Pari-Mutuel Marauders Versus The Meadowlands

It’s the final week of winter. Beginning March 20, the Yonkers stakes season starts hand in hand with spring, launching the George Morton Levy and Matchmaker series and new seasons at Hoosier, Pocono, Harrah’s Philly and Scarborough.

In the thaw, on a Friday the 13^th weekend, disarming superstition and attacking opportunities for profit, we take on a number of highlights at the Meadowlands as our wagering overtures for spring.

Plus, action at tracks around North America on our horses-to-watch (H2W) list, which is packed with across-the-board and exotic contenders that may offer more than the public cares to deliver. The H2W dates start with Thursday, March 12.

Our feature analysis’s include a Pick 3 and the leg one of the Shiaway St Pat Series at the Meadowland on March 13 and the “Gilmour” final and Clyde Hirt division legs on March 14.

Pick-3
March. 13, Meadowlands

The following horses are suggested additions to your Pick-3 combination. As well, judge their odds for win or across-the-board wagering.

Race 4

Older trotters look to pay the rent in this conditioner. From post 8 comes Worth The Money As, a New York-bred that has been on the Jersey mile since turning seven. Last week he picked up a minor check at a level up from tonight, weaving a strong path. Two back he was at this level and closed strongly at 14-1. The public should not be hanging on him in this affair so it is worth it to add him.

Race 5

Rock N Load went to Yonkers and did not get started until too late, which is difficult if you want to win on that half mile. The race before that she won her only race this year. She comes back to Jersey and up a notch for this and will not be a betting majority’s first choice, so add her with confidence.

Race 6

The last leg is another trot, this one an Open Handicap. Some familiar aged vets are here, including a second-timer from the H2W list, Modest Prince. We left him off the list below to offer him here, as he returns from a little rest and a monstrous qualifier. It remains to be seen if he is over his head here but the class situation only helps offer more on the Linda Toscano-trained gelding from a good line of trotters. Players focusing on drivers will notice Tim Tetrick aboard and that could bring the odds down a notch or two.

Shipping from Dover, Wind Of The North gets his third start of the year and seems to have been working into the realm of these types at Delaware to earn a spot against foes on the two-turned mile. He could be a good price for the Pick-3 combo and is worth the addition.

Trotters On The Trail

There are two $20,000 divisions of the first leg of the Shiaway St Pat Series. It’s a conditioned trot named for the first winner of a Hambletonian at the Meadowlands. Race two presents the first division.  

With only six in this field, Julie Miller’s Opulent Yankee will attract wads of money coming from a place finish in the “Singer” final. Even so, Razor Ramone’s trip from Dover should produce a major threat. His four-year-old season is perfect with five wins in Delaware at top-level competition.

The second division is Race 12 with a field of seven. The Singer winner, JL Cruze, gets the wood and should suck in more dollars than a Jersey E-Z Pass minute during rush hour. On the outside, post 7, Canadian invader Cash For Gold has every right to be a threat. Noel Daley’s four-year-old was lightly raced but productive at three and has matured enough for his connections to put him into this series. Add him.

The Hirt Locker

The first leg of the Clyde Hirt Series for older pacers is worth $20,000 as the series gets started on March 14. The names of Gingras and Burke will attract major action on Lord Of Misrule in division one but we like another Noel Daley horse, Caviart Luca. For a lot of the reasons the second “Pat” division gets our attention, Daley’s freshened gelding here appears to be in striking form. He certainly won’t be the favorite, though he may very well be in the top three. But that is all right because he has no excuse for not being in the mix here.

Buddy Memorial Final

William Buddy Gilmour was a mainstay of the tri-state area harness scene through its glory days and the March 14 final ($58,000), an early test of sophomore pacers, honors his memory.

Wiggle It Jiggle It has been the star of the series’ legs. The product of Mr Wiggles from a Jennas Beach Boy mare was raced only once at two and has won all of his five efforts so far at three. You can set your watch to his going off the prohibitive favorite. The Gingras-Burke team will also suck in dollars, this time with Coaster and the Chris Ryder entry of Natonal Seelster and Rodeo Romeo will be the public choices for mild upsets.

If we aim to beat “Wiggle,” we may be able to do it without the high-profile names on our side. Competitive in both legs of this series but bound to be overlooked among the aforementioned is Midnight Lightning. In round one of this series he was 12-1, impressing enough with an outside trip to make him 5-2 in round two, where he was taken late by Coaster. With a sharp trip he could deliver Wiggle his first loss. It would be no surprise to us and it could pay off well even if he is the fourth choice.

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

Buffalo
3/13/15, Stonebridge Saga R4; The Spartan R5; +Coletech R6
3/14/15, King Otra R4; Peenie R5; Milliondollardad R8

Cal Expo
3/15/15, +Hillcrest Romeo R4; I Love New York R4; +Dickies Motel R9; +No More Excuses R11

Dover
3/12/15, +Celtic Thunder ae R3 ae R15; +Contraband Hanover R13

Flamboro
3/12/15, All Chill No Fill R2; Barrys Shelby R8; Forrest Orade R10

Freehold
3/13/15, +Shiner Hanover R5
3/14/15, Whats The Story R2

Meadows
3/13/15, +Sparky Sir R2; +Thunder Chaser R3; +Prima Dragon R3; Cool Vicious R4; +Appropriate Attire R5

 
Miami
3/12/15, Oyster Bay R8
3/13/15, +Musical Prince R8
3/14/15, +Rossridge Handsome R2; +Aroka Millionaire R4

Monticello
3/12/15, +Lindy Truffles R2; Sweet Sounds R8; Game Jocko R10

Northfield
3/12/15, Infinite Desire R1; Hally R2; A Perfect Deo R4; Jvs Dream R6; Kayleighs Future R7; +Jettin Jamie R11; Countless Gold R13; +Kiss My Yankee R15   

Northville
3/13/15, +Royal Assassin R6
3/14/15, +Hemlock Tough Guy R1; Victorious Valle R2; Rainbow Gold R3; +Denver Deal R3; Hi Speed Sis R5; +Casets Lil Harry R8; Cjs Sweet Racer R12

Pompano
3/14/15, Flak Jacket R6; +Rajis Blue Line R7; Johnny Grippa R8

Rosecroft
3/14/15, Notnothingbutu R1; Klondike Mike R5; Lone Raider R9; Wild Dream R11; Change Your Luck R10

Saratoga
3/13/15, The Filly Princess R2

Western Fair
3/13/15, Incredible Frank R2; +Shape Up R3; Twin B Inspiring R4; +Crime Novel R8

Yonkers
3/12/15, +Hoosier Chatter R10
3/13/15, Babes I Scoot R1; Coffee Addict R8
3/14/15, +Espen De Vie R1; Our Cullenscrown R1; +Kiwi Ideal R4
3/15/15, Wholly Louy R9


Ray Cotolo contributes to each edition.