TWO-YEAR-OLD FILLY EARNED BEYER SPEED FIGURE OF 94



AMAZING!

SPECTACULAR!

FABULOUS!


On Friday August 23, 2024, a two-year-old filly named Senza Parole became the only 2yo filly to earn a Beyer Speed Figure above 90 -- and not only that, she became the second 2yo (male or female) to ever earn a Beyer Speed Figure above 90, with only a 2yo colt named Ferocious who earned a better figure of 96.

Senza Parole, a daughter of Gun Runner, earns a Beyer Speed Figure of 94 for her six-furlong maiden special weight race on Friday August 23, 2024, at Saratoga, race 1.

Trained by Chad Brown, she was sent off as the second choice at 7/2 behind the 4/5 favorite Stunner in a six-furlong maiden special weight but ran like an odds-on (1/5) favorite.

She settled in third through an opening quarter-mile in 22.52 seconds, advanced to lead through half a mile in 45.80 seconds and then rocketed home while finishing her final quarter-mile in 24.04 seconds to dominate by 7 3/4 lengths over the 4/5 favorite Stunner, running six furlongs in 1:09.84.

What so impressive about was the stretch run, particularly approaching the 16th pole when she just exploded and increasing her margin of victory every stride to the wire and galloped out strongly past the wire.

VERY IMPRESSIVE!


Thus far this year (2024) we have four 2yos who are worthy of stars-like potential and they are:


1. Fierceness' little brother named Mentee whose Beyer Speed Figure is 88 for his five-furlong track record race win on Saturday June 15, 2024, at Belmont at the Big A, in which, he broke a 61-year track record held by an older horse.

2. Rated by Merit who earned a 92 Beyer Speed Figure when he won a maiden race by nearly 10 lengths on July 13, 2024, at Gulfstream Park, race 2.

3. Senza Parole earns a Beyer Speed Figure of 94 for her six-furlong maiden special weight race on Friday August 23, 2024.

4. Ferocious won a maiden special weight race at Saratoga (race 6) on Saturday August 3, 2024, while earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 96 on his debut race.


I'M VERY EXCITED ABOUT THESE FOUR TWO-YEAR-OLDS, PARTICULARLY SENZA PAROLE WHO SEEMS TO BE A "STAR IS IN THE MAKING" BASED ON HER DEBUT RACE!

I CAN'T WAIT FOR THESE 2YOS TO COMPETE IN UPCOMING STAKES RACES!


BUT FIRST UP -- THE HOPEFUL STAKES ON LABOR DAY SEPTEMBER 2, 2024 -- WHERE MENTEE IS RUNNING AGAINST FEROCIOUS!

IT'S A TWO-HORSE RACE (in my opinion) AND I DON'T SEE ANYBODY CAN COME ANYWHERE NEAR THESE TWO 2YOS IN THE HOPEFUL!

SO GO AHEAD BET MENTEE TO WIN AND ALSO BET AN EXACTA STRAIGHT:

MENTEE OVER FEROCIOUS!


EASY MONEY THIS LABOR DAY!


HAPPY LABOR DAY, EVERYONE!

TWO HIGH-PRICE TWO-YEAR-OLD COLTS SOLD AT SARATOGA AUCTION


TWO-YEAR-OLD COLT BY INTO MISCHIEF SOLD FOR A WHOPPING $2.4 MILLION


Speedway Stables bought an Into Mischief colt for $2.4 million at the Fasig-Tipton's 103rd Saratoga sale, held Tuesday evening (August 6, 2024) at the Humphrey S. Finney Pavilion in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

The $2.4 million colt is out of the stakes-placed Awesome Again mare Sweet Sting, a daughter of Eclipse champion Perfect Sting.

He was bred in Kentucky by Pam and Martin Wygod.

BUT THE INTO MISCHIEF COLT WAS NOT THE HIGHEST SALE PRICE.


THAT DISTINCTION BELONGS TO A NOT THIS TIME COLT

The sale's highest-priced yearling was a $3.4 million Not This Time colt sold during Monday's opening session (August 5, 2024).

The $3.4 million Not This Time colt is out of Kayce Ace, a stakes placed full sister to multiple Grade 1 winner Colonel John.

He is a half-brother to multiple Grade 1 placed graded stakes winner Comical and to the dam of stakes winner Sweetlou'sgotaces.

The colt was bred in Kentucky by Susan Casner.

