Monday Harness Preview for 3/10/2014

One week after several standardbred tracks cancelled because of Winter Storm Titan, harness racing fans will have the chance to enjoy much warmer weather - at least temporarily - on Monday when they venture to several tracks.

Perhaps in an unwritten unison, Dover Downs, Pompano Park and Yonkers Raceway will all highlight filly-mare pacers on their respective Monday programs. There are potentially several plays at Dover and Yonkers, but the Pompano card might be best served for viewing and deciphering later.

In the fourth race at Dover this evening, give Bad Break a genuine chance to attain her first win in six starts of the campaign in this non-winners of three event for Delaware-owned filly-mare pacers. Second twice in her first five tries for trainer Eddie Davis, the local driving legend who won over 8,000 races in his career, Bad Break (Ron Pierce) looks poised to garner her first win of the season.

Three races later in the first half of the split, winners over $45,000 lifetime class for filly-mare pacers, look for Non Pareil (Montrell Teague) to garner her first of the season for trainer Gary Simpson. Non Pareil has been second three times and third twice in five winless tries this year, but all of her efforts have been good and that typically means a trip to the winner's circle is close at hand.

Two races later in the ninth, a non-winners of $9001 last six class for pacing fillies and mares, take a shot at Melissa's Fancy. A winner once in six starts this year for the brother tandem of trainer Eddie Dennis and catch-driver George Dennis, Melissa's Fancy is listed at 6-1 on the morning line and is worth a play at that price.

Then in the featured 10th, the winners over/Open handicap for filly-mare pacers, all eyes will be on Jk Letitgo as she seeks her fifth straight win to start the campaign. Granted, Jk Letitgo gets the acid test tonight against stalwart distaffers Jeremes Sweetheart, Paradise Lost and Alexachase, but the talented four-year-old filly is worth backing at 5-1 against this group.

Then in the 14th, the other half of the split, non-winners of $9001 last six class for pacing fillies and mares, give Mom's Toy (Tony Morgan) a chance at the upset. A durable aged mare owned, bred and trained by George "Ronnie" Leager, Mom's Toy is known to light up the board on occasion after rallying from well off the pace and she is capable of doing so again this evening.

At Yonkers Raceway on Monday the centerpiece is the five divisions of the opening leg of the Petticoat Series for three- and four-year-old filly pacers. Four of the divisions look to include a standout, but trips will certainly play a big factor in the results. Road Bet (4th), Hobe Sound (5th), Odds On Alpha (6th) and Macharoundtheclock (7th) should prevail at short prices this evening and look for them to meet in the final.

There are two plays later on the card. In the 10th, take Moveoutofmy Way from post two in the $30,000 claiming event. He was an unlucky third in this class last week. Then in the 11th, a $40,000 claiming event, look for Mystical Valentine to regain his winning ways for trainer-driver Jason Ryan. He was locked in behind a tiring foe at a crucial stage last week and should make amends this week.

The Monday Pompano Park card offers three Open events for filly-mare pacers, but all three all more watchable than playable. Perhaps after studying the trips, one or two mares will be worth a play next week.