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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” SATURDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 18

Race 1: 6- Mandy’s Mattjesty – Was a winner last time out and could strike again tonight to start the Daily Double. 5- Olivia V – Finished second last time out and could post a similar effort again tonight. 4- My Marissa Clair – Has three wins in a row but is facing tougher foes this time around. 1- Sand Madeline – Looks to be in the thick of the action from the rail.

Race 2: 5- It’s Your Fantasy – Looks to be successful upon coming to Northfield. 4- Crazy Bad K – Could do well in here if Hagerman can turn her around. 6- Kit It In Kate – Another that could do well in here at decent odds. 8- Happy To Scoot – Could grab a share of the action despite starting from the far outside.

Race 3: 5- Excelant Change – Has two wins in a row and looks to strike again tonight. 6- Feelin Lilly – Was a winner two starts back and could do well again tonight. 3- Stirling Cordelia – Could add some value to the ticket.

Race 4: 4- Mortgage Bags – Should be fresh off a layoff and could strike at first asking. 3- Beamer N Bud – Could do well in here if she can rebound from her most recent dismal effort. 2- Good Roberta – Draws well and should get a good trip. 7- Thats My Girl G – Has as good of a shot as any in here to complete the Superfecta.

Race 5: 2- Bad Girl Vegas – Was a winner two starts back and could strike again tonight. 1- Dustlanemissmolly – Another that was two starts ago and could be tough again. 5- Ella Rose – Finished third two starts in a row and could be third again tonight. 6- Tiger’s Sue – Could grab a piece of the action at decent odds.

Race 6: 4- Here Comes Harlee – Could pace home...

Del Mar has some Carryovers into Saturday:

 Pick 6: $59,400

 PK6 Jackpot: $75,510

 Super High 5: $18,164

Good luck IdaBet Players!

Nov 17, 2017

AUBURN, Wash. (November 17) – Emerald Downs Racetrack and Casino has announced Tom Harris as the track’s new full-time announcer.

Harris, who begins his duties Sunday, April 22, 2018, becomes only the third announcer in the track’s 21-year history. He succeeds Matt Dinerman, who was announced earlier this week as the new voice of Golden Gate Fields.

“Announcing horse races have been a lifelong passion for me, and the opportunity to announce at Emerald Downs is a dream come true,” Harris said. “I have enormous respect for the tradition of the sport in the Pacific Northwest, and the many fine horsemen and horsewomen in the area. I can’t wait to get started.”

Harris, a 55-year-old Dallas native, has extensive race-calling experience. Currently announcer at Portland Meadows, Harris also has announced races at Sam Houston Race Park, Retama Park, Playfair, Yakima Meadows, Zia Park, San Juan Downs, Albuquerque, Yellowstone Downs, Garden State Park and La Mesa Park. He worked last season for Emerald Downs in the broadcast and promotions departments, calling several races closing week.

“Tom Harris is a familiar voice to Washington race fans from his days at Yakima Meadows and also familiar to race fans around the country,” said Emerald Downs Racetrack and Casino President Phil Ziegler. “Tom has extensive experience in the announcer’s booth, and we’re fortunate that he’s already part of our team. This will make for a seamless transition.”

In addition to horse racing, Harris also has broadcast minor league basketball, worked as a television sports director/producer in the Nebraska/Iowa/South Dakota region, and spent nine years as PA announcer for the Chicago Cubs in spring training. Horse racing, however, remains his favorite pastime.

“No two races are the same and each brings a new challenge and a new thrill,” Harris said. “I will always enjoy this exciting ride that life has allowed...

Today’s “Lock” is at Western Fair on race 9. The  #2-Macktwowilldew-Beaten Fav will make amends for driver Robert Shepherd.  Yesterday’s Lock won yet again making Howard the Lock’s record now 148 of 235 wins with 38 seconds and 15 thirds. Thank you for choosing IdaBet and good luck!

Bob Baffert-trained Dream Tree, a daughter of Uncle Mo who won her debut at Santa Anita on October 27, was tabbed for morning line favoritism by oddsmaker Russ Hudak on Thursday for Saturday’s $100,000 Desi Arnaz Stakes.

The Arnaz, named for the 1950s band leader and television co-star with wife Lucille Ball, is a seven-furlong sprint for 2-year-old fillies.

Dream Tree, a 4-5 favorite winning at six furlongs at Santa Anita, was established as the 2-1 morning line choice for her second start and will break from the outside No. 6 post under Drayden Van Dyke, who retains the mount for the Hall of Fame trainer.

David Bernstein will send out Smiling Tigress, a daughter of Smiling Tiger who broke her maiden at Santa Anita on October 5 and was seventh in the $200,000 Golden State Juvenile Fillies on Friday, November 3, in the undercard to the first day of the Breeders’ Cup.

“She has been running well,” Bernstein said trackside Thursday morning. “She came out of the second in a race here (August 31) to win at Santa Anita. We kind of rushed her into the Cal Bred race (Golden State Juvenile Fillies) and that didn’t work out. But we figured we’d give it another shot.

“We’ve relaxed (the training) since then and we think the distance will suit her. We think she’ll actually run a mile.”

Bernstein, 77, has four stakes wins at Del Mar. He took the opening day Oceanside Stakes back-to-back in 1985-86 with Grey Gauntlet and Prince Bobby B, respectively, and added the Bing Crosby Handicap (The Wicked North) and Sandy Blue Handicap (Stalcreek) in 1993.

The field from the rail: Steph Being Steph (Stewart Elliott, 6-1), Ms Bad Behavior (Tiago Pereira, 5-2), Midnight Bisou (Rafael Bejarano, 3-1), Smiling Tigress (Tyler Baze, 10-1), Secret Spice (Corey Nakatani, 6-1) and Dream Tree (Drayden Van Dyke, 2-1).

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