Yonkers Hosts International Trot; State And Province-Bred Stakes Parades In Maine, Ontario, Indiana, Ohio

It’s state-bred mania this week, while many stakes campaigners take a breather before possible schedules include the Breeders Crown. We will take readers on a full tour of a heavy Saturday, Oct. 15, with stops in four states and one province. That night also features a $1-million race with global entries—the International Trot at Yonkers Raceway.

The Breeders Crown Countdown covers soph-colt-and-filly trotters as the Grand Circuit makes an afternoon stop at Philadelphia on Friday, Oct 14.

Intact again, you get the TwinSpires horses-to-watch list (H2W) highlighting outside contenders for all types of wagers. Remember: No other handicappers cover this much activity and few can brag as much about profiting from choices. You won’t find our best winners on any on-line or hard copy sources. Take these horses seriously when constructing your wagers.

WORLD-CLASS TROTTERS

The $1-million Yonkers International Trot will feature representatives from some countries where trotting is a major attraction. The trip over the Atlantic included older square-steppers unknown, for the most part, to North American bettors. Some we know well.

From the U.S. are Resolve and Obrigado (he scratched in, not out) and Hannelore Hanover. We are also well acquainted with Canada’s Flanagan’s Memory.

Three Europeans return from the 2015 event—BBS Sugarlight (Norway), Oasis B (Italy) and On Track Piraten (Sweden). And Finland’s addition is Jonsey; Sweden’s other competitor is Explosive de Vie; and Denmark’s rep is Tano Bork.

It is the feature on a Saturday afternoon program from the New York oval. Two $250,000 Invitational events (for older trotters and pacers, co-star on the card.

Six of the drivers have crossed the ocean to handle their steeds, which means this will not look like a typical North America harness race. The different style of driving overseas is added to the field having two trailers—Tano Bork and Explosive de Vie start from the second tier, posts 9 and 11.

Resolve has been made the morning-line (ML) favorite and Hannelore Hanover (the mare) is the second choice. Though you may expect either of them to attempt a coup, taking control from the start and leading the chase, you are bound to be disappointed, since aggression is the name of the harness-driving game when it comes to how the visiting drivers will behave. Even on a half-mile track the 10 foes may disregard saving ground and go for the throats in tiers. The strengths of the visitors are indeterminable, actually, making evaluation of their chances vague, at best.

This is why we are going to suggest a shot with Jonesy, whose morning line of 15-1 may be even higher at post time and well worth backing. The six-year-old is the winner of a 2013 Sweden Breeders Crown, where he rushed for a good position in fifth and found a path to close late and win by a nose. His trainer/driver Tuomas Korvenoja will guide him from post 3, a perfect spot to save some ground and make his charge. Jonesy may get the winning trip, which could be the key to a victory; either way, his chances should be better than those odds and it is worth a shot to back the upset.

YONKERS INVITATIONALS

A pair of $250,000 Invitational events for older horses is on the Yonkers International card Saturday. The trot is first, with 10 going 1-¼ miles. Bee A Magician is back, only three for three this season due to some health issues. Also here is Homicide Hunter and Shake It Cerry, the latter stuck with post 8. The most interesting for us is Melady’s Monet, who gets the second tier post 9. She is perfect here and will probably get dismissed due to the aforementioned trotters, giving her fair odds for a win ticket.

The pace Invitational is only a mile and features eight, the widest to line up will be Wiggle It Jiggleit. Bit Of A Legend gets the wood and will rival “Wiggle” for favoritism. On the half-mile, we have to assume Split The House will leave quickly from post 2. He didn’t leave last week in Indiana, as we thought would happen, but here he may, causing “Legend” to re-take and perhaps leaving Wiggle wide and struggling. Mel Mara has been racing sharply and may get a whopping-good trip from the 3 hole and if dueling ensues could use the best of his strides when it counts.

OLDER OHIO STAKES
 
At Dayton on Oct. 15, four-year-olds and up race in three $50,000 Ohio Sires Stakes finals.

Male trotters are first with a field of nine. Ron Burke’s I Know My Chip is the top earner and should attract the most win bets, followed by Cody Coy or Final Breath. If we are right about those calls, Chips Starr, first or second nine of his 18 starts could offer a great price. 

The male pace is next, also with eight aboard. Good ole Dancin Yankee has found a home in Ohio and should be the top choice, with Hanky L next. We are sending our support to the outsider, Led Schneppelin. Aside from the laughable name, trainer/driver Kayne Kauffman is in a great spot here to land a win, so to speak.

