SHA TIN SELECTIONS BY DECLAN SCHUSTER
(Saturday, January 21, 2023)

Race 1: #2 Ping Hai Galaxy, #3 Super Win Dragon, #1 Ka Ying Master, #4 Astrologer
Race 2: #2 Colourful Prince, #11 Fortune Marbo, #3 Touch Faith, #7 Gold Comet 
Race 3: #4 The Rock, #3 All For St Paul’s, #2 Running Glory, #1 Excellent Proposal 
Race 4: #13 Alloy Star, #14 Raging Blaze, #3 M M Johnny, #5 Encore
Race 5: #1 Sergeant Pepper, #4 Flying Bonus, #3 Shining Fortune, #11 Son Pak Fu
Race 6: #10 General Ace, #6 Flying Mojito, #3 Turquoise Alpha, #1 Oscar Glory 
Race 7: #6 Noble One, #2 Excellent Fighter, #9 Prince Of Porty, #1 Forte 
Race 8: #13 Gallant Hero, #2 Forerunner, #10 Run Run Buddy, #3 The Hulk 
Race 9: #4 Five G Patch, #12 Natural Storm, #10 Hit The Shot, #6 Intrepid Winner 
Race 10: #7 Magniac, #4 Beauty Eternal, #8 Hyper Dragon Ball, #1 Jumbo Fortune

Race 1: Daffodil Handicap

#2 Ping Hai Galaxy might be worth taking a chance on. He’s by The Factor who was a G1 winner on dirt. This will be a challenge, however, he’s always trialled well on the surface and if the likely favourite falters then he could easily mop up the pieces. #3 Super Win Dragon is the probable market elect. He’s been imperious this term with three wins from three outings – all on dirt. One to catch but will be very short odds. #1 Ka Ying Master can contend. #4 Astrologer has always trialled well on the dirt. Next best.

Race 2: Orchid Handicap

Expecting #2 Colourful Prince to fire through and lead here. He’s got the gate speed to do so and this should give him every chance to nail a first win. The dirt suits, so does his...

Thursday’s “Lock” is at The Meadows: Race 04 #1-Mystical Peter-Another beaten fav makes amends today.-Dave Palone drives.

Last Lock won again. The pick record is at 1038 of 1648 wins with 296 seconds and 111 thirds.

Remember to place your wagers at IdaBet.com!

Lock stays at Northfield Park on race 05 with the #2-Mixed Drink-Nice looking trotter-Class and Speed here-Kurt Sugg drives.

Last Lock won again. The pick record is at 1037 of 1647 wins with 296 seconds and 111 thirds.

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Jan 17, 2023

JM‘s Delight, Big Box Hanover take Batavia features

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

(Photos courtesy of McKenna Dziemian)

A pair of $13,000 Open I Handicaps — one on the pace and one on the trot — topped a solid and bettable card at Batavia Downs on Monday afternoon (Jan. 16) and those races produced another stout handle as a result.

The pacing feature came first with JM’s Delight putting in another solid effort to remain unbeaten at the Downs in 2023.

Kevin Cummings stayed back fifth off the gate while longshots lunged for the lead. The 21-1 Walk It Talk It (Jim McNeight Jr.) parked the 20-1 Tap Tap Tap (Christian Meyers) while Daylight Rush (Dave McNeight III) got caught in the breeze second over. After hitting the quarter in :27.3 and neither looking to relent, Jim Morrill Jr. tipped Decoy three-deep at the top of the stretch and was followed by JM’s Delight from fifth. However not to be outdone, Larry Stalbaum flashed Rocknroll Runa A four-wide to grab the front past the half and took the group into the second circuit.

Moving by the five-eighths, JM’s Delight was forced to go three-deep around Decoy before drawing alongside Rocknroll Runa A halfway up the backside. With Cummings and Stalbaum both rocking hard in their bikes, JM’s Delight cleared at three-quarters before heading into the turn and opening up a 3-1/2 length advantage at the top of the stretch. From there, JM’s Delight ran away with the race by 5-1/2 lengths at the line where he stopped the clock in 1:54.4.

Peerless at the meet to this point, JM’s Delight ($3.10) is now two for two for owner Greg Merton and trainer Shawn McDonough.

Cummings and McDonough also teamed up earlier in the card to win with I’m Thinking (2:01.1, $10.60), giving each a double for the day.

The top trot came next and Stalbaum got redemption after receiving a wholesale effort from Big Box Hanover who...

Tuesday’s “Lock” is at Northfield Park on race 07 with the #5-Be A Lucky Star -Drop and pop-Also gets new driver in Aaron Merriman.

Last Lock won again making the pick record at 1036 of 1646 wins with 296 seconds and 111 thirds.

Thank you for wagering at IdaBet.com!

Jan 16, 2023

HAPPY VALLEY SELECTIONS
(Wednesday, January 18, 2023)

Race 1: #4 Glorious Lover, #3 Concerto, #2 Blustitch, #9 Fortune Master
Race 2: #9 Jolly Honour, #1 Flash Famous, #4 Medic Elite, #5 Our Creed
Race 3: #7 Winning Steps, #2 Bright Kid, #6 Vincy, #10 Management Folks
Race 4: #8 King Of The Court, #6 Island Surprise, #4 Faribault, #11 Flying On The Turf
Race 5: #3 Flaming Passion, #12 Noir Rider, #1 Sugar Sugar, #2 Rattan Kingdom
Race 6: #2 Villa Fionn, #8 Young Life Forever, #11 Theta Hedge, #3 Viva Popcorn
Race 7: #12 Samarkand, #3 Zone D, #6 Happy Daily, #11 Master Tornado
Race 8: #2 California Deeply, #4 Gorgeous Vitality, #3 Harmony N Blessed, #5 Pretty Queen Prawn

Race 1: Murray Handicap (1st Section)

4 Glorious Lover needs a lot to go his way but he does have the ability to win in this grade and over the distance. Strong booking of Karis Teetan warrants consideration, especially from an ideal draw in Class 5. #3 Concerto also steps down in grade. He’s better than his record suggests and the booking of Silvestre de Sousa is ideal. If he’s a price, he’s worth supporting. #2 Blustitch makes the dip to Class 5. His trials have been sound and it wouldn’t surprise to see improvement. #9 Fortune Master is next best.

Race 2: Murray Handicap (2nd Section)

9 Jolly Honour is a two-time Class 3 winner racing in Class 5. If he can reproduce his best – which his latest effort seemed to show glimpses of – then he’s more than capable of winning here. Strong booking of Hugh Bowman is a bonus. #1 Flash Famous is holding his condition. He just needs to offset the tricky draw. #4 Medic Elite is racing well and is capable of turning his last-start failure around. #5 Our Creed regularly catches the eye of top riders in Hong Kong. He draws well and must have claims.

Race 3: Jackson Handicap

7 Winning Steps had much more to offer last start than what he was...