Harness News Update: Picks and analysis for Century Downs March 30th

Century Downs has a 10-dash harness racing card that will feature a Pick 5 starting in the first race.

The spotlight trainer this week is Travis Ellis and he has five horse preparing for action. Suellen Hanover (Bettors Delight) draws into the fourth race and is looking for her first win of the year. She feel just short last week after leading for most of the race. Ellis thinks his mare has a good shot this week.

“I think she will be tighter this week’ said Ellis. “The track wasn’t the greatest prior to last week and I didn’t get enough miles in with her. She trained really good this week so I hope that will do the trick. Mike (Hennessey) will know her better this week.”

Tajmania (Tajma Hall) is another of Ellis’s pacers that feel short last week after leading for most of the race. The six-year-old gelding already has a win this year at Century Mile and will be looking to get his second win in the fifth.

“He should be close to the top once again” Ellis replied. “He does have a few issues so I was surprised he got around the track as well as he did last time. He’s dropping in class so he should brave him up a bit. He also has the rail which will help him out and Mike (Hennessey) knows him really well.”

Outlaw Spiced Rum (Blue Burner) has won four of her six starts this year. She won last week in 1:58.4 and 1:56.4 the start prior. The six-year-old mare likes to get the early lead and she is hard to catch. However, even with her recent success, she opens at 6-1 morning line odds but Ellis knows she is better than that.

“She is moving up in class and will be facing a tougher bunch of mares” Ellis said.  “She’s been in a league of her recently but I don’t think the jump in class will hurt her. She’s one of those mares that keeps surprising me every week.:

OUTLAW SPICED RUM REPLAY

My Picks

Race 1

Sweet Carolineemma (5) is coming off a win in 2:04.1 which was his sixth lifetime victory.

Ruby Red Custard (4) finished second behind Sweet Carolineema last week. Could challenge down the stretch.

Woodmere Arthrjane (2) Has a win and second-place finish in two starts this year. Should be competitive in this race.

Race 2

Up Yer Kilt (6) won at 7-1 last time out in 1:56.4 and will look to repeat.

Bud Neigh Kid (5)  won last week but did it in 2:00. The conditions should be better and he should get that time down.

Blast Of Sunshine (4) hasn’t been able to win recently but his times are competitive against this field.

Race 3

Smokn Joe (4) has yet to win this year but has three second-place finishes. Qualified in 2:02.4 but should go faster this week.

Alpine Billy (3) has a win and second-place finish in the last two starts. Should be near the top in this one.

Montana Slim (1) hasn’t had the best result but getting the rail should help. Has mile times competitive with the favourites.

Race 4

Suellen Hanover (1) got caught last just missed winning last week. Gets the rail again and should be one of the best.

Cheese Whiz (3) has back-to-back second-place finishes at Century Downs and has recorded sub 2:00 times. Should be in the mix late.

Two Fingers Gold (6) won in a prior start in 1:57.1 and followed that up with a third-place performance last week. Will have to come from post-six but could rally late for the show.

Race 5

Tajmania (1) was caught late last week after leading for most of the race. Likes having the early lead and drawing the rail will benefit.

Retros Mystery (2) likes to go straight to the front but hasn’t been able to hold on. Could have an early battle with Tajmania.

No Bettor Parade (6) has had several top-three finishes recently and has posted competitive times. 

Race 6

Ima Beach Diva (3) qualified in 1:58.3 last week and will improve on that.

Outlawabovenbeyond (1) won in 2:00 last week and gets the rail again. Likes to try to go wire-to-wire and has late speed that can usually hold on. It will be a battle in the sixth. 

Ak Black Badger (5) won her last start in 1:59.2 but took last week off. She has three wins this year in five starts and could easily add another one here.

Race 7

Rockin Roller (7) won two in a row to end 2023. Qualified in 1:58.1 last week but has shown more speed previously.

Redstone Arsenal (3) had a solid 1:56.3 victory last week after sitting in the pocket.

No Collusion (6) hasn’t been able to win recently but times are competitive with the favourites.

Race 8

Fall Out Girl (1) could have a decent price and will be in the mix. The rail will help and Phil Giesbrecht will be in the sulky once again.

Miss Mooshine (6) got caught late last start but has shown the ability to rally late when coming off the pace.

Outlawkissmyclass (2) subpar performance last week but could be in the mix if hits top form.

Race 9

Military Man (7) likes to go to the front end, but post position might make that hard. Has won from off the pace before but the front is likely best.

Hard Ticket (1) had the rail last week but finished third. Similar result is incoming this time around.

Hf Devan James (2) likes the pocket trip and will fight to get it. Should be able to hold on for the show.

Race 10

Outlawstormywether (9) is coming off a 2:00.2 qualifying mile. Finished 2023 with six straight top-three finishes. Likes to go to the front early but coming post-nine might make that difficult.

Cora Cora Cora (2) won in 2:00.1 last week and did it from post position two. Likes to get to the front and sit there.

Outlaw Spiced Rum (6) has back-to-back wins and paced the miles in 1:58.4 and 1:56.4. Will be very competitive in this field.

Pick 5 (Races 1-5) 

Pick 4 (Races 7-10)   

The first race kicks off at 2:45 p.m. EST.

For the complete race entries, click here.

by Trey Colbeck, for Harnesslink