Harness racing: Sharp Horses and Track Trends for June 28 - July 1, 2012
BALMORAL
7/1: 2w, + closers
6/30: 3w, no bias
6/27: 0w, ++ closers
GIBBS – Had post 10, made a strong uncovered move down the back pacing a :27 third quarter and was 2nd best to the 3-5 winner
BROOKLYN’S DESIRE – Was 9th at the three quarters, made a strong move on the final turn and got up gamely
STROKER ACE – 2yo colt broke at the start, recovered and launched a big move making up 10 lengths while pacing a scorching middle-half and ran out of steam in the lane; lots of speed
PARTY HANGOVER – Had post 9, was used hard to clear and set a quick pace under pressure; held okay
BABE’S CHIP – Power-brushed making up 8 lengths to take the lead and drew clear handily
LE-SIRENUSE*** - Was 15 lengths behind a modest pace early, gained steadily, followed weak cover at the three quarters, finished strongly to get up with a :27 last quarter
MAYWOOD
6/29: 4w, no bias
6/28: 3w, no bias
GUTS N GLORY*** – Was 7th at the half, brushed wide with a strong move, engaged the leader on the final turn and drew clear with a sharp :27 4/5 final quarter
MIKE LANIGAN*** – Had post 8, left and was parked to a quick half for the lead, was pressed when the pocket horse pulled to challenge, didn’t tire that badly
MJ’S LAST DANCE – Third over behind poor cover, circled wide on the final turn and drew off full of pace
SLICKETY SPLIT- Was parked the mile without cover and held okay
CHINA GAL – Had a tough trip parked the mile forcing a hot pace, held okay considering
VOOMERANG – Was parked the mile without cover from post 8, forced a fast pace, took the lead into the lane and tired but held well considering
MONTICELLO
6/28: 5w, + speed
MY MELLOW AMERICAN – Had dull cover, burst wide and drew off full of pace
MEADOWLANDS
6/30: 2w, no bias
6/29: 3w, no bias
6/28: 2w, no bias
TO DREAM ON – Promising 2-year-old filly trotter uncorked a big middle-move and romped in debut
SO EASY BABY – Left from post 8 and was used hard to get the lead, set the fastest pace of the night and weakened in the lane but it was a fine effort over this tiring track
BAKIN ON THE BEACH – Was 7th at the half, rallied wide on the final turn and paced a :54 last half for a sharp win
BRENT MONTANA – Was parked to the lead in :26 4/5, set a fast pace under pressure and was 2nd best behind classy drop down odds-on winner
NORTHFIELD PARK
6/30: 8w, + speed
6/29: 6w, + speed
SUNRISE SUNSET – Had dull cover, brushed wide and finished sharply for the place
HARRAH’S PHILADELHIA
7/1: 5w, + speed, leavers, quarter-movers and first over horses, typical for this track, although several horses did win off cover earlier in the week; generally speaking, the key to winning at this track is being either first or second at the half
6/29: 6w, no bias
6/28: 5w, no bias
FALCOR BLUESTONE*** – Was far back after an early break, made up 14 lengths to go up after the leader first over, pressed a quick third quarter and held gamely
NEW ALBUM*** - Power-brushed to the lead at the half and drew clear to a sharp win
RARITAN BAY*** - Left and was parked to the lead in :27, yielded and was shuffled back to 7th, finished fast
INTREPID HALL – Paced a :26 4/5 third quarter first over and held okay
MALAK USWAAD N – Had post 6, left, tucked, went first over and paced a :53 2/5 last half for the sharp win
TAKEMEWITHYOU – Had post 8, left to the lead in :26 4/5, yielded and was shuffled due to lead changes, slipped out second over down the back and finished gamely for the show
POCONO
7/1: 6w, + speed
6/30: 6w, + speed, slight edge to speed, track very fast
6/29: 6w, + speed
IDEAL GIFT – Had post 9, left and took an early tuck 6th, followed cover third over and finished well in a quick last half while racing over a speed biased track
HRUBYS N LUCK*** – Was 2nd off the Cad Gregory claim, left in :26, set a blistering pace and drew clear in 1:48 2/5
SARATOGA
7/1: 1w, no bias
6/30: 6w, + speed
6/29: 6w, + speed
6/28: 4w, no bias
KID CARSON – Had post 7, left and was three wide to the lead past a :26 4/5 first quarter, yielded, chased the winner and held okay
TIOGA
7/1: 4w, no bias
6/30: 1w, no bias
6/29: 3w, no bias
YONKERS
6/30: 5w, no bias
6/29: 3w, no bias
6/28: 6w, + speed
SPEED HANOVER*** - Had cover but no pace to close off as the 4-5 favorite went a modest :59 half, trotted a solid final half and may leave the gate next time
PLAY OF THE DAY – Paced a :27 2/5 third quarter first over against a classy front runner and held well
VESUVIO GRANDE – Was 4th over from post 7, followed cover wide and finished well from a tough spot
DANCIN YANKEE – Was 8th at the three quarters, roared home in :26 4/5 for the improbable win