Top Mares Monopolize Matchmakers; Powerful Place Prices, Exactas

In this edition of the TwinSpires Harness Blog Weekly Update we cover our results from leg 1 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 15

Five divisions of older male pacers were on the docket at Yonkers. We had a single winner from the quintet—Leonidas A ($4.00, $2.50, $2.20) in the fifth split.

We struck with two hefty-priced place horses that along with the race favorite winners returned exacta. In division three we scored with Tyga Hanover ($7.80, $3.70) for an exacta worth $23.80. In division four we followed the favorite home for a $69.50 exacta with Semi Tough ($13.00, $5.40). In the first division we capped the triple with Rodeo Rock ($5.60).

Also racing for us in the five chapters were Ana Afreet N (3-1), fourth; Rocapela (8-1), fifth; Ashloey Loca N (9-1), sixth; Raukapuka Ruler N (39-1), sixth; Aflame Hanover (29-1), seventh.

Click this link below to review the Preview Blog with our Borgata choices for Yonkers on Monday, March 22.

Friday, March 19

The Blue Chip Matchmaker Pacing Series’ second leg presented another trio of short fields and dominant series’ members that are hard to deny.

We had two of the winners, both undeniably big favorites—Alexa Skye ($2.20, $2.10, $2.10 ok) in division one and Machnhope ($2.90, $2.10, $2.10 ok) in division three.

Division two handed the minority of the public its only overlay when for the first time in three races it did not strongly support Seaswift Joy N, letting her go off to win at 11-1. We were third with Lady Dela Renta ($2.80) nad fourth with Siesta Beach (4-1).

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 all late choices.

Winners

Half Cut, $31.60, $9.40, $2.60, Dover
Persistent Threat A, $4.00, $3.00, $3.20 ok, Miami

Seconds

Wild Country, $17.00, $6.60, Pompano
Schemin Friskie, $12.00, $7.00 (Exacta $27.60), Northfield
Newsday, $11.00, $4.80) (Exacta $38.40), Miami
Barbados, $7.40, $6.80, Meadows
Flashy Dude, $6.60, $4.00, Cal-Expo
Spun From Magic, $5.40, $3.40, WoMo
Sonny At The Beach, $5.20, $2.60, Dover
Rue Hanover, $4.60, $4.60 (Exacta $13.80), Cal-Expo
Kevndan Fraudsters, $3.80, $2.70 (Exacta $4.80), Western Fair
Im No Pansy, $3.60, $2.60, Rosecroft
Jimbelina, $3.50, $3.10 (Exacta $20.60), WoMo
Shady Madam, $3.20, $2.80, (Exacta $9.80), Northfield
Workin Them Angels, $2.80, $2.10 (Exacta $65.20), Dover
Devils Brother, $2.60, $2.20, Cal-Expo

Thirds

Like A Cowboy, $19.00, Meadows
Beltane A, $7.60, Yonkers
Americanexpression, $7.40, Buffalo
Maydaymaverickhope, $4.20, Freehold
Mr Irrasistible, $4.20, Dover
Fern Hill Bella, $4.00, WoMo
JK Musicman, $3.60, Pocono
Northwest Yankee, $2.60, Dover
Witch Hunter, n/s, Cal-Expo

NEWS & NOTES

East Coast late-night bettors can still get North American harness action via TwinSpires with the opening of Fraser Downs. In the Usa, Cal-Expo is in play on Saturday and Sunday nights through April 24. The British Columbia-province’s Fraser races on Wednesday and Friday evenings through Dec. 29, 2021. Fraser returns after being closed from a three-month Covid-19 protocol.

Speaking of Fraser, top trainer Kelly Hoerdt began the recent meet with an early lead in wins. His stock struck thrice on the third program. Hoerdt horses s started the season with great percentages. Sending out 13 starters, Hoerd horses sported a 6-3-2 summary, a 46-percent win score and an 85-percent across-the-board mark.

When harness racing in Pennsylvania returns to Philadelphia opens on April 2, a new menu for exotics comes with it. Two Pick-4 wagers come on each card, (50 cents; 15-percent takeout). Pick 4s begin in races 1 and 10 and on the first four and last four races of programs less than 10 races. A Pick-5 wager covers races 5—9 (50-cents; 18-percent takeout. The 20-cent Jackpot Hi-5 has been removed from the menu with three non-jackpot Super Hi-5s on each card in the third, ninth, and final races (50-cents; 15 percent takeout). Super Hi-5 pools carry over, as do superfectas, are in all races without a Hi-5.

More harness racing is in Canada’s future when for the first time in eight years Saskatchewan hosts harness programs at Marquis Downs. The Prairieland Park grounds last hosted harness racing in 2010 but could not handle racing for host both breeds simultaneously due to limited provincial funding. An announcement for an end to thoroughbreds racing on the Prairieland Park grounds was made, exposing the opportunity for Marquis Downs harness racing to take over on the five-eighths-mile track.

Extraordinary Extras

Indulge in our columns, Alternative Actions and Bettors Banquet at Harness Racing Update