Three of the keenest, most analytical minds in handicapping have taken on the Breeders Crown card tonight at the Meadowlands. You will find their selections here and you can follow along as they blog throughout the Breeders Crown card at the Mini-site created by the USTA. Race replays of all Crown races will be available almost immediately after the conclusion of the each race. there are free programs available for download and plenty of interesting reading to help celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Breeders Crown races.
 
The selections of our three challengers will go up against Bob Pandolfo, who will be hosting the blog while Tim Bojarski keeps order.

HARNESS EYE GUY: Disclaimer: I reserve the right to change my mind on any of the selections listed below due to wind/weather conditions, late driver changes or because it is my god given right. HEG

Race 2 – Breeders Crown 2-year-old Filly Trot
HARNESS EYE GUY: I just finished watching A Few Good Men for the 25th time. Jack Nicholson said, “We use words like honor, code, loyalty.” Did he just say Honor? What a coincidence, there is an HONORABLE DAUGHTER in this race. Seriously, one horse went completely wire to wire last Friday and he got the half in 1:00. This lass is the best in here and will prove it. Excuse me while I channel SOUTHWIND WASABI’s driver Cat Manzi: Please don’t leave, please don’t leave, please don’t leave. If he leaves with her my pick is void. CELEBRITY JULIET has been racing better than her PP’s look and has the Meadowlands win machine in the sulky.

BuckEye Bettor: #6 Michelle’s Way—has the same name as the first lady elect.  MacEachern is looking for a fast profit on his recent $42K purchase at Harrisburg.  And Brennan is trying to make up for a summer of lost income due to a shattered wrist suffered the Saturday after Memorial Day at Pokey.  A good lead off for those looking to get ahead early.   #2 Yursa Hanover—will she set the tone tonight for the Canadian invaders?  Double digit Danny could get yous’a real’a nice’a exacta.  #3 All Star Hanover—and let’s try the Purple Jesus driven filly to complete a nice’a trifecta. #7 Honorable Daughter—Obama has two.  Toss this morning line favorite into your 4 horse trifecta box

Wizzard of Windsor: Yursa Hanover (2) – Gutsy first over win on a night when that kind of trip should have left her out of the final.  Peaking at a very good time it appears for trainer Baillargeon. As an added bonus she’s by Windsong’s Legacy who was one of my favorites. Honorable Daughter (7) – Somehow couldn’t hold on in her elimination despite a 1.01.1 middle half. Will chalk that up to the ridiculous closers bias that night. Still it makes you wonder and worry. All Star Hanover (3) – Drew well after an excellent effort. She was used hard to clear the lead and then sat a pocket to the stretch where she popped out and scored a measured win. Note the winning time was significantly slower than the others.

Race 3 – Breeders Crown 2-year-old Filly Pace
HARNESS EYE GUY:
Pay close attention because I’m not sure if my memory is good enough to repeat my logic a second time. Thou Shalt Not beat Hawaiian Drink at The Red Mile on 9/24. Warrawee Kay raced on the same day and won in a faster time (1:51.3 to 1:52.1). Warrawee Kay also paced faster in victory than Thou Shalt Not on 9/15 at The Red Mile (1:53.2 to 1:54.3). So, it is obvious that WARRAWEE KAY is better than Hawaiian Drink and should be the pick. In addition to that flawless logic, “Kay” was making her first start in 51 days was she came up short to “Drink” in her elimination. She will be tighter tonight. SPECIAL SWEETHEART has been getting better each week for a sharp barn. HAWAIIAN DRINK will be a heavy favorite and this is not an easy spot.

BUCKEYE BETTOR  Race 3: #2 Hawaiian Drink—trainer Tracy Brainard will send this one out in an attempt to sweep the 2 year old pacing Crown titles for both sexes.  And if you don’t mind playing chalk after your big ticket cashing in the opener, hop on. #10 Notjustaprettyface—let’s try Brennan again here on a longshot.  Don’t let conditioner Chupp make a “chump” out of your exacta tickets, make sure she is on them.  #9 Thou Shalt Not—wasn’t Pierce’s choice when driver choices were announced.  Like he’s real smart anyway?  Andy inherits the drive and some money. #6 Warrawee Kay—maybe the statement above was harsh, maybe not?  This one was RP’s choice, and should be used in tri boxes with the ones above.

WIZZARD OF WINDSO: Racing Star (3) – Jersey boys rooting for the Four Starzz Shark bred, maybe it will inject some life into the foundering breeding industry. Sat patiently, tipped out and blew by in her elimination in a fast time compared to the other one. Draws well so expect a similar strategy and result. Hawaiian Drink (2) – Very impressive last week. Went first up past the half and just kept going when everyone else that night did not. Not very bright going against her but that’s not surprising to those in the know. Seriously, you want crumbs or the cake? Thou Shalt Not (9) – Brower’s rules of play say thou shalt not bet closers from outside posts. Draws the 9 post once again. Obviously she needs to keep close enough but if she does and the pace is quick watch out.

