Pulsating Power Plays; Features Stacked For Win & Exotic Value

Carving the calendar into harness racing sections, the TwinSpires Harness Blog selected features completes its February slice of action. The final February weekend holds a bucket of bets all over the North American landscape, including with our never-ending TwinSpires’ horses-to-watch list (H2W), with suggestions enhancing exotic combinations and fair win, place and show finishes.
 
POWER PLAYS

Yonkers / Races 1, 2, 3, 4
Thursday, / Feb. 25

The $1 Pick 4 starts our weekend campaign on the New York half mile. Remember, all of our suggested contenders qualify for multi- and the single-race exotics, as well as win, place and show wagers.

Race 1
Two weeks back, Ladybeluckytonite was 5-2 among the top three public choices and raced well in the bulk of the field at this level. She was too comfortable on the inside, following the leader and was left with speed to spare as real estate lessened. Trainer Gilbert Garcia-Herrera has been claiming stock and sending out aggressive ones like this mare, who should travel easier in this, her third race of 2021.

Keen Olivia, leaving from post 7, will take advantage of the early speed, hanging loose early until she measures the tired ones at three-quarters and charges. .

Race 2
Kandy Sweet fooled everyone recently, shooting to the front from post 8 and leading the field home to prove, again, post 8 is only as dangerous as a horse is weak. She will be aggressive again launching from post 5, arguably the most profitable post on this side of the river.

Hunting AS has been hunted by us this season and so far, Jenny Melander’s trotter has been on the board all four times racing. Look In My Eyes completes a triad of tough competitors.

Race 3
Coming from the H2W list, J Rockin B raced evenly to finish fourth at 5-1. She is another Herrera-trained presentation doing well and is the second-highest earner in this group. A note for the top prize—watch for also-eligible All About Amy from the also-eligible list. She is a danger if she draws in, coming off a good race at this level.

Race 4
Sneaking in from Monticello, Nick Devita’s All About Madi could perk up the Pick-4 price here as her third 2021 race offers a purse near twice as her recent outing at another N.Y. half miler. Trainer Devita has a knack for sending out well-placed competitors that play on the betting public’s general rules of wagering. That is, a Monticello shipper will be far over its head in class. A good percentage of Devita winners disprove the tired handicapping rule.

Certainly, Franschoek and Amanderosa should be respected, though they will not offer the cash nor the Pick-3 value of the aforementioned.

POWER PLAYS

Freehold / Race 7
Friday / Feb. 26

Let’s look at the single-race exotics in this trot, since there should be a concentration on Keystone Orion to win. Julie Miller’s trotter has been a darling at Freehold and in this will be embraced by bettors again—an exotic must. But Big Smoove can beat her today or certainly upset her first-place chances. William Hernandez’s trotter is on a good path to victory and should top some big exotic prices if he beats Julie’s jewel.

For a trifecta and super partner, What Chapter would also help to expand payoffs. Bill MacKenzie’s barn has been sending a good number of horses cashing checks this season.

POWER PLAYS

Yonkers / Race 3
Friday / Feb. 26

For two consecutive races, In The Huddle has hustled to get to the front off the gate only to be hanged tough on the outside. With nowhere to go, Amanda Kelley’s pacer put on the brakes before the stretch, tired of overland journeys. In this race, In The Huddle can leave quick and have plenty left to wipe out this bunch at a price worthy of a win bet and as a key for single-race exotics.

Pumping up a price in those combos can be Control Tower, who will not be minding post 8, even if he has to come on late. Certainly, Zoeez Boy Henry could be in the triple mix.


FEATURES~FEATURES~FEATURES

Pocono / Race 12
Saturday / Feb. 27

Last week we backed Shane Adam in the Pocono opener. Rob Burke’s pacer finished third at 3-1 riding the inside all the way. Before that he raced four times and finished second twice. Shane Adam is a bet-back, and may still pay well against his obvious foes—Captain Nash and A Real Miracle..

FEATURES~FEATURES~FEATURES

Northfield / Race 8
Saturday / Feb. 27

In her first race of 2021, Mrs Major Hill was dull but it was a race she needed. It was at the Meadows in a slightly higher class. Tonight, trainer Scott Betts ships her to Ohio and drops her conditions. The field is not so tough that Betts, who sends out some top-priced winners going from state to state, must be making the change here for good reason.

Mad Maude was third making two moves at this level at Northfield last week, going off at 18-1. She’ll make for a fine exacta partner either way with the “Mrs.”

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.

Buffalo
2/27/21, +Bugatti R1; Percys Z Tam R6; +Rebel Voyager R8; +Way To Go Fabieo R9;+Love The Dragon R11

Cal-Expo
2/27/21, +Mystery Dragon R1; +Arnies Army R7
2/28/21, +Souldust R2; +Gordy Again R7; +Selma Obrien R9

Freehold
2/26/21, +Justa Camilion R4
2/27/21, Time Out Im Tired R8; Alberto Contador N R9

Meadowlands
2/26/21, So So De Vie R5; Hes Gratis R13
2/27/21, +Actor Hanover R7; Palomar R8; Get Legs R9; +Starznheaven R13; Thatswhatisaid N R13

Meadows
2/26/21, Durhamville R12

Miami
2/26/21, Major Nemesis R5; Checks On The Way R10
2/27/21, Word Out R2; +Crimson And Chrome R12

Monticello
2/25/21, +Zampara R10

Northfield
2/27/21, Full Of Sharks R5; +Vibrent Kally R9

Pocono
2/27/21, +Revelry R10
2/28/21, Abby Rose R3
3/1/21, Meadowbranch Ricky R1

Saratoga
3/1/21, Credit List R3

WoMo
2/25/21, +Quan Blue Chip R10
 
Yonkers
2/25/21, Feelin Red Hot R8; +Balfast N R10