The sale topper was bought by Amr Zedan with recommendation from Bob Baffert who was sitting alongside him during the bidding process [to secure the final bidding of $3.4 million for Not This Time colt.]

He said the colt will go to Bob Baffert to train in hope of making next year's Kentucky Derby.

"He's a beautiful horse by a really hot sire, from a good family," Baffert said.

"We knew he was going to be expensive, but we didn't know he would be that expensive. We came here trying to buy a horse that could go to the Derby with, so that's why we bought him. We loved him. He stood out pretty well. Hopefully, he works out," Baffert said.

I can't wait to see this colt makes his debut.

Bring it on!

WOW, HOW GOOD IS THIS TWO-YEAR-OLD?



THIS TWO-YEAR-OLD COLT EARNED HIGHEST BEYER SPEED FIGURE THUS FAR THIS YEAR (2024) WITH A RATING OF 96.

YES, BEYER SPEED FIGURE OF 96 FOR FEROCIOUS.


WOW! -- IS THIS TWO-YEAR-OLD COLT FOR REAL?


Ferocious won a maiden special weight race at Saratoga (race 6) on Saturday August 3, 2024, while earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 96 on his debut race.

Prior to Saturday August 3, 2024, Beyer Speed Figure calculators at Gulfstream Park gave Rated by Merit a whopping 92 rating, the highest rating by a 2-year-old at that time.

Rated by Merit won a maiden race by nearly 10 lengths on July 13, 2024, at Gulfstream Park, race 2.

But now Ferocious is the king of the Beyer Speed Figure thus far.

The other 2yo who earned sky high speed rating is Fierceness' little brother named Mentee whose Beyer Speed Figure is 88 for his five-furlong track record race win on Saturday June 15, 2024, at Belmont at the Big A, in which, he broke a 61-year track record held by an older horse.

So now we have three -- yes, THREE -- 2yos to look forward to in the coming stakes races.

The one race coming up is the Hopeful Stakes on September 2, 2024, where both trainers of Mentee and Ferocious seemed to suggest that they will run their 2yos in.

Stay tuned!


Ferocious (a naming to intimidate Fierceness little brother Mentee):

WOW! -- IS THIS TWO-YEAR-OLD COLT FOR REAL?

In a field of nine, Ferocious was 7/2 among three other well-bred 2yos when the gate was in the loading process, and a third well-bred 2yo was 9/2 with the next highest odds are two 2yos with 14-1, and the last two are 25-1 and 33-1.

But when the gate opened, late money made Ferocious as the 3-1 post time favorite with the odds on the other three contenders ticked up slightly.

Needless to say, Ferocious was highly regarded well before his debut race on Saturday August 3, 2024.

But because the field was full of well-bred, high price 2yos, Ferocious' odd was lingering among the other three contenders at 7/2 all session long, and only late money that sent Ferocious into favoritism of 3-1.

Ferocious is a son of Flatter overcame a poor start to run away in a six-furlong race loaded with other well-bred runners and win by 7 3/4 lengths.

Under a confident ride from Javier Castellano, he stopped the timer at 1:09.65 on a muddy, sealed track.

He earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 96 from Daily Racing Form, highest for a 2-year-old this year (2024) thus far.

Ferocious was a $1.3 million (2024) 2yo in training purchase by Delgado and Restrepo, the same connection who bought Mage for $290,000 as a 2-year-old in training in 2022 and Mage went on to win last year’s Kentucky Derby.

“He’s a real nice horse. Everything he’s done is so easy,” Delgado said.

“First time at Saratoga. Everybody brings their best horses over.”

The awkward start and the ground it cost might have doomed a lesser first-time starter. Ferocious recovered immediately.

“He’s so agile that he put him in position right away,” Delgado said.

“I don’t think you could ask for a better debut, to be honest.”

The youngster continued to be unflappable once he arrived at Gulfstream Park [after the sale], the Delgados’ home base.

“Since the horse has been in the barn, he’s very nice to be around,” Delgado said.

“He’s very chill. Anybody could ride him.”

What is next for Ferocious?

Delgado called the Grade 1 Hopeful on Sept. 2 a possibility.

“At this point, it’s all about him.”

He dared to think as far ahead as next year’s Kentucky Derby.

“We wake up every day at 4 o’clock in the morning,” he said.

“If we are not Derby dreaming, then what are we doing here?”

HAPPY HAMBLETONIAN OAKS, EVERYONE!


