The Pick 8 Handicapping Challenge for Tuesday night's 2014 National Driving Championship is now open!
Your task is to handicap the field of eight drivers in order of their official finishing position in the NDC at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at Charlottetown Driving Park. Click here to enter!
The NDC races are races 3 through 10. To view Tuesday’s entries, click on one of the following links:
Red Shores – Tuesday Entries – Tuesday Program Pages.
The person who correctly selects the order of finish will win a fantastic prize pack, which will include a $50 gift card to the racetrack of their choice, $50 in Fan Club swag, and an autographed photo of the winning driver of the Championship. You must be a Fan Club member to enter. If you aren’t a member, click here to join now.
All entrants agree to the terms and conditions of the contest.
We’ve called upon a few handicapping experts from across the country to offer their opinions and insights on the Championship card.
Garnet Barnsdale, Freelance Harness Racing Writer and Handicapper for HarnessRacingAmerica.com
This year’s edition of the National Driving Championship was very difficult to handicap as the driver’s “draft” of horses seems to have worked as intended to create an evenly-matched field in terms of horsepower. That being said, someone has to win and after careful consideration of all the usual handicapping factors, we offer you this analysis for consideration:
Billy Davis Jr. – It appears that Davis drafted himself a good chance at the title taking several sharp horses with very good chances such as Ton Of Luck in race 6, Whitesand Artist in race 7, Mr Macleod in race 8 and There Paid For in race 10. One of two representatives from the WEG circuit, Davis Jr. seemed to concentrate on horses that drew inside the 5-hole so expect aggressive steers as he uses those posts to gain early position.
Brandon Campbell – This western representative used the “brush and crush” several times in his qualifying round win to knock out his opponents and he has drafted several live horses to give himself a good shot at the title. Expect “down-the-road” attempts with All Out in the 5th, and Ebandtheboys in the 8th. Campbell also has excellent chances of big shares with TSM Starlit Cruise in the 6th and Long Life in the 9th
Jody Jamieson – We may regret ranking Canada’s perennial leading driver this low as Double J quite often just imposes his will at half-mile tracks where he cut his teeth as a young reinsman, learning his craft at Flamboro Downs. Of course Jamieson is always considered a threat and this year is no different. He stands great chances of greeting the photographer sitting behind Hollywood Gigalo in the 5th, Artners In Crime in the 9th and Perfect Escape in the 10th although having to overcome several outer posts may lead to his undoing.
Jim Marino – Fraser Downs perennial leading pilot is in with a chance as he, like Davis Jr., seemed to concentrate on drafting as many horses working with inside posts as he could. He could get off to an quick start steering the class-dropping PLAYFUL PATTY in race 4 and also stands decent chances with Trump Play in the 5th and Julep Hanover from the rail in the 6th.
Sylvain Lacaille – This veteran driver shouldn’t be taken lightly either as he is likely to kick off the proceedings with a win in the first contest race driving the class-dropping Caughtfoolinaround from post 2 in race 3. He also has contenders Leave Me Go in the 4th, Waterhook in the 6th and Woodmere No Fool in the 9th that can help him rack up some valuable points.
Marc Campbell – It’s difficult to discount the hometown hero, so, we won’t. Campbell seems to have his work cut out here though especially from the post position perspective as he has several that start from the 5-hole out. Post can be a huge factor here as the competitors fight for early position on the first turn. That being said, Campbell does have good chances with Windmere Eric from post three in the 5th and Rash B Havior from the 4-hole in the 9th.
Ryan Ellis – Local competitor Ellis, while certainly not lacking in talent, may find experience a big factor as some of the more veteran reinsman try to impose their will at certain stages of the dashes. He stands his best chance to get his picture taken in race 7 steering McDaisy Cutter and race 8 guiding Pictonian Walton.
Guy Gagnon – Gagnon didn’t seem to fare the best in the “draft” but does stand a puncher’s chance with Whatabadgirl in the 7th Painted Pony in the 9th if they can overcome their outer starting slots.
All in all the “draft” idea certainly has seemed to provide a reasonably level playing field. From a wagering standpoint if you are playing these dashes we recommend you watch closely early to see who is making aggressive moves and attempting to bottom out fields as it can pay dividends at the cashier. Good luck and safe trips to all the competitors!
Paul DeLean, Regular contributor for Trot Magazine, Business Columnist and former Racing Reporter for the Montreal Gazette
Handicapping the national drivers`tournament is both a joy and a headache. So many variables, so many possibilities. On paper, this one looks ultra-competitive. I have six different drivers on top over the eight races. A single placing could decide everything. For what it's worth, here is my prediction.
Brandon Campbell - Outstanding job in the draft gives him an excellent chance to bring home the title for the west. On my scorecard, he has six strong prospects in the eight races, headed by Long Life (1 in race 9) and Andro Madi (1 in race 10). The minor placings often make the difference in events like this and he should score often.
Jody Jamieson - You know he'll be looking to give a good show in Charlottetown and he's got the horsepower to do it. Showed he meant business when he took Hollywoodgigolo (8 in race 5) with his first pick. Also figures in race 4 (1 Oppies Life Line), race 6 (4 Babies Gigolo), race 9 (6 Artners In Crime) and race 10 (7 Perfect Escape). If he gets hot, this could be over early.
