It was a very refreshing way to start the new year as we hit 5 of our 7 plays last weekend, we cashed for $230.00 and turned a profit of $130.00 for the weekend.

This weekend will be action packed at the Meadowlands; they will host the Clyde Hirt Late Closer on Friday, then the Presidential late closer on Saturday.  Each of these late closers will offer two legs, then a final to be held on Saturday, January 26th.

It is also the reopening of Yonkers Raceway for their 2013 season this Friday night, so we will be sure include a play there as well.

The Big Horse is also excited to announce that one of his home tracks, Northville Downs, will be opening up on Friday, January 18 and is honored that Northville Downs is included in the 2013 World Harness Handicapping Championship which is hosted by the USTA in conjunction with horsetourneys.com.  Registration is free, for more information and to register go to www.HorseTourneys.com.  The first two contests begin next weekend with the Meadowlands on Friday, and Balmoral on Saturday.

We head into week #11 in our handicapping venture back in the plus.  We have wagered $996, we have cashed for $1,017, we are up $21 we look to add to our profit and look forward to another exciting weekend of racing!

Friday, January 11th

Freehold Raceway, Race #3

#1 Kristal Dream (6-1) is taking a substantial class drop after facing much tougher at Saratoga raceway.  She joins the Chris Scicluna barn for the first time, draws inside and will get Cat Manzi in the bike.

The Play:   $1.00 Trifecta Part Wheel 1/2,4,6,7/2,4,5,6,7,8      Cost:  $20.00

The Meadowlands, Race #1     1st leg of the Clyde Hirt Late Closer

#8 Connery Blue Chip (4-1) qualified well in his second qualifying attempt for the Conor Flynn barn.  This gelding has missed some time, but won four straight races at Yonkers prior to the break.

The Play:  $5.00 to win and place #8    Cost:  $10.00

The Meadowlands, Race #4

#10 Real Babe (6-1) won over $147,000 in 2012 without winning a race.  She has been racing in the Kentucky Futurities, comes off a big qualifier and now debuts for the Mark Harder barn.  Post is a concern, but she retains David Miller for this race.

The Play:  $10.00 to win #10    Cost:  $10.00

The Meadowlands, Race #11

#1 Fox Valley Swift (6-1) was absolutely buried in traffic around the last turn and finished full of pace in a :27 last quarter.  She will pick up Tim Tetrick for this race and was much improved following the qualifier and now makes her second start in the Scott Di Domenico barn.

The Play:  $10.00 to win #1     Cost:  $10.00

Northfield Park, Race #3

#3 Iknowwhatboyslike (2-1) closed strong while dropping in class and facing similar last time out and draws further inside for this race.  #5 Mom’s Princess (7-2) is another one that shows dropping in class and has been finishing strongly.

The Play:  $5.00 Exacta Box 3-5    Cost:  $10.00

Saturday, January 12

Yonkers Raceway, Race #6

#1 Electrofire (6-1) draws the rail in a field of 7 horses that show very solid recent form.  Electrofire is making his third start for the Casie Coleman barn and is one of two horses in the field that has had a start since the Yonkers holiday break (the other being #6 River Shark).  With the rail post he should be able to work out a very good trip in this race.

The Play:  $10.00 to win and place #1    Cost:  $20.00

The Meadowlands, Race #6      The Presidential Late Closer

#4 Dial or NoDial (9-5) appears to be the key horse in this division of the Presidential as he has been no worse than third in any of his six races.  We are going to take a look at the entry in this race and focus on #1A Rockin The House (7-2), he comes off a nice qualifier for the Ron Burke barn and draws post five.  He has won 8 of 27 last year with a 1:49 mark at Pocono and earnings of over $150,000 last year.

The Play:  $4.00 Tri Part Wheel   1/4/3,5,6   and   $2.00 Tri  1/3,5,6/4    $1.00 Tri Key 1/2,4   Cost:  $20.00