time.

Chapter three of the PASS tests presents Joann Looney-King’s highly respected Arts Jem, carting the top earning bankbook of the lot so far and getting a high-class challenge in this one. Another two from Burke are on tap and Brian Brown checks in with a morning-line choice. We opt for the lightly raced Deli Beach. We don’t know how much she has truly given to her only three sophomore miles; she could just be finding her stride and this would be a great time to cash on her.

Rooney Rough Riders

The Art Rooney Pace elims include the 11 entered into the stake. Two splits will decide the final field for next week’s affair. Each elim presents one highly anticipated glamour boy that looks hard to beat.

Elim one (both are for $40,000) will find Cartoon Daddy a huge choice and if he isn’t then demand to know why. Burke’s colt is staked to the biggest features and is expected to roll strong in them, including this, after his debut win. Josh Green’s Sonofa Sizzle cannot be ignored. We cashed on him at two and he looks strong, already sporting three wins in four starts. Even as a second choice he deserves notice to upset.

In The Arsenal has been voted to become one of the best in the division this season. When we nailed him at two he paid big double digits but those days are over. Everyone is on him now and in the second elim the Kelvin Harrison-trained colt will be bet to smithereens, having already proven strong with his debut win. From the rail, National Seelster rides with a strong 2015 resume for Chris Ryder and threatens to challenge. Thinking outside the box, consider Penji Hanover, who could be a surprisingly sharp performer at three and is set to pay big, if we are correct, early. The three could make a triple pay well.

Jersey Jaunts

NJSS at the Meadowlands offer soph colt-and-filly pacers in $25,000 splits; it’s leg two of the abbreviated state-bred offerings. The fillies are up first. In a Simpson  on May 1 we supported Crescent City at 25-1 and she is here with other interesting possibilities. Hollyrocker, who we had in the first leg (finished third at 50-1) gets the 10 hole; The Show Returns did not debut at three with the strength expected of her; Cheyenne Robin is from the always under-rated barn of Robert Siegelman; Ideal Nuggets addresses the first race of her soph campaign; and Wicked Little Minx is unproven with only two starts for Nancy Johnansson. “Robin” should offer the highest price and is in a spot to get a rousing trip that will allow a Cheyenne product to once again light up the toteboard. The others mentioned, of course, have every right to race well but given the tightness of the talent here, trip may be more important.

Eleven colts go in the NJSS leg and both of our choices from leg one are here. Our winner, Hurrikane Ali, turned out to be a favorite and Mitt Jagger finished seventh, to Artspeak—at 54-1. He may not go off that high this time but he deserves a shot against less-than-superior division foes. Go for it.

Vets Vie In Philadelphia

Three events for the older sets, each worth $150,000, with fields invited, are the Philadelphia program features for Sunday, May 24.

the Jerry Taylor invite is first, with eight veteran male pacers behind the gate. “Levy”-winner Domethatagain is here but he may not get the kind of trip he needs, like the one responsible for that Levy win. The newest older star could be Great Vintage, the pacer Takter has nurtured into a stalwart and seems raring to have a big year among the elders. He may not get the call as top choice, which would please us, but he may also be worth it as a tamely supported favorite.

Next, the pacing mares for the Betsy Ross go for the dough. Of course Anndrovette is here, looking for a speed victory or to pick up as many pieces of the purse possible. Jerseylicious may be less disappointing than she was last season. Sayitall Bb is a Burke babe with squeaky back class. But Table Talk is just getting started and may offer some money against this experienced brood. Certainly a price is on the table, so to speak, as she looks for her first seasonal victory.

The Maxie Lee Memorial will attract all of the rejuvenated Bee A Magician fans as she continues to show surprising prowess against the boys. However, here comes a boy, though younger, she will have to reckon with from now on—Father Patrick. Because no one knows how he will behave at four, though trainer Takter is glowing about his maturing elements, this may be the highest price we ever see for the remarkable character that dominated his divisions at two and three. If he is a bit better than his two seasons of racing he will buzz by “Bee” with ease and this is the time to take advantage of it.

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

Bangor
5/22/15, Mr Tommy Fra R5

Buffalo
5/23/15, +Mercurio N R3; +Goldstar Thumper R7; +Nighthawk Hall R13

Century
5/22/15, +Capital Hill R2
5/23/15, +Pureform Aurora R2; +Burning Prospect R3; +Onemoreglance R4; Runway Model R5; +Camblazer R7; +Sportsonthebeach R8

Hoosier
5/21/15, +Sorrento Hall R1; +Sinfully Slick R2; Meadowbrook Shiela R4
5/23/15, +Ra Ra Steven ae R5

Maywood
5/21/15, Perfectly Clear R7
5/22/15, Midnight Destroyer R2; Makena Cat R8

Meadows
5/22/15, +Elm Grove Inarush R11

Northfield
5/21/15, Olivia V R5; Doowrah Double R2; Spymistress R7; Cabaret R10; DC Uprising R13

Philadelphia
5/23/15, +El Bloombito R7
5/24/15, +Hall Bro R7
5/25/15, FF Bigshow R2
 
Plainridge
5/21/15, +Whirlwind R5; South Jersey Hey R6

Pocono
5/23/15, +Kingofthejungle R6

Rosecroft
5/23/15, +Tricky Artist R7

Saratoga,
5/22/15, Eve Ning Out R6; +It’s A Miracle R7

Scarborough
5/22/15, Fox Valley Shannon R1; +Republic Of Panama R6; +Orderingin R7
5/23/15, +Star Zee Tina R3
5/24/15, +Winslow Hustler R5

Scioto
5/21/15, Woo Shark R2; No Excuses Please R9
5/22/15, +Kirty Dream R2; Atlas Peak R2;Il Sogno Dream R2; +All Terror R4
5/23/15, Dress The Part R1; +Special Forces R7; +Newbeginning R9; +Tempster Hanover R9; +Shootin Tyme ae R9; +Creighton Hanover R10; Rock’n Roll Queen R11

Yonkers
5/22/15, +Sodys Moonshine R3; Frankies Dragon R4; +Ronny Bugatti R9; Bullville Kyle R9; +Dune In Red R12; Thirty Two Red R12
5/25/15, Dukes Up R8

Ray Cotolo contributes to each edition.