‘Levy’ V Hosts Top Pacers; Mares For More Money; Miami Pick 4 Predictions Aim For Profits

Round V of the George Levy Memorial Pacing Series (and the Blue Chip Matchmaker for mares) at Yonkers Raceway takes us closer to May and increased stakes activity across the contintent. Our “Levy” stats, as we documented through round three in our April 7 blog, improved with another of the series’ top-paying winners in round IV and we are on the hunt for more profits this weekend, while we hope for productivity with the mares.

And we’re aiming at the Miami Valley Pick 4 again this Saturday.

The TwinSpires horses-to-watch list (H2W) features a slew of tracks, the latest meets included, continues to offer outside contenders unavailable from any handicapping source in print or on the web, suggesting juicy prices in win, place, show and exotic pools. Always consider H2W horses when constructing your wagers.

This weekend’s analysis begins on Thursday, April 7, with chosen “features,” from Harrah’s Philadelphia.

FEATURE
Philadelphia /April 14
Race 4

Morning-line choice Opening Night is eight, rumbling on, a long way from his days as a glamour-boy trotting earner. His back class deserves respect (he has won internationally as well as on this continent) but he should be good enough to race with the top elders, not here among conditioners. So, we look for recent class and success in this territory, which leads us to Phantom Rusty, who for many reasons won’t be embraced by the public.

Phantom Rusty stepped up when he should have, coming from Rosecroft to Pocono, but a bit too much. Still, he did well and then qualified to drop into lower conditioners. He has finished on the purse grid each time and his first at Philadelphia was a strong showing at 39-1. He can get a cool trip and save his best to close outside on the wide stretch.

FEATURE
Philadelphia /April 14
Race 10

Certainly needed to be considered strongly is an 8-1 morning-line mare, Ashlake. She has solid competition in Powerful Charger, who beat her last week, but that one has to negotiate post 8 in this field and is yet to win from 10 starts this year. Ashlake has been to four tracks since February without being embarrassed. She broke at Pocono, she was not happy with a 1 ¼-mile race around all those Yonkers turns, in too deep at the Meadowlands but she was super at Pocono two weeks ago, scoring her third win in 2016. She was stepped up from there and though she was fifth at the wire she is stepped up again, qualifying for these conditions with confidence from her connections. A good price is expected.

THE MATCH GAME

Only two $40,000 divisions of the Blue Chip Matchmaker make up round five of the April 15 program at Yonkers. There are seven from the competitive series thus far in each field.

Division one is quite a challenge, considering the top four, Krispy Apple, Carolsideal, Sell A Bit N and Lady Shadow, who have all made major impressions and money from the preceding legs. Sell A Bit N has done the best and should get much play here, perhaps becoming the public choice. “Krispy” finally took a winner’s photo last week after a number of tough trips. Krispy is arguably the most experienced of this lot and yet she may go off a very good price behind Sell A Bit N, Lady Shadow and even Cinamony, from the rail; bound to share some of the win pool. Krispy may be on her way to the series crown off of her last win and this could be the last chance to get a decent price on her.

The second division gives defending champion Venus Delight a chance to feel able to participate in this year’s final. She hasn’t won yet and has few excuses. The huge upset for Yagonnakissmeornot last week put her back into the public eye. But we are going to take the outside contender Regil Elektra, who we nabbed for a big place price in the “Yagonna” race. A strong price is guaranteed again and we will deserve it if she can pull off an upset here. They certainly have been common in this year’s series.
 
MIAMI MAYHEM

Miami Valley’s Pick 4 on Saturday, April 16 includes Races 9-12.

This week’s sequence begins with Race 9 and a group of condition pacers. The two morning-line choices, Lincolnjames and King Otra, appear to be the strongest contenders. Winning at this level four starts ago, Lincolnjames should offer the better price of the duo, while King Otra will likely take money for his past efforts against the Open pacers as well as the post shift from the eight hole to post 3.

Leg two, Race 10, is a late closer final for pacers that is full of speed. One contender, Freedomformysoul, will attempt to bottom out this field but could burn himself out as a consequence. As a result, Undertaker or the favorite, K Ryan Bluechip, should capitalize on the collapsing pace since both will likely leave to stalk the leader.

More conditioned pacers meet in the third leg, race 11. The likely chalk, Feelin Likea Winner, should be covered in most of the public’s tickets but his classy status shrouds his lack of form coming into this race. Playing off that angle, Divulge, if he can work out a trip after parking nearly every mile in his last five outings, could sweep by rivals and upset in his move up to this level, or Truly Kissed can obtain an uncontested lead and take this field around the track.

Capping the sequence is another conditioned pace, Race 12. Once again, Our Dragon King is a factor in this event, parking first over in a battle for control last week (see H2W). While he could organize a trip that doesn’t put him at risk of losing the race, his first-over rallies are becoming seemingly habitual. So, if he gets caught wide again, E R Oliver should be able to sling by the leaders. As long as he leaves from his outside post, which he has done in the past, he should secure a stalking spot and try to benefit from it.

