Thursday Harness Preview for 2/27/2014

With yet another arctic vortex - perhaps the future name for some standardbred, thoroughbred, quarter horse and greyhound - scheduled to make its presence felt this weekend throughout the Mid-Atlantic region, racing fans at several harness tracks will appreciate the mild temps on Thursday.

At Dover Downs, the modest climate and high quality of racing will likely keep onlookers in good spirits, as will cashing a few nice tickets.

In the third race, a non-winners of five races or $25,000 lifetime condition, look for Moustache Hanover to prevail as the tepid favorite. Last week he was a solid second to 1-20 Spinfiniti in this class and looks ready to make another visit to the winner's circle on Thursday.

One race later on the card in a non-winners of four races lifetime class, expect Ballinrobe to finally shed his bridesmaid status. Last week he was used hard to make the top from post seven, yieled to a foe and sat a loose pocket throughout and settled for second, a common theme this year. But Ballinrobe draws inside on Thursday and should not have to exert much energy early.

Several races later in the seventh, a non-winners of five races lifetime class, look for big efforts from both Sea Harrier and Shark On Board. Last week Sea Harrier battled first over and finished second as the 4-5 choice in one split, while Shark On Board raced third over into a wicked 55.3 back half to finish third in the other split. The early tempo on Thursday should enable both to close well late, perhaps completing the exacta.

Three races later in the $27,500 Delaware Special, give Mustang Art a chance at redemption. Last week in the feature he rolled by the half in 54.1 and still lasted for third as Feel Like A Fool rallied second over late to prevail. Mustang Art should get a breather to the half this evening and keep closers like Nova Artist and last week's winner at bay.

Then one race later in the 11th, a winners over $12,000 class, take a swing at Cams Art. A former Open and Delaware Special champ who went off form last year, Cams Art is clearly heading in the right direction following a very sharp tally two Sundays ago against non-winners of $9001 last six company. Cams Art is listed at 12-1 on the morning line and worth a play, especially since Charger, who was second to him on 2/16, came right back to win on Sunday.

At The Meadowlands on Thursday, two horses, one pacer and one trotter, look like solid plays.

In the seventh, a C-2 class for pacers, give the nod to I Wanna Go Fast, who was parked a long way last week and still finished second against this group. I Wanna Go Fast has enough speed to make the front and with a soft tempo or a pocket trip he will have plenty left in reserve to prevail.

One race later in a C-2 class for trotters, give Mr Fenwick a chance to score at a modest price. Last week he set honest fractions early before being caught late, but like I Wanna Go Fast in the race before he should be able to get a breather at some point and then edge away from his rivals late.

At Yonkers on Thursday one pacing filly looks like a play. New York Kitty, who finished a solid second as the 7-4 second choice in a split $12,500 claiming affair for filly-mare pacers last week, leaves from post four in the third race and should be able to dictate her own terms in that event and keep all of her rivals at bay through the lane for her second score of the campaign.