Features Parade Across America; Overnights Offer Opportunities

Our personal features—specifically chosen races at various harness meets running on the TwinSpires track menu—are complemented by the TwinSpires’ exclusive, productive horses-to-watch list (H2W). The 2016 stakes season is over as the year offers only another few weeks. Our features this weekend take us to Delaware, New York, New Jersey and Ohio.

On Dec. 29, we will release our year-end blog, which will include our TwinSpires Players Horse of The Year. As is the tradition, the horse chosen by this blog during our 50-some-odd-week posts will be the highest paying winner.

Also in that edition, we will list all of the winners from the year that have paid at least two digits (4-1 and up) in the order of their prices. All of the winners are, as is our policy, the special brands of outside contenders that have, at times, defied the odds, and which, most of the time, have not been posted by any on-line or published-in-print public handicapper.

Now, some overnights that players may not see as good opportunities with valuable contenders to be considered for win, place, show and exotics.

F E A T U R E S ~ F E A T U R E S ~ F E A T U R E S

Saratoga/ Race 8
Thursday, Dec. 8

The two morning-line (ML) favorites are once again itching to be beaten. Both of them step down again after losing, though Grey Ice lost at the Meadowlands and Justherighttouch was a local loser.

Still, this trot can produce a well-paying winner and that contender we support is Muscles And Spice. The gelding drops to his most successful level recently at Saratoga. As well, two back, when he stepped up a bit, he was 3-1 and raced well, hanged badly at three-quarters. His two at this level in October and November are smooth efforts, even though he lost one at even-money (he had a great excuse). This race is the beginning of a Pick 3 and offers a Superfecta, a Triple and an Exacta.

F E A T U R E S ~ F E A T U R E S ~ F E A T U R E S

Dover/ Race 15
Thursday, Dec. 8

This claiming affair has two tags but it makes little difference. All About Rusty was stalled late by an overland journey last out at Dover, ruining his streak of place finishes that went back to Pennsylvania. He was the public choice there but won’t be here. He should offer a decent price.

Offering even a better price should be Brody. He returns to Dover, in for a tag, after a tough journey at Pocono in a conditioned. He has a number of excuses dating back to October and may be in a super spot to play a major role here, getting into the thick of exotics if not winning.

F E A T U R E S ~ F E A T U R E S ~ F E A T U R E S

Meadowlands/ Race 4
Friday, Dec. 9

In a perfect spot, Nowucit Nowudont drops into a conditioned race again after breaking badly as one of the top choices in a claimer. Even galloping late in the stretch, while leading, the gelding finished second (placed ninth). He blew out early from post 8 and dueled for the lead. Staying on stride here should win this for him. It’s the first leg of a Pick three with an Exacta, Trifecta and Superfecta on the menu.

F E A T U R E S ~ F E A T U R E S ~ F E A T U R E S

Meadowlands/ Race 7
Friday, Dec. 9

The Late Pick 4 launches with this conditioned pace and a shot at a good priced winner to start the big pool rolling your way. From post 9, Shutthefrontdoor takes a mild drop after two very good efforts in higher company. Last week, at the Meadowlands, he was 7-2 and produced a big brush to make up ground and finish third. On Nov. 25 on this surface he was 25-1, leaving from post 8, and finished sixth with a similar move, though starting off farther back. Consider this one for any and all exotics as well as to upset for the win.

F E A T U R E S ~ F E A T U R E S ~ F E A T U R E S

Northfield/ Race 3
Saturday, Dec. 10

Saturday night we take on the Flying Turns of the half-mile at Northfield. This race is part of the track’s Progressive Claiming Series and only offers six entrants with two big favorites. It’s a great situation to encourage an upset, since the smaller field should offer better-than-average prices after the top two are hammered by the public.

To the left of the ML choice, Apache Of Luck, is Beckys Giftedangel, bound to be punished in the pools by bettors disapproving of her loss to “Apache” last week. But, if we forgive her for losing too much ground going too wide after starting too slow, we will be supporting a true threat to the second ML favorite, Derek Delight, who “Beckys” was a favorite over twice before this series.

F E A T U R E S ~ F E A T U R E S ~ F E A T U R E S

Northfield/ Race 10
Saturday, Dec. 10

Here’s another good race to aim for a fair price if not a steal, though the ML 7-2 may be a steal. Leaving from mid-pack post 5, Ruler’s Best drops back into a productive level. She had no shot in an Open last time from post 8 and before that doing all right stepping into an Open. But three back she just missed at this level and won in October in an Open II at 45-1, so she has some serious chances here.

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
12/9/16, +Game Of Dreamers R5; Caress Of Steel R13
12/10/16, Listentoherheart R4; Wisecrack R4; +Gene Eugene R5; Strings R8; Smoke Eater R10; +Becky B Skipalong R11

Charlottetown
12/10/16, +Montana Ben R1; Ideal Lifestyle R1; +Rowlock Hanover R11; Mr Cherry R11; Beachwood Tiger R14; Silverheel Storm R14

Dayton
12/8/16, +Fox Valley Shout R8

Flamboro
12/8/16, Sporty Diva R4; Little Anna Mae R7

Freehold
12/8/16, +Lemon Drop Hall R5; +Oakmont R7; +Tap Dragon R8 
12/10/16, +Lemon Drop Hall R1

Meadowlands
12/9/16, +Twice Too Nice R2

Meadows
12/12/16, +Silver Hill Blaze R1

Monticello
12/8/16, +McCams Molly May R7; +CJs Last Storm R9
12/12/16, +Spurofthemuscle R9

Northfield
12/10/16, Happy Feet Too R4; +That’s My Girl R8
12/11/16, Hula Lu R5

Pompano
12/11/16, +Officernagentleman R5

Rosecroft
12/8/16, Nuclear Ease R7; +Aint Got A Home R12

Saratoga
12/9/16, +Analyze R9; +Bye Bye Michelle R9
12/10/16, Dexter Jolt R1; Code Word R4; JK Panache R7

Woodbine
12/9/16, Steppin Out R3; Wrangler Magic R4

Yonkers
12/9/16, +Nobles Finesse R6; +Bedroomconfessions R8; Do Your Job R9; +Her Own Land R9