DELAWARE COUNTY FAIR

09/18/2018

Selections by “Sulky Sam”

Dedicated in loving memory to the late Sam McKee, the best ambassador our sport has ever had.

Race 1

#9 Fiesty Jim—could probably bounce and still win in this bunch.  The 4, 6, and 8 appear to be the ones to pick up the pieces, or even win if our top selection can’t stay flat for most of the trip.

Race 2

#2 Astarisontheway, and #6 Make Three Wishes—are so closely rated that we will just go with an exacta box on them in this estrogen based ladies pace, and move on to the next event.  

Race 3

#2 Redwoods Hanover—looks like much the best here.  27% winning conditioner Farquhar hands the steer to Nisonger.  The 5 and 6 look like the logical contenders in this group of freshmen pacers.  

Race 4

#6 Peter’s Express—gets the nod in this group of freshmen diagonal gaiters.  The Sugg animals, the 4 with Kurt, and the 8 with Duke appear most likely to fill the spaces underneath.    

Race 5

#2 R J Jetpac—has the highest earnings in this septet of freshmen pacers.  Nisonger could get his 2nd victory of the day.  The 3, 4, and 6 all...

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 TUESDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 18

Race 1: 3- Celtic Prince – Drops in class and looks to take tonight’s opener. 1- Raiders Boy – Could be tough from the rail.
6- Sassy Osborne – Could add value to the ticket. 7- Unix Hanover – Could add further value to the exotics.

Race 2: 5- Dry Creek Shooter – Could complete the opening Double. 1- Ballerina Rosa – Could be tough from the rail.
3- Tanzanite Love – Looks to be tough with the right trip. 9- St Lads Mystic – Should get a good trip from the second tier.

Race 3: 1- Bookem – Gets the top-call to start tonight’s Pick 5. 3- Hooray For Willie – Has the ability to be prominently placed
on this ticket. 7- Fort Commander – Could add value to the ticket.

Race 4: 2- Mikes Majestic – Drops in class and could trot home a winner. 7- Muscle On Broadway – Could do well in here
despite the poor post draw. 1- Jailhouse Hooch – Could make the ticket from the rail. 4- Holyholyguacamolie – Has as good
of a shot as any in here to complete the Superfecta.

Race 5: 6- Acting Captain – Draws into a race where several could win; this one gets the slight call over several others to get the
job done in here. 4- Shark Control – Could be tough with the right trip. 1- Test Of Will – Looks to make the ticket from the rail.
2- Rusty’s No Fool – Draws well and should be in the thick of the action.

Race 6: 7- Wild Goose Chase – Was a winner last time out and could strike again tonight. 4- Thought Provoking – Another
that looks to have a big shot in here. 1- Rasmus – Could make the ticket from the rail. 6- Major Dreamboat – Could add value
to...

Sep 18, 2018

Two 2-year-old late closer stakes, one on the trot and one on the pace, offering a total of $40,000 were contested at Plainridge Park on Monday afternoon (Sept.17) offering some fantastic finishes and state-bred stars in the making.
The $20,000 Wood End Light final for 2-year-old trotters of both genders was won by the Massachusetts-bred The Fixer (Trixton-Give You My Word) who was a major upset.

The Fixer (Shane Taggart) and Prenuptial (Domenico Cecere) trotted side by side from the gate to the top of the turn, setting fractions of :28.2, :59 and 1:27.4 along the way. The two traded leads during the course of the trip but one never cleared the other. That was until the top of the stretch when Prenuptial tired and The Fixer trotted away to a two length win in 1:58, blowing up the tote board at 31-1.

It was the first lifetime win and a lifetime mark for The Fixer ($64.80) who was bred and is owned by Thomas Dillon. Gretchen Athearn trains the winner.

The Fixer is Massachusetts Sire Stake eligible and should be in action during the first leg of the 2-year-old division which kicks off at Plainridge Park on Monday (Oct. 1).

Then later, the $20,000 Nauset Light final for 2-year-old pacers of both genders was won by Fight Like Mike (Rock N Roll Heaven-Delco Voracious) who made a big late move.

Sylvia Trench (Jim Hardy) was the pacesetter who was under duress the entire mile. First Bangor (Jimmy Whittemore) pushed him to the half in :57 and at the three-quarters, Fight Like Mike (Mitchell Cushing) came flying three wide to draw alongside Sylvia Trench to argue from there until the wire. Sylvia Trench was at the pylons with Fight Like Mike alongside spinning out of the last turn. Hardy and Cushing were both rocking and knocking all the way down the lane until Fight Like Mike just got a head in front before the wire and won in 1:56.

It was also the first lifetime win and mark for Fight Like Mike ($6.20) who was bred and is...

Here are the picks for Monticello today for our IdaBet.com players:

1ST RACE: 1-4-2

2ND RACE: 5-3-7-2

3RD RACE: 3-2-1-4

4TH RACE: 5-1-4-3

5TH RACE: 3-1-7-6

6TH RACE: 5-1-4-2

7TH RACE: 1-4-2-3

8TH RACE: 6-4-5-1

Happy Wagering!

As a result of heavy rain and flash flooding predicted for most of New England on Tuesday (Sept. 18) due to the remnants of Hurricane Florence, Tuesday’s 12-race card at Plainridge Park has been postponed until Wednesday (Sept. 19). Post time will remain the same at 2 p.m.

Stay safe out there and thank you for choosing IdaBet.com!

Sep 17, 2018

For the second time in three weeks, Validus Deo laid claim to being the best pacer in western New York after winning the $10,000 Open Handicap pace at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (Sept. 15).

The starter released the field and they all hit the pylons in draw order going into the first turn. Halfway up the backside, Bugatti (Ron Beback Jr.) pulled to advance but Valudis Deo (Kevin Cummings) swooped three-deep around him and took the lead by the quarter in a tepid :28 and at that point, the race was won.

Validus Deo motored down to the half in :55.4 and three-quarters in 1:24 flat as Whosurpapa (Billy Davis Jr.) tried to challenge first-over but didn’t have any answers once out there. Rounding the last turn Cummings got more aggressive with his drive, knowing the pocket-sitting Barry Hanover (Shawn McDonough) was ready to pounce. As that situation unfolded, Validus Deo was up to the challenge and maintained his lead to the wire in 1:52.2, which was a new seasonal mark for the winner.

Validus Deo ($5.70) registered his ninth win of the year and 35th of his career for trainer/driver Kevin Cummings who co-owns the winner with Matthew Rosiek and Robert Johnson.

The $9,000 Open II was won by Upfront Countryboy (Billy Davis Jr.) who got away last before sliding up to fourth along the pylons past the half and shaking loose three-deep at the top of the stretch to pull away and win by a length in 1:52.4.

It was the 11th win of the year for Upfront Countryboy ($17.40) who is owned by William Emmons and trained by James Clouser Jr.

The fastest mile of the night was orchestrated by Lucan Hanover (John Cummings Jr.) who went wire to wire in 1:52 in an upper level condition race. The very classy $1.1 million earner Lucan Hanover ($5.10) took up residency at...