The triptych concludes with the pacing mares’ championship. Our outside contender here is MJ’s Victory Wish. A very productive gal across the board, she should play a significant role in the final strides at a decent price. 

ONTARIO SUPER GOLD

Two- and three-year-old Ontario-breds (the top point-earners in their divisions of the sires-stakes program) line up for eight $250,000 Ontario Sires Stakes (ONSS) Super Gold finals Saturday, Oct. 15. We offer some suggestions for each in the order of their appearance on the Mohawk card:

Two-year-old colt trot
The Oct. 3 performance from Tycoon Seelster was terrific and if he does not bounce from any trip resembling that kind of a mile he should literally walk away from this bunch. All of them may be compromised by skipping and running but all things being equal, Tycoon Seelster should be worthy of support.

Three-year-old filly pace
Cracklin Rosie is a legitimate threat to LA Delight. The latter will get huge support coming from a win in the Jugette, et al. But “Rosie” is on the brink of a big mile and an upset here would be no surprise and profitable.

Two-year-old filly trot
Magic Presto is a sharp Kadabra filly that can overcome the 10 hole and may do it at a reasonable price. She has been racing with classy types in the ONSS program and was productive in the slop, winning after a strong attempt from post 10.

Two-year-old filly pace
Local trainer Casie Coleman’s Fade will get much support, which hopefully will leave Blameitonthenight loosely backed. This Mach Three filly has a long range and can close with a winning path inside or outside.

Three-year-old colt trot
None of North America’s top steeds in this division are going after the big purse, which leaves a decent, evenly matched field. Bee In Charge may be worth a shorter price if the crowd catches on to his prowess and forgives his post. This is a Manofmanymissions gelding that, like most of his sire’s progeny, is unstoppable once a full stride kicks in.

Three-year-old filly trot
Caprice Hill has not raced since her poor Elegantimage performance where we defeated her with the $67-winner Royal Charm. That one is just to Caprice Hill’s right this time, as “Caprice” returns to the big oval after a successful qualifier. Meanwhile, Royal Charm was second from a tough trip on Oct. 2 in an ONSS at Flamboro. Everyone will go back to Caprice, so we will go back to Royal Charm, even if she isn’t 30-1.

Two-year-old colt pace
Calvin K has had some troubling miles and one of them, his most recent, was an aggressive early half that sunk him. The race before that he jumped and the one before that was the Metro Final, which was not as successful as the elim that put him there. In this mile he could provoke an upset by racing as he did when he was nipped at the Nassagaweya, which means a win.

Three-year-old colt pace
Who may beat Betting Line? Get in line. After winning the Little Brown Jug with suspicious intent according to three major trainers, Coleman’s magnificent performer (all things being equal) has to rev it up from post 10 and although that is an adversity he may very well be able to handle, Gerries Sport could be a step or two ahead of him at a big price. If Betting Line out-classes this bunch and even humiliates them, there is no good reward for his backers. There is, though, a better chance than odds will reflect for Gerries Sport to turn the tables. 

INDIANA SUPERS

Indiana Sires Stakes Super Finals adorn the Hoosier Park program on Oct. 15. Here is our rundown on each in the order of their appearance on the card.

Three-year-old filly trot
A dozen soph fillies roll in this final, a few very strongly the tougher of the bunch. Sneaking through, though, with a sharp trip from post 11, may be Let Her Go, who has won five of 10 races and been off the board as many. She could bring a good price.

Two-year-old filly pace
A dozen well-bred green gals will scramble in the traffic. We like the way Pretty Image has handled herself in nine freshman miles and from post 10 she should offer a decent price.

Two-year-old colt trot
A dozen frosh boys go in this super final and from post 7 Swan Chase could be primed to take home the big bucks after only nine starts with three wins and two shows. He is by a sharp Indiana sire and looks competitive against the higher earners that should be the favorites.

Three-year-old filly pace
The huge choice here should be Seventimesavirgin, a spotless sidestepper with big bucks on her resume. On the inside, her threat could be Endeavors Fantasy, who wins, places and shows with remarkable accuracy and could get the kind of trip that topples the favorite for a second time this season in 12 races.

Two-year-old colt trot
Satin Dancer seems to tower over the other 11 and the fans are bound to add dollars to the probable odds of winning involved with the presence of a favorite driver. A better choice could be Foxy Swan, also guided by a local hero driver. Intothelight will be an outside contender with a good record and a good chance to race better than ever here.

