Gil Winston observations score big

The objective of this analysis is to identify harness racing horses via plus or minus scores that are not identifiable in the past performances. Horses whose races are accurately captured in the past performances are not captured here, regardless of how well or poorly they may have raced.

Consider all races without comment as WUSIWUG – an acronym for What U See (in past performances) Is What U Get. Some races may identify multiple horses that are scored, while other races are clearly defined in the past performances, and no horse is scored. These unscored horses all had clearance in the pivotal part of the stretch, and no uncharted exertion earlier.

Scores do not indicate must-bet or must-toss the next time they race as other handicapping factors come into play. But these scores give the bettor a huge edge in what is frequently the most important factor when making betting decisions and many scored horses have been coming in with generous payouts.

Observation for 6/28 race

The eighth race at The Meadowlands on Friday is an excellent example of scores not being the final decision-maker when making future wagers. You will note that there were three horses from that race who were blocked, and that was not captured in the past performances. But FERRAGAMO HANOVER was hard used getting to the top, which sets up the race for closers. He remained game to the wire. I know that I will give the blocked horses strong consideration if they are in softer next week, but should they be bet against FERRAGAMO HANOVER if they are in against him again? All handicapping factors will come into play. Do you bet any of those would-be closers against FERRAGAMO HANOVER next week?

On Friday, scores proved to be incredible valuable, especially the two-year-old qualifying race observations. I hope some of you were on board. Scores are all about value, but no horse becomes an auto-bet based on score, alone.

You cannot assume scored horses will race the following week. Here is the best way to profit from this analysis. On the day you are wagering on races, and see Freehold or Meadowlands in the past performances, go to here This will open up the list of all articles. For horses that show lines that pique your interest, find the article that analyzes the races for that day, then search for the horse. If the horse has a positive score, you know the horse is better than the pp line shows. Click on other weeks that the horse raced if the most recent race does not complete the story for you. This will give you access to all analysis.

Tracking shippers is not part of this analysis, but out-of-town winners are identified on occasion.

It’s June and the 2yos are making their appearance. Consider putting scored two-year olds in your virtual stables for when they go out of state for stake races. Tracking of out-of-town shippers is hit-and-miss in this column.

This week’s winners that were identified in previous analyses

Harrington           6-24       Race 8   SLIPIN SKIP                        $42.60   Scored +2 on the last weekend of the Freehold meet. Comment was “Dangled first turn, long brush, then had to circle bad cover”

Yonkers                6-26       Race 6   IGNATIUS A                       $ 9.80    Scored +2 in his last race at Freehold. This was his first race back on a half-mile track since he scored +2 in his last race at Freehold.

*M’lands              6.28       Race 1   GAZOO                                $ 3.20   Scored a rare +3 on 6-15 because of the driver’s magical mystery tour. Won by open lengths tonight.

*M’lands              6.28       Race 1   MEET THE CREEPER        paid $18 to place at 44-1, scored on the same night as the winner to complete the cold $49 exacta    

*M’lands              6.28       Race 2   HIDALGO                            $ 3.80   Scored in Gaitway qualifier to complete a popular ice cold $6 double.

*M’lands              6.28       Race 3   MARYLAND                       $ 3.20   Scored +2 in his first qualifier, then won his next qualifier easily

*M’lands              6.28       Race 3   MR WALNER FASHION   finished second. Also scored +2 in his qualifier and completed a popular $9 exacta.

*M’lands              6-28       Race 4   ASCENDANCE                   $ 4.20 Scored in qualifier.

* M’lands             6-28       Race 4   SHES A STREAKER            Paid $10.40 to place at 19-1. Scored +2 in qualifier. Got out too late or might have won. These were the only two horses that were scored in this 11-horse race. Exacta paid $45.

M’lands                6-28       Race 5   ROBBED BY FORCE          Paid $15 to place at 23-1, as the only scored horse in the race. Beaten a nose.

*M’lands              6-28       Race 6   NAMASTE HANOVER      $ 5.00    Scored in qualifier.

*M’lands              6-28       Race 6   RAILROAD STATION         completed $18.40 exacta. Scored in qualifier.

*M’lands              6-28       Race 6   WORLD BEATER               completed $80.40 trifecta. Scored in qualifier. Those were the only horses from that race that were scored in qualifiers.

