Tuesday harness preview
While the early and midweek cards at most standardbred tracks often leave little to the imagination, the Tuesday programs at Rosecroft Raceway in Maryland have gradually become more and more contentious. This evening's 12-race card is certainly no different as roughly 100 trotters and pacers will go postward in the dozen events.
In the opening race on the card, a non-winners of $5000 last five start class for pacing fillies and mares, look for Rocket Rosy (Frank Milby) to rebound from her parked-the-mile journey last week in the tougher half of the split condition. A six-year-old Cam's Rocket mare owned and trained by Brian Callahan, Rocket Rosy should be able to dictate the tempo from the outset in this evening's opener, while Friendsnheartbeat (Sean Bier) may have to do the chasing after parking her rival last week.
Two races later in a non-winners of $4000 last five class for trotters, give Fiorenza a solid chance to prevail after four decent efforts in the Open 2 class. Trained and driven by Cory Mumford, Fiorenza gets some serious class relief this evening while dropping out of the Open and the four-year-old Glidemaster mare gets the nod here over Third Mortgage who has been first and second in two tries in this class.
Several races later in the sixth, the $10,000 Open 2 Handicap Trot, any number of horses could prevail. Mandabra (Frank Milby) was the beaten favorite in this event last week despite missing a week following his 1:54 all-age track record score on Sep. 23. House On Fire (Jonathan Roberts) has won twice in three tries in the top class and was giant last week prevailing in 1:55 over an off track despite making two moves. Harrington invader Credit Blues (Roger Plante, Jr.) merits respect from post nine in the second tier.
Then two races later in the eighth, the featured $13,000 Open 1 for pacers, a handful of talented pacers could prevail in this wide-open affair. Toms Titan (Roberts) draws the rail and is seeking to improve on two modest tries at this level. Game Day (Corey Braden) steps up off a second-place finish in the Open 2 last week. Jeremes General was giant two starts back then was second in the Open 2 before scratching last week. Fancy Colt (Tony Morgan) moves up off a third-place effort in the Open 2, while Hi Sir rejoins the top class after winning the Open 2 last week in 1:52.1 despite racing third over into a solid back half.
But most of the attention in the feature will go to Shady Breeze (Morgan) who has finished first, second and third in three attempts in the top class for owner-trainer Judy Welty. A five-year-old Nuclear Breeze ridgling out of a Shady Character mare, Shady Breeze has chased Beavercreek Artist in each of the last two Opens, including the meet's fastest clocking of 1:49.4 two starts back. He could potentially earn the favorite's role this evening despite starting from post eight on the far outside.
Then one race later in the ninth, the Open 2 Handicap for pacers, a quartet of pacers merit consideration in this event. Shaker Rei (John Gazzerro) rallied second over to win a conditioned event for pacing mares last week and gets post two in a rare try against older males. Lyons Meandragon (Plante) posted a 36-1 shocker at this level two starts back and rejoins this group after an eighth-place finish in the top class last week. Upbyfive (Jared Moyer) makes the leap to Open company after two straight wins against conditioned foes, while Caviart Tyler (Jonathan Roberts) rejoins the Open ranks after thumping conditioned foes last week in 1:52.1.
Then one race later in the ninth, a non-winners of $5000 last five starts class for pacers, at least a handful of horses have to be considered. Beginner's Luck was a solid second behind Caviart Tyler in this class last week. Native Lightning dead-heated with Upbyfive in the slower half of this condition split, while Quik Magic makes his local debut after several starts against tougher at Harrah's Philadelphia for trainer Brian Callahan.
But four horses that did not draw well also loom serious contenders. Talbot Redneck (Kim Vincent) won his last start against lesser, but has been good in each of his last two outings. Osceola Gold was the beaten favorite against Caviart Tyler last week and typically does his best racing from well off the pace and does not mind racing first over. Varsity Hanover has finished fourth in each of his last two starts after winning a lesser class three starts back, while Booze Cruzin (Moyer) returns to a level where he won easily four starts back, but gets post nine in the second tier after three tries against Open rivals.
Those who stick around for the late daily double will want to use Bonnie Ben Jammin (Moyer), Mcace Of Arts (Roberts) and O'What A Stunner (Milby) in the 11th, a non-winners of $5000 last five starts class for pacing fillies and mares, with Dalhousie Dave (Milby) in the finale, a non-winners of $5000 last five starts for older male pacers. Dalhousie Dave has been well-backed in all four starts at this class during the meet and should finally find the winner's circle in Tuesday's nightcap.
