Harness Analyst – Joe Gerrity Jr. Memorial

Many of the top aged pacers do battle in Saratoga tonight (Jul. 22) in the $250,000 Joe Gerrity Jr. Memorial in what promises to be some exciting harness racing action. We take a look at each horse’s chances here and offer a selection. Good Luck with your wagers.

Selections: 4-2-1-3

(1) HELLABALOU – If you can make front from the 8-hole at Yonkers, you for sure are going to be the early leader from the rail at Saratoga, right? His speed and advantageous post draw make him an obvious big threat here.

(2) FUNATTHEBEACH N – winner of 18 of his last 56 starts, this 1/2-mile track specialist gets Mark Macdonald and an inside post, so you know he is leaving for position. He should get a good trip racing near the front, and he is in with a shot.

(3) TATTOO ARTIST – comes off a strong effort in the Haughton, but he will likely get forced to race first up here which isn’t his best trip. As the morning line favorite, I’ll play to beat him.

(4) COVERED BRIDGE – winner of 8 of his last 11 starts – all raced on 1/2-mile tracks – this classy gelding will likely get a good trip here and he is the pick. He will provide excellent value if he goes off anywhere close to his 9 to 2 morning line quote.

(5) IDEALSOMEMAGIC A – He is another that is great on 1/2-mile tracks and his 11 for 20 record in 2023 makes him hard to discount, but the inside four will likely get position on him early and that can mean everything in a race like this. I see him closing for a small share.

(6) I DID IT MY WAY – He is another that is capable vs. these types but likely limited to taking a slice starting from an outside post.

(7) THIS IS THE PLAN – With only one win in 2023, this triple millionaire is hard to love starting from a bad post tonight.

(8) SEMI TOUGH – Young driver Brett Beckwith gets a chance to race for a $250,000 purse here, but the post draw gods were unkind to him. A small share is likely the ceiling for Semi Tough tonight.

by Garnet Barnsdale, for Harnesslink