Winter Harness Action Abounds During Season’s Stretch Drive

The holiday week finds many tracks on hiatus until the day after Christmas or finished with their meetings until 2016. During days and nights of harness action, even though they are few, we bring you the best of wagering possibilities on various available programs.

From Canada, we bring you our brand of outside contenders on Boxing Day, Saturday, Dec. 26 and Sunday, Dec. 27’s Win Four races at Flamboro. In America we have action at the Meadowlands and races all the way to Monday, Dec. 28 at Dover Downs.

Our popular H2W (horses-to-watch list) follows any and all horses from our personal files. Because of the holiday weekend, however, some tracks have closed for the year. Extended H2W coverage will continue in 2016.

Watch for our TwinsSpires Players Horse of the Year and 2015 Review blog, which will be posted separate from next week’s main blog. The special blog is set to be on line just before midnight, Eastern Time, Dec. 31. Along with the Players Horse of the Year we will list all of the blog’s winners from the past season that paid 4-1 or higher, as presented by us as features and in the H2W.

F E A T U R E S ~ F E A T U R E S ~ F E A T U R E S

Charlottestown/Race 5
Saturday, Dec. 26

Really, was Leavitwithme’s most recent race bad for a 225-1 shot? No, it wasn’t, and considering that along with a break the race before, where he stepped down, how could be not be a contender here? As well, we must give a few chances to Honor Roll, whose first race at this level is magnificent to three-quarters as she worked very hard in her first visit to this level at 196-1.

Meadowlands/Race 10
Saturday, Dec. 26

In this conditioned pace, Cndiana Jones comes off a Meadowlands claiming event where she was 77-1 after winning in the same class the time before at Yonkers as the dead-on favorite. Perhaps it was post 10 that turned bettors off when she came to New Jersey or some other factor but she performed a bit better than 77-1, finishing fifth and including a healthy brush on the outside that put her on the purse grid. She should not be as punished in the wagering as may occur because she has every reason to be a major factor here. 

F E A T U R E S ~ F E A T U R E S ~ F E A T U R E S

Flamboro/Win Four/Races 4—6
Sunday, Dec. 27

In the first Win Four leg, Race 4, the usual class factors will determine the favorites. However, Meabhrach steps up a bit and should play a significant role in this mile. Though he did not win his recent race, he won a conditioned the week before that, which more than qualifies him to step up a notch. Both of his recent pair were great races from the 9 hole at Flamboro. Regal Flame should be one of the obvious foes and may be a decent price to add to a combo ticket.

Race 5, leg two, could be a windfall for Neversaidiwassweet. The morning-line fourth choice lost to the pair of probable favorites here in her last race, She doesn’t like to leave and grinds onto the purse grid late—a lot. From post 2, she may be gifted a good early spot and be sucked along so she can use her closing power as a late brush that wins it. Be wary about Casimir Lucky Lady. Though she leaves from post 9 she steps up for twice the price of her recent win and could be in the mix at the finish line, if she doesn’t force a duel that further assists Neversaidiwassweet,

In leg three (Race 6), Lyndale Delite comes from the race won by Casimir Lucky Lady and stays in that class, which she dropped into three races back. She was worth twice the tag at Western Fair but seemed lazy at the level here. Considering that the competition around her, including a big dropper with little form and some lonely foes of this level, Lyndale Delite needs serious consideration at a price that will probably be very generous.

The last leg (Race 7) is the kind of puzzle that may not be so difficult and, still, the public could be soft on Maritime Girl due to morning-line figures. Her recent win was very strong at this level, from this post, with this driver, etcetera. She could be just as good here, if not better, and still be a third or fourth choice.

F E A T U R E S ~ F E A T U R E S ~ F E A T U R E S

Dover/Race 2
Monday, Dec. 28

Why would Suchasenseofhumor be such a strong favorite in the program at 7-5? Even the second choice, Fighttothefinish (5-2) isn’t glowing with prospect. Certainly they are worth betting against here, as two other contenders deserve attention and will offer more in the pools. Probable third choice Jiggle It had a tough middle mile last week, coming off of losing as the favorite at Dover from Yonkers, where he raced with better and failed at huge odds. Gonna Maken Pay could steal the whole show if the pace is fast. If he doesn’t tumble the top three with a win, he may pump up exotic prices in some position.

Dover/Race 4
Monday, Dec. 28

B’s Weddie returns after a “sick” scratch on Dec. 14, which followed a tough trip from the 8 hole the week before where he made up ground but finished off the purse grid. But from the time he won in early November, the four-year-old gelding has been strongly competitive, collecting checks with win-threatening moves. He is apt to be ignored here, as the public leans toward a few others that seem to be in better shape. However, they don’t bring much more to the table than B’s Weddie in class or performance.

H2W Legend

Review our choices and follow the wagering at the prescribed track. These are possible contenders we have judged from reviewing races. The horses’ names are listed beneath the name of the track after the date they will be racing. The race in which they are entered (R and race number) follows. If a + is in front of a horse’s name it means it is appearing on the list for the second (and last) time because it failed to win the first time it appeared. An “ae” signals the horse is entered on the also-eligible list. If a horse is listed twice, refer to the entries on the night of the race since a horse may enter in more than one race. Types of wagering on any of the H2W listed horses are based on your judgment. If you have any questions, email us at TwinSpires.

H2W LIST

Cal Expo
12/26/15, +Mr Solongbyebye R12
12/27/15, +Moon Is On Fire R5

Charlottestown
12/26/15, +Gracious Minnie R1; +Million Teen R6; +Richlyn Yogi R6

Dayton
12/28/15 My Mister E R8; +Say It Again Sam R14

Dover
12/28/15 JK Hall R3; Mister Truth R5

Flamboro
12/26/15, Tricky Girl R4; Shellyssilvermoon R9
12/27/15, Squeeze This R2; Honi Maker R9; Lancaster Park R11

Fraser
12/26/15, +Kooenany Mystic R7
12/27/15, +Buddy Wesier R3

Meadowlands
12/26/15, +Pancakes R12

Northfield
12/26/15, +Ha Jung R2; +Fly To The Angels R13

Pompano
12/26/15, Smithers R3; +Whichwayrightrleft R5
12/27/15, +Zoraze R1

Woodbine
12/26/15, +Kadabrasnewrecruit R6
 

Ray Cotolo contributes to each edition