Harness Racing: Sunday Alan Mitchell is picking Pocono Downs
Pocono Downs – Sunday March 24, 2019
Pocono Race 8
Ideal Rocky (1) - Should be ‘good to go’ from here. Toured the track last week in his 8 post return but will be more serious here. Note that he had a 1:51 win here in 2018. Can beat this weak field. Gerard N Mo (5) - Went nowhere at Yonkers in last at 80-1 but tonight he takes a big drop in class. Expecting a better mile. Sluggem N (2) made a break in last. Does not look like the typical Allard horse. This one has dull form but is in a good spot. He also had a speedy win here in 2018. Royal Heart (7) - Has the outside post in this 7 horse field. Had some close tries earlier but is 0 for 9 this year.
Selections 1, 5, 2, 7
Pocono Race 11
A Oliveinmymartini (1) - Wired similar in last from the rail as the 6/5 favorite and has the rail again tonight. Classic example of a short price being better than long face. Should repeat from this spot. Halloween Girl (2) - Her best races are from inside posts and she has the 2 post tonight. Disregard last race from 8 post. Will be better from this spot. Part-Time Hanover (6) - Had the perfect trip at Monticello against cheaper and was necked at the wire. Seems in a bit deep vs these. JK Lockherup (7) stayed second and finished second in last from the 3 post. Faces a much tougher trip from here but could land a minor share.
Selections: 1, 2, 6, 7
Pocono Race 12
Cirrus De Vie (6) Formless race makes me think it’s a good spot for an upsetter. I came up with this one. He did have 10 wins last year. He had one win this year at The Meadows. Might surprise these. Brackley’s Beach (1) will take the bet from here but this horse is 3 for 40 in his racing career. Not very good. That’s why the race sets up for a longer price winner. Thunder Some Where (9) - Seems to be the weak link in the otherwise sharp Nick Surick stable. An improvement here would not surprise me. Always Close (4) raced evenly from 3 post in last. Burke trainee made 4 starts this year without being close. But last race was slightly better.
Selections – 6, 1, 9, 4