Good morning everyone. I hope the day is treating you well.
So much happened this weekend, and much of it stuck in my craw (or in my amazement) in various ways. So I decided to take a few moments and jot a few things (and some rants) down.
The Adios was won by what will now be referred to as the horse who crossed the wire first in the Meadowlands Pace, Prince Hal Hanover, and it was a pretty decent tilt. I thought at least. DeRosa reports the handle was quite good, with the race being televised for the first time.
Credit where due: total handle on Adios card up about 16%-17%. Considering @TheNYRA Saratoga was down 9.9%, that’s not bad! https://t.co/lPSzEeRwkN
— Ed DeRosa (@EJXD2) July 27, 2025
Adios day is a great day; throwback in many ways, and it's nice to see them have a good result.
The Meadowlands held the Hambo and Hambo Oaks eliminations, and I wondered if i) horses were replaced with other horses, and ii) if some drivers didn't make it back from the Adios and the amateurs took their place, unbeknownst to us bettors.
Pre-race Oaks chalk Lady Landia went to the back and missed the final at 2-5.
Ake is the best. He drives his 3/5 shots like they are 25/1 and he drove Nordic Catcher like a rocket ship with blah PP’s
— Buck Swope (@ShotTakingTime) July 27, 2025
Pre-race Hambo chalk Go Dog Go raced like well, Stop Cat Stop.
I have a theory on this, actually, which may or may not be true. When Dog beat Maryland easily last time and looked like the second coming of Muscle Hill, he veered a hard left in the lane. I wonder if he tweaked something. He raced like something was bothering him, and driver Todd McCarthy drove him like he'd be no good. Who knows, but it was quite disappointing.
Kevin Oscarrson drove the Lady Landia race like he was 2-5, wanting to pull two holes at 70-1, and various other moves. Prediction - I'm pretty sure he's gonna do something wild in the final.
Aside - I don't know what to say about Scott Zeron and R Lady W, but I swear I'm gonna be so broke betting this horse until she's 12, or until they list Gingras.
I'll switch my Hambo pick to Miss Belmar and hope she's not chalk. I have no idea what to do in the Hambo, but I assume Maryland will be my most likely winner, barring a bad post.
In the Jim Dandy, Sovereignty proved without a doubt (in my mind anyway) that he is a tremendous racehorse. It seems like years ago he was a fade because he could only be a closer. At this point, I wouldn't be surprised if they're pointing him to the Breeders Cup Turf Sprint.
I wish it was 1990 again and we'd see him race throughout his 4 year old season. He just keeps getting better and better, in my view.
Speaking of 1990. Communism is in the news, particularly with Gen Z types who don't know which side of the city people ran to when the wall came down. The old Stalinist saying "show me the man and I'll show you the crime" I believe works with the harness judges, too. Namely, the longer you look for an infraction, the higher the chance you'll find one. However, what happens when they don't even look?
In the WEG Open last night Taurasi definitely ran over or went inside pylons. How do you not tell the public you're looking at it. The official sign went up, nothing burger. This sport can have 20 minute inquiries or no inquiry. It seems there is no in between.
I get it, it sucks, but I wish the industry types would stop doing this:
We have a clubhouse leader for most significant late odds change on a winner at Del Mar. As the field for Saturday's 6th was loading, Nanci Griffith was 19-1. Her final price was 6-1. She rallied wide and won. Folks who hoped for approx. $40 on a $2 win ticket, got $14.80. #drf
— Steve Andersen (@DRFAndersen) July 26, 2025
The horse was always 6-1. She just wasn't six to one when the tote board was made up of gobbledygook.
Back in 1904, Tony the Nose hung the Giants by 4 over the Eagles in the Bronx, and Pete the Leg hung Eagles - 4 at a barber shop in Philly. The price was phantom, and Tony Zhou/Keith Bush/Rob Pizzola syndicates mowed into town and banged the price into shape.
This happens every race in racing. The tote board is a barber shop. These prices are not real. You're making people dumber.
Speaking of dumb, I was not playing seriously during the day yesterday - a few supers, ex's, reverse pyramid things for 20 cents etc, and I looked up and had a super day. I cashed 68 out of like 200 wagers, which for my style of play is like running the table. I texted a friend before the harness races this info, and then went 11 for my next 200. Never tempt the gambling gods.
Last up - to the content makers in this sport - Scott, Sport of Kings guys, picks platforms etc, I commend you. I listen to what I can and it amazes me this is all free. I can't believe this sport isn't more popular.
Have a great rest of the day everyone.
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