Hoosier Park harness racing plays for May 26

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

For the May 26 program at Hoosier Park, we suggest some horses for selected plays that may fit in any type of wager.

Race 2

Trainer Erv Miller has taken good care of #7 Railin Jennings, and yet in 16 starts the gelding son of JK Endofanera has yet to win. The public has agreed the gelding has talent, backing him at a few tracks in two years without reward, but may lose some betting interest in this affair, since the competition could easily create arguments. Toss out the Hawthorne race on May 16 and take seriously the race before it, where the horse trotted as well, if not better, than he did at the Meadowlands at two, and you should enjoy his first victory as much as Erv.

Perhaps the eighth start for #4 Jet Ace will be the best launching spot for this gelding’s first win since 2020. At two he was quite competitive in this class and at this track, as have been many progeny of Indiana-sire Jereme’s Jet.

Race 4

Forgive #2 Partyboy Heff for the miscue that ruined his May 19 effort. Although the winner of that race (7-1 Shock Wave, which we picked) won famously, “Heff” never gave the mile a thought once he broke at the start. From post 2, and with ease of gait, he could command this field.

This will be only the second start in 2021 for #3 TC Riggins, but his first (the same mile as mentioned in Race 2) does not truly represent the potential of this well-bred sophomore; nor does his morning line (20-1 ML) measure his ability in this contest.

Also from the May 19 event, #9 Armbro Arya, who was the favorite, should be in the mix here and hit the board for exotics.

Race 7

The elusive search for a win in his 15th start could be over for #7 Tuf Stuff. Sure, he was short last week, letting most of the field pass him down the exaggerated Hoosier stretch, but his early-lick fight on the outside wore him down, disappointing backers that made him 7-2. We would think he could get a good spot, if he doesn’t take over cleanly at the start, and be worth his 5-1 ML.

Respect #4 JJ Da Boss, in his pari-mutuel debut because he improved greatly in one qualifier and has no proven-loser credentials.

Race 8

It is time to go out on a limb, as we do when circumstances point to a better probability for success than the ML and company document. At 15-1, #9 My Little Buddy is a major overlay. Twice off at 10-1 racing at Hoosier this year produced two excuses (a break and second-tier traffic) that allow us to rely on his April 21 performance. He was 4-1 in that race and finished second coming off a qualifier that was his first track experience at three. His sophomore season will see him improving greatly and if that starts now, we will benefit from this leap of faith and get lots of money for it.

Certain chaos among the rest of this uneven field of performers makes us shy from anything but a win bet here, especially since we loathe to push the “all” button at any time in the betting experience.

Race 10

The hike in the claiming price of the conditions in this race does not bother us one bit when it comes to defending the probable success of #3 Shark Snare. The Shadyshark Hanover gelding earned the new tag in a courageous mile last week as the favorite in a condition below this one. Another reason to back him is the volatility of ML favorite #7 Hill Yeah. We do not say that due to his propensity to gallop, either. The son of great pacer Racing Hill comes from racing at Northfield, where no good start helps the chances of any horse on the four-turn oval. If he smoothly gets a lead and stays fluid of gait, he will be dangerous.