Though it is the dead of winter, the nights are already becoming shorter. Spring is just around the corner, no matter what the groundhog predicts on Feb. 2. One way harness fans realize that the frozen days of winter are numbered, is to start counting the track openings around the U.S., as well as to note some of the traditional features of the season, which are overtures to winter's end.

Saratoga Harness Raceway in New York and Lebanon Raceway in Ohio begin their 2007 schedules during the first weekend in February, to name two tracks added to the season's openings. Recently, Rosecroft Raceway in Maryland opened its doors again and Buffalo Raceway ignored any and all threats of blizzards with its newest meet. Though the schedules of all these tracks are spotty as the season continues to be frosty, the programs are full and rife for wagering.

Next, one of my favorite little racing joints, Plainridge Racecourse, joins the menu. With major assistance from the members of the Harness Horsemen’s Association of New England, Plainridge will open its 2007 season with an early inaugural date. After approval by the Massachusetts Racing Commission, Plainridge Racecourse has announced its 2007 season will open on Monday, March 19. Plainridge hosts terrific overnight racing, a sharp colony of horses and horsemen and it is the home to New England’s most important harness race, the Bert Beckwith Memorial Pace.

Speaking of premier events, another sign of the season are two top Open events for older horses: The $250,000 Isle of Capri Pacing Series and the $125,000 Mack Lobell Trotting Series at Pompano Park. My friend and dedicated race secretary Greg DeFrank reveals that the Isle of Capri Pace has attracted 25 potential starters, with 14 trotters readied for the Mack Lobell. I like these two features because they offer legs that sometimes offer better wagering opportunities than the coveted final.

On the list of nominees for the "Capri" again this year is two-time defending champion He Wants It All (he captured the 2005 and 2006 editions). A newcomer to the series is Jereme’s Jet, champion two-year-old colt pacer of 2005. The millionaire has visited the winner’s circle a dozen times throughout his career, including victories in the 2005 Breeders’ Crown freshman-colt pace, the 2005 Governor’s Cup and at three, the 2006 Windy City Pace. Also hoping for success are Nuclear Breeze, Load The Dice and Maltese Artist, all battlers in the older ranks this winter.

A local trotting sensation, Tweedle Dum, who holds a Pompano track record with 21 wins in 2006 and was North America’s leading trotter, tops the list of 14 potential starters for the Mack Lobell Trot. Tweedle Dum's 2006 campaign ended with six-straight wins for trainer Gordon Norris, winning 20 of his last 24 starts since a ninth-place finish in last year’s Mack Lobell Final, due to a break at the race's start. A mare, Victor’s Pursuit, has also been nominated to the Mack Lobell, as has gelding Dink Adoo, who last year his lifetime best mile of 1:53.

The Isle of Capri Pacing Series begins with the $20,000 preview on Feb. 3. The series will continue with the $50,000 first leg on Feb. 10, the $50,000 second leg on Feb. 17 and it ends with the $150,000-added final, the richest harness race in Florida, on Feb. 24.
The Mack Lobell Trotting Series begins with the $15,000 preview on Feb. 2 and will include the $25,000 first leg on Feb. 9, the $25,000 second leg on Feb. 16, with the $75,000-final scheduled for Feb. 24.


Track notes

For many years now at Windsor Raceway, the Provincial Cup served as the Canadian track's signature race. It has always been a part of the grand scheme of featured events in North America through those years, attracting some of the sport's pacing  superstars, including Cam Fella, On The Road Again, Jenna's Beach Boy, Camluck, Cardigan Bay, Artiscape and Western Hanover. Strangely enough, it seems Windsor and the "Cup" are no longer a team. For the second consecutive year, the race is not listed in their stakes schedule. We are investigating what might have become of the stakes feature and will report all findings to you in this column as soon as any facts are available.

Yonkers is thriving since reopening and, according to track publicist Frank Drucker, the New York track will continue its six-program-per-week live harness schedule through February. Yonkers' live harness schedule is Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, with first post at 7:40 p.m. and Tuesday matinees the start at 1 p.m. Yonkers' 2007 stakes season begins on Groundhog Day weekend with the opening rounnds of the Hopeful Pacing Series for sophomore fillies and pacers.


Campbell update

Team Youbet's John Campbell continues to watch many of the winter series he has been a part of winning over the last few decades from the sidelines. John is still recovering from leg fractures he received in a spill at Woodbine, on Breeders Crown night, in October of 2006.

"I'm hoping next week to get rid of the crutches,” John said. On the phone, he told me he was doing “pretty well," noting that his recuperation is "actually a bit ahead of schedule."

Last year Campbell was on fire with longshots as the new winter debuted. It was the start of a terrific season that resulted in another Driver of the Year award from harness writers across America. Over the slew of winter seasons, John Campbell has been the guide of many seasonal-series' winners. Among them, Boomer Drummond, Banker Blue Chip, Lusty Leader and the great Red Bow Tie, who Campbell said was "a real pleasure to drive, a professional racehorse.” Another giant older pacing star, Dragon Again, was fortunate to team up with Campbell. “He was a great-gaited horse who was on his game and could overcome bad post positions and win,” Campbell said. 


Player's corner

Let's look at some other possible plays looming over the following weekend.

On Friday, Feb. 2 in Western Fair's Race 3, Image Bill looks good from post 5. Last time out this one had a near miss in a good, first-over try at Flamboro Downs and had won at Western Fair for this price on Jan.9. That same night, at Yonkers Raceway, in Race 12, Yobro's Joyboy appears to have a one-rush brush that can win this event from post 4.

On Saturday, Feb. 3, don't let the 8 hole bother you when considering Jennaration in Race 15 at Dover Downs. This one tossed in a clunker last time being buried on the rail and may be better off coming to the finish line first via today's outside post. At Rosecroft Raceway, Debs Superfit gets the rail and a clear shot at pacing over the Race-12 field with ease. Expect a short-priced overlay.
 
Here's what we did for you last time:

Dare To Score finished fifth at 12-1; Miss Heineken completed an exacta as the choice; Syncro's Z Tam was second as the choice; Galleons Joy N, at 13-1, was seventh. And our freebee, CR Pistol Pete, finished fourth. Keep a tab on all of our failed picks, as many tend to wake up their next time out.

There were seven more winners for followers of our exclusive Cal Expo Beaten Favorites Report:

Tamara Lou (1.60)  $13.80
Mattery Park (e.60)  $ 6.80
Final Choice (1.50)  $ 6.40
Maggie McGrath (1.10) $ 4.40
Contango (e1.10)  $ 4.20
True Believer (e.60)  $ 4.00
Ruby Blue Dress (1.40) $ 2.80

Youbet.com subscribers can check the list every Monday for the week's possible plays.