Tuesday Harness Preview for 3/18/2014

While racing cards at most harness tracks on Tuesday evenings often leave little to the imagination, the standardbred programs at Rosecroft Raceway in Maryland and Yonkers Raceway in New York actually have plenty to offer this evening.

Yonkers will offer five divisions of the Sagamore Hill series for three- and four-year-old colt & gelding pacers, while Rosecroft will host a pair of Open events for pacers, one each for the older boys and the distaffers. At each track, there is hopefully chances for finding some value plays.

In the opening race at Yonkers, the first first division of the second leg of the Sagamore Hill, look for Montero Blue Chip to post a mild upset. Last week he was a sharp second behind 3-5 winner Artist Night and tonight draws in against opening leg winner Sir Michigan Z Tam who also drew the rail and will likely be odds-on. Montero Blue Chip gave one of the better runner-up efforts on the card and should get the job done this week at a nice price.

Several races later in the fourth, take a swing at Keystone Real Deal, who was fourth in the opening leg last week. Keystone Real Deal raced much better than it looked on paper, basically having no chance against Rocks N Bonds who strolled by the half in 59.1 and sprinted home in 1:55.1. Keystone Real Deal has yet to win a race from eight starts this year, but that drought could end this evening at 15-1 or better.

Then in the very next race, clearly the deepest Sagamore split on the card, give Wheelaway a chance to post an upset in a division that features opening round winners A Stitch In Time, K-lees Shakenbake and Ashley's Husband. Wheelaway delivered a sharp, first over effort last week and basically carried I Dreamed A Dream to the wire before being nailed by that one. Wheelaway will be a generous price and K-lees Shakenbake will complete the exacta.

That same evening at Rosecroft Raceway, the opening race on the card deserves top billing. In the Open for aged pacers, look for Caviart Tyler to maintain his winning ways and fondess for the oval, but I Wanna Go Fast deserves a look. Dalhousie Dave joins the fray after winning the slower half of the split non-winners of $6001 last five class that Caviart Tyler captured. All three are quality pacers and should make for some interesting battles during the Rosecroft spring meet.

Then much later on the card in the ninth, a non-winners of $3000 last five starts class for older males, take a swing at Desmet despite drawing the eight hole. Last week he rallied from well off the pace to finish second in the faster of this same split condition. This evening he should be able to work out a better trip and his effort should result with a visit to the winner's circle.