The $525,000 Hambletonian Oaks, carded as race no. 14 on Saturday afternoon August 3, 2024, at The Meadowlands, is an intrigue race to watch and wager.

Track: The Meadowlands

Surface: Dirt

Race: 14

Post time: 6:06 ET (Saturday afternoon)

Horse: Buy A Round (ML 12-1)

The morning line favorite [and perhaps post time favorite as well] is Elista Hanover at 5/2.

This race, in a near splitting image of Karl in the Hambletonian, is the proving ground for Annie Stoebe’s Elista Hanover.

If any horse has a good chance of being favored here, the filly risking a 10-race win streak off an elimination win probably holds that honor.

Yes, that is right: Elista Hanover holds a 10-race win streak coming into this race.

Elista Hanover has been stellar in her last two starts, romping home in a Tompkins-Geers division and then uncorking a 54.3-second back half to win her Oaks elimination last week July 27, 2024.

At the same time, she was a good horse who got a great drive inside of her elimination, and the same applies to the other elim winners R Melina and Allegiant.

So we're dealt this race that has three elimination winners who are good horses and possibly great horses, but who will take more money while not getting truly battle tested inside of their elimination.

This is a race where all 10 horses have a chance to win.

Of the other two elimination winners, Allegiant has shown more upside potential.

She’s always been a speedy type who has the chance to take flight and go all the way.

R Melina, meanwhile, needs a perfect drive both to stay flat and be involved.

Her best races have come from opportune moves when the coals cool, but she likely doesn’t have that goldilocks zone to pounce into in this race.

Another contender is French Champagne and she has a huge chance in this race at a good price.

French Champagne should similarly offer loads of early speed, and maybe Drawn Impression as well.

Andy Miller picks up the drive on French Champagne, which does signal that she could hot-foot off the wings of the gate.

Drawn Impression similarly has speed, but, depending on how James MacDonald’s drive goes with Luc Blais trainee Private Access in the Hambletonian final, he might try a more methodical move out of post 10.

But the horse that I like is Buy A Round at a good price, perhaps as a longshot play of 12-1.

Buy A Round tried a first-over blitz instead of following cover in her elimination and reasonably leveled off to just make the final.

In other words, in her last race in the elimination on July 27, she made a huge move from midpact to challenge for the lead but was turned away by the winner.

She fought on gamely thereafter and with a better setup and trip she'll have a huge chance to upset at a juicy price.

Her trainer Noel Daley clearly believes that Buy A Round has a good chance to win the Hambletonian Oaks as he points out that Buy A Round had an excuse for not winning the elimination last Saturday.

"That's not her trip, first-over," said Daley following Buy A Round's fourth-place finish in her elimination.

"I'll pull her shoes and she'll be five-lengths better. She's the best of mine."

Buy A Round starts from post six and may need to be more assertive in the early stages to pull off the mild upset.

The equipment change on Saturday for Buy A Round and better trip could have a devastating turn of foot in the stretch.

So I'm looking for Buy A Round to run a huge race in this race.


Bet Buy A Round (ML 12-1) to win and place and show using double down betting strategy and you should be going home as a winner.

Buy A Round 's final odd will most likely be right around 12/1 as a longshot in the betting.

There you have it!

ENJOY THE HAMBLETONIAN OAKS, EVERYONE!

Pick for Sunday August 4, 2024



Adirondack Stakes
6 1/2 Furlongs | Fillies | 2 Year Olds | G3 STAKES | Purse: $200,000


Track: Saratoga

Surface: Dirt

Race: 9


Horse: White Sands (ML 3-1)


Field (in post position order):

1. Whatintheliteral (ML 8-1)
2. Italian Soiree (ML 9-2)
3. Atomic City (ML 8-1)
4. Dare to Breeze (ML 8-1)
5. Social Fortress (ML 6-1)
6. Aguas de Cristal (ML 12-1)
7. Anakarina (ML 12-1)
8. White Sands (ML 3-1)
9. The Queens M G (ML 7-2)



Last time we saw White Sands in action was on July 6, 2024, in the Prairie Meadows Juvenile Stakes at Prairie Meadows, in which, she trounced a good group of colts by 13 3/4 lengths.

Yes, that is right: 13 3/4 lengths.

Very impressive!



Here is an excerpt of what I wrote almost a month ago about that race:



Did anyone see the Prairie Meadows Juvenile Stakes race on Saturday night July 6, 2024?

