Pro-Am Series – Wagering Analysis
Written by trackmasterplus on March 10, 2012 – 11:17 am -Hi folks, TrackMaster Greg here getting geared up for some special racing from Florida’s Pompano Park!
The unique and exciting Pro-Am Series combined with the Legends Of Harness Racing races this Monday and Tuesday at Pompano Park are going to make for a great wagering opportunity for harness players. The races will be part of the Pick 4s on both days. Here’s my analysis of the races and some picks to help make your plays:
On Monday, March 12th the Sunshine Pro-Am Challenge events are races 5-7 and the Legends is race 8. They make up the $5,000 guaranteed pool pick 4 with a 15% takeout…
Race #5 (Pro-Am) Analysis –
#5 DON’T CALL US (Bruce Ranger – Pro) – This mare ranks tops in the TrackMaster Greg rating system, helped immensely by the huge statistical advantage of the #5 post position at Pompano and the services of excellent driver Bruce Ranger. I’m expecting a much easier trip than she’s been getting over the last month of racing.
#7 BIT O LAVEC (Wally Hennessey – Pro) – Trainer Joseph Kroll is 1 for 1 winning with horses making their first start after a claim, has a chance to be 2 for 2 with this mare.
#2 BLAKE ISLAND (John Campagnuolo – Amateur) – Amateur driver John Campagnuolo also owns this horse so has plenty of familiarity driving him, unlike the rest of the entrants in this field.
Race #6 (Pro-Am) Analysis –
#2 CAROLE’S BULLVILLE (David Siegel – Amateur) – Horse has a pretty substantial advantage in the average speed rating category and the rail post position will be a benefit.
#7 MISDORI (Luke Plano – Pro) – Trainer Rick Plano (father) and driver Luke Plano (son) win at an impressive 23% rate and their ROI as a duo is +12%. Sounds like a pretty good investment to me.
#1A MIAS STAR (Steve Wiseman – Pro) – Capable California driver Steve Wiseman and the 5 post give this horse an outside shot to be in the money.
Race #7 (Pro-Am) Analysis –
#5 CRACKER JUSTINE (Luke Plano – Pro) – Horse dropping down to a class rating level more similar to that of her last win two weeks ago.
#4 I LIKE TO RHAP (Jamie Marra – Amateur) – Horse was a winner last time out after recovering from an early break, cross your fingers for a trouble free trip!
#8 PERFECT BUBBLES (Wally Hennessey – Pro) – This horse shows the best closing ability in the race, and starting from the outside post will be coming from the back. If things go fast early this one could pick up some pieces late.
Race #8 (Legends) Analysis –
#5 TWIN B IMPACT – Coming off two straight wins in impressive fashion, no reason to see why this one won’t keep on rolling!
#10 LUCKY ASSET – 2nd start after a claim for this horse, shows plenty of prior class and ability and will start from the 2nd tier
#1 BJ’S BRAVEHEART – Plenty of early pace with this horse and the inside post will put him right in the thick of things.
On Tuesday, March 13th the Sunshine Pro-Am Challenge events are again races 5-7 and the Legends is race 8. They make up the $5,000 guaranteed pool pick 4 with a 15% takeout…
Race #5 (Pro-Am) Analysis –
#7 SMOOTH MUSCLES (Luke Plano – Pro) – The “class” of the race this horse owns the highest career win % and earnings per start. Past speed ratings point to this one as being the best of the bunch.
#5 TERMINATOR HALL (Wally Hennessey – Pro) – Don’t like this one as a big win type, but at good odds has the potential to fill out a nice exacta or trifecta.
#1 NOBLE WAY(John Campagnuolo – Amateur) – Of all the horses in their last races, this one has the highest speed rating. Shows ability and will be helped by the rail post position.
Race #6 (Pro-Am) Analysis –
#6 CL SUN DANCER (Steve Wiseman – Pro) – This horse is a 2nd time lasix user, 2nd start for new trainer after a recent claim and the only horse making a significant drop in class rating coming into this race.
