Friday Harness Preview for 4/18/2014
by Ted Black
With the prospects of mild temperatures, dry conditions and a fast track, many harness racing fans can head to the races on Friday evening finally expecting the elements to be far more conducive to formful results at several venues along the East Coast.
At Yonkers Raceway on Friday, the New York half-mile oval will host two divisions of the fifth and final round of the Bluechip Matchmaker series for filly-mare pacers. Several of the distaffers have already secured a spot in the $370,000 final slated for next Saturday evening and several others appear destined for the consolation. But there are a few pacing ladies on the bubble for the final and tonight will be their last chance to garner a berth in that lucrative event.
In tonight's fourth race, the first division of the final Bluechip Matchmaker leg, look for Ramalama to deliver her best effort of the series and post the upset. Last week she raced first over into a stellar 55-second back half sliced out by Shelliscape, the reigning Breeders Crown champion for this division. Ramalama is on the cusp of making the final and another good effort and a trip to the winner's circle might be enough to elevate her into the spot.
Much later in the 11th race on the card, the second Bluechip Matchmaker split, give the slight edge to Somwherovrarainbow but be weary of Feeling You and the PJ Fraley entry of Anndrovette and Shellicape. Somwheroverarainbow finished second last week despite making an early break and missing the week before and tonight she should prove tight enough the win and vault into the final with an added sense of confidence.
But last week defending champion Feeling You finally displayed a hint of her lost luster when she grinded out a first over victory against Rocklamation, the 2012 Matchmaker winner. Feeling You may also need a victory to earn a spot in the final and she will have her work cut out for her against the likes of 'Rainbow', Anndrovette and Shelliscape who will be among the favorites in next week's final.
There could be one other play on the Yonkers card. In the eighth, the Open Handicap for trotters, give Super Manning a chance at the upset. Last week he raced first over against the sharp Dw's Ny Yank, who will be favored again from his assigned outside slot, and gave way late to finish sixth. But Super Manning draws inside this week and should be able to work out a much better trip and at 5-1 is worth backing against the reigning king of this group.
This evening at The Meadowlands in New Jersey, a pair of pacing mares look worthy of backing. In the sixth, the B-2 class for pacing distaffers, look for Marty Party (John Campbell) to prevail following a good effort behind Major Look last week. Then several races later in the 10th, the C-2 class for pacing fillies and mares, give Dragon Ruffles a chance to post a 10-1 upset after she finished a solid second following a long, first over bid last week. A better trip in this event should result in a visit to the winner's circle.
With the prospects of mild temperatures, dry conditions and a fast track, many harness racing fans can head to the races on Friday evening finally expecting the elements to be far more conducive to formful results at several venues along the East Coast.
At Yonkers Raceway on Friday, the New York half-mile oval will host two divisions of the fifth and final round of the Bluechip Matchmaker series for filly-mare pacers. Several of the distaffers have already secured a spot in the $370,000 final slated for next Saturday evening and several others appear destined for the consolation. But there are a few pacing ladies on the bubble for the final and tonight will be their last chance to garner a berth in that lucrative event.
In tonight's fourth race, the first division of the final Bluechip Matchmaker leg, look for Ramalama to deliver her best effort of the series and post the upset. Last week she raced first over into a stellar 55-second back half sliced out by Shelliscape, the reigning Breeders Crown champion for this division. Ramalama is on the cusp of making the final and another good effort and a trip to the winner's circle might be enough to elevate her into the spot.
Much later in the 11th race on the card, the second Bluechip Matchmaker split, give the slight edge to Somwherovrarainbow but be weary of Feeling You and the PJ Fraley entry of Anndrovette and Shellicape. Somwheroverarainbow finished second last week despite making an early break and missing the week before and tonight she should prove tight enough the win and vault into the final with an added sense of confidence.
But last week defending champion Feeling You finally displayed a hint of her lost luster when she grinded out a first over victory against Rocklamation, the 2012 Matchmaker winner. Feeling You may also need a victory to earn a spot in the final and she will have her work cut out for her against the likes of 'Rainbow', Anndrovette and Shelliscape who will be among the favorites in next week's final.
There could be one other play on the Yonkers card. In the eighth, the Open Handicap for trotters, give Super Manning a chance at the upset. Last week he raced first over against the sharp Dw's Ny Yank, who will be favored again from his assigned outside slot, and gave way late to finish sixth. But Super Manning draws inside this week and should be able to work out a much better trip and at 5-1 is worth backing against the reigning king of this group.
This evening at The Meadowlands in New Jersey, a pair of pacing mares look worthy of backing. In the sixth, the B-2 class for pacing distaffers, look for Marty Party (John Campbell) to prevail following a good effort behind Major Look last week. Then several races later in the 10th, the C-2 class for pacing fillies and mares, give Dragon Ruffles a chance to post a 10-1 upset after she finished a solid second following a long, first over bid last week. A better trip in this event should result in a visit to the winner's circle.
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