Harness Racing: Sharp Horses and Track Trends for April 18 - 21
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BALMORAL
4/21: 1w, + closers
4/20: 0w, ++ closers
BIG ZIPPER*** - Power-brushed to the lead at the half making up 7 lengths, paced a :27 2/5 third quarter and held the place behind a sharp winner
COME N BET IT*** - Far back early from post 10, swept the field in a sharp win
ICE SCRAPER - Left from post 8 and was parked to the lead in :26 4/5, yielded to the 1-2 favorite, chased the fast pace and wilted late over a track that clearly favored closers
WHISTLE PIG - Followed cover from 4th over and finished fast in :26 4/5
TWILIGHT DELIGHT - Went first over into a fast last half and held okay
MAYWOOD
4/19: 6w, + speed, off track
4/18: 1w, + closers, sloppy track
WILD BERRY MUFFLER - Was parked the mile without cover from post 8 and held well
BUBBLER - 8th early from post 6, followed cover three wide around a weak first over horse, remained wide around the final turn and finished stoutly for the win
HARRINGTON
4/21: 7w, ++ speed, 10 of the 11 winners were on the lead or in the pocket, the other winner pulled first over down the backstretch
IVEGIVENWHATIGOT*** - Left strongly from post 7 over this inside speed-favoring track, yielded, regained the lead at the half, took on pressure from the 9-5 winner and was a strong 2nd here
ONE AMERICA - Got moving early and followed weak cover, rallied wide and finished bravely
NORTHFIELD
4/19: 7w, + speed
HURRICANE HANNA - Left, tucked, went first over, wore down the favorite with a snappy third quarter but got caught by the second over horse late in a good try
I LOVE TO BOOGIE - Had post 7 and was 4th over, followed cover wide and finished willingly
MEADOWS
4/20: 5w, no bias
4/19: 2w, no bias, off track
BLISSFUL ESCAPE - Left from post 7 and was parked to the lead in :27 1/5, yielded and was shuffled a bit while jammed in tight quarters
CRAIG MICHAEL- Had post 9, was 10 lengths behind early behind a slow pace, followed cover 4th over and finished well for the show
PHILADELPHIA
4/21: 4w, no real bias but slight edge to speed, leavers and first over horses did well
4/19: 4w, no bias
4/18: 8w, + speed
WINYARD HANOVER*** - Had post 7, charged wide around tiring cover pacing a :27 1/5 third quarter, took the lead away from the favorite and ran out of steam late but still came home in :28 2/5
BEAVERCREEK ARTIST*** - Shot to the lead in :26 4/5, set a solid clip under pressure and drew clear
ANAIS KICKER - Tough speedster left from post 7 and was used hard to clear in :26, set the pace and weakened but had good reason to
ASK DIRECTIONS - Was used hard leaving to a :26 4/5 opener, set a quick pace and held the show
GRITTY MILLIE BOY - Left from post 8 and was parked to the lead in :27, set a pressured pace and held show
SHARK ON BOARD - Left from post 7 and was parked the mile forcing a fast pace against a stubborn front runner, excusably tired
POCONO DOWNS
4/21: 5w, no bias
4/20: 5w, + speed, slight edge to speed
STEVIE RAY'S DREAM - Beaten favorite had post 7 and was one of 4 leavers while used hard three wide to the lead past the quarter, yielded, was shuffled to 5th, slipped out at the three quarters and lacked a rally but finished in a respectable :29 seconds for the final quarter
WOODMERE ULTIMATE*** - Left from post 7 and was parked to the lead past the quarter, set the pace under strong second half pressure by the 3-5 winner and gave way grudgingly late
SOUTHERN SPORT - Quarter-moved into a hot pace but couldn't clear and remained parked out first over against a sharp favorite; tough trip
DELCO ROCKNROLL*** - Left from post 8 but was looped and used hard to work his way to the lead past a :26 opener, set a fast pace from there and dug in gamely for the show
DJ LANCE*** - Had post 7, left fast to a :26 opener, yielded, pulled first over prompting a fast pace and held well considering this impossible trip
DONNIE BOP - Left from post 6 and was used hard to clear past a :26 3/5 first quarter, yielded and just missed from the pocket
IN YOUR ROOM*** - Trotter was parked the opening half before powering to the lead and drew off
MARTY PARTY - Got moving early from post 7, followed poor cover and finished well
FREEHOLD
4/20: 6w, + speed
4/19: 6w, + speed
4/18: 5w, + speed
MIKAYLA ROSE - Had dull cover from post 6, rallied wide and finished gamely in :29 flat
JERRY'S BROWN GOLD - Grinded first over a long way from post 6 and held well
GIDDY UP DELIGHT - Had post 8, left, tucked, powered wide off cover and drew off in dominant fashion
MEADOWLANDS
4/20: 4w, no bias
4/19: 4w, no bias, sloppy track races 10-13
GUCCIO - Was handled patiently and confidently, followed cover and trotted by easily
DEVIL'S EMBRACE N - Left fast, set a quick pace and gave way grudgingly late
LAWGIVER HANOVER - Got moving early from post 10 and picked up poor cover, rallied wide and finished strongly for the place, home in :26 3/5
D GS WOODSTOCK*** - Left from post 10 and battled for the lead through torrid fractions with tough front runner Cane Ridge, held surprisingly well until the top of the lane, excusably tired
PANESTHETIC*** - Left in :26, yielded, chased a fast pace and held the show in a race he needed
PENCE HANOVER - Had weak cover, rallied wide and stormed home in :25 4/5
SARATOGA
4/21: 7w, + speed
4/20: 9w, + speed
4/19: 8w, ++ speed
WESTERN VICTORY*** - Left and was used hard parked uncovered chasing a hot pace until final tucking approaching the three quarters, held gamely considering
MONTICELLO
4/18: 4w, no bias
R MONI GIRL - Trotter broke before the start and showed a strong recovery, rallied wide and finished fast
ROSE RUN LEROY - Trotter left from post 8 and was parked to the lead in :29 3/5, set the pace under second half pressure and didn't tire that badly
YONKERS
4/20: 9w, ++ speed, overall, very speed favoring this week
4/19: 5w, no bias
4/18: 10w, ++ speed
CAM'S ORACLE - Followed cover down the backstretch and finished fast in the stretch, just missed
MAN ABOUT TOWN - Trotter grinded uncovered a long way and dug in gamely for the place
TOBAGO CAYS*** - Left from post 6 and was parked to the lead in :27 3/5, rated the second quarter then peeled off a :27 third quarter and drew off impressively
ROCKINCAM - Third over behind poor cover from post 7 while racing against a strong front end bias, finished solidly but really didn't have a chance
*** = extra-sharp preferred plays