Race 4 – Breeders Crown 3-year-old Filly Trot
HARNESS EYE GUY: What would a trot race be without a Jimmy Takter trainee? Thankfully we won’t have to find out. LANTERN KRONOS needed David Blaine to overcome the eight-hole in the Matron at Dover. While Mr. Blaine was unavailable for the Crown finale, fortunately John Campbell was free. Lantern Kronos can leave or close and will lock up divisional honors if she wins. STAGE SHOW is clearly feeling good right now and is a must on any exotic tickets. According to the rules of trotting, if Takter has a horse in the final Trond Smedshammer must have one too. CREAMY MIMI seems to have found herself once again after a couple of dry months. She is dangerous with a smooth trip.

Race 4: BUCKEYE BETTOR  #6 Creamy Mimi—Trond is smart enough to hand the lines over to Andy Miller with half a mil on the line here.  She’s the real deal.  The “Creamy” of the crop. #8 Lantern Kosmos—you already made enough money back in races 2 and 3.  Take the short exacta price here and move on.  #2 Poster Pin Up—so you want to hit the trifecta again?  Use this gal with the 2 listed above.  And what if one of those jump?  See below. #5 Stage Show—Palone?  On this “stage”?  at the Big M?  pleeeease!!  But you gotta have something else goin in your tri bets if one of the ones listed above jump, and one of these has to complete the super.  Try the “all ” button if you’re serious.

WIZZARD OF WINDSOR: Stage Show (5) – Had a rough go of it last week as the heavy favorite. She was lucky enough to draw well for the final. Expect her to rebound and take full advantage. Special shout out to Bill O’Donnell in the next square over.

Lantern Kronos (8) – Had one of the byes so she qualified instead. Not so lucky with her post. Takter will have her ready for a top effort with three-year-old trotting filly of the year likely on the line.

Creamy Mimi (6) – Also had a bye and chose to rest rather than qualify. Smedshammer knows what he’s doing so won’t question that. She seemed to get her game back in the Matron after going through a rough stretch.

Race 5 – Breeders Crown 2-year-old Colt Trot
HARNESS EYE GUY: Here is the deal: You get an undefeated horse in EXPLOSIVE MATTER who beat half of tonight’s competition last week, and he won’t be the favorite. If that is not logical, I don’t know what is. MUSCLE HILL has only one career defeat and he finished second that in that start. He is another favorite that cannot be completely tossed. Two Campbell’s are better than one. Here’s hoping that TOM CANGO needed last week’s race and can pick up his game

BUCKEYE BETTOR: #3 Explosive Matter—a morning line second choice??  What are you thinking Mr. Brower??  A perfect record and can’t get top billing here??  A straight play if the one below gathers too much win money. #2 Muscle Hill—just don’t fool around with your profits earned from the selections above.  Take the short exacta and move on. #5 Cesar A Blue Chip—OK, so you wanna play a trifecta??  Here’s your show horse.  No better than that.  #1 Keystone Activator—suppose one of the above jump.  With Andy and the rail, this could be the one to save you if you insist on playing the trifecta.

WIZZARD OF WINDSOR: Muscle Hill (2) – Beat the bias last Friday night which was no small feat. Looks like the early Hambletonian favorite. Unfortunately these big race nights typically result in some very short prices and this will be one of them. Federal Flex (10) – Did all the work in the elimination only to hand it to the second over horse. Gets “rewarded” with the ten-hole for the final. Such are the breaks. If he drew inside I might have given him a chance to upset. Explosive Matter (3) – As noted above he was carried to victory by Federal Flex last week. Take nothing away from this one though. He has yet to taste defeat in his young career. Bitter aftertaste alert.

Race 6 – Breeders Crown 3-year-old Colt Trot
HARNESS EYE GUY :Three quarters of the people handicapping this race are probably thinking that the outcome is obvious. I wish I could share their decisiveness. My weak vote is for CRAZED. He gets the vote because I have some doubts as to whether DEWEYCHEATUMNHOWE will have his act together after the various trips and ordeals he has been through in the last week. I’m rooting for Dewey but wouldn’t key him. NAPOLEON is the sleeper in this field. He was awesome at the Meadowlands on Hambo day and Manzi knows how to handle a trotter.