In the opening race on the card, a non-winners of $5000 last five start class for pacing fillies and mares, look for Rocket Rosy (Frank Milby) to rebound from her parked-the-mile journey last week in the tougher half of the split condition. A six-year-old Cam's Rocket mare owned and trained by Brian Callahan, Rocket Rosy should be able to dictate the tempo from the outset in this evening's opener, while Friendsnheartbeat (Sean Bier) may have to do the chasing after parking her rival last week.
Two races later in a non-winners of $4000 last five class for trotters, give Fiorenza a solid chance to prevail after four decent efforts in the Open 2 class. Trained and driven by Cory Mumford, Fiorenza gets some serious class relief this evening while dropping out of the Open and the four-year-old Glidemaster mare gets the nod here over Third Mortgage who has been first and second in two tries in this class.
Several races later in the sixth, the $10,000 Open 2 Handicap Trot, any number of horses could prevail. Mandabra (Frank Milby) was the beaten favorite in this event last week despite missing a week following his 1:54 all-age track record score on Sep. 23. House On Fire (Jonathan Roberts) has won twice in three tries in the top class and was giant last week prevailing in 1:55 over an off track despite making two moves. Harrington invader Credit Blues (Roger Plante, Jr.) merits respect from post nine in the second tier.
Then two races later in the eighth, the featured $13,000 Open 1 for pacers, a handful of talented pacers could prevail in this wide-open affair. Toms Titan (Roberts) draws the rail and is seeking to improve on two modest tries at this level. Game Day (Corey Braden) steps up off a second-place finish in the Open 2 last week. Jeremes General was giant two starts back then was second in the Open 2 before scratching last week. Fancy Colt (Tony Morgan) moves up off a third-place effort in the Open 2, while Hi Sir rejoins the top class after winning the Open 2 last week in 1:52.1 despite racing third over into a solid back half.
But most of the attention in the feature will go to Shady Breeze (Morgan) who has finished first, second and third in three attempts in the top class for owner-trainer Judy Welty. A five-year-old Nuclear Breeze ridgling out of a Shady Character mare, Shady Breeze has chased Beavercreek Artist in each of the last two Opens, including the meet's fastest clocking of 1:49.4 two starts back. He could potentially earn the favorite's role this evening despite starting from post eight on the far outside.
Then one race later in the ninth, the Open 2 Handicap for pacers, a quartet of pacers merit consideration in this event. Shaker Rei (John Gazzerro) rallied second over to win a conditioned event for pacing mares last week and gets post two in a rare try against older males. Lyons Meandragon (Plante) posted a 36-1 shocker at this level two starts back and rejoins this group after an eighth-place finish in the top class last week. Upbyfive (Jared Moyer) makes the leap to Open company after two straight wins against conditioned foes, while Caviart Tyler (Jonathan Roberts) rejoins the Open ranks after thumping conditioned foes last week in 1:52.1.
Then one race later in the ninth, a non-winners of $5000 last five starts class for pacers, at least a handful of horses have to be considered. Beginner's Luck was a solid second behind Caviart Tyler in this class last week. Native Lightning dead-heated with Upbyfive in the slower half of this condition split, while Quik Magic makes his local debut after several starts against tougher at Harrah's Philadelphia for trainer Brian Callahan.
But four horses that did not draw well also loom serious contenders. Talbot Redneck (Kim Vincent) won his last start against lesser, but has been good in each of his last two outings. Osceola Gold was the beaten favorite against Caviart Tyler last week and typically does his best racing from well off the pace and does not mind racing first over. Varsity Hanover has finished fourth in each of his last two starts after winning a lesser class three starts back, while Booze Cruzin (Moyer) returns to a level where he won easily four starts back, but gets post nine in the second tier after three tries against Open rivals.
Those who stick around for the late daily double will want to use Bonnie Ben Jammin (Moyer), Mcace Of Arts (Roberts) and O'What A Stunner (Milby) in the 11th, a non-winners of $5000 last five starts class for pacing fillies and mares, with Dalhousie Dave (Milby) in the finale, a non-winners of $5000 last five starts for older male pacers. Dalhousie Dave has been well-backed in all four starts at this class during the meet and should finally find the winner's circle in Tuesday's nightcap.
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