Beach Day

- It's a beach day alright, with the temps heading into the 90's and the humidity high. We won't be going to an actual beach, but our little Queens backyard is serving that purpose for now. Later on, we'll be heading to the Meadowlands for a real beach party. The Head Chef is extracting a stiff price in exchange for going, so you can bet that I'm done with Belmont for this spring/summer meet. Great weather for fast racing, as harness horses go faster as the weather gets more hot and humid. Perhaps they're just smart and want to get back into the shade.

But anyway, there's no telling how fast Somebeachsomewhere will pace tonight in this weather; the stakes record of 1:48.3, which he tied last week, seems almost certain to fall. The world record for three-year olds is 1:47.4, which would seem within reach as well. The all-time record for a race is 1:46.4 by Holborn Hanover, and some feel that SBSW could break that should he remain at the Meadowlands to race on a hot afternoon on Hambletonian day in the Oliver Wendell Holmes Pace.

I went out early and nabbed the second to last Harness Eye at the one place around here which still carries it. There's a letter from the editor on the inside front cover page, announcing a price increase to $6. Apparently, they recently cut back on coverage, but fans reacted by saying that they preferred a price increase. So they got one. The simulcast edition of the Form is $5.50; can an increase be far behind?

Great card on tap for tonight, and do I dare try some harness picks? In the second, My Little Dragon (7-2) has been burdened by bad posts and bad trips, but could have better fortune here with Sears from the four hole. In the third, Won The West (6-1) finished full of run for a very close 5th in the Haughton final after a wide trip, and seems to prefer a post towards the outside such as the six he has tonight. In the fifth, Up Front Hotsey (5-1) defeated probable favorite Buck I St Pat (9-5) two back, then provided cover for that one when first over in their last. Could be the other way around tonight with the favorite starting from the rail. In the 9th, Tinys Million (10-1) has raced extremely well since coming to New Jersey; closing strongly to win two back against cheaper, and then moving up to this class and enduring a tough trip for 5th. Moves to an outside post from where Daniel Dube will hope for a good cover flow at a fair price. Glass Pack (9-2) drops for Campbell and may go for the lead in a race without much apparent speed. Southwind Lynx (3-1) is the class of the field, drops sharply seeking his level, but recent form has been discouraging.

And yeah, I like Somebeachsomewhere in the Meadowlands Pace. Bullville Powerful (12-1) has done little wrong and remains extremely sharp. Art Official (10-1) dared to challenge the favorite first over in the elimination, and lived to tell the tale, continuing gamely for second. Badlands Nitro (6-1) was third in that race, has a bad post here, and Brian Sears told Harness Eye: "Coming off just a week's rest after racing at Yonkers two weeks in a row, it's a lot to ask."