Thursday Harness Preview for 7/3/2014
by Ted Black
A pair of half-mile ovals will offer solid cards on Thursday evening, with Harrington Raceway in Delaware presenting its last live card of the spring meet while Yonkers Raceway in New York remains in midseason form.
Thursday's second race at Harrington is actually a competitive group of trotters that have not won two races or $10,001 lifetime. Such events are usually wildly unpredictable, but two of the trotters appear logical and another pair could vie for the last spot in the trifecta.
Holiday Spirit (Art Stafford, Jr.) was the beaten favorite in this group on June 22 while first over down the backside and settling for second. The sophomore son of Chocolatier should rebound for trainer Nick Callahan. Credit Queen (Victor Kirby) was a solid fourth in this class after setting the fractions and will be tough to beat if she can get a breather before the half.
Looking to complete the trifecta are a pair of trotters still in quest of their first win on the season. Made To Trot (George Dennis) broke early as the 3-1 second choice in this class on June 22 and could rebound at a nice price for trainer James Atkinson. Haberdashery (Allan Davis) was a good second while attempting to overcome the eight hole in his most recent start on June 8 and draws outside again but could get a piece.
One race later in a maiden event for two-year-old colt pacers, six of the seven freshmen in this group are making their career debuts, while Postmaster (Bret Brittingham) makes his career debut for owner-breeder-trainer William "Doc" Moffett. He may have the experience edge, but a trio of first-timers look to have more ability.
Quick Art (Jim Morand) draws the rail after a pair of good qualifiers at Harrah's Philadelphia, both with trainer Les Givens in the bike. The move to Morand indicates this is the ideal spot to score at first asking. Total Knockout (Montrell Teague) was a good third despite having the eight hole in a June 17 qualfiier, while Take A Cruze (Stafford) won a local qualifier in 1:59.2.
One race later a pair of two-year-old pacing fillies make their respective career debuts in a non-winners of one race affair for four-year-olds and under. Totally Rusty (Dennis) won two of three qualifiers at Harrah's Philadelphia and should be able to overcome post six and five older rivals in her career debut for trainer Doug Lewis. Planet Ocean (Morand) was fifth and third in two qualifiers at Harrah's for Givens.
Several races later in the eighth, a non-winners of three races or $15,000 lifetime class for male pacers, Pronology Z Tam (Teague) and Champion's Club (Kirby) both draw favorably after both were hampered by slow early fractions in this class one week ago. Pronology Z Tam draws the rail and should be an ideal spot throughout while Champion's Club will be on the move early after winning this class two starts back in 1:55.1.
At Yonkers Raceway that evening perhaps the best play of the night occurs in the 11th, a non-winners of $12,000 last six starts for pacing fillies and mares, While Caviart Cara (Brian Sears) and I Do It Myself will draw the lion's share of backing, look for Ace Of Pace to rebound from three straight second-place efforts to notch her second win of the campaign. She was a sharp second over the track last week while none of her other foes raced anywhere.
A pair of half-mile ovals will offer solid cards on Thursday evening, with Harrington Raceway in Delaware presenting its last live card of the spring meet while Yonkers Raceway in New York remains in midseason form.
Thursday's second race at Harrington is actually a competitive group of trotters that have not won two races or $10,001 lifetime. Such events are usually wildly unpredictable, but two of the trotters appear logical and another pair could vie for the last spot in the trifecta.
Holiday Spirit (Art Stafford, Jr.) was the beaten favorite in this group on June 22 while first over down the backside and settling for second. The sophomore son of Chocolatier should rebound for trainer Nick Callahan. Credit Queen (Victor Kirby) was a solid fourth in this class after setting the fractions and will be tough to beat if she can get a breather before the half.
Looking to complete the trifecta are a pair of trotters still in quest of their first win on the season. Made To Trot (George Dennis) broke early as the 3-1 second choice in this class on June 22 and could rebound at a nice price for trainer James Atkinson. Haberdashery (Allan Davis) was a good second while attempting to overcome the eight hole in his most recent start on June 8 and draws outside again but could get a piece.
One race later in a maiden event for two-year-old colt pacers, six of the seven freshmen in this group are making their career debuts, while Postmaster (Bret Brittingham) makes his career debut for owner-breeder-trainer William "Doc" Moffett. He may have the experience edge, but a trio of first-timers look to have more ability.
Quick Art (Jim Morand) draws the rail after a pair of good qualifiers at Harrah's Philadelphia, both with trainer Les Givens in the bike. The move to Morand indicates this is the ideal spot to score at first asking. Total Knockout (Montrell Teague) was a good third despite having the eight hole in a June 17 qualfiier, while Take A Cruze (Stafford) won a local qualifier in 1:59.2.
One race later a pair of two-year-old pacing fillies make their respective career debuts in a non-winners of one race affair for four-year-olds and under. Totally Rusty (Dennis) won two of three qualifiers at Harrah's Philadelphia and should be able to overcome post six and five older rivals in her career debut for trainer Doug Lewis. Planet Ocean (Morand) was fifth and third in two qualifiers at Harrah's for Givens.
Several races later in the eighth, a non-winners of three races or $15,000 lifetime class for male pacers, Pronology Z Tam (Teague) and Champion's Club (Kirby) both draw favorably after both were hampered by slow early fractions in this class one week ago. Pronology Z Tam draws the rail and should be an ideal spot throughout while Champion's Club will be on the move early after winning this class two starts back in 1:55.1.
At Yonkers Raceway that evening perhaps the best play of the night occurs in the 11th, a non-winners of $12,000 last six starts for pacing fillies and mares, While Caviart Cara (Brian Sears) and I Do It Myself will draw the lion's share of backing, look for Ace Of Pace to rebound from three straight second-place efforts to notch her second win of the campaign. She was a sharp second over the track last week while none of her other foes raced anywhere.
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