M’lands                6-28       Race 10 MAJORLY SEXY A            $ 8.40    Scored in last at M’lands

M’lands                6-28       Race 12 AVF CLAIRE                       $30.00   Scored in last at M’lands

M’lands                6-29       Race 1   CUPID SHUFFLE                $ 4.40    Scored in last at M’lands 

Magical Acres Qualifiers 6-26

Race      Horse                                   Score     Analysis

2             3 GENERAL KRONOS        1             Lineup behind winner

4             4 LEADS THE WAY            1             Under hold through stretch

5             4 ONAJETPLANE               3             Monstrous recovery after interference

8             2 LEFTIES RIGHTIES          1             Would have won by more if clear sooner

9             4 PAPI’S OPINION             1             Strong last eighth

13           4 LOVELY ALEXA                1             Used twice, then drew out

14           1 MY DEBT COLLECTOR  1             Issue at 5/8, lost ground, good recovery

14          2 CAVIART IVY                   1             Lineup through stretch

Gaitway Qualifiers 6-27

Race      Horse                                   Score     Analysis

3             4 SHE’S A CON                  2             A lot better than the 2:02 that she raced

5             1 LOVE TROUBLE              1             Lineup behind winner

5             3 FANSVILLE                      1             Moved way too late

5             4 POINT BREEZE               1             Appeared to have more

6             5 BEACH BABE                  3             Under strong hold – the best so far

7             3 SINATRA                          1             Good recovery after break

Meadowlands Qualifiers 6-29   

Race      Horse                                   Score     Analysis

1             4 DON’T ASK FOR MORE 1            Dominant

2             5 CAMERA MAN               1             Dominant

3             6 GETASTARTFROMTHESKY 1       Third consecutive race with dominant Svanstedt trotters.

5             3 XALAPA                            2             Lineup with plenty of trot

5             6 VIEW FROM ABOVE     1             Good trot when asked

VIEW FROM ABOVE REPLAY

8             3 CAVIART ADELE             -1           Caution advised! This may turn out to be a good trotter, but the 7-length victory was due to the multiple breakers.

9             6 FUSION                           2             Still closed in 25.4 despite losing ground coming off the turn

10           5 WELCOMETOTHESHOW 1         Far back due to dead cover. Finished well

10           6 AMERICAN SON            1             Might have won if not for bad steps late

15           1 LILY WHITE HANOVER  2             Accelerated when challenged

LILY WHITE HANOVER REPLAY

16           5 DAME GOOD TIME       1             Accelerated nicely  when clear

Meadowlands 6-28

Race      Horse                                   Score     Analysis

1             2 PAPRIKE BLUE CHIP      1             Used too hard passed quarter

1             3 PERSIMMON A              1             Used too hard passed quarter

1             1 MARTY MONKHOUSER A 1       Most pace in stretch

4             3 DURATION                      1             Blocked with trot

4             9 SHES A STREAKER         1             Clear too late with trot

5             2 BEST CHIP                       1             Blocked with pace

5             9 TOM HORN                    2             4-wide passed 1/8, then checked and blocked in stretch

7             10 EMPEREURTHEBEST FR 1        Blocked

8             1 ABEL DE VIE                   1             Blocked with pace

8             2 GEMINI EXPRESS           1             Never clear

8             10 MASK ON MASK OFF 1             Clear too late, widest

9             4 JUST A ROCKET MAN   1             Blocked with pace

11           9 RUN THE WORLD DEO 1             Tight along cones

13           3 IMPORTER EXPORTER  1             Blocked

Meadowlands 6-29

Race      Horse                                   Score     Analysis

1             6 PORT ROYAL HANOVER 2           Behind dead cover, wide before 3q, then weave with pace

1             9 HUNGRY TO WIN          1             Lost ground moving 4-wide on the last turn

2             3 TACTICAL MOUNDS      1             Blocked

4             7 DOLCE AMARA               1             Tight with pace

9             1 CABALLERO                    1             Clear too late

9             2 BENNY J                          1             Cut off along pylons

13           2 GOOD DEAL                   1             Blocked with pace in stretch

13          4 INTERST FREE A             1             3-wide almost to the quarter

13           10 LITERL HANOVER        2             6-wide to 5-wide first eighth

14           3 WHAT THE LUCK           1             First over entire last half

by Gil Winston, for Harnesslink