#5 DARIA HALL (Wally Hennessey – Pro) – Last 3 starts were all from the tough 7 post and tonight the horse gets the magic 5 post which has one of the highest win indexes of any post at any track in the country.
#8 SIMMER (Luke Plano – Pro) – Solid average speed figures, but at a disadvantage from the 8 post. Could get into the race late if things go too fast early with the other contenders.
Race #7 (Pro-Am) Analysis –
#4 MATTERN MIRACLE (Richard Bertrand – Amateur) – Was a beaten favorite last time out and also earned the highest speed rating of any of the horses in their last start. California amatuer Richard Bertrand has a chance to earn some points for his squad on this one.
#1 CONJUGAL VISIT (Jamie Marra – Amateur) – Horse show a lot of parked symbols on his past performance lines. The post switch inside might set him up for a much better trip and put him right in the mix coming for home.
#7 ALBANIAN ARTIST (Wally Hennessey – Pro) – The most consistent speed rating earner in this field, and with pro Wally Hennessey in the sulky I have no doubts this horse will finish in the money.
Race #8 (Legends) Analysis –
#5 JULIUS SECRET – Best speed rating from the last race, the best closer of the field and the coveted 5 post, and an 8-1 morning line, what more could you ask for in a wagering opportunity.
#7 EEL – This horse has the highest lifetime win %, so we know this one knows how to slide into the winners circle.
#8 SUNDOWNER BOB – Third consecutive 8 post for this horse. Went to the back the first time with no luck, then tried to leave with no better results. Third time is the charm maybe?
Thanks for your continued support of harness racing and good luck!
TrackMaster Greg
Harness Racing Expert
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TrackMaster, an Equibase company, is your complete source for Thoroughbred, Quarter Horse and Harness Racing information. Products ranging from Thoroughbred Past Performances, Harness Racing Programs, and Thoroughbred Handicapping software to Horse Racing Picks from our experts, are provided for all levels of handicapping sophistication.
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Pro-Am Series – A Welcome Addition
Written by trackmasterplus on February 27, 2012 – 12:29 pm -A recent press release announced the following:
In a very unique format, Pompano Park has set the dates of its “Sunshine Pro-Am Challenge”. A series of at least six races will be conducted over two race nights, Monday and Tuesday, March 12th and 13th at the Florida oval. Two amateurs and two professional reinsmen each from Cal-Expo and Pompano Park will do battle vying for the Sunshine title. While drivers race individually to win, team points are awarded using a standard amateur race series scoring system.
While I have been working with the folks at Pompano over the last six months or so to pull this event together, the credit for this novel ideal goes to Gregg Keidel, currently the racing secretary at Running Aces Harness Park and formerly the race secretary at Northfield. Several years ago I got the chance to participate in a pro-am at Northfield with a “return engagement” at Cal-Expo and it was very successful.
Those who have read some of my blogs over years have heard me speak about change for the sake of change. Of course, the poorer things are going, the less one has to lose by making changes. Businesses that sit still and don’t make changes are doomed to fail. Edmund Burke said “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” I have altered this quote before for business use, “All that is often needed to fail is doing nothing.”
The pro-am format is one that has worked in a couple of sports. One of the most entertaining events of the PGA tour used to Bing Crosby’s Pro-Am played at Pebble Beach and other nearby courses. Using handicaps for amateurs of reasonable, and in some cases not-so-great ability, an entertaining success was produced. With harness racing, the horse is still the primary determinant of success, so mixing amateurs and pros can work and the amateurs can actually win some races. In this event, the amateurs will be getting a slight edge drawing the four inside posts, which on average helps level the playing field, (though post five is the ‘winningest’ post overall).
So, given our stature in the entertainment or sports world, and racing on a Monday and Tuesday night, I don’t expect this event to rival the NBA all-star game, but it does provide for an interesting twist in what would normally be just another couple of cards of run-of-the-mill overnight races.
