Dayton Pacing Derby, Yonkers Trot & Messenger Stakes – Grand Circuit $1 Million Challenge
This weekend harness racing world champions take to the track in the Dayton Pacing Derby at Hollywood Dayton and at the Yonkers Raceway Trot and Messenger Stakes, and you have your next chance at $10,000 in the Grand Circuit $1 Million Challenge. We’ve assembled a crackerjack group of experts to help you make an informed pick:
Reminder: We’re coming down to the final races in the challenge, so make sure to lock in your votes and possibly win $10,000, $5,000 or $2,500!
Dayton Pacing Derby: Friday, October 24th
Barry Vicroy: 7 – 3 – 6 – 1
7. DANCIN YANKEE – So far it seems most horses need a start over this track to perform at the top of their ability. Dancin Yankee is obviously one of the top North American pacers and took immediately to the surface winning in 1:51 in his Ohio Sires Stakes elimination. His 2 starts over the track and his 18 wins this year put him on top in my eyes.
3. FOILED AGAIN – What can I say that his career doesn’t say for itself. I expect him to be near or on the lead and would be surprised if he’s not 1-2-3.
6. BEACH MEMORIES – I look for this one to be a closer here even though most of his success has come from near the front this year. Driver Chris Page knows his way around this track and can put Beach Memories in a spot to use his good last quarters to supplement trifecta returns.
1. NIGHT PRO – Top flight gate speed and Ronnie Wrenn Jr. should have this one in the fight early to hang on to complete the super.
Yonkers Trot: Saturday, October 25th
Frank Drucker: 2 – 1
Elimination winners (2) NUNCIO and (1) GURAL HANOVER, who just happened to win the open draw, are flat-out better than their rivals, and the former is flat-out better than the latter. Not a whole lot of value to be had here.
Messenger Stakes: Saturday, October 25th
Frank Drucker: 4 – 3
(HN 5, PP 4) McWICKED, sitting on a million-dollar season, was obviously raced the past two starts as if winning was an afterthought. Am guessing it’s the only thought tonight. I won’t discount (HN4, PP3) LYONSSOMEWHERE, who may flash that Cane Pace-winning speed from a good draw. I’m dismissing ALL BETS OFF-led entry, not so much because they drew poorly (No. 6 & 8, latter to Forty Five Red), but because ABO was so poor late a week ago.
These statements do not reflect the views of the Harness Racing Fan Zone or the United States Trotting Association