Horse-by-horse analysis for the Cutler Memorial

Wednesday night at Northfield Park, we had nine of 15 top pick harness racing winners and a victorious Best Bet single.

Here are my top four picks followed by a horse-by-horse analysis of the $155,000 Arthur J Cutler Memorial for aged trotters raced at The Meadowlands Saturday night (May 19).

(4) BELLA BELLINI (Bar Hopping)– She always brings her A game when the biggest money is on the line, and she should get a more aggressive drive from Dexter Dunn tonight. She gets top billing.

(7) RATTLE MY CAGE (Love You) – I see this stallion rallying from the clouds to get a good share and boost the exotics payoffs, or even win if the race falls apart late.

(5) IT’S ACADEMIC (Uncle Peter) – he should be the one to catch here and if he can find a breather somewhere in the mile, which would make him tough to beat.

(1) VENERATE (Love You) – He looks ready for a good effort, and he should get put into play leaving the gate by veteran Brian Sears. He has upset possibilities here.

1. VENERATE – This son of Love You was outstanding at two and he hasn’t really followed up on that stellar campaign, but his best puts him in the conversation with these and it’s hard to look past his 1:51 2/5 qualifier trotted over this track a week ago. He makes his first start for new connections and veteran driver Sears keeps the lines  – contender.
2. DELAYED HANOVER (Southwind Frank) – In-form trotter seems a bit overmatched in this field, but he did close from 10th to 4th racing against some of today’s rivals in the Vincennes here last August – possible for the bottom of the exotics.
3. AHUNDREDDOLLARBILL – This son of Chapter Seven has his best year at three when he won the lucrative Canadian Trotting Classic. A small share is likely his ceiling in this type of race at this point – longshot.
4. BELLA BELLINI (Bar Hopping) – This top quality mare typically produces her best efforts in the biggest spots and the prep that she had in the Miss Versatility where she was an unhurried 2nd should have her perfectly primed – top contender with a big shot.
5. IT’S ACADEMIC (Uncle Peter) – One of two sent out by the Burke Brigade, this son of Uncle Peter comes in sharp, draws perfectly, and he could be the one to catch – contender.
6. PRETENDER (Muscle Hill) – Comes in razor-sharp for Team Takter and he might be faster at four. This is a big step up, but he can get a piece of this pot – exotics factor
7. RATTLE MY CAGE (Love You) – He is interesting to me here because I think he can win this if he is within striking range at the head of the lane. The trip scenario likely works against him though as he could end up 4th-over – using underneath.
8. INCOMMUNICADO (Chapter Seven) – Nothing from his opening mile suggests that he is ready to compete with at this level – likely also-ran.
9. AMBASSADOR HANOVER (Chapter Seven) – He’s fast but he needs some racing luck and from a wide draw it’s hard to see him getting the trip he needs – outsider
10.  HILLEXOTIC (Muscle Hill) – The other member of the Burke Brigade, he dominated in the Vincennes in 1:50 3/5 here on Hambletonian day last summer, so you know he is capable of producing big miles over this track. Post is the biggest drawback for me, however and I’ll look to beat him out of the exotics – fringe player.
11.  LOVEDBYTHEMASSES (Muscle Mass) – Is capable of better than he showed here in his last start, and he will get a different trip here. I can see him rallying off a live helmet to land in the bottom of the Tri or Super – exotics factor.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Garnet Barnsdale, for Harnesslink