Hambo Elims

[Call Sign Merlin]

Expect chalk to reign in the Hambo elims but think you could see a few bombs in the Oaks -especially if the front end isn’t holding up

[Call Sign Merlin]

Zeron and Toscano have to be frustrated with the second oaks elim.  R Lady W gets what they think it the idea 2nd over behind Ake’s 1/2 who ends up spinning its wheels.  Still closes from out of the crowds with a massive last quarter.  Think she is the winner if pulled closer to 3/4s. 

That filly has a massive kick and will knock a big one off before the year is done.

[TimTimTimbo]

Dexter has a decision to make

<aryland will be miuch better next week but Super Chapter has been winning like a machine.  Those 2 should run 1 -2

[Papillon]

Super Chapter will be odds on next week

he will get post 1 through 6

[Call Sign Merlin]

Would be nice for Maryland to get a trip other than 1st up.  Also interesting who Melander calls to drive him.  Zeron is usually second call but I don’t think he jumps off Maximus Mearas.  I thought that colt was second best to Maryland by end of year.  Got a late start but looked to take a pretty big step forward

By my count Melander with 4 and Ake with 2

[Horseradish]

Also interesting who Melander calls to drive him.

1st: Mr Jen Bongiorno out of retirement for a spin around the oval
2nd: Mattias
3rd: Anthony Macdonald

[wizardofoz]

HN    Horse    PP    1/4    1/2    3/4    Str    Finish   Actual   LQ   Odds    Driver    Trainer
1    Nordic Catcher S
 
  1    1/1H    1/1Q    1/2    1/1H    1/NS   1:50.3    26.2   10.90     Ake Svanstedt    Ake Svanstedt      He wins again at a price in big trot races!

[Call Sign Merlin]

HN    Horse    PP    1/4    1/2    3/4    Str    Finish   Actual   LQ   Odds    Driver    Trainer
1    Nordic Catcher S
 
  1    1/1H    1/1Q    1/2    1/1H    1/NS   1:50.3    26.2   10.90     Ake Svanstedt    Ake Svanstedt      He wins again at a price in big trot races!

Barn had been pretty bad all night and this horse front ends them in 50 and drops his personal best by 2+ seconds.  Breeding is interesting (Six Pack over a SBSW) but Ake has the goods when he wants it.

Deepest Hambo I can remember with a lot of class.  Very few absolute throw aways.  Hell Meshugga is last one in - he gets home in 26 and might be the winner if he doesn’t get the Big M shuffle

[SDST2009]

Barn had been pretty bad all night and this horse front ends them in 50 and drops his personal best by 2+ seconds.  Breeding is interesting (Six Pack over a SBSW) but Ake has the goods when he wants it.

Deepest Hambo I can remember with a lot of class.  Very few absolute throw aways.  Hell Meshugga is last one in - he gets home in 26 and might be the winner if he doesn’t get the Big M shuffle

Yes it is always a fun year when there's a wide open field and frankly, it's that way in the Oaks too. Will be there Saturday and really looking forward to it.

[Harness racer]

I don't bet elims anymore, so this isn't sour grapes; but Ake's drive on Lady Landia was pathetic.   He never put her in play or gave her any sort of chance to advance to the final.  Put up a catch driver dummy!

[Papillon]

Yes it is always a fun year when there's a wide open field and frankly, it's that way in the Oaks too. Will be there Saturday and really looking forward to it.

Super Chapter will be 3/5 or less

is that considered wide open?

[Call Sign Merlin]

Super Chapter will be 3/5 or less

is that considered wide open?

Maybe but if he is there will be tons of very attractive options on the board.  Also if Dex drives him like he is 3/5 I think he gets beat - just too much depth and quality in the division. I can’t imagine there will be a half in 56.2 to be had, especially after Ake’s went down the road in 50 with a 26 kicker

[Papillon]

another person staring at fractions instead of the race

[JT]

another person staring at fractions instead of the race

I just rewatched all 3 elims and no doubt Super Chapter is the horse to beat, but the only horse that I think has a shot is Maryland depending on pp and who gets the drive. We all no Dexter is the best in the world now, but sometimes a new set of hands can lead to a little improvement. Furthermore he didn't have the greatest trip, leaving a little and then first over. I think with a little more urging he wins that elim, but I understand why Dexter didn't do that.

[Harness racer]

If Maryland gets a decent post and can work out a one-move trip, he can definitely win.  That was a tough trip last not.  Was used hard and then again to go first up, only to close in 26 flat while just getting beat?  But will that take a toll for next week?  Time will tell.  I think Super Chapter will be around even money at post time.