SHA TIN SELECTIONS
(Saturday, December 24, 2022)

Race 1: #7 Forerunner, #6 Devil And Gold, #11 Fast Buck, #2 Happy Won
Race 2: #4 Go Go Sixteen, #3 Sunny Baby, #12 Boys Party, #11 Turf Brilliant
Race 3: #14 Super Highway, #6 Multisuper, #1 Golden Bull, #4 I Give
Race 4: #7 Solar Partner, #1 Compassion Spirit, #8 Infinite Power, #5 Proud Dragon
Race 5: #2 All Joyful, #8 Sun Of Makfi, #11 Green Laser, #1 Skyey Supreme
Race 6: #1 Robot Warrior, #10 Red Elysees, #5 Right As Rain, #7 Vincy
Race 7: #11 Dinkum, #2 Brilliant Way, #6 Solar Winds, #13 Texas Moon
Race 8: #8 Master Tornado, #3 Winner Method, #11 Golden Artie, #14 Let’s Do It
Race 9: #2 So We Joy, #4 Handsome Twelve, #1 Chancheng Prince, #13 Yes We Can
Race 10: #14 Tianchi Monster, #10 Packing Treadmill, #3 Keefy, #6 All For St Paul’s

Race 1: Amaryllis Handicap

Tricky contest to open the fixture, however, #7 Forerunner catches the eye on debut for Benno Yung. He’s been tardy out of the gates so far in his trials but has closed off well enough to suggest that he could make an impression on debut. Take a chance on him each way. #6 Devil And Gold did well enough on debut in a race that was rather inconclusive for those settled worse than midfield. He has the ability. #11 Fast Buck will need to overcome the wide gate. He has claims. #2 Happy Won can take another step forward.

Race 2: Cedar Handicap

4 Go Go Sixteen makes a favourable return to a mile. He’s in sound condition and the step back to a distance he has won over is a big plus. The draw suits. #3 Sunny Baby is racing well and with plenty of merit. He’ll once again pair with Zac Purton as he chases a second win this season. #12 Boys Party mixes his form but is closing in on a first Hong Kong win. He’s worth taking an each way ticket here at what should be decent odds. #11 Turf Brilliant is consistent and with luck can figure once more. Next...

HAPPY VALLEY SELECTIONS
(Wednesday, December 21, 2022)

Race 1: #7 Encore, #1 Strive For Glory, #2 Sunshine Legendary, #8 Day Day Rich
Race 2: #9 Natural Storm, #4 Hit The Shot, #3 Five G Patch, #8 Lucky Diamond
Race 3: #7 Smiling City, #6 Mr Fun, #2 Brave Star, #1 Sight Hero
Race 4: #10 Heavenly Thought, #3 Flying On The Turf, #2 Take What You Need, #8 Handsome Guys
Race 5: #9 Faribault, #4 Juneau Flash, #2 Circuit Seven, #11 One For All
Race 6: #12 Glorious Lover, #7 Turin Warrior, #3 Lucky Gold, #5 Fearless Fire
Race 7: #11 Sixth Generation, #1 H Z Tourbillon, #5 Howdeepisyourlove, #2 Hercules
Race 8: #7 Sky Forever, #1 Star Brite, #2 Nicconi County, #9 Leslie
Race 9: #11 Nordic Dragon, #1 Excellent Peers, #10 Hyper Dragon Ball, #2 Super Fortune

Race 1: Mercury Handicap (2nd Section)

7 Encore looks like he can make the most of a hot tempo. Expecting they run along here and he’s shown in the past that his best form has come over this course and distance. #1 Strive For Glory is one of those who is likely to lead. He’s back in Class 5 here which is a big plus, especially with Zac Purton hopping up. #2 Sunshine Legendary caught the eye closing off late last start. He’s mixed his form so far but it does look like he’s taking the right steps forward now. #8 Day Day Rich has class and speed. Don’t discount.

Race 2: Venus Handicap

9 Natural Storm does his best racing over this course and distance. He narrowly missed two runs back and he only needs to replicate that effort to be a leading contender here. #4 Hit The Shot has the class. He won well two starts ago and will benefit getting out over this journey once again. #3 Five G Patch is expected to improve sharply third-up this term. Big watch on him here, especially with Hugh Bowman hopping up. #8 Lucky Diamond can find the front and run this group along. Keep safe.

Race 3: Mars Handicap (2nd...

Tuesday’s “Lock” stays at Northfield Park on race 04 with the #3-Another Beaten Fav looking to make amends. Aarron Merriman drives.

