Woodbine/Mohawk Winter Pacing Series Conclude; Polar Vortex Threatens Selected Features, Power Plays
This week’s North American winter storm is named Jaydon and it is dumping a ton of snow amid record-breaking minus degrees from the Midwest through the Northeast. If it blows to sea before Feb. 2, you will be able to take advantage of our two features at Woodbine-Mohawk (WoMo): the Blizzard (fillies and mares) and the Snowshoe (colts and horses) pacing series finals.
A lot of sharp prospects are showing up on the 2019 H2W (horses-to-watch) list. The early season additions are available, so check out the list of valuable favorites and double-digit outsiders for any wagers you target. Consult the H2W for all of your harness action.
POWER PLAYS
Monticello / Race 5
Thursday, Jan. 31
A second choice last week, Woodmere Rondevous had it easy finishing third, following a tougher trip by Giddyallyougot, who came overland to be second at 9-1. The latter gets the rail and the former must negotiate the far outside, but together, they should bring back a good exacta—better, of course, if “Woodmere” wins but nonetheless a fair price.
If a triple amuses you, this is a good race to bury the number, so to speak, with both the aforementioned sharing the top and second spot, while Six Roses in the third spot enhances the price.
FEATURES^FEATURES^FEATURES
Yonkers / Races 5, 10
Thursday, Jan. 31
Trainer Trond Smedshammer has two of his trotters racing strongly at Yonkers, both, most likely, prepping for a higher cause in 2019. In Race 5, he brings back last week’s place-finishing First Class Act. As the public’s second choice by a few pennies, “Act” was not pushed when the stretch-leader drew away to win. It saved Act some muscle and still got him the place dough. In this race, facing two- and three-time starters in ’19 that have yet to win, it is possible Act does not get the top call and that is a bettor’s plus. ,
In Race10, a huge winner last week for Trond was Perlucky. The trotter returns in a similar event on this program and now two wins for two starts in ’19, he should be at pool-breaking odds, which even at face value may be worth it. Certainly, Perlucky is a key horse for exotics and with some unsupported partners behind him could bring back some decent prices. At Yonkers, the preferable toss-outs from the outside posts,
Boinganator and Volare, should be assigned the task.
BLIZZARD FINAL
Friday, Feb. 1, features the $36,400 Blizzard Series Final at WoMo. This highly competitive group comes to blows with a 10-horse field of three- and four-year-old pacing fillies and mares. The public has not been sharp in most of the series’ legs and we hit hard with a $19 winner last week as well as competing with longer shots in three other divisions of both legs.
Last week’s second leg, division two, however, may be the clue to value concerning some of the disappointments in the series. One in particular, Sand Artist, could be the best bet. She was third last week to the pair of probable favorites in the final—Springbridgevision and Lyons Hedgeabet, as she made two moves while that duo shuffled in and out of tiers. If Sand Artist had won a division in either leg, we would never have gotten a price like that which we expect (third choice or worse) in the final.
SNOWSHOE FINAL
Friday, Feb. 1, also features the $40,800 Snowshoe Series Final at WoMo. None of the horses we supported in the four divisions of the two legs of this pacing series for three- and four-year-old male pacers makes it into the 10-horse field of the final.
However, the sharpest of them all, Legal Bettor, a leg winner and, rightfully, the early choice to win the whole series, makes it and could wind up leaving at fair odds because he drew post 9.
The public may find favor in both of last week’s winners and leave Legal Bettor the third-or-worse public choice. We are hoping that will be the case as we try to squeeze every last penny of value out of the Cullens’ pacer. Being a pacer that can pick up multi-lengths over petty speed, Legal Bettor will find the cheap early foot plentiful here, so post 9 could be a blessing, not a curse.
POWER PLAYS
Meadowlands / Race 3
Saturday, Feb. 2
This early-in-the-program event is chock full of betting pools. It is the second half of the Daily Double, a 10-cent superfecta, an exacta, trifecta and the start of the Survivor Pick 10. It is a $12,500 Claiming race. Here are our suggested contenders in post position order:
Skyway Billy won’t escape the public. He returns to this tag, where he was successful at Freehold, only to step up on the mile track and coasting with no movement in sight.
CC Big Boy Sam is best at this level and since being claimed by Mike Watson has been exotic-active thrice. A few tough outside trips stifled wins but here he should have a clear path to make a good impression at the wire.
Show Me Up was shown up to this level after a win in $10,000 and stays at this level. A claim by trainer Heidi Gibbs was a smart move as Show Me Up has enough early foot to threaten in these mid-price claiming races.
A probable boost to the price of any exotic would be the addition of Dalton Did It. This is his first recent race in a claimer. He ships in from Freehold where he has been successful cashing checks, including a recent win, in conditioned affairs. With an outside post and Freehold’s lower purses, distinguishing his class will go awry and he will go off at more than fair odds.
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
Cal Expo
2/1/19, Winkwinknudgenudge R1
2/2/19, Manifique R2; Spice And Ice R4; Centela Extreme R4; Chilma R7; Perfect Pick R11
Dover
1/31/19, Romantic Interest R2; Tiger Baron R4; Sprinter N R8
Flamboro
1/31/19, +Hammering Haley R4
2/1/19, Custard Lite R8
Fraser
2/1/19, +Royal Renegade R7
Freehold
2/1/19, Lanco Express R1; Keystone Nikki R7; Always As Fast R9
Meadowlands
2/2/19, Willie Boots R4; Iwillmakeyousaywow R6; Bell I No R8
Meadows
2/1/19, Bambino Joe R3; +Uncle Hal R6; +Mr Bill G R6; Doctor RJ R9; +PC’s Expresso R10; +Goingtocalifornia R10
2/4/19, Uncle Leroy R8
Miami
2/1/19, +Shuffle We Will R2; JD’s Profiteer R3; Abba Official R6
2/2/19, E L Flight R1; Cheapskate Hanover R1; +Swapportunity R6
Mohawk
1/31/19, +King For Life R1
2/1/19, +Captain Dragon R4
Monticello
1/31/19, Northern Ideal R2; TKR’s Metro Specs R7
Northfield
2/2/19, Ida Sofia R15
Pompano
1/31/19, Anytime Anyplace R2
Western Fair
2/1/19, +Way Over R8
Yonkers
1/31/19, Big Chute R4
2/2/19, +Vegas Rocks R3; +Saulsbrook Lanny R7
2/4/19, +Mount Royal R8; Babes Dig Me R10
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