Thursday harness preview 1/29/15
In the week leading up the Super Bowl, serious standardbred racing fans will be heading to various tracks along the East coast perhaps looking to pad their bankrolls before kickoff, although Winter Storm Juno is probably going to limit some of the wagering possibilities at tracks in New York and New Jersey.
Nevertheless, Dover Downs will offer its best card of the week on Thursday evening and a bevy of horses look playable throughout the 15-race program.
In the second race, a non-winners of $9001 last six conditioned event for pacers, look for Movie Idol (Corey Callahan) to make immediate amends for his second-place finish as the 2-5 favorite in this class last week. Movie Idol raced first over into a 55-second back half last week and still only finished a neck shy of the winner in a superb effort. Expect him to be on or near the lead before the half on Thursday and then dictate the tempo from there.
One race later in the third, a non-winners of three races or $25,000 lifetime class for younger pacers, expect Rocknroll Power (Victor Kirby) to emerge triumphant here. Last week in a similar class, Rocknroll Power got away last, raced third over behind dull cover into a solid back half and rallied late to finish second in an effort that was much better that it looks on paper. The two pacers he followed finished sixth and seventh, respectively, forcing Rocknroll Power to pace his back half in 55.4 to earn the runner-up spot.
Two races later in the fifth, a non-winners of $12,001 last six starts class for older pacers, give Delaware Hanover (Callahan) a chance to atone for last week's second-place finish as the 6-5 favorite in this class. Last week Delaware Hanover gained command soon after the start and set wicked fractions early before being nailed late in 1:50.2. He should be able to control the tempo from the outset again and this time a second-quarter breather could provide him with enough in reserve late to reach the wire first.
Several races later in the 10th, the featured $25,000 Delaware Special for the top Delaware-owned pacers on the circuit, look for Don't Ya Know (Callahan) to earn his first victory of the campaign. Last week in the Special, Don't Ya Know whistled past the half in 53,2 and still lasted to finish third, beaten two lengths. He has been second once and third twice in four winless starts this year, but Don't Ya Know should finally emerge triumphant this evening.
One race later in the 11th, a non-winners of five races or $45,000 lifetime class for younger pacers, look for Artistic Director (Callahan) to garner his first victory of the campaign. Last week in this class, Artistic Director brushed to command past the half in 55.3, rolled down the backside and by three-quarters in 1:23.1 and then was nailed late in 1:52.1 in a good effort. He has finished second twice and third once in three winless starts this year, but he should shed his bridesmaid status this evening.
Then two races later in the 13th, a winners over $45,000/non-winners of $100,000 lifetime class for pacers looking to earn their way into the Open ranks, give Jet Blue Miracle a serious look. Last week in this class he raced first over into a solid back half and was only beaten a neck as an overlooked 12-1 shot. His price might dip slightly off that effort while back in the same class, but Jet Blue Miracle should reward his backers nicely this evening.
Nevertheless, Dover Downs will offer its best card of the week on Thursday evening and a bevy of horses look playable throughout the 15-race program.
In the second race, a non-winners of $9001 last six conditioned event for pacers, look for Movie Idol (Corey Callahan) to make immediate amends for his second-place finish as the 2-5 favorite in this class last week. Movie Idol raced first over into a 55-second back half last week and still only finished a neck shy of the winner in a superb effort. Expect him to be on or near the lead before the half on Thursday and then dictate the tempo from there.
One race later in the third, a non-winners of three races or $25,000 lifetime class for younger pacers, expect Rocknroll Power (Victor Kirby) to emerge triumphant here. Last week in a similar class, Rocknroll Power got away last, raced third over behind dull cover into a solid back half and rallied late to finish second in an effort that was much better that it looks on paper. The two pacers he followed finished sixth and seventh, respectively, forcing Rocknroll Power to pace his back half in 55.4 to earn the runner-up spot.
Two races later in the fifth, a non-winners of $12,001 last six starts class for older pacers, give Delaware Hanover (Callahan) a chance to atone for last week's second-place finish as the 6-5 favorite in this class. Last week Delaware Hanover gained command soon after the start and set wicked fractions early before being nailed late in 1:50.2. He should be able to control the tempo from the outset again and this time a second-quarter breather could provide him with enough in reserve late to reach the wire first.
Several races later in the 10th, the featured $25,000 Delaware Special for the top Delaware-owned pacers on the circuit, look for Don't Ya Know (Callahan) to earn his first victory of the campaign. Last week in the Special, Don't Ya Know whistled past the half in 53,2 and still lasted to finish third, beaten two lengths. He has been second once and third twice in four winless starts this year, but Don't Ya Know should finally emerge triumphant this evening.
One race later in the 11th, a non-winners of five races or $45,000 lifetime class for younger pacers, look for Artistic Director (Callahan) to garner his first victory of the campaign. Last week in this class, Artistic Director brushed to command past the half in 55.3, rolled down the backside and by three-quarters in 1:23.1 and then was nailed late in 1:52.1 in a good effort. He has finished second twice and third once in three winless starts this year, but he should shed his bridesmaid status this evening.
Then two races later in the 13th, a winners over $45,000/non-winners of $100,000 lifetime class for pacers looking to earn their way into the Open ranks, give Jet Blue Miracle a serious look. Last week in this class he raced first over into a solid back half and was only beaten a neck as an overlooked 12-1 shot. His price might dip slightly off that effort while back in the same class, but Jet Blue Miracle should reward his backers nicely this evening.
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