LEVY LOG #5

Three divisions of the Levy make up the fifth chapter of the series, set for April 16 at Yonkers. Here are our evaluations of the $50,000 miles that round up the best of the Levy lot.

Race 5 starts the triptych with seven in the cast. If by now you have not seen the strength and stamina of P H Supercam, you may call us bias for our consistent support of him in this series. However, followers of this blog over the years can attest to the fact that we never love a horse for fanatical reasons. “Supercam” lost to Wiggle It Jiggleit last week at alarming odds due to the nature of the pace around four turns.

The loss cannot be attributed to an inferiority to “Wiggle.” That is yet to be proven. So, from the rail in division one, Supercam should control this race and pick up his second win of the series. Unfortunately you won’t be getting over 20-1 for him this time. Although All Bets Off will, along with Lettucerockthem A, receive much support, Supercam will be a heavy favorite. If you don’t think he is worth what win price is offered, use him as a key with the aforementioned duo for exotics. For better prices than that, make “Lettuce” the other closest contender.

In Race 6, we cold have a strong wagering opportunity since Foiled Again returns to the series. His week off and post 1 will have his fans emptying their pockets. This is good, as “Foiled” will have challenges keeping the front position from Mach It So in post 2 and maybe even Te Kawau N, who needs to be aggressive at the start to stay in the fray. From post 7, Lucan Hanover can either safely steal the top early and control the pace or save his best stride for the final turn. Domethatagain will also lag until the stretch, as usual try to slide up the inside for a piece of the purse.

The last of the trio finds Wiggle It Jiggleit leaving from post 7, as he did when he debuted in the second leg. He will be a prohibitive favorite, as well, which could give Bit Of A Legend N a win offering he would never give without Wiggle in the race. “Bit” has been monstrous the first four weeks and there is no reason to believe he cannot hold off Wiggle—again, due to the nature of the pace around four turns.

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

Buffalo
4/14/16, +Texas Caviar R8
4/16/16, +Donegal Jim R11

Cal Expo
4/16/16, +Seawind Allegra R11
4/17/16, Lets Go Places R1; +Genuine Desire R1

Century
4/16/16, Credit The Shark R1; Sing Like An Angel R3; +Mothers Melody R3; +Hoofenanny R8; +Shark Festival R10

Flamboro
4/17/16, +Lyons Levi Lewis R9

Freehold
4/14/16, +Coronations K R3; +Beach Fighter A R9

Hoosier
4/14/16, Lyons Jimmydean R4; One Hot Future R8

Meadowlands
4/15/16, +Royal Becca J R2

Meadows
4/16/16, Montero Blue Chip R5; Shes Swanderful R6; +Acadia AS R6; Oneida R12; +Sharkeys Way R13; Royaltyhasarrived R15

Miami
4/15/16, +Team Zordin R4; +MMs Roanie R8; +Centalafirecracker R10+Miss Princess Leah R11; +Townlinedaliscard R13
4/16/16, +Peck Blue Chip R3+Cactus Billy R5; +Metro John R5; +Life Is Good Today R11; +Our Dragon King R12

Mohawk
4/15/16, Selmas Wish R1; Beyonces Rockn R4; Donna Party R9
4/16/16, Bella Noche R1; Grana Padanno R2; Ufdragons Rocket R4; Avatartist R10

Monticello
4/18/16, Grecale AS R6

Northfield
4/16/16,  +KJs Foxy Lady R3; +Forever Lover R4; +Thunder Chaser R4; Your Too Funny R4; +People Like Me R6; Power And Purpose R14;

Northville
4/15/16, +B Arts Nation R2; +Onelesslonelygirl R11
4/16/16, Bobby Aussie R2

Philadelphia
4/14/16, +Smoke Pan Mirrors R3
4/15/16, +Rocklindarock R13
4/17/16, +Austin Rocks R2; +Hugh Hefner N R13

Plainridge
4/14/16, Ky Liz R2; Flaming Yankee R4

Pocono
4/16/16, Lauderdale R3; +Bettors Edge R10; Benjaminbanneker N R12

Pompano
4/17/16, +Rel Cash Clown R5

Rosecroft
4/17/16, Favorite Dune R3; Andys Lil Buddy R4; Gossip R5; Sweet Bobbie R8; Final Retrieve R10; Knight Of My Life R13

Saratoga
4/16/16, +Here Comes Karma R11; Pastapalooza R12
4/17/16, +Quikwit R5

Scarborough
4/16/16, Can You Fly R2; +Cruize Commander R5; +West River Tex R6

Yonkers
4/14/16, +Big Bambu R3
4/16/16, +BJs Guy R8

Ray Cotolo contributes to each edition