Wow! -- it was a very impressive performance put in by a filly named White Sands, beating a good group of colts by winning it by 13 3/4 lengths.

Yes, that is right: A filly beating a good group of colts, including two highly regarded colts: The even money 2yo colt named Mission First trained by local Prairie Meadows trainer B. Hawthorne, and the equally highly regarded 2yo colt and 5/2 third choice named Complex Music trained by Steve Asmussen.

White Sands is a daughter of Into Mischief out of Unicorn Girl, by A. P. Five Hundred, and she is owned by John Magnier and Paul Shanahan and trained by Wesley A. Ward.

White Sands - the only filly in the race - was sent off as an 8/5 second choice behind the 1/1 favorite Mission First.

She just exploded right out of the gate the fastest of all to set the pace 22:18 for the quarter, 45:18 for the half, 57:38 for five furlongs, as she finished the five-and-one-half furlongs in a quick 1:04:18 while being geared down.

Yes, that is right: geared down -- very impressive.

A potential star in the making!

It looks to be the Grade 2 $200,000 Adirondack Stakes on August 4 at Saratoga is her possible next race.

She looks to be Wesley Ward's best 2yo at this point.

I don't have the Beyer Speed Figure as of this writing.

[Update: August 4, 2024: White Sands earned Beyer Speed Figure of 72 for her race on July 6, 2024.]


AS YOU CAN SEE I WAS SPOT ON IN PREDICTING WHITE SANDS' NEXT RACE, WHICH IS ADIRONDACK STAKES FOR 2YO FILLIES.

NOW IT'S HER TIME TO MAKE ME LOOK EVEN BETTER BY WINNING THE ADIRONDACK STAKES THIS SUNDAY AUGUST 4, 2024.

MAYBE WHAT I SHOULD'VE SAID WAS THAT IT'S HER TIME TO MAKE MY WALLET FATTER THIS SUNDAY AUGUST 4, 2024!


Thus far White Sands has shown the way through a pair of 5 1/2-furlong sprints by a combined 23 1/4 lengths.

She romped to a 9 1/2-length debut score in May at Belterra Park and followed last out with a 13 3/4-length victory over males in the Prairie Gold Juvenile on July 6 at Prairie Meadows.

White Sands is a half-sister to 2021 champion male sprinter Jackie's Warrior, who won 5 of 6 starts at Saratoga led by Grade 1 wins in 2020 Hopeful, the 2021 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial, and the 2022 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap.

Bred in Kentucky by Newstead Corporation, White Sands is out of the 19-time winning A. P. Five Hundred mare Unicorn Girl, who is a half-sister to graded-stakes-placed Richard the Great, multiple stakes winner Bernie the Maestro and stakes winners Reaper and Turbo.

As I stated in the excerpt that White Sands is by far Wesley Ward's best 2yo thus far this year and nothing is going to change that (in my opinion).



So bet White Sands (ML 3-1) to win and place using double down betting strategy and you should be going home as a winner.

Put some considerable amount of money on White Sands to win and place to make it worthwhile and justified going to the racetrack.

White Sands' final odd will most likely be right around 9/5 as a favorite in the betting.

Take this easy money 3/1 (or at whatever the price is -- 9/5 is my guess) and leave the racetrack as a winner.

Pick for Saturday August 3, 2024



Whitney Stakes
1 1/8 Miles | Open | 4 Year Olds And Up | G1 STAKES | Purse: $1,000,000


Track: Saratoga

Surface: Dirt

Race: 11


Horse: Arthur's Ride (ML 8-1) and Charge It (ML 30-1)


Field (in post position order):

1. Post Time (ML 20-1)
2. Disarm (ML 15-1)
3. National Treasure (ML 9-5)
4. Warrior Johny (ML 20-1)
5. First Mission (ML 9-2)
6. Il Miracolo (ML 20-1)
7. Crupi (ML 15-1)
8. Tumbarumba (ML 20-1)
9. Bright Future (ML 5-1)
10. Skippylongstocking (ML 8-1)
11. Arthur's Ride (ML 8-1)
12. Charge It (ML 30-1)


If you're sick of me picking heavy favorites all the time like the ones on Hambletonian weekend cards, here are a couple of longshots to fuel your appetite for longshots.

Arthur's Ride was spectacular in a 1 1/4-mile $62,500 allowance optional claimer at Saratoga two months ago, leading all the way to smash his rivals by 12 3/4 lengths with a 111 Beyer Speed Figure from Daily Racing Form.

