Thursday’s picks at Monticello for our IdaBet players are below:
1ST RACE: 4-2-3-6
2ND RACE: 1-5-4-2
3RD RACE: 3-2-4-1
4TH RACE: 7-1-2-6
5TH RACE: 2-3-8-7
6TH RACE: 4-2-1-3
7TH RACE: 1-7-6-2
8TH RACE: 4-5-6-3
9TH RACE: 6-4-1-3
Thank you for your continued support of Monticello and IdaBet.com!
Apr 25, 2018
The well-travelled Ask Queenie has already won races at Monticello, Yonkers and Saratoga Raceways this year. Now, she can put a Plainridge Park sticker on her trunk as she captured the $12,000 distaff pacing feature here on Tuesday afternoon (April 24).
Ask Queenie (Shawn Gray) settled in mid-pack off the gate as Iced Out (Greg Merton) took early command. But Gray’s placid approach quickly changed when he pulled his mare at the eighth pole and made a rush for the front. Hitting the quarter in :27, Ask Queenie was now barking marching orders with the field following in a straight line.
After backing the half off to :56, Stylish Beachwhere (Ron Cushing) and Western Stepp (Drew Campbell) came in the outer flow but were met with a quickening :28 third quarter pace. Rounding the last turn, Stylish Beachwhere stalled, sending Western Stepp three high. But Ask Queenie was still rolling along and stretched out to a three-length advantage. Down the lane Gray tucked the whip and lowered the lines and Ask Queenie was a wrapped-up winner crossing the wire in 1:52.3, which was a new seasonal mark.
Ask Queenie ($3.80) scored her fourth win of the year for owners Edward Hall and James Hall Jr. and trainer Craig Mosher.
In the co-featured $12,000 conditioned pace, Colorful Speech (Nick Graffam) turned a garden-spot trip behind Cruiserwillwin (Greg Merton) into a hard-fought half-length victory in 1:53.4, blowing up the tote board at 40-1.
Colorful Speech ($83.80) scored his first win of the year for owner/trainer Milton Vickerson and triggered big payouts for his supporting bettors. The 1-4 exacta returned $305.20 and the 1-4-3 trifecta paid $2,876.20,...
Apr 25, 2018
Pole-sitting Bluebird Jesse (George Brennan, $12.20) went the distance, winning Tuesday night’s (Apr. 24th) $85,000 final of the Bonus Trotting Series.
The event, co-sponsored by Yonkers Raceway and the Standardbred Owners Association of the New York, offered three preliminary legs leading to the final.
The field was reduced to seven after an illness defection, with three of those coupled due to the intersection of common trainer and cross-ownership.
At the outset, Bluebird Jessie was about to stuff Tyson (Yannick Gingras) in behind when the latter broke. That misdeed may have been the reason Optimist Blue Chip (Andy Miller) jumped it off. Tyson would eventually get back trotting, only to ‘dance’ again.
Meanwhile, Seasoned Saint (Jim Marohn Jr.), starting right next door to the leader, wound up pocketed as part of a the 15-cents-on-the-dollar favored troika. Bluebird Jesse was hard-used early (:27.4 opening quarter-mile), before rating a :58.1 intermission.
Lone lass Romancing Rachel (Mark MacDonald), another part of the entry, was third. However, the battle lines were drawn between the leader and his pursuer. Seasoned Saint, the only entrant to sweep all three prelims, pulled against Bluebird Jesse well before the 1:26.4 three-quarters.
The two were just about in tandem from the final turn to the wire, but Bluebird Jesse was both stubborn and swift. He defeated Seasoned Saint by a head in a life-best-matching 1:54.4. Romancing Rachel was another five lengths back in third, with Aces and Eights (Ray Schnittker) and Icanflylikeanangel (Jeff Gregory) settling for the minors.
For second choice Bluebird Jesse, a 4-year-old Jailhouse Jesse gelding trained by Scott DiDomenico for co-owners Brian...
Northfield Track Announcer Ayers Ratliff’s free handicapping tips are provided for our IdaBet.com players.
Remember, due to their draw schedule, picks are made in advance and do not account for scratches or late driver changes.
From the “Ayers Above WEDNESDAY EVENING, APRIL 25
Race 1: 5- Rose Run Ida – Took the hopples off in her last start and scored easily, the equipment change could make the difference in her. 3- Count On Rosey –
She has a good amount of early speed to contend with and that makes her tough. 1- Music Teacher– Gets a good draw to the inside this week and she could get
the perfect trip. 8- Katy Did – Should get a good trip from the outside.
Race 2: 5- Cowboy Blue– Has been racing extremely well from the outside, tonight he gets a better post and should get a good trip. 1- Graceful Jarmbro –
Looks to be tough at this level of competition. 6- Father Julio – Made a break right at the wire last week and was placed, if he can mind his manners he will be
closer. 2- Frank The Fish – Could add value from the inside.
Race 3: 3- California Love – Gets a good draw tonight and faces easier company than her last two starts, could be tough. 2- This Year’s Best – She has a good
amount of early speed and transitioned well from two to three, watch out. 5- Miss Rigs – Looks to be the value play underneath this week after a successful first
start of the year.
Race 4: 3- Oppa Hanover – Was parked the mile last week and still finished a strong fifth only missing by four lengths, with a better trip he’s tough. 2- Saphira
Flames – Another with a big shot in here. 7- Bias – Could make the ticket with a game effort from the outside. 9- Ding Ding Dinger – Has as good of a shot as
any in here to complete the Superfecta.
Race 5: 1- JLS Too Hot Taj – Takes a big drop in class this week paired with the rail tonight that could spell...
Data provided by Equibase