Race 6  BUCKEYE BETTOR: #8 Deweycheatumnhowe—yeah, he’s lame right?  He looked like he was being held together with duct tape many times this year.  Unless Ray scratches him, don’t play against.  You’ll be “dewing” yourself a disservice and “howe” you’d be “cheatum” yourself too. #10 Crazed—has been second best all year to the magical “Dewey”.  If you think Ray has burned him up, then go ahead and play this guy.  He and Tetrick are “Shining” together like Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duval.  #9 Celebrity Secret—could hit the ticket a notch higher than this if Dewey scratches or one of the above miscues.  Don’t count on either. #11 Clerk Magistrate—Trottin Trevor Ritchie has the trailing post, better than any listed above.  Try a 4 horse tri box and hope 3 of them can avoid the traffic trouble that look inevitable. 

WIZZARD OF WINDSOR: Deweycheatumnhowe (8) – Will he race or won’t he?  Hoping he does unlike most of his competitors I imagine. They’ve chased him all year with nothing to show for it other than Crazed getting him once in an elimination. Maybe he’ll be vulnerable?

Crazed (10) – Cashed in with the Matron score while Dewey rested up. It’s been a great year for this guy. Too bad he showed up the same year as an all time great.

Holiday Credit (2) – Couldn’t handle Crazed in the Matron but two solid efforts nonetheless. Good post, Pierce in the bike, Takter training, lots of pluses.

Race 7 – Breeders Crown 2-year-old Colt Pace
HARNESS EYE GUY: The name Campbell is synonymous with success in stakes races. Okay, so it is driver John and not trainer Jim that has dominated the scene; semantics. DIAL OR NODIAL has made the right call in eight of his 11 trips to the track. Sure, he was bad in the Governor’s Cup, didn’t exactly star in his elimination and has a weird name, but none of that matters on Saturday. Only one thing matters when you place four or five capable horses behind the gate together - TRIP, and he’ll get it. MAJOR IN ART was probably the most impressive qualifier on the entire card last Friday. If you leave him off any of your tickets, you need your head examined. Let’s see here, Martin Luther King Jr. made the historic “I have a dream” speech and Barack Obama became President in the same year that  IF I CAN DREAM races in the Breeders Crown; hmmm.

Race 7  BUCKEYE BETTOR: #8 If I Can Dream—would complete a “dream” sweep of the 2 year old pacing divisions if Hawaiian Drink was successful in race 3 for conditioner Brainard.  If you saw this guy dominate the elim and final of the Matron at Dover, and the tough trip in last week’s BC elim, you’d wonder how Brower can list him at 8-1 morning line.  Don’t’ question, just take the money. #1 Major In Art—has “majored” in winning the big money 2 year old events this year.  Won the Wilson and the Metro.  And if I weren’t reaching for a price, would have been listed on top here. #2 Captain Sir—if you missed the wedding, don’t attend the funeral, is a tried and true saying.  You won’t see 38-1 again tonight.  But if you’re looking to complete a tri ticket, it would be a mistake to leave this team Jamieson colt off your wager. #5 Well Said—has been consistent enough north of the border to be mentioned here.  And his dam, Must See, is worthy of recall.  And as of this writing, was Pierce’s choice over Clear Vision.

WIZZARD OF WINDSOR: Dial Or Nodial (6) – Will give him another chance after being parked out. A smoother trip is all he needs. Sears more likely to go with Major In Art which can only help the price. Well Said (5) – Flew home for 3rd last week. Post five gives him options but most likely he tries the closing strategy once again. His best recent races have come from off the pace. Major In Art (1) – A win by this guy clinches two-year-old colt of the year. Even a quality loss, depending on who prevails, could be enough. He wasn’t great in the Governors Cup and was all out last week so we’ll stand against.

Race 8 – Breeders Crown 3-year-old Filly Pace
HARNESS EYE GUY: You may have come to see Dewey or Beach, but if you want to bet, this is your race. TUG RIVER PRINCESS and NATIVE BRIDE will be chalky in here, and rightfully so. But they are far from unbeatable. To borrow a line from the legal system, you must have “proof beyond a reasonable doubt” that the favorite is the best horse in the race. At least three others in this race have proven that they can pace fast enough to beat the favorites. BTWNYURHEARTNMINE made a freaky move last week. If Tetrick can use her speed at the right time, the others are in for a battle. CHANCEY LADY and A AND GSCONFUSION are also very much worth consideration.

Race 8 BUCKEYE BETTOR: #3 Native Bride—will win this event for co-owner Jay Sears with son Brian in the bike.  Will probably not be a decent enough price to play in the win pool, so marry her with the balance of the selections below for winning exacta possibilities.  #4 Chancey Lady—another Canadian invader who looks like she has a real good “chancey” to hit the ticket with double digit Dube.  Just in case the “Bride” has an off night, use this one in your exotics with those listed below. #1 Tug River Princess—when you get a Hall of fame driver like Campbell on an obvious contender, it is hard to play against.  So just make sure to include this gal when you’re putting together your string of exotic wagers. #2 Knock Three Times—would be your toss-in when looking for a saver ticket.  She is definitely a notch below the ones listed above.