He'll face tougher competition over a shorter distance in the (G1) Whitney Stakes this Saturday.

But I think Arthur's Ride is talented enough to compete with these tough horses.


So bet Arthur's Ride (ML 8-1) to win and place and show using triple down betting strategy.

So bet Charge It (ML 30-1) to win and place and show using triple down betting strategy.

Arthur's Ride's final odd will most likely be right around 18/1 as a longshot in the betting.

Charge It's final odd will most likely be right around 66/1 as a very longshot in the betting.


Yes, this qualifies as my "Longshot Play of the Week" -- if not for the month, year, or century -- because I rarely pick longshots.

It's not my type of plays to play longshots (but only occasionally).

And this one is one of those rare occasions that I pick a longshot.


Hopefully, these two very longshots will make our day at the races more enjoyable.



There you have it -- some longshots to play!

Picks for Saturday August 3, 2024 -- The Hambletonian -- Saturday Afternoon Post Time: 1st race 12:00 p.m. ET; The Hambletonian where Karl is in post time at 4:45 p.m. EDT


HAPPY HAMBLETONIAN DAY EVERYONE!


YES, THAT IS CORRECT: DAY -- NOT NIGHT!

I repeat: DAY!



LET'S SPEND THE HAMBLETONIAN SATURDAY AFTERNOON AT THE MEADOWLANDS BETTING RACES AND TREAT OURSELVES TO A DOSE OF HARNESS RACING USING PARLAY BETTING!


YES, THAT IS CORRECT: SATURDAY AFTERNOON!

I repeat: SATURDAY AFTERNOON!

Post Time: 1st race 12:00 p.m. ET



With that said, we must find the third and last leg of the parlay betting and the other two legs accordingly.


LET'S DO THAT NOW!


ON THE HAMBLETONIAN SATURDAY AFTERNOON'S CARD AT THE MEADOWLANDS -- OH, BOY! -- WE HAVE TWO "CINCH" HORSES IN LEGENDARY HANOVER (ML 4/5) IN RACE 2 AND KARL (ML 6-5) IN RACE 12.


THIS MEANS THAT WE HAVE TWO CINCH HORSES TO WORK WITH FOR OUR PARLAY SPECIAL THIS SATURDAY AFTERNOON!


SO WE'LL USE KARL AS OUR LAST LEG "CINCH" HORSE FOR THE HAMBLETONIAN SATURDAY AFTERNOON PARLAY SPECIAL.


The idea is to build up as much money for the last leg as you can since the last leg is a cinch horse and the odd on the last leg is likely to be a very short price horse.

In my opinion, the last leg horse Karl is a cinch horse -- meaning, he is likely to win the 12th race this Saturday afternoon at The Meadowlands.

His odd will likely be right around 3/5 as a very heavy favorite.

Now what's left is to find the other leg horse and here it is:


This is the first leg.


LET'S START THE HAMBLETONIAN SATURDAY AFTERNOON PARLAY SPECIAL OFF WITH A BANG!


A "BANG?"

OH, BOY -- DO WE EVER?


CANE PACE 3 Year Old Colts & Geldings (Declaration Fee - $5,000)

Purse: $248,000.00 | Gait: Pace | Distance: 1 Mile


Track: The Meadowlands

Surface: Dirt

Race: 2

Post time: 12:24 ET

Horse: Legendary Hanover (ML 4-5)


PP Horse Driver Year's Best ODDS
1. Captain's Quarters [Jody C Jamieson] (1:49.1) ML 6-1
2. Mirage Hanover [Tim A Tetrick] (1:49.0) ML 5-1
3. Legendary Hanover [James A Macdonald] (1:46.3) ML 4-5
4. Captain Luke [Scott Richard Zeron] (1:49.3) ML 10-1
5. Remember The Alamo [Todd P McCarthy] (1:49.1) 12-1


Last time we saw (or at least I saw) Legendary Hanover in action was on July 13, 2024, in the $650,000 Meadowlands Pace Stakes.

In that race he was off in fourth early but approaching the backstretch he moved up quickly to challenge for the lead, and by the five-furlong marker he was clearly in front by almost two lengths and going comfortably while setting very fast fractions.

He continued to race in that fashion all the way to the 8th pole where everybody else tried to give chase, but Legendary Hanover found another gear and quickened again to dominate his foes by a 5-widening lengths at the wire while setting a stakes record final time in the process.

