Hawthorne Harness: Sunday 1/17 Analysis
Best Bet (0 - 2 / $0.00): TRIPLE LANE MELODY (9th)
Spot Play: SHADY BAY (4th)
Race 1
(6) B R FLYING DALI will look to make it three straight and four of seven against similar. (1) KRUSTY THE CLOWN put in a nice mile being used twice last start getting the victory; threat. (5) MAKE IT WORK veteran pacer will be firing with a purpose early and looks to be in line for an excellent trip up close.
Race 2
In a wide open field full of question marks, (2) TEAM LEADER is well bred and makes his career debut off a decent qualifier. (1) LEAVING A LEGACY has room to improve second start off a nice learning experience in his first mile. (6) FOOLISH BEHAVIOR had some sneaky late pace last start off of a really slow middle half; threat.
Race 3
(5) PINSTRIPE PLAYER owns wins against much better and should be sharper after needing his last start. (4) VIN might own the biggest burst of speed in the field but is prone to miscues. (1) MY MINI SNICKERS is facing much weaker with the best post; threat.
Race 4
In the toughest race to handicap on the card, (8) SHADY BAY has flashed some ability despite the poor record and fits in nicely with this bunch. (1) NUBIAN PRINCE improved in the recent qualifier and should offer a big price against a suspect group. (6) WEDDLE BY WEDDLE mare might have an excuse on the off track last start but has just been racing evenly; command a price.
Race 5
(10) MAJOR WAY raced gamely last start just getting picked off late. The pacer gets a tough starting post but finds a weak bunch. (2) BELL VALLEY TIGER owns a decent brush but needs to be timed right and can only be used one time in the mile. (4) DARN SKIPPIE might be able to hit the ticket at a price and showed a decent close last start.
Race 6
(6) PEACELOVEPACE pacing mare should be much closer turning for home and can pick up the pieces with a good setup. (8) SUN DREAM made the most money in the field last year and has a good history of winning at this level. (3) BETTOR'S BABE probably needs a start off a month but has been competitive against similar.
Race 7
In another tough race to gauge, (6) TIMMYLYN was sharp when last seen at Balmoral. The pacer needs a smooth trip for a piece. (5) LOVETHEWAYOULOOK will likely take heavy tote action looking to make it three straight but faces tougher; use caution. (9) OUR MISS LILY gets a very tough post and will need to find a way into the race.
Race 8
(6) LITTLE MERMAID N takes a monster drop down in class against much weaker. (5) THE REAL TONE mare is coming out of the same barn as the top choice and will likely offer the better price. (1) WESTERN DAME gets the best post in against a field full of question marks; threat.
Race 9
(4) TRIPLE LANE MELODY if the mare brings her 'A' game she will be tough to beat against this bunch. (6) CENALTAFIRECRACKER gets sent out for a barn that has had some nice recent winners. (9) CALL ME UP is another horse with questions coming off a layoff. The pacing mare shows some decent efforts against tougher.
Race 10
(6) MR CANDYMAN was a game winner last out and can repeat with a similar effort. (9) ROCK HOLLYWOOD beat a decent group last week and will probably offer the best price of the contenders. (3) THE MASTER gelding has room to improve with an acclimating start over the track under his belt.
[DRF HARNESS: Check out our complete lineup of Harness past performances and discount packages]