Harness Racing: Sharp Horses and Track Trends for October 17-20

BALMORAL

10/20: 2w, + closers

10/19: 1w, + closers

BLUERIDGEVALENTINO - Made two moves to the lead setting a quick pace against the bias and held okay to finish third in a race where the first two finishers came from far back

LUCKY JET - Left, tucked, brushed to the top with a :27 second quarter and held okay

MAYWOOD

10/18: 8w, ++ speed

10/17: 5w, no bias

BUMMED OUT - Was 9th at the half, followed cover wide around the final turn and finished fast to win

ROSIE'S DELIGHT - Left from post 6 and was parked to the quarter for the lead, set the pace under heavy pressure in a trip that misleadingly looks like a pocket trip on paper; price factor

PARTY HANGOVER - Was first over a long way and just missed in a blanket finish

HARRINGTON

10/17: 7w, + speed

NORTHFIELD

10/18: 6w, + speed

PLAYA DEL RYLEE - Far back early from post 8, made an old-school 4-wide power-brush at the three quarters, gobbled up ground three wide on the final bend and drew clear at 60-1

PHILADELPHIA

10/13: 5w, no bias

10/18: 6w, + speed

10/17: 6w, + speed

SPECIAL FORCES*** - Left fast from post 7, rated the half then drew off to win by 15 lengths with a sparkling :53 3/5 last half

MOSEE TERROR - Had post 6, followed cover and finished strongly for the place

POCONO

10/19: 6w, + speed, off track

10/18: 5w, + speed

BANKER VOLO - Trotter followed cover third over and finished well against the bias

MACH IT SO - Third over behind a sluggish first over horse, finished well for the show

MAVEN - Went first up into a :27 2/5 third quarter, drew clear late to win confidently

SUNSHINE BEACH - Was parked the mile without cover from post 8, put the heat on Captaintreacherous through the final quarter and just missed in a big effort

WARRAWEE NEEDY - Was put in a good spot second over behind a break neck pace, tipped wide for the drive and looked ready to pounce but broke

THE MEADOWS

10/18: 5w, no bias

10/17: 2w, + closers, sloppy track

AUSTIN'S JON JON - Was used hard to clear from post 9, set the pace over a tiring sloppy track and held okay

FREEHOLD

10/19: 5w, + speed

10/18: 6w, + speed

10/17: 4w, + speed

WARDEN WOODIE*** - Had post 8 and was parked out most of the race, picked up horrible cover, brushed wide to clear cover but had to remain wide when another horse pulled out, held okay

GO BOTH WAYS*** - Got moving early from post 6 to race parked most of the mile, picked up dull cover, rallied wide to clear cover and went up uncovered on the final turn, held well

SARATOGA

10/20: 5w, + speed

10/19: 6w, + speed

10/18: 4w, no bias

MONTICELLO

10/17: 6w, + speed

YONKERS

10/19: 4w, + speed, not a strong bias these three nights but leavers did well overall

10/18: 5w, + speed

10/17: 4w, + speed

MAGIC TREND - Trotter left and was parked most of the quarter before tucking, moved out first over down the back and held okay in an effort that was better than it looks on paper

AND HEEZ PERFECT - Trotter had post 8, followed dull cover and finished fast in the stretch

E L ROCK - Moved out third over on the final turn, angled wide for the drive and finished fast

PALM PATROL - Saved ground from post 7, snuck up the rail making up good ground down the back, angled out on the final turn and finished fast; paced his last half in :54 4/5

LUCKY MAN - Was given a perfect drive by Eric Goodell who had a big night with 5 winners, three of which were longshots. He left from post 7 and tucked 5th, came out to follow cover second over, angled wide and got up gamely late.