He was very impressive despite setting quick fractions and in the end seemed to quicken again -- very impressive!

So bet Legendary Hanover (ML 4-5) to win and you should be going home as a winner.

Legendary Hanover's final odd will most likely be right around 1/5 as a very heavy favorite in the betting.

Hey, a win is a win instead of chasing some longshots in hope of a big payoff as most horseplayers often do to no avail.

This is the easiest 4/5 money you'll ever going to get on the card at The Meadowlands this Saturday afternoon or at any other racetracks on this Saturday afternoon August 3, 2024 [beside Karl, The Meadowlands race 12].

Take this easy money 4/5 (or at whatever the price is -- 1/5 is my guess) and leave the racetrack as a winner.

There you have it: Easy money!


This is the first leg of the parlay betting -- so Legendary Hanover should start off our first leg with a BANG!



This is the 2nd leg.


HAMBLETONIAN SATURDAY AFTERNOON PARLAY SPECIAL CONTINUES


DR. JOHN R. STEELE MEMORIAL FanDuel - Mares Open (Declaration Fee - $2,500) STAKES BARN by 8 pm Friday

Purse: $160,000.00 | Gait: Trot | Distance: 1 Mile


Track: The Meadowlands

Surface: Dirt

Race: 10

Horse: M-m's Dream (ML 2-1)

Post time: 3:36 ET



PP Horse Driver Year's Best ODDS

1. M-m's Dream [David S Miller] (1:51.1) ML 2-1
2. Mambacita [Andrew John McCarthy] (1:52.1) ML 10-1
3. Special Way [Tim A Tetrick] (1:53.2) ML 3-1
4. Pioneer As [Todd P McCarthy] (1:52.1) ML 12-1
5. Warrawee Xenia [Bob C McClure] (1:54.4) ML 12-1
6. Rose Run Yolanda [Yannick Gingras] (1:55.1) ML 10-1
7. Bond [Ake Svanstedt] (1:53.1) ML 5-2
8. Call Me Goo [Dexter J Dunn] (1:51.2) ML 8-1
9. Tactical Mounds [Scott Richard Zeron] (1:49.4) ML 6-1
10. Adare Castle [James A Macdonald] (1:53.3) ML 20-1



Bet M-m's Dream (ML 2-1) to win.

Yes, that is right: WIN [and no bother to bet it to place either because I feel very confident in M-m's Dream (ML 2-1) to win].

M-m's Dream's final odd will most likely be right around 7/5 as a heavy favorite.

Don't forget to bet all accumulated money on this 2nd leg.



HAMBLETONIAN SATURDAY AFTERNOON PARLAY SPECIAL CONTINUES



This is the 3rd and last leg -- the leg that pays the bills.



"PAYS THE BILLS?"

OH!, BOY! -- ARE WE EVER?



HAMBLETONIAN NO. 99 - FINAL 3 Year Old Open STAKES BARN - By 8 pm Friday

Purse: $1,050,000.00 | Gait: Trot | Distance: 1 Mile


Track: The Meadowlands

Surface: Dirt

Race: 12

Horse: Karl (ML 6-5)

Post time: 4:45 ET



PP Horse Driver Year's Best ODDS

1. Karl [Yannick Gingras] (1:50.3) ML 6-5
2. Mars Hill [Todd P McCarthy] (1:52.4) ML 20-1
3. Highland Kismet [Bob C McClure] (1:51.3) ML 5-1
4. T C I [David S Miller] (1:50.4) 1-3-4) ML 5-2
5. Security Protected [Tim A Tetrick] (1:53.0) ML 20-1
6. Bella's Musclehill [Scott Richard Zeron] (1:52.0) ML 15-1
7. Secret Agent Man [Andy Ray Miller] (1:50.3) ML 12-1
8. Sig Sauer [Andrew John McCarthy] (1:50.0) ML 4-1
9. Private Access [James A Macdonald] (1:52.1) ML 10-1
10. Amazing Catch [Dexter J Dunn] (1:53.4) ML 20-1

Also Eligible:

AE1 Situationship [Ake Svanstedt] 1:51.1
AE2 Wild Ticket [Tim A Tetrick] 1:53.2


Speed early in this race likely comes from T C I, Security Protected and possibly Private Access.

T C I has given up on this whole "trying to rate" malarky and is just trying to win races.

His effort in his elimination depicted a whole different T C I than we've seen.