Last Lock was 2nd and the pick record is at 1027 of 1631 wins with 292 seconds and 110 thirds.

Remember to place your wagers at IdaBet.com!

Monday’s “Lock” is at Northfield Park on race 07 with the #8-Sawyer’s Desire-Drop and Pop tonight-Ronnie Wrenn JR drives.

Last Lock won again. The pick record is at 1027 of 1630 wins with 291 seconds and 110 thirds.

Thank you for your support of IdaBet.com!

SHA TIN SELECTIONS By Declan Schuster
(Sunday, December 18, 2022)

Race 1: #13 Alloy Star, #3 Jiangxi Stamina, #2 Joyful Genius, #1 Angels Hunter
Race 2: #4 Hero Icon, #2 Brave Dreams, #9 E Rainbow, #12 Master Of Luck
Race 3: #7 Excellent Fighter, #2 Baby Crystal, #4 Atomic Energy, #6 Cool Blue
Race 4: #10 Kasi Farasi, #5 Victory Scholars, #9 Tycoon Jewellery, #6 Flying Sword
Race 5: #8 Over The Moon, #2 Cheery, #4 Turquoise Alpha, #10 Pakistan Friend
Race 6: #9 Pulsar Strider, #3 Cape Breton, #11 Dream Pursuer, #4 Bundle Of Charm
Race 7: #10 Happy Fat Cat, #2 Flying Bonus, #1 Call Me Teddy, #5 Stand Up
Race 8: #3 Handsome Bo Bo, #5 Keep You Warm, #2 Whizz Kid, #8 Ping Hai Galaxy
Race 9: #3 Fiery Diamond, #7 Red Desert, #12 Youthful Deal, #2 Man Star
Race 10: #13 Happy Day, #12 Accelerando, #8 Massive Action, #7 Stunning Impact

Race 1: Lukfook Jewellery Hexicon Handicap

Tricky opening contest, however, #13 Alloy Star appeals at what could be a decent price. He returns first-up but does look wound-up to perform fresh for Benno Yung. #3 Jiangxi Stamina makes a welcome step down to Class 5. Vincent Ho hops aboard now which is a very good push with regards to his chances. #2 Joyful Genius makes the same dip. This looks like a plus and he’s favoured under Zac Purton. #1 Angels Hunter is better than his record suggests and he can show that in this grade.

Race 2: Lukfook Jewellery Wedding Collection Handicap

4 Hero Icon is impressing ahead of his debut. He’s done well in each of his trials and does appear forward enough to win first-up in Hong Kong. The only hindrance is the wide gate, which may cause issues. #2 Brave Dreams is consistent and shapes as a leading player. You know what you’re going to get with him. #9 E Rainbow has shown glimpses of ability and does get the right draw. #12 Master Of Luck is better than his record suggests. He’s finding more with...

Dec 16, 2022

UNY-USHWA announce horses of the meet at Batavia Downs

By Tim Bojarski, UNY-USHWA president

(Photos courtesy of Wendy Lowery)

Akron, NY — The Upstate New York Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association has announced the horses who will be honored for their performances at Batavia Downs during the 2022 racing season. These horses who have competed at the Downs all season, will each be honored with a trophy in the winner’s circle between races during “The Day of Distinction” that will be held on Saturday, December 17. Post time for the first race is 3 p.m.

Pacer of the Meet: Stranger Things (Western Terror-Southwind Prairie) 18-8-3-2 – $71,300 – 1:53.2 at Batavia Downs

Owner: Virginia Schoeffel, Kathy Schoeffel and James Reuther

Trainer: Angelo Nappo

Stranger Things was the winningest horse of the meet and top money earner– regardless of age, gait or gender — amassing a total of eight victories and $71,300 in purses while facing Open class company each week. Overall in 2022, Stranger Things has had 31 starts with 12 wins, six seconds and two thirds with $103,945 in earnings and put an exclamation mark on his career year with a new lifetime mark of 1:53.2 at Batavia on October 22.

Trotter of the Meet: C R Blazin Beauty (Crazed-Melrose Abbey) 18-6-2-2 – $51,880 – 1:57 at Batavia Downs

Owner: Marissa Russo

Trainer: David Russo

CR Blazin Beauty is another horse boasting a career year and who was also the winningest trotter of the meet, scoring six wins including four in the Open and this was no small task being a mare racing against the boys every week. The 8-year-old also scored a landmark win at Batavia on December 3 when she achieved the 50th victory of her career. For the year, CR Blazin Beauty has 37 starts with 10 wins, nine seconds and four thirds with $105,384 in the bank.

Mare...