Ryan Ellis - He said he was pretty happy with the draft and I agree with him. The only negative is that most of his strength appears to be in the later races. I like his first pick McDaisy Cutter (2 in race 7) and should get points as well from Pictonian Walton (6, race 8), Astor Shark (8, race 9) and Sumbodys Fool (4, race 10).
Guy Gagnon - The Eastern Ontario and Québec champ is always a threat in events like this because he can get horses in position early. Has another advantage this time in that his strong horses show up early in the program, so he can adjust tactics as needed thereafter. Has a big chance in races 4, 5 and 6 with Libertys Gig (3), Im Dreamin N (1) and Milliondollarfeeln (2), respectively.
Marc Campbell - Will be highly motivated to win at home and knows these horses but I personally don't see a lot of depth in what he ended up with. Do like his first pick, Panacotta (1, race 8) and Windemere Eric should get him some points in race 5.
Billy Davis - For whatever reason, very few of his drives made my short list. His first pick, Ton Of Luck (5 in race 6), was one. Also figures with Whitesand Artist (4 in race 7).
Jim Marino - I like his horse in the tournament opener, Leaveitwithme (3, race 3), but not much else caught my fancy. Will need a lot of luck to stay in the hunt.
Sylvain Lacaille - I should know better than to place him here. I picked him for last in the regional tournament and he showed me up, winning with a 90-1 shot and almost stealing the whole thing. But I just don't see a whole lot of power on his roster, other than the horse he picked first, Caughtfoolinaround (2, race 3).
Dan Jukich, Track Announcer and Simulcast Director at Fraser Downs Racetrack & Casino
The nationals appear on paper to be a three horse race but as we know anything and probably will happen. It could be Western boy and a former Western boy battling it out to head to the worlds.
Billy Davis Jr. - In a tight one I am calling Billy Davis Jr. as the winner. Seems to have horses that will pick him up points.
Jim Marino - A close second will be Jim Marino. If everything falls his way and gets a bunch of wins it will be nip and tuck as to who heads off to the worlds.
Ryan Ellis - Ryan Ellis has a lot of drives that should pick him up points. Could surprise.
Brandon Campbell - Brandon Campbell wasn't given much of a chance in the regionals but shocked everyone. The dark horse.
Jody Jamieson - Jody Jamieson has been to the worlds before and is always dangerous.
Sylvain Lacaille - Sylvain Lacaille could get off to a good start but will need to keep it going.
Marc Campbell - Marc Campbell maybe up against it but will enjoy the great hospitality of the Maritimes.
Guy Gagnon - Guy Gagnon is a very capable driver sitting with a UDRS of .390 but will need everything to fall in the right places to advance.
Les MacIsaac, Racing Analyst for Red Shores Racetrack & Casino at CDP
This looks to be a highly competitive event with eight very accomplished drivers. The racing in these competitions is unlike any other since every point could mean the difference between winning and being a runner up. Good luck to all and regardless of the outcome, they all deserve to be here since they're the best at what they do. Having said that, it's horse racing and anything can happen.
Jim Marino - Starts the competition with a couple struggling with their form in Leaveitwithme and Playful Patty. Each gets a substantial drop in class though, and if they race up to their capabilities he's got a chance to get that all important jump on his rivals. Avoiding many 7th and 8th place finishes the rest of the way could send him to Australia.
Jody Jamieson - His night could be a complete reversal of our top choice as his best chances appear to be in the competition's final two races. Artners In Crime and Perfect Escape each come from one of the most productive stables in the region the past few years. His tons of experience on the national and world stage certainly doesn't hurt his chances either.
Marc Campbell - While we only have him slotted in for third, it wouldn't be a shock if he came out on top as he's won virtually everything and set many records around the Maritimes the past few years. Excellent chance in race eight with Panacotta and a couple of solid contenders in M D Caseys Charm and Honor Roll in races four and six respectively.
Ryan Ellis - Along with Marc, he'll have a slight home field advantage since he had lots of drives here during OHW and impressed everybody by being a frequent visitor to the winner's circle. Takes the red hot Mcdaisy Cutter out for race seven with a big shot as well as one of the top contenders in race five in P C Shockwave.
Billy Davis Jr. - One of the top drivers in Ontario, the B.C. native has the pedigree being the son of an O'Brien Award winner and also international experience having represented the country at a competition in France, which by the way he won. His best chances come back to back in races six and seven with Ton Of Luck and the sharp Whitesand Artist.
Guy Gagnon - He's the veteran in the field and also tops the group with a URDS average of just under .400. Has experience in this competition having competed at Fraser downs in B.C. in 2009. He could better this rating with some early points since his best shot is in the race 10 final with the ultra consistent Umiztagoodthing.
Brandon Campbell - Lots of Island roots in this guy's family tree and experience at the national level as well having competed in 2011. His fifth race steer, All Out looks to have the best shot at sending him to the winner's circle and the class dropping Ebandtheboys is a serious challenger in race eight.
Sylvain Lacaille - Takes his second crack at a national driving title after posting a 100 plus win total in 2013. I don't know if he has the horsepower but being an entrant in this competition, you know he can get the most out of his charge. His horse in the first race of the event, Caughtfoolinaround, has what looks to be a real shot at nabbing one of the top two positions.