David Miller later relayed that Ron Burke said of T C I, "We can fix him."


Last time we saw Karl in action was on July 27, 2024, in the HAMBLETONIAN NO. 99 Elimination, in which, he won his heat to secure a drawing of post 1 to 5.


Before that we saw Karl on July 13, 2024, in the Stanley Dancer Memorial [at The Meadowlands] in which resulted in an even third-place finish after breaking evenly in fourth place early on.

In that race, Karl's driver Yannick Gingras opted to let other speedsters to dictate the pace for the first quarter of mile, and approaching the straight away on the backstretch Gingras moved Karl furiously to the lead as he normally do in the past when coming from deep in the field.

Once he was in front they (Karl and his driver) continued in that fashion all the way to inside the 8th pole when Karl showed a sign of fatique and he was slowing down noticeably to hold on for 3rd by less than two lengths.

That race came off a lengthy layoff for Karl as he last raced was on May 31, 2024, in which, he dominated his foes by 7 widening lengths.

After that race his trainer said that she was going to give Karl some rest for a month at the farm before bringing him back to the track to train for the Hambletonian.

His race back was that race, the Stanley Dancer Memorial, in which resulted in defeat for Karl.

In that race in deep stretch we can see that Karl was out of shape and not fit due to the long layoff.

Prior to that race and again this past week his trainer said that she didn't crank Karl up 100%, however, she said she thought she'd trained him fit enough to win.

As for the Hambletonian, she said that Karl is plenty fit and ready.

Music to my ears!


So bet Karl (ML 6-5) to win.

Karl's final odd will most likely be right around 3/5 as a heavy favorite.

Hey, a win is a win instead of chasing some longshots in hope of a big payoff as most horseplayers often do to no avail.

Take this easy money 6/5 (or at whatever the price is -- 3/5 is my guess) and leave the racetrack as a winner.


There you have it: Easy money!


MAKE SURE TO USE ALL OF THE ACCUMULATED MONEY ON THIS LEG!


ENJOY THE HAMBLETONIAN DAY EVERYONE!

Picks for Friday August 2, 2024


HAMBLETONIAN FRIDAY NIGHT HARNESS RACING!



LET'S SPEND THE HAMBLETONIAN FRIDAY NIGHT AT THE MEADOWLANDS BETTING RACES AND TREAT OURSELVES TO A DOSE OF HARNESS RACING USING PARLAY BETTING!





The idea of a parlay betting is to build up as much money for the last leg as you can since the last leg is a cinch horse and the odd on the last leg is likely to be a very short price horse.

In my opinion, the last leg horse Captain Optimistic is a cinch horse -- meaning, he is likely to win the 8th race Friday night at The Meadowlands.

His odd will likely be right around 1/5 as a very heavy favorite.


Now what's left is to find the other three legs horses and here they are:


This is the first leg.


LET'S START THE HAMBLETONIAN FRIDAY NIGHT PARLAY SPECIAL OFF WITH A BANG!






KINDERGARTEN SERIES 2 Year Old Fillies - 3rd Leg (Declaration Fee - $250)

Purse: $20,000.00 | Gait: Trot | Distance: 1 Mile


Track: The Meadowlands

Surface: Dirt

Race: 2


Horse: Margareta Hanover (ML 2-1)



PP Horse Driver Year's Best ODDS

1 Global Heritage Dexter J Dunn (1:58.0) 5-2
2 Sweetest Zoey Yannick Gingras (2:03.3) 8-1
3 Margareta Hanover Scott Richard Zeron (1:56.1) 2-1
4 Baffle Trond Smedshammer (2:00.2) 10-1
5 Demarara Hanover David S Miller (1:58.2) 6-1
6 Credit Worthy Todd P McCarthy 12-1



Bet Margareta Hanover (ML 2-1) to win.

Margareta Hanover's final odd will most likely be right around 7/5 as a heavy favorite in the betting.


This is the first leg of the parlay betting -- so Margareta Hanover should start off our first leg with a BANG!



This is the 2nd leg.


