Harness Racing: Sharp Horses and Track Trends for Dec. 20-23, 2012

BALMORAL

12/23: 4w, no bias

12/22: 3w, no bias

ONE LAST CHANCE - Was parked the mile from post 9 while racing with cover, finished willingly

GIANT SCULPTURE - Quarter-moved to the lead, yielded and was shuffled with pace

JUSTLIVINTHEDREAM - Paced a :56 1/5 middle-half, lost cover and challenged for the lead, held okay

FIRSTCLASSALLTHWAY - Paced a :53 4/5 middle-half on a long first over bid and excusably weakened in the lane

FOX VALLEY YUKON - Left alertly for the pocket trip, yielded and was shuffled back to 6th, finished well late

MAYWOOD

12/21: 7w, + speed, cold night but speed did well

12/20: 10w, ++ speed, sloppy track, seemed impossible to close despite slow final quarters

BOLD RAIDER*** - Had post 7, followed cover from 4th over, stormed wide and drew off impressively on a night where 7 horses went wire to wire

NASH GRAM*** - Left strongly from post 7 and was parked to the lead in :27, set a quick pace on a cold night and gave way grudgingly late

FOX VALLEY MAHALO - Was first over a long way on sub-20 degree night and held well

MONTICELLO

12/21: 6w, + speed, sloppy track

12/20: 7w, + speed

MACKSMITH - Trotter had post 8, made a monstrous last-to-first brush and opened up on the field, wilted late but held the place

BAARIA - Left from post 7 and was used hard to clear to a quick opener, yielded to the 1-2 winner and held okay

DOVER

12/20: 6w, no bias

BEAVERCREEK ARTIST - Left in :25 3/5, set a blazing pace and didn't tire that badly

SHOWDOWN AT SUN UP*** - Left from post 8 and was used hard to clear in :26, yielded and was shuffled back, held okay; post 8 at this track is more difficult that it is at most five eighth tracks

NORTHFIELD

12/23: 3w, no bias

12/22: 5w, + speed

12/21: 7w, + speed, snow, wet track

12/20: 7w, + speed, sloppy track

WATTAFINE RUSTY*** - Left from post 6 and was used hard to get the lead in a fast-paced race, yielded at the three quarters and held the show gamely

PHILADELPHIA

12/21: 4w, no bias

12/20: 6w, + speed

ANDERS BLUESTONE - Had post 7 and was eighth at the half, followed cover wide and finished strongly

COURSER HANOVER*** - Had post 7 and broke leaving, was taken back to last and it took a while for Pierce to get him pacing again, got back on stride while at least 14 lengths behind, followed cover 4th over on the second turn, stormed three wide off cover on the final bend to loom boldly turning for home, flattened out a bit late while only losing by a length in a huge effort

MEADOWS

12/20: 7w, + speed

FREEHOLD

12/22: 5w, + speed

12/21: 2w, no bias, off track

12/20: 6w, + speed

ROCKNROLL JEWEL - Had post 8, rallied wide and finished gamely in :28 4/5

YONKERS

12/22: 5w, no bias

12/21: 3w, no bias

12/20: 3w, no bias

WHITE RULER - Had poor cover from post 6, finished quickly; may be coming around

SANSOME HANOVER - Left well from post 7 and was parked to the lead in :27 4/5, set the pace and was clearly 2nd best on a chilly night that wasn't that speed favoring

FAROUCHE HANOVER*** - Power-brushed approaching the half and took control on turn three, opened up on the field with a snappy :27 4/5 third quarter and held her advantage in a strong performance

WE THE PEOPLE*** - Left from post 8 and was used hard to get the lead, maintained a fast pace and jogged

WHACKAMOLE HANOVER - Left from post 7 and was parked to the lead in :27 1/5, set the pace under second-half pressure and held the place gamely

*** = extra-sharp preferred plays

[DRF HARNESS: Sign Up for the FREE DRF Harness Newsletter Today!]