WIZZARD OF WINDSOR: A and G’s Confusion (5) – Liked her last week and she exploded home in 26.3 to grab the place position. This race may be the most competitive on the card meaning fast fractions which is what she wants. Biggest reach of the night but you gotta have one. Native Bride (3) – Hard to play against because she looked so comfortable and confident last week. Fully expecting her to run a big race and be right there. Just don’t want to accept a short price in a race loaded with talent. On a side note picked Btwnurheartnmine against her last week and still scratching my head over the three-wide move by Tetrick.  Chancey Lady (4) – Another gal who was absolutely airborne in the lane last week. That win made her a millionaire. She seeks to add significantly to that total and can do that if she gets the right trip and fractions.

Race 9 – Breeders Crown 3-year-old Colt Pace
HARNESS EYE GUY: From a wagering standpoint this race is a real yawner. With all due respect to Shadow Play, the chances of SOMEBEACHSOMEWHERE losing are equivalent to the Tampa Bay Rays making it to the World Series; oops, bad comparison. Seriously, Beach wins and SHADOW PLAY finishes second. Honorable mention goes to RUDY REDNOSE, who seems to finally be realizing his talent.

RACE 9- BUCKEYE BETTOR: #2 Shadow Play—“Black is Beautiful” would be the statement here.  He may well be the blackest black horse I have eyed in my 35+ years following the sport.  Won the Jug on 3 feet, a masterful shoeing job just prior to the final saved his glorious day.  Can make amends for the defeat by the one listed below on the soupy track at Yonkers in the Messenger. #3 Somebeachsomewhere—most of us south of the Canadian border can truly say “WHERE has he been”?  He’s been lightly raced, and kept in Canada for the bulk of his brilliant career.  One bad Paul MacDonell drive from being undefeated lifetime. #6 Rudy Rednose—is no reindeer.  If one of the above should miscue, falter, whatever, than this would be the one to save your exacta ticket.  Make sure you think about that, and if not, and you’re playing tri’s he’s 3rd best anyway. #5 Dali—accepted the bye into the final that my top selection refused last week.  This has been a tough enough year on this group that the rest may be what he needs to earn a minor check here. 

WIZZARD OF WINDSOR: Somebeachsomewhere (3) – Hard to play beat the favorite if you saw this guy in the Ontario Sire Stakes final two weeks ago. He went 1.21.0 to the three quarter mark on a sloppy surface and cruised home by 11+ lengths in 1.50.3. He drew well and will take no prisoners in his final lifetime start. Blueridge Western (1) – Had enough late pace in the elimination to make you think his next race could be his best. He qualified sharply prior to that. If he follows the script and stays off the early pace he should shake loose late and scoot home to be second best to an all time great. Shadow Play (2) – The obvious “most likely to upset” selection but just can’t do it. It’s a testament to how great a season he’s had and how well he’s been managed that he’s bankrolled a million plus and won some big races including the Jug.

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HARNESS EYE GUY: Special free and no charge to you-The Plays

Race Two:  Honorable Mention to win. I’ll take 6-5 and be happy.
Pick-3 using Honorable Mention with Warrawee Kay (race 3) with Stage Show, Creamy Mimi and Lantern Kronos (race 4)

Race Three:  Warrawee Kay to win.
Exacta Box: Warrawee Kay, Hawaiian Drink, Special Sweetheart and Thou Shalt Not
Trifecta Key: Warrawee Kay over Hawaiian Drink, Special Sweetheart, Thou Shalt Not and Fix Valley Topaz

Race Four: Exacta: Lantern Kronos over Creamy Mimi and Stage Show

Race Five: Explosive Matter to win if higher than than 2-1.

Race Six: Pick-4 using Deweycheatumnhowe and Crazed with Major In Art, Well Said, Dial Or Nodial and If I Can Dream (race 7) with Tug River Princess, Native Bride, Chancey Lady, A And GsConfusion and Btwnyurheartnmine (race 8) with Somebeachsomewhere (race 9)

Race Seven: Dial Or Nodial to win.
Trifecta: Dial Or Nodial, Well Said, If I Can Dream with Dial Or Nodial, Well Said, If I Can Dream and Major In Art with ALL except Magicmaker Hanover and Artists Rally.

Race Eight: Btwnyurheartnmine to win and place.
Exacta Box: Btwnyurheartnmine with Tug River Princess, Native Bride, Chancey Lady and A And GsConfusion.

Race Nine: Exacta: Somebeachsomewhere over Shadow Play
Trifecta Somebeachsomewhere with Shadow Play with Rudy Rednose and Share The Delight