Pumping Profits In Overnight Action

On the positive side of the week are the strong and profiting results of the horses-to-watch list (H2W). Though the H2W did not explode as it did a few weeks back, it is consistent with powerful across-the-board prices. In fact, as you can see below, the horses that came in second delivered “win-type” prices to place and show, when compared with those on the Winners list.

Each horse finishing second, which pays place and show, returns a profit if played across-the-board. At a base investment of $6.00 (win, place and show), each returned more than the investment, some more than 50 percent over it.

Our emphasis regarding across-the-board wagering for horses we endorse ensues due to the nature of the mathematics of pari-mutuels (many of our horses are not the public’s first choices and sometimes not even their second). Great place and/or show prices assist the flow of your bankroll. A player can easily dismiss losing a win bet if the measure of profit for the place and show is rewarding the investment, which many times is the case with H2W contenders.

In the features department, two horses in the “Levy” series’ four divisions were outside contenders, just not our outside contenders. Huge favorite PH Supercam won his third straight in the first Levy division, with our 9-2 choice, Lucan Hanover ($3.70, n/s) second for a paltry Exacta of $9.70.

We were fifth with Validus Deo (10-1), losing to an 11-1, the highest price in the series’ legs so far. Then, one of our first-week successes, Fat Mans Alley (5-1) beat our bet, Machs Beach Boy (13-1), who finished third.

The public’s second choice took the nightcap and our Mach It So (7-2) finished fifth.

The night before in two small divisions of the Matchmaker, our first choice, Anndrovette (3-1) was third (there was no show betting). We were second to the favorite in the next division with Venus Delight ($4.10, n/s). That combo returned a generous $15.40 Exacta.

Also Friday, we suggested additions to the Meadows early Pick 3 but did not deliver a winner of any in the correct trio. The closest we came was a second with 7-1 Do Me Honor ($4.40, $3.20). Two favorites won legs one and two and a 6-1 finished the bet to pay under $90. We continue to strive for Pick 3s with triple-and-up digit results.

In between published harness blogs, follow @FrankCotolo and @TwinSpires on Twitter.

H2W LIST RESULTS

The H2W results list across-the-board prices. Also, exactas are included when a H2W horse finishing second completes the result with a race favorite or the first two finishers making up the exacta are H2W horses (an asterisk appears when both horses were listed to complete the exacta). The note “ok” determines that prices published are correct even when a show price exceeds a place price. This week, there were 50 active horses.

*Please note that some H2W results reflect win, place and/or show results occurring after press time and that it is up to you to follow those horses that have not performed before this weekly review is posted.

Winners

ER Myron, $12.00, $4.60, $4.40, Meadows
Triad, $9.60, $4.80, $3.80, Northville
Inside Broadway, $7.80, $4.20, $2.20, Philadelphia
Orlandos Express, $7.80, $4.60, $2.60, Cal Expo
Jeremes General, $7.20, $3.00, $3.20 ok, Dover
A Princess Tale, $5.20, $4.80, 3.80, Northville

Seconds

Twin B Inspiring, $11.10, $8.70 (Exacta $58.90), Western Fair
Regal Style, $10.40, $13.60 ok, Northville
Cf Sting Rei, $9.00, $4.80, Saratoga
Go Both Ways, $6.40, $3.20, Philadelphia
Barbosa, $6.00, $4.40, Cal Expo
Dark Lightning, $5.60, $2.40, Meadows

Thirds

Sawbuck Hanover, $3.60, Pocono
Chocolate Xplosion, $2.60, Philadelphia
Grandpa Don, $2.40, Yonkers
Winchester, $2.20, Miami

News & Notes

The Midwest’s itinerant horsemen are doing the paperwork and planning for the first week of the 2015 racing season at Running Aces Harness Park in Columbus, Minnesota. The 53-night meet opens on June 6 and ends Sept. 12. “Current projections estimate an overall purse pool of $2 million, with 15-percent, plus an additional legislated supplement fund earmarked for restricted Minnesota-sired races,” said an official track statement. “Overnight purses will range from $2,000 to $8,000, with the average purse for all overnight races expected to be $4,670.” That is just short of the 2014 season. As well, a new bottom condition (n/w $500 in last 4) and a lower bottom claiming level ($2,500) are planned. The highest condition class (n/w $6000 in last 4) will also be introduced.

Sixty-three sophomore pacing colts and geldings have made the first sustaining payment to remain eligible to the 2015 Pepsi North America Cup. The $1 million event, contested on Saturday, June 20 this year, again at Mohawk Racetrack, is Canada’s richest harness race. It usually attracts, as it is already doing this year, top-notch sophomore pacers, most from the successful freshmen class of 2014. The Tony Alagna trainee Artspeak is among the top tier of contenders. He put together a fantastic rookie campaign to capture the Metro Pace and Governo’'s Cup. Go Daddy Go, multiple stakes-winner In The Arsenal and Wiggle It Jiggleit are a few more headed for the “Cup,” as are outside contenders Lyons Again, and Lyons Levi Lewis.

Extraordinary Extras

Indulge in many standardbred topics at my Hoof Beats blog titled Vast Performances.

Ray Cotolo contributed to this blog

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