Alexa Skye Holds Court; Top Prices $30, $24; Top Places $18, $11
In this edition of the TwinSpires Harness Blog Weekly Update we cover our results from leg 2 of the Borgata Pacing Series, which takes place on Mondays at Yonkers. Each leg’s results will be recorded in the following Weekly Update.
Monday, March 22
The older-pacing series group is finding it difficult to keep up with some dominating foes. Leg two of the series confirmed this with two winners that even us bargain hunters could not deny: Backstreet Shadow ($5.20, $3.90, $2.10) and Leonidas A ($2.90, $2.40, $2.10) in divisions one and three, respectively.
We came in second with Dan Domino A ($6.30, $3.50) in division three and third in divisions one and two, respectively, with Rodeo Rock ($2.10) and Tyga Hanover ($2.80).
Picks finishing off-the-board included Semi Tough (24-1), fourth; Bronx Seelster (23-1), fifth; Let It Ride N (4-5), dead-heat sixth; and Aflame Hanover (6-1), seventh.
Thursday, March 26
At the Meadows, our main choice, Bugger Bruiser ($3.60) finished third to the big favorite, while John Paul (36-1) finished fourth anddd Drewbert (5-1) finished sixth.
Friday, March 26
The Blue Chip Matchmaker Pacing Series’ third leg made it clear that Alexa Skye ($2.80, $2.10, $2.10) is the top mare pacer in the series and is headed for a sweep after her third-leg win. The other series’ division went to the favorite, while we finished fourth with Maczaffair (6-1) and sixth with Monica Gallagher (27-1) in what probably was her last appearance in the series. Seaswift Joy N scratched.
Saturday, March 27
A 14-1 shot upset in Northfield’s ninth race, a feature we endorsed due to confidence in Sapphire Hill (7-2), but she finished sixth, following possible exotic partners Squirt (6-1), who finished fourth and Cheeky Cheeky, who finished fifth. A wipeout. Watch for these horses in next week’s H2W.
H2W LIST RESULTS
The H2W results list across-the-board prices. Exactas listed include a H2W horse finishing second to a race-favorite or if the first two finishers are H2W horses (an asterisk appears when both horses are listed—a cold exacta). The note “ok” determines that prices are correct (even when a show price exceeds a place price or all prices are the same).
Please note that some results reflect horses racing after the blog posts (they appear the following week).
This week, there were 44 active horses (an 5-percent win hit rate and a 57-percent ATB [across-the-board] hit. Horses with asterisks before their names were tweets @FrankCotolo. Follow for late choices.
Winners
JK Musicman, $30.00, $10.60, $6.20, Pocono
Jeannies Terror, $24.80, $8.60, $6.60, Meadows
Galarina, $11.80, $4.20, $4,00, Pompano
Lyons Friends, $7.20, $3.40, $2.40, Miami
Just N Berlander, $6.40, $3.60, $2.80, Pompano
Annabelle Hanover, $4.00, $3.00, $2.60, Hoosier
Seconds
Dirt E Rock, $18.40, $9.20, Hoosier
Joxter, $11.40, $5.00 (Exacta $71.80), Pompano
Jigtime Jones, $6.20, $3.40, Meadows
Windmeupnwatchmego, $5.80, $4.20 (Exacta $29.40), Meadowlands
Checks On The Way, $4.00, $3.20, Miami
Hamsandwich, $3.60, Miami
Sunset Braydon, $3.60, $2.80, Pocono
Beltane A, $3.10, $2.40, Yonkers
Maydaymaverickhope, $3.00, $2.10, Freehold
Devils Brother, $2.40, $2.20, Cal-Expo
Thirds
Meetyouatmidnight, $5.70, Monticello
Americanexpression, $4.80, Buffalo
All About Madi, $4.30,Yonkers
Moms Crossroads, $4.10, Monticello
Touch Of The West, $4.00, Meadows
Howmacfiesty, $2.40, Western Fair
Spun From Magic, $2.40, WoMo
Drunkonaplane, $2.20, Buffalo
NEWS & NOTES
AmWest Entertainment LLC (ARS) acquired Sports Creek Raceway with one intent: bring back horse racing. Once a stop in the state’s multi-track circuit, (ARS) purchased Sports Creek in 2018, four years after racing shutdown at the Swartz Creek oval. ARS applied for a racing license, getting rejected. In 2019, legislation was introduced to legalize historical horse racing in Michigan. The pandemic set back the return of racing to Sports Creek, but ARS was denied racing in 2021. ARS officials are hopeful late spring or early summer will decide the track’s future.
Hoosier Park’s 28th season of racing is in play. Hoosier debuts a new wagering menu for 2021: An early Pick-5 in races 1-5, as well as a late Pick-5 in races 10-14. An early Pick-4 in races 3-6 as well as a new late Pick-4 in races 11-14. Return of the Jackpot Pick-6 in races 8-13. Rolling Pick-3 wagers involve every race, beginning in races two, six, nine and 12. A Hoosier High-5 in the final race of the night with an industry low takeout of 12 per cent.
Some TwinSpires blog followers are still confused about racing times at Pocono Downs. The Pennsylvania track has for years been on the night-time racing menu. For a few seasons now, Pocono races in the afternoon with a 12:30 eastern post time. On Sundays, Pocono begins its program at 5 p.m. eastern.
Harness racing at Philadelphia opens its 2021 season on April 2. A new menu features two Pick-4 wagers on each card, retaining the 50-cent base wager and 15-percent takeout. On a 14-race card, Pick 4s begin in races 1 and 10; on shorter programs, Pick 4s comprise the first and last four races. A new Pick-5 wager covers races 5-9 on each card and features a 50-cent base wager and an 18-percent takeout. A daily 20-cent Jackpot Hi-5 was deleted in favor three non-jackpot Super Hi-5 wagers on each card, offered in the third, ninth, and final races with a 50-cent base wager and a 15-percent takeout. Super Hi-5 pools carry over in their entirety sans winning tickets, as does superfecta (offered in all races without a Hi-5), Pick-3, Pick-4 and Pick-5 pools.
Extraordinary Extras
Indulge in our columns, Alternative Actions and Bettors Banquet at Harness Racing Update
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