Three-year-old colt trot
Bridge To Jesse’s has dominated the INSS program’s division of glamour-boy trotters and will be winging as the choice to nail its biggest prize of the season. Probably dismissed from contention will be Topville Avatar, who would be on the H2W list for the second time were he not taking on the best here. He lost to the favorite and deserves a shot here with a price to boot, as his percentages across the board shout he will be in the mix.

Two-year-old colt pace
This is a contentious bunch, so we will enjoy backing our outside contender Incredible Shark. Due to the similarity in talent, this Shadyshark Hanover colt could easily find a path to make the largest impression late in the game.

Three-year-old colt pace
The Hoosier glamour-boy pacers are led by Bourbon Chase, though one of a trio of Burke-barn boys, Matrix Of Luck, will challenge. Also threatening will be Brian Brown’s Duel Of Truth, who could get the garden trip leaving behind Bourbon Chase. Downthehighway will also be winging. What is left to surprise is Uncmprmising Z Tam, from post 5, a colt with less wins than the three mentioned but a lot of lights shining from finishes on the board to worry about an upset.

MAINE EVENTS

Also on Saturday, Oct. 15, Scarborough Downs’ harness returns after a short hiatus and hosts four Maine Breeders Stakes (MBS) for sophomore pacers and trotters, each worth $85,000 and change.

Eight colt trotters go in the first MBS, with a probable choice being Hes A Castoff, who leads the division in wins and earnings. On the inside, perhaps Johny Cast can get a step or two ahead of the favorite and take the biggest share of the purse. His resume for the program is good enough to produce an upset.

Next, soph-filly trotters take to the limestone, with Miss Flaggy Meadow going as a good outsider in contention. She would be a big upset against Gonnakissmeornot and Just A Little Evil, the obvious fan choices that will offer no returns worthy of a bet. Miss Flaggy Meadow would boost some exotics if she is in the thick of it, as well as she could upset.

The soph-filly pacers are next, featuring Western Step, another standout in the wagering. On either side of her are the second and third choices, leaving only Seriously Sarah, from the wood, available for a possible big price.

The nightcap is the soph-colt pace and the star of the night, unbeaten Seeley Man. A dozen races and as many wins. His only threat may be the 1 horse, Talladega Speed. Even though he has not beaten the big guy yet, it may be best if you bet at all to take the scenario where he gets the better mile and you get the better price.

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

Batavia
10/14/16, Babe In The City R1; +BZ Glide R7

Charlottetown
10/13/16, Gramercy Hanover R1; +Zanzibar R7
10/15/16, Pictonian Stardust R2

Dayton
10/13/16, +Wishin Iwas Fishin R1
10/14/16, +My Tweed Heart R6

Freehold
10/13/16, Camwiser R5; Rockrockwhosthere R2; Gary G Force R4
10/14/16, Wikedwitchothewest R4
10/15/16, Cmon Buzz Off R6

Hoosier
10/14/16, Ideal Rowan R9

Meadows
10/15/16, +Kingofthejungle R7

Mohawk
10/14/16, +Windsong Lightning R5

Monticello
10/13/16, +Worth Watching R1; Snoz R3; +Caviar Court R7

Northfield
10/15/16, +Stormy Novel R1; +Cajon Jubilee R4; +Fly Me Courageous R6; +Hopeful Trust R9

Philadelphia
10/13/16, Special Kim R6
10/14/16, +Hititoutofthepark R12

Plainridge
10/14/16, Tinys Million R1; JJFs Miss Carolyn R7; Silver River R8

Pocono
10/13/16, Art History R1; Emeritus Maximus R4; Katies Rocker R10; JJ Shark R12

Rideau-Carleton
10/13/16, Come On Eileen R2; +Requested R5; +Happy Holidays R8

Rosecroft
10/13/16, Springforth R8

Saratoga
10/14/16, Lastchancelilly R5; Well Shaded R6; Amanderosa R10

Scarborough
10/16/16, Sinful Vito R9

Vernon
10/13/16, Miss Roll Joe R4
10/14/16, Racintowardadream R5; Gliding Boy R5

Yonkers
10/13/16, +Gadsden Hanover R8; Massive Attack A R12
10/14/16, +Cracker Coffee R12
 
 
Ray Cotolo contributes to this blog