HAMBLETONIAN FRIDAY NIGHT PARLAY SPECIAL CONTINUES


NEW JERSEY SIRE STAKES - FINAL 2 Year Old Fillies (Declaration Fee - $1,500)

Purse: $192,000.00 | Gait: Pace | Distance: 1 Mile


Track: The Meadowlands

Surface: Dirt

Race: 6

Horse: Reckless Abandon (ML 3-5)


PP Horse Driver Year's Best ODDS

1 Bequeath Scott Richard Zeron (1:52.2) 9-2
2 Th Summer Lovin Tim A Tetrick 6-1
3 Beach Babe Yannick Gingras (1:57.0) 12-1
4 Barbados Babe David S Miller 15-1
5 Reckless Abandon Todd P McCarthy (1:52.0) 3-5
6 Worklifebalance Dexter J Dunn (1:59.1) 8-1


Reckless Abandon is the first cinch horse in our parlay special and he should win this race in a romp in my opinion.


So bet Reckless Abandon (ML 3-5) to win.

Reckless Abandon's final odd will most likely be right around 1/5 as a very heavy favorite.

This is the easiest 3/5 money you'll ever going to get on the card at The Meadowlands or at any other racetracks on this Friday night August 2, 2024 [beside Captain Optimistic, The Meadowlands race 8].



This is the 3rd and last leg -- the leg that pays the bills.


HAMBLETONIAN FRIDAY NIGHT PARLAY SPECIAL CONTINUES


KINDERGARTEN SERIES 2 Year Old Colts & Geldings - 3rd Leg (Declaration Fee - $250)

Purse: $20,000.00 | Gait: Pace | Distance: 1 Mile


Track: The Meadowlands

Surface: Dirt

Race: 8

Horse: Captain Optimistic (ML 3-5)


PP Horse Driver Year's Best ODDS

1. Mad River David S Miller 12-1
2. Dinnerandashow Andrew John McCarthy 15-1
3. Attaboychet Anibal Borjas 15-1
4. Snack Attack Joe R Bongiorno (1:54.0) 5-1
5. Captain Optimistic Yannick Gingras (1:51.3) 3-5
6. Papis Pistol Dexter J Dunn (1:53.3) 6-1


Bet Captain Optimistic (ML 3-5) to win using all of the accumulated money from previous legs.

Captain Optimistic's final odd will most likely be right around 1/5 as a heavy favorite.


This is the easiest 3/5 money you'll ever going to get on the card at The Meadowlands or at any other racetracks on this Friday night August 2, 2024 [beside Reckless Abandon, The Meadowlands race 6].


There you have it: Easy money!


MAKE SURE TO USE ALL OF THE ACCUMULATED MONEY ON THIS LEG!

ENJOY THE HAMBLETONIAN FRIDAY NIGHT OF HARNESS RACING, EVERYONE!

HAMBLETONIAN WEEK THIS WEEK!


HAPPY HAMBLETONIAN WEEK, EVERYONE!


POST POSITION FOR THE HAMBLETONIAN IS SET!

Karl got the rail (post 1) -- yeah! -- and his main competition T C I got post position 4.

Anyhow, I don't think it matters what position Karl will break from as he is so versatile that he can break from post 10 and still win this race easily.

So in that regard I don't really care much about post position in this race; however, with a post position 1 Karl will win this race in a romp, but with a very low odd of 1/5 -- yes, that is right: 1/5.

Hey, a win is a win instead of chasing some longshots in hope of a big payoff as most horse players often do to no avail.


Food For Thought:

A note about the draw, T C I didn't get a good draw despite he and Karl were the only two to draw first from five balls representing five post positions.

That left post positions 2 and 3 for horses that didn't win their eliminations and they ended up getting better posts than T C I, with post 2 goes to Mars Hill and Highland Kismet with post 3.

So much about privileges!!!

There you go, just because a horse won the elimination and has the privilege to select first from five balls it doesn't guarantee that a horse will get a better post than those who didn't win their elimination races.


ANYHOW, HAPPY HAMBLETONIAN WEEK, EVERYONE!

HAMBLETONIAN WEEK THIS WEEK!


HAPPY HAMBLETONIAN WEEK, EVERYONE!


Meanwhile on Friday night (August 2) at The Meadowlands -- a stakes-laden Friday night event full of stakes races for 2yos and it is sort of like the "Stars of Tomorrow" programs that Churchill Downs has each year.

Some of these 2yos will definitely end up in next year's Hambletonian and Hambletonian Oaks.

So check out the entries for yourself and enjoy Friday night full of harness stakes races at The Meadowlands.


ENJOY FRIDAY NIGHT OF HARNESS RACING FULL OF NEXT YEAR'S HAMBLETONIAN PROSPECTS!

HAPPY HAMBLETONIAN WEEK, EVERYONE!