Wednesday Harness Preview for 2/5/2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

by Ted Black

While another round of winter storms is expected to target the Northeast on Wednesday, several harness tracks along the East Coast should be able to avoid the worst of the precipitation and conduct business as usual. Meaning we should be able to profitably bet and wager all night long!

At Dover Downs on Wednesday, where a sloppy track is likely amid the rains forecast for the Mid-Atlantic region just below the heavy snow line earmarked for New England, a host of races for trotters could prove both formful and profitable.

In the third, a non-winners of five races lifetime event, look for Only In My Dreams and Nidaros to complete the exacta. Last week Only In My Dreams delivered a game, first over effort and just missed by a nose as the 8-5 favorite, while Nidaros displayed plenty of late trot at 38-1 to finish third. Their prices will be considerably closer on Wednesday, but either Only In My Dreams could prevail at 2-1 or possibly Nidaros could reached the wire first at 15-1.

Several races later in the ninth, give Looking Hanover a genuine chance at redemption in his second start of the campaign. The durable, aged gelding is not only a millionaire with tons of back class that includes wins at the Open level at Dover and Yonkers, Looking Hanover drops into the non-winners of $12,000 last six starts class following a seasonal debut in which he was locked in and shuffled out of contention in the last half mile as the second choice against tougher.

Speaking of the Open, which comes up in the next race, the third time in this class this year should be the charm for Modern Family. In each of his first two starts this year, Modern Family has finished third and second, respectively, behind the speedy and talented Traverse Seelster. But with that one idle this week, Modern Family should finally prevail in this compact group, albeit as the 4-5 favorite.

Nevertheless, the Open still offers plenty of value. Even if Modern Family scores as expected as the odds-on choice, an overlooked sort like I'm So Striking could complete a generous exacta. Listed as 8-1 on the morning line, the Eddie Dennis-trained and driven trotter has enough speed to sit a pocket trip behind Awsome Valley and he should be able to get to the passing lane and complete the exacta when Modern Family overtakes the leader in the lane.

Then in the 11th, the winners over $12,000 last six class for trotters, take a swing at Cadillac Cruiser, who will likely get overlooked in this group. Last week he raced third over from seventh and rallied to finish second into a good back half. With an honest tempo to chase on Wednesday evening, Cadillac Cruiser to use his late kick to be a major player at a price likely to drift higher than his 12-1 morning line.

That same evening at Pompano Park, where much milder temperatures will prevent any sort of wintry precipitation, a pair of trotters could pace the way to a profitable evening.

In the fourth, give Er Mr T a chance to atone for last week's defeat as the 6-5 favorite although he will start from post 10 this evening. Last week he displayed plenty of early speed before getting shuffled out of contention and then rallying belatedly to finish second. Granted the second tier is not always ideal for working out a trip, but Er Mr T could emerge at 5-1 this evening.

Then several races later in the seventh, take another shot on Photo King. Last week he broke stride before the start and trailed early, then rallied wide while overcoming dull cover to finish third as the 6-5 favorite. Photo King will have to move up slightly in class this evening, but if he can stay flat and work out any sort of trip he could prevail at 6-1 or higher.