by Jerry Connors

Harrisburg, PA — A handful of top, top races are on the Cyberhandicapping Network for the first day in September — the World Trotting Derby and the four Breeders Crown events for older horses.

We’ll start with the afternoon race, the World Trotting Derby, which will be raced in just one heat this year. The biggest question seems to be the over/under on Donato Hanover’s winning time — in a USTA online poll asking if Donato will break 1:50, just over half said “no.” Ron Pierce said that if conditions are right, Donato could trot right there, and I think conditions will be right, and that Tom Ridge and Vivid Photo may be eclipsed here.

Adrian Chip is a terrific trotter — he had misfortune in the Yonkers Trot when two parked horses kept him in a box from before the quarter onward. Post nine probably means come from last or leave for position. For gimmick players, don’t overlook the two inside horses, Anderberg and Standpoint, who both seem in good form now and may stay connected throughout.

Up to Mohawk, where first in line is the Breeders Crown for older trotting horses. I’m going with Corleone Kosmos, who in my mind went the biggest mile of 2007 when he overcame a horrible trip to win the Nat Ray impressively. He hasn’t raced since the Nat Ray, 28 days, but note he overcame a 20-day gap in crushing on July 20.

No one has more admiration for Vivid Photo and Roger Hammer than I, and the Vernon mile was just terrific (and it also gives him a race under his girth since the Nat Ray, which Corleone doesn’t have). If they somehow let Hammer get away on the front end, he’ll be double-tough to overhaul.

The foreign horses, Giant Diablo (at a good price) and Equinox Bi (one race since July 12), may be the underside companions.

We’ll go with Mystical Sunshine in a tough-to-separate Crown race for older trotting mares. A world record holder on both five-eighth and half-mile tracks, “Sunshine” comes in off of two smashing victories, and could work out a good trip from here. (Hope she’s not overbet).

I still have flashbacks of my picking Susie’s Dream second in the Breeders Crown last year and then her paying $40+ in upsetting Passionate Glide. With her speed, she can’t be ignored in here. Passionate Glide hasn’t this year been the dominant divisional force, but is very competitive, and Pure Ivory has shown she can trot with these for some time now.

In the Crown mare pace, I’ll try a longshot in Marnie Hall. She was decidedly off her game when given a vacation in June, and she came back with a useful outing in her Crown elimination. I also remembering her winning second start after a sick scratch on Hambletonian Day last year. Maybe we’ll get a nice mutuel here, especially if they mix it up early.

Darlin’s Delight and Armbro Dancer have practically been joined at the hip for the better part of two seasons now, and either one of these talented mares could be a major danger in here. Ideal Weather (who may be bet too hard), Double Dream N (but note Jamieson went for Ideal Weather over her), and Free are also top horses in a very hard race to handicap. If you hit a gimmick bet here, congratulations!

In the “big race,” the older male pace, I think that again Lis Mara will sit on Mister Big’s back with the world’s best cover, then be able to outfoot him in the lane. Unless somebody steals a slow pace or gets a perfect trip, I think these two are the ones to beat, and in that order.

Total Truth has raced well in the last month and is quoted at a generous 12-1 here; also consider Artistic Fella, who has had two confidence builders over the track.

When you pick horses like Donato Hanover, Corleone Kosmos, Mystical Sunshine, Marnie Hall, and Lis Mara, you know you’re in for a top day of racing. Enjoy, and good luck!

Note: The World Trotting Derby and the Breeders Crown are part of the 2007 USTA Cyber Circuit, meaning that video will be posted online moments after the “official” sign goes up; to see video from previous Cyber Circuit races click here.