Scioto Smasher At $57; ‘Wiggle’ Wins Again; H2W Nabs 41 Percent Across-The-Board Prices

Last week, on Wednesday, May 25, we returned to Twitter and sent five spot plays on the Buffalo program. We scored with one, Before I Die ($11.80, $5.00, $2.60). We were third with KD Bella ($5.90) and Tys A Big Star ($3.40), sixth with Flashy Trick (6-1) and eighth with Francessa (115-1).

On various Wednesday nights we tweet for TwinSpires Twitter members from @FrankCotolo –retweeted by @twinspires—and the raceway involved. Losers from each week will appear on the next week’s horses-to-watch (H2W) list unless they race before that blog is published, so watch for them returning to the races on days in between blogs. Watch for special tweets from raceways on various Wednesdays.

The features weekend began Friday, May 27 at the Meadows. We scored with Darlinonthebeach ($7.80, $4.40, $2.40) and were fourth with Some Fancy Filly (29-1) at the Meadows.

The Molson Pace that evening at Western Fair was an uneven mile when at the half Machtu, driving on the outside, began to do a quick fade, backing up and causing a few horses, including our choice, PH Supercam (46-1), as well as State Treasurer and race-favorite All Bets Off (3-5) to lose precious ground. Sitting a perfect trip and out of harm’s way was the eventual winner, Evenin Of Pleasure (36-1).

Saturday, May 28, we were third in the Art Rooney Memorial with Yankee Artillery (n/s). The public choice won. In the filly version, the Lismore, we were second with Apple Bottom Jeans ($6.40, $3.30).

At the Meadowlands we came in second in a sires stakes with soph pacer Katies Rocker $16.40, n/s) and were fourth with Mymegarichmothrnlo (43-1).

Sunday, three big stakes for older horses highlighted the Philadelphia stage. Our choice in the Betsy Ross finished second. Katie Said ($2.80, $2.80) wound up the favorite.

We had no chance in the Maxie Lee, as Gural Hanover (23-1) broke and was eliminated. Also breaking and leaving the action was Bit Of A Legend N (14-1) in the Dorothy Mullin, where Wiggle It Jiggleit destroyed all Open pacers.

HAMBLETONIAN TRAIL

On Friday, May 27, the Meadowlands hosted -filly divisions of the sires stakes resulted in a win with Batoutahill ($6.20, $3.40, $2.40), a second with Jack Vernon ($3.20, $2.80) and a fourth with Seaside Illusion (7-2).

Saturday there were more fillies in action, this time at Vernon, and we were second with Fad Finance ($4.70, $3.20) and seventh with Sweet Ashley T (23-1).

Sunday, May 29 brought colts to Tioga.  We were seventh in division one with The Perfect Lily (44-1) and Reve Royale (7-2) broke and was eliminated.

H2W LIST RESULTS

The H2W results list across-the-board prices. Also, exactas listed are included when a H2W horse finishes second 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 a cold exacta). The note “ok” determines that prices published are correct even when a show price exceeds a place price or any or all of the prices are the same. This week, there were 71 active horses (a 14-percent win hit rate and a 44-percent in-the-money hit rate).

Please note that some H2W results reflect win, place, show and exotic results occurring by press time but some horses race after the blog is posted (we list them the following week) It is up to you to follow horses that have not performed before this weekly review is posted.

Winners

Every Play Counts, $57.40, $15.40, $6.20, Scioto
Outlawblueporsche, $24.50, $9.40, $4.90, Century
Churita, $18.60, $6.80, $4.40, Hoosier
Shes All Muscle, $16.80, $6.30, $3.70, Western Fair
Chizzled In Stone, $7.00, $3.80, $2.60, Scarborough
Hubby Number One, $6.90, $4.80, $2.60, Mohawk
Bryans Angel, $6.80, $6.00, $3.00, Scarborough
Blood Brother, $5.40, $3.10, $2.60, Yonkers
Clearedfortakeoff, $4.50, $3.40, $2.60, Monticello
Useful Hanover, $3.00, $3.30, $2.90 ok, Charlottetown
 
Seconds

Extreme Justice, $8.00, $3.60, Plainridge
Lets Go Places, $5.20, $3.80, Running Aces
Phoenician Gal, $4.90, $2.50, Century
Cracker Stoney, $4.70, $3.50 (Exacta $11.00), Buffalo
Roll’em Up, $3.20, $2.80, Scioto
 
Thirds

Zuzu, $7.30, Saratoga
Body Guard, $7.00, Scarborough
Sparkin Your Fire, $5.40, Running Aces
Fancys Destiny, $5.30, Saratoga
Moonbeam Hall, $5.10, Mohawk
Bruener, $5.00, Buffalo
Shes All That, $4.40, Century
Hoorei For Flash, $4.20, Northville
Auf Wiedersehen, $4.00, Northfield
Hostess Lisa, $3.80, Philadelphia
Americanprimetime, $3.60, Meadowlands
Mr Bo Diddley, $3.20, Scarborough
An Officers Duty, $2.70, Tioga
Sly Baran, $2.60, Western Fair
The Big Muscle, $2.30, Western Fair
Kiona, $2.10 Vernon
 
News & Notes

Here’s one more reminder regarding Yonkers Raceway’s scheduled mid-season intermission. After the matinee program of Tuesday (May 31) with a 1 p.m.post time at Yonkers’ next race date is Monday (June 13) with post time at 7:10 p.m. At that time, the five-program per week (Monday/Thursday/Friday/Saturday at 7:10 p.m., Tuesday at 1 p.m.) returns.

Any number of raceways will be presenting “Driver Challenge Series,” which award points to various degrees of success from the drivers involved as they battle for enough points to share what is sometimes as much as a six-digit prize. Bettors should be aware that the extra incentive involved for drivers in the case of such contests, though measured in the purses, ultimately has no specific affect on their performances. In other words, ignore the drivers in the contest events and focus on the horses when handicapping. There is the edge you will have if you are playing contest races. The general public is apt to weigh drivers’ contest positions as handicap factors (checking their standings and sometimes just playing their favorite drivers). Ignoring that element, you may find some juicy overlays in the betting.

The first of 48 nights of harness racing kicks off at Grand River Raceway in Ontario on June 1. During its 13th season, Grand River, a half-mile track, will race Monday and Wednesday nights at 6:30 p.m. through Sept. 28. There are two exceptions to the schedule. There will not be racing on Friday, Aug. 26 and post time is 1:30 on Monday, Aug. 1.

Extraordinary Extras

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

Ray Cotolo contributed to this blog

For Thom Pye cartoons, informative harness history and more, click here ~