Harenss Racing: Hoosier park plays for Aug. 4

(Each week, Cotolo employs money-management tactics to build wagers that focus on plump profits.)

For the program on Aug. 4 at Hoosier Park, we suggest some horses for selected plays that may fit in any type of wager.

Race 1

Maiden frosh-filly trotters open the Wednesday program. This means it is time for leaps of faith, if not only one, based on green standardbreds tough to be measured. No proven losers emerge at this level, so we look for what others dismiss—a promise of form based upon a sire’s productivity and honest speed sometimes displayed only in qualifiers.

In her fourth start, #5 ER Kelsey returns to her home turf after racing with tougher fields than this one. She is a product of Whom Shall I Fear, who is a full brother to Father Patrick, products of Cantab Hall. This is a very strong bloodline that has earned millions. This filly is from his fourth crop and comes from a race at Historic Goshen Park in New York (no betting), where the going is slow but the heritage is severe.

Her qualifiers at Hoosier, before she entered in pari-mutuel miles, showed early speed. In her two Hoosier races she mostly proved she is coming along. Time to leap as she develops and could show her class and win any race now against foes like these.

Good blood also flows through #1 Retha Babe. The Muscle Massive filly won her qualifier in good time and may enjoy betting races with a lot more speed.

Race 2

Last week we made note of Rick Plano’s #6 Who’s Negan, and her finishing ninth should not stain her chances here. Consider the trip. Mildly supported at 6-1, she was wide to start, took the lead from that duel and lost wind when challenged for the lead at the three-quarters. She may be 0-for-17, but one of these races she will be 1-for-18 (or 1-for-19, etc.).

Race 5

Toss out the recent two races from #1 Woodside Emileah, since she was over her head in state-bred competition (and her odds show it), but do not dismiss her here as she drops into the kind of competition in which she makes money. This is a Guccio sophomore from a Cantab Hall dam and has class written in her veins.

Back to be a part of all single-race exotic combos is #4 No Parking Zone. She was on our watch last week and was left behind like many in the field from a pace-away leader. She has value here and will pay well finishing anywhere on the board.

Race 8

More two-year-old filly trotters line up in this race. It is the class that academic handicapping books scorn. Baloney, we say (see Race 1 above). This race offers a first-time starter by Uncle Peter—#8 TNT Lady. Trainer Robert Taylor needed only one qualifier to get the confidence he needs to send her out in fearless abandon. She was a neck behind in 2:01 1/5, which is as fast as the quickest here. It’s the courageous play that pays well for such bravery.

We don’t care if the form emerges from fair racing, so we also like #3 Luv Lorelei. She is bred well (Muscle Massive from a Andover Hall mare) and knows where the front of a field is located in a competitive mile.

Race 11

Our last reach for a price this week is a wide swing from the outside with #10 Mystic Waze. In the only pari-mutuel race of his career, the Shadyshark Hanover gelding broke at the gate and was eliminated. His three qualifiers, however, are sterling examples of his legacy, as his sire had a sweeping gait. Even the morning line of 6-1 respects the promise of this colt.

Perhaps overlooked by the public, #5 Reno Dinero should be deeply involved battling the muscles of this field. Two back he was one of the public’s top choices and raced to please, finishing second and after that he struggled from post 10, still only 5-1 and not without aggression.