by Ashley Mayotte – WEG Communications
Campbellville, ON — With the C$1 million Canadian Trotting Classic set for Saturday at Mohawk Racetrack, WEG’s communications department got the inside scoop from some of the industry experts.
They have provided their Trotting Classic picks for this evening’s featured race.
Greg Blanchard – Western Fair Raceway
Daylon Magician – The local horse proved he could go with the best last week by winning his elim. Should be even tighter this week and has a great post to work with.
Dave Briggs – The Canadian Sportsman
Daylon Magician – Call me a homer for picking Dave Lemon’s overlooked Ontario-bred homebred, but he has talent, post position and karma on his side.
T.J. Burkett – USTA
Dejarmbro – Just like last week, he will come from off the pace, but this time he’ll get up to win “Canada’s Hambo.”
John Curtin – HarnessLink.com
Blue Porsche – Quote from outstanding reinsman Jody Jamieson “I think he is going to shock a lot of people this week in the final.” For me enough said!
Bill Finley – Harness Racing Update
Broad Bahn – He’ll go back to what he does best and take advantage of his early speed. It will be a re-run of the Hambo.
Derick Giwner – Harness Eye
Dejarmbro – Closed stoutly with no shot in his elimination. It is time for Sears to be aggressive with this colt and place him on the engine.
Peter Gross – 680 News/Down The Stretch
Chapter Seven – I’ll go with Chapter Seven because in his elimination he was parked the entire trip and still closed in :28.1.
Roger Huston – The Meadows
Manofmanymissions – My pick is Manofmanymissions, but watch out for Dejarmbro.
Rob Longley – Toronto Sun
Blue Porsche – I can’t get his performance in the Goodtimes out of my mind.
Ken Middleton – Mohawk Racetrack
Blue Porsche – Had a very lean summer after hitting some bumps in the road, but his elimination performance leads me to believe there’s still hope. He’s a talented colt whose versatility makes him a major danger for trainer Burgess, who is magical when it comes to million-dollar races.
Ken Middleton Sr. – Mohawk Racetrack
Manofmanymissions/Daylon Magician – Manofmanymissions the one to beat, Daylon Magician is the one that could do it. Let’s call it a dead heat.
Kathy Parker – Horseman & Fair World
Manofmanymissions – Should have a fairly easy race early since he’s starting from post 3, which means he should have plenty left for the stretch drive.
Greg Reinhart – The Harness Edge
Dejarmbro – Pace compromised in elim, but rallied in :27.3 to go from sixth to second in the final quarter, draws a great post for this week in the five and should get a stalking trip.
Frank Salive – Pompano Park
Daylon Magician – I’ll go with Daylon Magician, Jack Moiseyev loves him and thinks he can be a bit better for the final.
Jason Settlemoir – Tioga/Vernon Downs
Manofmanymissions – He looks to be the best!
Gordon Waterstone – Horseman & Fair World Manofmanymissions – He’s finally got it all together now and I’m going to continue to ride the bandwagon.
Ken Warkentin – The Meadowlands
Dejarmbro – Strong closer off a slow pace in his elimination, the competitive field ensures a solid speed target, world champion with the winning habit draws an ideal mid pack post for the lethal team of Sears/Smedshammer.
Drivers and trainers have also provided their picks on whom they think will capture the rich final for three-year-old trotting colts and geldings. Click on the link below to see who they have selected.