Wednesday Harness Preview for 2/19/2014
by Ted Black
At two five-eighths mile harness tracks along the East Coast but over 1000 miles apart, it seems as though the emphasis each Wednesday is usually on the trotters. With that being the case again this week, most of the plays, but not entirely all of them, evolve around the trotting events.
Ironically, the first early play of the Wednesday evening card at Dover is a pacer in the third race. Last week Shark Alert was used early and then later first over and finished a game second in a non-winners of two event. This evening he should be able to control the tempo before the half and notch his first victory in five starts this year.
Several races later on the card in the seventh, a conditioned event for pacing fillies and mares, also give Frightening Cold a chance to attain her first win of the campaign at a decent price. Last week in this class she showed plenty of early speed, was pressed by the choice by the half and three-quarters, shook off that one and lasted for the show spot at 13-1. She could lead throughout this evening for her first win in five tries.
Then in the next race on the card, look for Baximum to finally garner his first victory of the season in the winners over class for trotters. Baximum has spent much of the last two months in the top trot and finally displayed some late kick between rivals last week in this class. He drew outside this evening, but Baximum has enough of a late kick and plenty of back class to overcome both and prevail.
Then several races later in the 12th, a lifetime earnings class for trotters, keep close tabs on both Striking Wave and Pounce Hanover. Last week Striking Wave overcame an early break and a first over trip to prevail, while Pounce Hanover faded to fourth against similar following a first over trip. He had also missed the week before and might have been short. Both are promising trotters on the circuit and could someday meet in the Open Handicap.
That same evening at Pompano Park a trio of trotters look like solid plays. In the second, a non-winners of $6001 last five class, look for My Revenuer to prevail. He has delivered several good efforts lately despite tough trips and should be able to work out a decent trip this evening before moving back into the Open event.
One race later in the third, give Naughty Not Nice another chance in this non-winners of $3401 last five condition. Although winless in four starts this year, Naughty But Nice has been very unlucky in three of those outings and still has a pair of second-place finishes to show for it. This week looks like the ideal time for that first tally of the campaign.
Then several races later in the ninth, the featured Open trot, take another chance on Dutchess Seelster pulling off the upset. Although the race features last week's winner, Andover America, and the previous winner, Pure Barre, Dutchess Seelster should be able to work out a decent trip from her inside draw and that may be enough to overtake the two prior Open winners in the lane.
At two five-eighths mile harness tracks along the East Coast but over 1000 miles apart, it seems as though the emphasis each Wednesday is usually on the trotters. With that being the case again this week, most of the plays, but not entirely all of them, evolve around the trotting events.
Ironically, the first early play of the Wednesday evening card at Dover is a pacer in the third race. Last week Shark Alert was used early and then later first over and finished a game second in a non-winners of two event. This evening he should be able to control the tempo before the half and notch his first victory in five starts this year.
Several races later on the card in the seventh, a conditioned event for pacing fillies and mares, also give Frightening Cold a chance to attain her first win of the campaign at a decent price. Last week in this class she showed plenty of early speed, was pressed by the choice by the half and three-quarters, shook off that one and lasted for the show spot at 13-1. She could lead throughout this evening for her first win in five tries.
Then in the next race on the card, look for Baximum to finally garner his first victory of the season in the winners over class for trotters. Baximum has spent much of the last two months in the top trot and finally displayed some late kick between rivals last week in this class. He drew outside this evening, but Baximum has enough of a late kick and plenty of back class to overcome both and prevail.
Then several races later in the 12th, a lifetime earnings class for trotters, keep close tabs on both Striking Wave and Pounce Hanover. Last week Striking Wave overcame an early break and a first over trip to prevail, while Pounce Hanover faded to fourth against similar following a first over trip. He had also missed the week before and might have been short. Both are promising trotters on the circuit and could someday meet in the Open Handicap.
That same evening at Pompano Park a trio of trotters look like solid plays. In the second, a non-winners of $6001 last five class, look for My Revenuer to prevail. He has delivered several good efforts lately despite tough trips and should be able to work out a decent trip this evening before moving back into the Open event.
One race later in the third, give Naughty Not Nice another chance in this non-winners of $3401 last five condition. Although winless in four starts this year, Naughty But Nice has been very unlucky in three of those outings and still has a pair of second-place finishes to show for it. This week looks like the ideal time for that first tally of the campaign.
Then several races later in the ninth, the featured Open trot, take another chance on Dutchess Seelster pulling off the upset. Although the race features last week's winner, Andover America, and the previous winner, Pure Barre, Dutchess Seelster should be able to work out a decent trip from her inside draw and that may be enough to overtake the two prior Open winners in the lane.
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