Harness Racing: Picks for Jan. 20 through Jan. 24

Taking advantage of betting opportunities this frigid January is the goal. Our selected features continue to pay off and our never-ending TwinSpires’ horses-to-watch list (H2W) does well for wins, places and show as well as exotics.

MOHAWK MILES
Each week we highlight some probable long shots from Mohawk Park in this features section. If they do not win at first crack we add them to the H2W the following week as a bet-back while adding new possibilities to this Mohawk Miles section.

Thursday, Jan. 20

Race 4 – Askmysecretary — Back from a month off and a dead-heat third at Western Fair.
Race 5 – Linedrive Hanover — Good qualifier at Mohawk and ready for good mile.

POWER PLAYS

Thursday, Jan. 20

Freehold - Races 6, 7, 8

Today (eight races carded) we try to close the afternoon Freehold meet going after cashing a Pick-3 (Races 6, 7 and 8) and/or a Late Double (Races 6 and 7) and/or on any or all of the three legs individually.

Race 6

This trotting conditional presents a dismal field and that puts our focus on lightly raced Fat Boy. He returns (at 14) after a three-race 2021, a rest since October, a decent qualifier (pacers in it, too) and a history showing Freehold is his preferred track to win.
Morning Line-choice Flyhawk El Fuerte dropped last week and was a disappointment; why should he rule today?
Instead, we see Bad Day Black Rock against foes that can hardly hit the board while he has trotted to earn many more checks. The 7 post may not be such a problem with these.

Race 7

Drawing better in a comfortable company with a better post than recently, Sheeza Shark N is in a good spot to offer a fair price for a mild upset. Back in class, a second try for a new trainer and a drop down make OK Lets Rocknroll a strong contender and from last week’s H2W we include Never Not Dancing to be in the top three for exotics.

Race 8

It would be no surprise for us to see May I Cruise West tucking in behind ML-choice Burning Desire and getting the best of that one late from the perfect trip. He was well backed last out but had no room to make a late move.

FEATURES

Friday, Jan. 21

Hawthorne - Races 4, 6

Race 4

We do not know why trainer Britney Dillon scratched Fuel The Joe last week but she enters him here in a slight drop, draws well and goes in his third race of the season. Dillon has good stock going in Chicago and fits well against Ideal Big Guy, who the fans most likely will hammer in the win pool.

Race 6

One of last week’s feature winners, Et Tu Brute, was followed by best-of-the-rest Chick Magnet at 11-1. “Brute” drew the 10 post; “Chick” leaves from post 5 off his improved performance and should be worth the offered win price.
Hot Rod Dylan also paced a strong mile in the same race and should be in the exotic mix at the finish.

FEATURES

Saturday, Jan. 22

Meadowlands - Race 4

The two top favorites beat Justlikehim by a bunch of lengths last start and though this trotter lost by eight lengths at 56-1, he was in good company with more than half the field. He stays at this level and on the inside as an outside contender. Kenziesky Hanover starts for Jeff Cullipher who places him in a good spot for a good start this year.

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.

H2W LIST

Cal Expo
1/21/22, Always Glad R1; Cut A Rug R5; Sporty Spook A R5
1/23/22, +California Rock R10

Freehold
1/20/22, +Frankandjoanne R1; +Woodmere Ultimate R1; +Make A Scene R2; +Nine Ways R5; +Whata Twist R8
1/21/22, +Stick That Lip Out R9

Hawthorne
1/21/22, +Western Waltz R9

Meadowlands
1/21/22, Lady Lou R6
1/22/22, Vettel N R10; Wrappers Delight A R12

Meadows
1/20/22, Idrinkbecauseofyou R2; Jarmbalou R3; Shirley Skip Shady R4; +Hide Your Banker R5; +Roundtown Rocker R9
1/21/22, Legal Power R3; +Bring The Thunder R6; Bobby K Hill R10

Miami
1/20/22, Smiling Terror R14

Monticello
1/20/22, Shadownthetwilight R1; Parklane Terror R2; Dry Ridge Ace R4

Northfield
1/22/22, +Merciless R5; +Looking Santastic R14; Shes Cruising Home R14; Filly Speaks R14

Yonkers
1/20/22, Ready Set Rock R1; +Sweet Sally Sue R3; +Dbldelitebrigade N R7; +Tokyo Seelster R10