Harness Holiday Weekend Plays

Trotters and pacers are in full battle array on the holiday weekend, as well as veteran stars fill fields. We take the betting agenda through Sunday, May 30, in this edition. Again, the TwinSpires Harness Blog presents the best betting propositions and handicapping opinions in the sport. And, our never-ending TwinSpires H2W (horses-to-watch list), with suggestions enhancing exotic combinations and fair-priced win, place and show finishes.

JERSEY JOUSTS

Friday / May 28
Meadowlands

A pair of $200,000 New Jersey Sires Stakes finals for glamour-boy and-girl trotters highlight this program.

Ten fillies go in Race 8 for the fillies. The richest so far will be bet hard. In order, they are Eazy Pass and Hot As Hill. Our tendency is to back the lighter raced gals, of which Imhatra AM S is one. From the “Boom Barn” of Marcus Melander trotters, this daughter of Muscle Hill has only the post to be a possible bother. She looked very strong in her win and place from four starts and certainly can improve when the market is best for her—like in this mile adventure worth six figures.

In that same vein, post 10 hurls Beltassima onto the track for Tony Alegna, and given no traffic-suspending quarters, this daughter of Trixton could be in the big picture at the wire.

The $200,000 NJSS for colts may be a Hambletonian preview for 10 promising trotters of 2021—seven which are sons of Muscle Hill. Ake Svanstedt sends four colts, Nancy Takter sends two, and Melander has a solo involved. This is certainly a tough one; finding an upset is the challenge days before any wagering takes place.

One of Ake’s quartet—Mon Amour—could wind up to be faster than his other three simply because none of these have established enough miles to defend the fastest of the lot. From post 1, which many consider a bad post at the Meadowlands, Mon Amour could lead the group or weave a cover trip to win against a few that will try to set the fractions at the risk of duels.

Also a vote for improvement is Melander’s colt, Sonofamistery. He needed his first race, in which he placed, and aside from doing well from improvement could get a suck-along trip and be smooth and alive at the wire.

VERSATILE LEGS

Saturday / May 29
Meadowlands

Another leg of the Miss Versatility Mares Open trot includes two $30,000 divisions. Opening the program is the first with a field of seven, with the division-dominating Next Level Stuff after her second win in her third start. At three we were excited about her, but she blossomed later than we hoped. She has returned in fine fettle and should be the favorite here. Her biggest problem could be an all-out attack by Spoiled Princess, who is able to compete at the top speeds of this division and will be stalking if not leading early.

The second division also presents seven mares. This is a tightly competitive bunch currently led by Ab’sattitudexpress, but we are going again with No Mas Drama. She won last week racing outside the series in a condition. It was an impressive grinding effort on the outside. She may chase When Dovescry to win it unless that one has mustered a bit more than she had last time out.

PHILLY STAKES

Sunday / May 30
Philadelphia

Three six-digit events for older pacers and trotters are on tap in this single Sunday program, making for a bright triptych of familiar talent on both gaits.

Race 11

The $100,000 Commodare Barry Invitational places eight stalwart pacers behind the gate. We stand behind our backing Leonidas A, who was a storm trooper in the Yonkers series, though he lost the final to This Is The Plan, another entry in this field. Leonidas A is not a circumstantial winner, he is a versatile pacer with power and can handle this group. The penultimate danger to the aforementioned is Western Joe, who will fight hard no matter the scenario and hit the board.

Race 12

The $100,000 Betsy Ross mile for pacing mares also has a field of eight. It’s a mixed bag of 2021 experience with some “now” elements like JK First Lady, Treacherous Reign and Rocknificent. Of these three, Nancy Takter’s JK First Lady may come up the best, having a single outing so far, finishing second, and revved for a big effort against her elders. It will help as an upset for bettors if Machnhope is the favorite.

Race 13

The $100,000 Maxie Lee Trot will have bettors clamoring with cash backing Manchego and Its Academic while we like Lindy The Great and Guardian Angel AS to crowd the finish line as best. Yes, it could be a Manchego romp, but if you believe that then there is no reason to wager on this. Support the scenario we suggest for good prices all the way around for Lindy The Great and Guardian Angel AS.

H2W Legend

Review our choices and confirm the wagers available at the prescribed track. H2W offers possible contenders researched from reviewing races. Horses’ names are listed beneath the name of the track with the date of their race and the race number (R6) follows. If a + is in front of a horse’s name, it appears on the list for the second time (horses are listed twice only if, at first, they failed to win. An “ae” signals also-eligible. Types of wagers to make are based on your judgment. Some repeating horses may not appear due to our deadline to post.

H2W LIST

Buffalo
5/29/21, Arrhythmic Surge R5; Drunkonaplane R8

Freehold
5/28/21, Devious Delight R1; Followthewind R7

Hawthorne
5/28/21, Hot Rod Dylan R1; Casa Miasa R6; +Primo Giovanni R12

Meadowlands
5/28/21, Innis Fallen R13
5/29/21, Tolly-ho R14

Meadows
5/29/21, Cant Pay My Tab R11; Westerbrook R11

Monticello
5/27/21, +Rebel Jet R7

Northfield
5/29/21, Sea Shadows R3; Delight Kate R7; Rainbow Writer R10

Northville
5/28/21, Shy Princess R3
5/29/21, Nytro J R2; +Midnight Day R2; Skyway Toxic R10

Philly
5/27/21, +Go Byem R2; +Torn To Pieces AS R3; +Izoh R4; +Mass Flow R9
5/28/21, +KJ Kyra R11
5/30/21, +No Lou Zing R3; +Whichwaytothebeach R6

Plainridge
5/27/21, +Cornerd Beach R9
5/28/21, Surprize Mission R2; Smooth Aceleration R8

Pocono
5/30/21, +Feeling Cam Lucky R3; +Late Night Date A R4

Running Aces
5/27/21, +Always Close R7

Scioto
5/27/21, Itsmachmeitsyou R12
5/28/21, Hill Side R11
5/29/21, +JM Jet Set R12; +ER Room R14

Tioga
5/28/21, Northern Dali R1; Grant Me This R5

Vernon
5/28/21, +Barn Hall R9; +Jericho Willie R10
5/29/21, Chase My Lindy R3; King Jimmy R5

Yonkers
5/27/21, A Crafty Lady R6; +Ann Hill R8; +Golden Quest N R10