Who have harness racing's sharpest minds selected in the 2024 TROT Magazine Fantasy Stable? Trot Insider will feature 'expert picks' in advance of the deadline for this year's contest.
Returning to the panel of experts is Greg Blanchard, Director of Equine Programming for The Raceway at the Western Fair District.
Among the selections Blanchard made last week included 2024 Charles Juravinski Memorial Cup winner Huntinthelastdolar in Group H, and 2024 SBOA Filly Pace winner Its A Love Thing in Group D.
"I thought she was one of the very best fillies in North America last season when at her best and I really liked the way she finished the season in the Breeders Crown," said Blanchard. "You’re looking for horses you think might take another step forward this season and she’s one I think can do that. If so, she should be in for a great season and gives the trainer an amazing 1-2 punch with Pass Line."
A 2023 O'Brien Award finalist, Its A Love Thing (Bettors Delight - Love For Sail) banked $560,656 as a rookie for trainer David Menary, winning six of 12 starts while posting nine top-three finishes. Now three, she's 1-1-0 in two starts and won her most recent in a lifetime best 1:49.4, making her the fastest pacing filly thus far this season.
Blanchard's 2024 TROT Magazine Fantasy Stable selections are as follows:
Karl
Sylvia Hanover
M Ms Dream
Its A Love Thing
Special Way
Strong Poison
Willowtime
Huntinthelastdolar
Glowing Lou
T H Colby
Champagne Room
Shes No Stranger
Sparkling Volo
Super Chapter
Vougish
French Kisses
Tony Alagna
Jodie Cullen
Yannick Gingras
Matt Kakaley
James MacDonald
Tyler Borth
Contestants have until 5 p.m. (EST) on May 24 to make your selections. You cannot change your stable once submitted.
The contest is based on total earnings of selected horses and five percent of the earnings of selected trainers and drivers between May 24, 2024 and Dec. 31, 2024. Follow along all year long!
For the purposes of the fantasy bankroll, the winners (horses only) of the 2024 Breeders Crown Finals will each receive a $200,000 contest bankroll bonus. Once again, in the two-year-old categories, you must select TWO horses in each.
At the end of the year, the first three finishers (based on total stable earnings) will be awarded betting vouchers in the amount of $800 (first place), $400 (second place) and $200 (third place).
Full contest rules are available here. Enter your picks below!