Hammer or the Nail

It almost feels like In Over My Head has been off for a couple months.  In reality, it’s only been three weeks.  I guess it shows how much we miss watching him race when he’s feeling good.

Mo will take to the track on Saturday night in the Balmoral Invitational.  The break was part our choice (we didn’t enter him after his two wins) and part not our choice.  We entered him last week, but Balmoral didn’t have enough horses to fill the Invite, so it was left off the card.  Hopefully as a few more horses get going it will be easier to fill going forward.

Saturday night will mark the reunion of In Over My Head and Hall of Fame driver Dave Magee, who last drove Mo in 2007 when he was a two year old.  Mo finished 2^nd that night in 1.52.2, but broke at the wire and was placed 4^th.  Either way, it served notice that the youngster had some serious talent (1.52.2 had quite a bit more meaning back then).

The question for the race this week is pretty simple:  Can anyone beat Al’s Hammered?  He’s continued to crush everyone he’s faced, including the dead game Fort Silky.  In a short field, Al’s raw speed is even more of a weapon since he will never be too far from the front turning for home.  His last quarter of 25.1 two weeks ago is freakish.  Last time we faced him, Mo get beat in a photo finish.  In Over My Head may be the only horse that can hang with Al, but I’m not sure this will be the week for him to prove it.  Three weeks off may be a bit too much.  He’ll have to be razor sharp if he’s going to turn the Hammer into the nail.

The In Over My Head vs. Al’s Hammered angle takes me to another very interesting duel that is set for this weekend.  One that is not only a national story (sorry Mo, not too many people pay attention outside of Chicago), but an international one.  Sweden’s Sebastian K vs. US based Market Share.  The ‘us vs. them’ angle is a marketers dream and something that has rarely presented itself in harness racing.  I think the Meadowlands has done a good job to get some promotion out there and my real hope is that these two lock horns more than once this season.  The only thing that could make it even better is if Ready Cash, the French phenomenon, makes good on their plans to race here later in the summer.  His connections have stated that he is a couple lengths better than Sebastian K.  While I find that statement nearly impossible to believe, I sincerely hope they repeat it and talk as much trash as they can.  Nothing gets people’s attention more than an antagonist and there aren’t too many of those in harness racing.  So head on over Ready Cash and tell everyone who will listen how good you are.  Win or lose, people will be paying attention.