Harness: Sharp Horses and Track Trends from Dec. 1 - Dec. 4
CAL EXPO
12/2: 0w, + closers
12/1: 3w, no bias
CHIP AGAIN*** –
Was 6th at the quarter, power-brushed to the lead at the half, took on pressure while pacing a strong middle-half, weakened late but held okay for the show
HES A NAVAJO*** –
Had post 8, got moving at the quarter on a long uncovered grind, paced a strong middle-half, reached the 2/5 leader at the three quarters, was shaken off, held well for the show
KUKALAKA*** –
Left from post 7, was parked to the lead in :27 4/5, set the pace against the bias, held well
CAPITOL HILL –
Left from post 8 and was parked to the lead in :27 1/5, set a pressured pace, was passed by two horses by the headstretch but battled back gamely for the place
NORTHFIELD
12/4: 7w, + speed
12/3: 8w, + speed
12/2: 8w, + speed
STRANGE HANOVER –
Had post 7, was 8th at the half, picked up terrible cover, rallied three wide off his cover around the final turn and finished gamely for the show with solid late pace
POWER EVERYWHERE –
Hustled up approaching the half, paced a :27 4/5 third quarter challenging the leader and held well to be second best
STEVIE DIAMONDS –
Left from post 5, was parked to the lead past a :26 2/5 first quarter, shook off a bid at the half, opened up a clear lead down the backstretch while maintaining a quick pace, held well for the place with a :28 3/5 last quarter
R GAUWITZ HANOVER –
Left and got into a speed duel, was parked the mile without cover, forced a quick pace, didn’t tire that badly
STAY IN YOUR PLACE –
Tried to quarter-move and ended up parked the mile without cover in a speed duel with the 4/5 favorite, held gamely for the show
DOVER
12/4: 8w, + speed
FASHION MAVEN –
Left strongly from post 7 to the lead in :26 1/5, set a hot pace and didn’t tire that badly
RATHER SWELL –
Was first over into a :55 1/5 last half, challenged the bias-aided winner and held the place
THE MEADOWS
12/4: 2w, no bias
12/2: 4w, no bias
MITTCENT VAN GOGH –
Left from post 7, was used hard to the lead in :27, set the pace under second-half pressure and held well for the place
PRINCESS PABLANO –
Left from post 8 and was used hard to the lead in :27 2/5, set the pace and held well for the place
PHILADELPHIA
12/3: 6w, + speed, not impossible to close, two covered closers won, but leavers had the advantage, as usual, and the winning closers had live second over trips
NEWS WATCH*** -
Left from post 8, tucked third, went first over and paced a :26 1/5 to take control and drew off; 3yo is much improved since moving into the Robert Bresnahan, Jr. barn
POCONO
11/25: 8w, + speed
FREEHOLD
12/2: 7w, + speed
12/1: 6w, + speed
PRANA –
Left and was parked the mile without cover, dueled with the pacesetter, was shaken off but held okay considering
MEADOWLANDS
12/2: 5w, no bias
12/1: 3w, no bias
BETABCOOL N –
Had post 8, followed cover from before the quarter, was fourth over, followed cover wide at the three quarters and finished with solid pace down the stretch
EVERY INTENTION –
Left from post 10 and was parked the mile without cover, pressed the pace, excusably weakened but actually didn’t tire that badly considering
MONTICELLO
12/4: 4w, no bias
MYSTICAL CON –
Had post 8, followed poor cover, rallied three wide on the final turn and finished gamely for the place
YONKERS
12/4: 5w, + speed
12/3: 4w, no bias on this 11 race card which featured all trotting races
12/2: 5w, no bias
12/1: 2w, no bias, track did look some somewhat tiring
OPTIMIST BLUE CHIP*** –
Three year old trotter left from post 7, was used hard in a three way pace battle early, took the lead past the quarter, set a quick pace in the mile and a quarter trot, drew clear
ALWAYS A GOOD TIME –
Trotter had post 8, followed weak cover, rallied three wide on the final turn and finished gamely for the show from a tough spot
BETTOR ROCK ON N –
Had post 7, followed cover third over, swung three wide mid-final turn and rallied boldly for the win from a tough spot
WINGSONG LEO*** –
Saved ground from post 7, swung out behind cover on the final turn, stacked wide for the drive and finished fast for the show pacing his last quarter in :26 4/5
HI HO STEVERINO –
Left from post 6, was parked the mile without cover, pressed a quick pace in a duel with the 4/5 favorite and excusably tired on the final turn
SMILEANDSAYCHEESE –
Had post 7, followed poor cover, went three wide on the final turn and finished willingly from a tough spot
STATESMAN N –
Classy veteran set a torrid pace under hounding pressure and held gamely for the show
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