From a fans perspective, there should be some great wagering opportunities given the mix of drivers and driving styles. Sure, the Floridians have a certain style of racing, but when 50% of the field does not race there; toss any regular “style” out the window. The Californians can determine the style of race just as much as the locals can given the 50/50 mix of drivers. From a personal perspective, all I can tell you is that this is “so cool.” I still love the excitement of every race I am in, and given the random draw horse assignment, I have as good a shot as any of the drivers to get a really competitive horse. I have had the pleasure of driving with California guys with tons of wins (Rick Plano – approaching 6000 wins, Ed Hensley – over 4500 wins), but Ranger and Hennessy have amassed over 16,000 between the two of them, so driving with them really will be an honor. Finishing ahead of them in any given race will be great, and of course winning a race will be off the charts.
Events like this also allow local fans to see other top drivers in action. I think they will be surprised how well our pros (Luke Plano and Steve Wiseman) will stand up against the Florida old guard and maybe we will get lucky and have some more fans follow our racing on the left coast. I really hope that the Pompano group will come to California soon to “complete” the home-and-home series. It was special when the Northfield group did that a few years back.
As I write this blog, TVG is considering showing these racing on-air and I hope they do so other fans and tracks can see how well a series like this can work, for both wagering, and general entertainment. At minimum, ADWs that carry the Pompano signal will broadcast them via the internet so interested folks will be able to see the competition unfold. I am sure it will be competitive and very interesting and feel fortunate to be a part of it. To help support the wagering, TrackMaster will offer free Past Performances and selections, and I am planning on twisting the arm of TrackMaster Greg to do a special write up for the pro-am races.
David Siegel
TrackMaster President & Amateur Driver
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TrackMaster, an Equibase company, is your complete source for Thoroughbred, Quarter Horse and Harness Racing information. Products ranging from Thoroughbred Past Performances, Harness Racing Programs, and Thoroughbred Handicapping software to Horse Racing Picks from our experts, are provided for all levels of handicapping sophistication.
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Everything Old Is New Again
Written by trackmasterplus on November 14, 2011 – 5:55 pm -Twenty years ago, TrackMaster started as a tiny company that provided a small computer to help provide handicappers with a faster, better way to handicap. Although not quite pocket-sized, it was a nifty little device that handicappers loved to take to the track with them. At that time, I was one of the early customers and took advantage of using the product. It was a device ahead of its time, and now, TrackMaster, an Equibase company, is a leader once again in the mobile device market, with the TrackMaster Pocket Handicapper app.
The Pocket Handicapper uses the capability of an iPhone or Android powered smart phone to provide an impressive amount of data in a mobile device. Now you can literally have a wealth of information at the ready in your pocket. The data used in TrackMaster products has become more and more refined, and engineered to be more profitable for users over the years. You now have access to information to help your ROI wherever you are and for whatever tracks you play within just a matter of seconds.
The Pocket Handicapper features the following handicapping information (complete details here):
* Power Ratings
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All of this powerful data in the palm of your hand for the current introductory rate of just $0.99 per race card. As an added bonus, for TrackMaster Plus & Plus Pro Subscribers, if you have a regular or unlimited subscription and you download a race card using your software, you can download the same race card on the mobile app for NO additional charge. Think of it as, “Plus Pro On The Go!“
You can download the FREE TrackMaster Pocket Handicapper app from the iTunes App Store or the Android Marketplace. It includes a sample race card and the app also allows you to download a single FREE race each day.
Whether you have been a loyal, TrackMaster customer for a number of years, or are a newcomer to the exciting world of horse racing and handicapping, the TrackMaster Pocket Handicapper app is the choice for helping you have a winning day at the races.
Craig Walker
TrackMaster Senior Product Development Specialist
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TrackMaster, an Equibase company, is your complete source for Thoroughbred, Quarter Horse and Harness Racing information. Products ranging from Thoroughbred Past Performances, Harness Racing Programs, and Thoroughbred Handicapping software to Horse Racing Picks from our experts, are provided for all levels of handicapping sophistication.
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