Winners Parade All Over; 48 % H2W First & Second Scores

Here is the TwinSpires Harness Blog Weekly Update.

Thursday, Jan. 7

Freehold’s Pick 4 was assaulted again this week and we presented serious contenders and winners. In leg one we won with Rocks Noble Artist ($5.00, $2.40, $2.60), while our other pick, Final Justice (14-1) took the fourth spot.

In leg two we would up third with Brightside Kelvin ($2.60), beaten by the public choice.

In leg three we won with Dreaming Jeanie ($6.40, $4.20, $2.60). Our other pick here, Macjestic Toddy N (5-1) finished fifth.

We won the final leg with favorite Keystone Orion ($3.80, $2.40, $2.20), as our two other participators, Exuberance (18-1) and Wayward May (5-1) finished fifth and seventh (broke stride and was eliminated), respectively.

Friday, Jan. 8

Following the early Miami season for productive-trainer Adam Short with our exclusive Short List, we went with his three entries on this program (see Saturday for two more).

Adam’s trio was very much alive. Persistent Threat A ($3.20, $2.40, $2.40 ok) won; American Empress ($2.20, $2.40 ok) finished second; and Franzo ($5.80) finished third.

Saturday, Jan. 9

Two from The Short List included Cyclone Kiwi N ($3.80, $2.80) and Drawing Dragons ($4.80), third.

At the Meadowlands we were beaten by a favorite, our choice last week, while coming in third with Dealers Table ($3.20) and fourth with Dakota Jack (13-1).

Northfield’s feature’s winner was a well-supported horse that we expected at a bigger price. We take credit, anyway, for Blue Ivy ($5.60, $2.80, $2.40).

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 31 active horses (a 32-percent win hit rate and a 48-percent ATB [across-the-board] hit rate). Horses with asterisks before their names were tweets @FrankCotolo. Follow for all late choices.

Winners

The Dark Shadow, $10.00, $4.00, $3.00, Miami
**Prodigal, $9.40, $4.60, $3.40, Cal-Expo
Dont Wannabe Late, $8.40, $3.60, $2.20, Cal-Expo
Arroyas Dance, $6.00, $4.80, $2.40), Northfield
Panoramic View, $5.80, $5.00, $4.00), Miami
Bad Day Black Rock, $4.40, $2.40, $2.10, Freehold
Dbldelitebrigade N, $5.00, $3.20, $2.40, Meadowlands
Bobby K Hill, $3.60, $2.60, $2.20, Meadows
Always Windy, $2.80, $2.40, $2.10), Miami
Hi Ho ulio, $2.80, $2.40, $2.10, Cal-Expo

Seconds

Rocknroll Wildcats, $9.20, $5.20 (Exacta $31.60), Pompano
Lets Have Another, $4.00, $3.60, Dover
**Bunkerhill Bill, $3.80, $2.80, Cal-Expo
Whats The Word, $3.80, $2.80, Meadows
Captain Keen, $2.80, $2.10, Pompano

Thirds

N O N E
 
NEWS & NOTES

Back to the track. We reported the retirement of three-time Breeders Crown winner Manchego and at that time the fact was correct. Now, the trotting mare’s connections have decided to aim for a return to the races in 2021. Trainer Nancy Takter talked the owner, Barry Guariglia, into the return, saying “she stopped in great shape.”

The 234-racing calendar at Yonkers began Jan. 11. The season includes a stakes schedule with the MGM Borgata Pacing Series, Blue Chip Matchmaker Series, the MGM Yonkers Trot and MGM Grand Messenger Stakes, all of which were canceled last year as a result of the pandemic. Racing shifts to a five-consecutive weekday schedule Monday through Friday, as Yonkers moves the Saturday card to Wednesday. Nightly post time is 7:15pm.

Yonkers will present wagering changes, too. The track reduces its takeout rate on Pick-4 and-Pick-5 races from 25 percent to 20 percent, accommodating the requests of many bettors. A $1 Pick 6 wager is also added. State regulations continue to require races to be run without fans in attendance. Only essential personnel and owners are permitted on the track and required to adhere to strict health and safety protocols.

During the Cal-Expo 2020 season, we brought trainer/driver Jacob Cutter to the attention of TwinSpires harness blog readers and delivered well-paying winners from his barn and while catch driving. This meet, everyone is aware of his talents. A native of Alberta, Cutting came to California with only two years of pari-mutuel experience. He has already become the leading driver at the Sacramento track with 38 wins to date, a huge lead over the others. Cutting is only 19. Cutting came to our attention during the Running Aces meet, which has served to create the “shuttle circuit” for West Coast veteran and freshman d horsemen.

Extraordinary Extras

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