Selected features, stakes coverage and the never-ending TwinSpires’ horses-to-watch list (H2W) share keys to success in exotics, win, place and show payoffs.

MOHAWK MILES

Each week, we highlight probable longshots from Mohawk Park in this features section. If they do not win at first crack, we add them to the H2W the following week as a bet-back while adding new possibilities to this Mohawk Miles section.

Thursday, Sept. 28 

Race 1—Pay The Price; Impressive qualifier while hardly trying.
Race 4—The Right Time; Super-bred trotter broke as the choice.
Race 8—Lyons Bettorday; Well-backed, tough start, ready to go.

Thursday, Sept. 28

GRAND BLUEGRASS 

Red Mile  

The Grand Circuit rolls into The Red Mile. This week, Bluegrass Stakes headline the action. We offer our contenders in selected divisions for freshman filly pacers (2fp-$96k) and freshman colt trotters (2ct-$80k).

2fp div1—Peace Talks continues to earn well hitting the board.
2fp div2—Sea Shanty Hanover is among the best in Ron Burke’s barn.
2fp div3—Seaside Diva improves, could upset this group.

2ct div1—Bargain is the class of the class.
2ct div2—Sig Sauer is arguably the best colt in the division.
2ct div3—Mars Hill is still full of muscle as the season wanes.
2ct div4—Smart Schooner is Jim Campbell’s Greenshoe boy with speed to spare.
2ct div5—Stormcloudfashion also goes for Campbell with upset in mind.

Friday, Sept. 29

GRANDER BLUEGRASS 

Red Mile  

More Bluegrass Stakes headline the action. We offer our contenders in selected divisions for freshman filly trotters (2ft-$85) and freshman colt trotters (2cp $ 87k).

2ft div1—Chaparmbro is Trond Smedshammer’s pistol-sharp gal.
2cp div1—Nuclear shakes up this bunch for Joe Holloway.
2cp div2—Ivy Park sits on a big win in this mile.
2cp div3—Lou Vuitton gets another shot with a better chance.

Saturday, Sept. 30

DERBY DOSES

Dayton

Dayton’s first weekend of the new meet features Grand Circuit stars in a quartet of high-powered stakes miles.

Dayton Oaks Derby ($250k) is a trot for mares, most acquainted with their competition. Though not so hot lately, this is a fine spot for Jiggy Jog S. Her price may seem short, but the field will attract bargain hunters looking for a miracle.

Dayton Distaff Derby ($250k) is the pace for mares. Marloe Hanover is in a great spot to up her win percentage and pay well against more popular names.

Dayton Trotting Derby ($250k) offers deep talent, and yet the crowd will hammer the obvious favorites. That leaves a courageous upset possibility with Keg Stand. Small support will yield large bucks.

Dayton Derby ($250k) pacing horses present a field in which there are solid arguments for any one winning. So, take a shot with Burke’s Lou’s Pearlman. This guy takes advantage of how his foes race with more confidence than respect, leaving “Pearlman” to save his best stride for the crowning moments.

H2W Legend

Horses to watch (H2W) are strong contenders evaluated from overnight race charts (including qualifiers), replays, and trainers’ current win percentages. Each horse appears in two consecutive lists if it does not win on its first listing.

H2W horses are suggested for win, place, show (across the board) wagering, and are to be included in exotic combinations.

Exactas listed in H2W results reflect an H2W horse finishing second to a race favorite or if the first two finishers were on the list when an asterisk appears for cold exactas. The note “ok” determines prices are correct when a show price exceeds the place price or all three prices are identical.

H2W LIST

Some results reflect horses racing after preview blog posts and appear the following week. As well, some horses will not appear a second time when their first time is followed by a race at a non-parimutuel fair. They will get a second time on the list when returning to a betting race.

Batavia
9/29/23, Denmark Seelster R2; Flyhawk El Fuerte R6

Dayton
9/28/23, Heerz Hoosierhunny R3; Tellitsabb R5; In Rock We Trust R10
9/30/23, +Do It Like Bobbi R1

Freehold
9/28/23, Ooh Real Good R9
9/29/23, Ghibli R5

Hawthorne
9/29/23, Vinny Lou R3
9/30/23, +Ponda Hawk R7; Archetto Hanover R7

Hoosier
9/28/23, Mac Special R2
9/29/23, Sweet Truth R2; Fox Valley Ren R6

Meadows
9/28/23, Momoni De Vie R3; Bettorbytheseaside R4; Swipe Right R13

Monticello
9/28/23, Constntlysidewys A R2; Unique Beach R7; Sir Shadow R9

Northfield
9/30/23, Cathy Hanover R5; I Choose You R9

Northville
9/29/23. +Danikova R1; +De Havilland R4; MVP Luke R7

Pocono
9/30/23, Modern Rock R9

Red Mile
9/29/23, Sugarloaf R6; Rockin Nola R10

Rosecroft 
9/28/23, Boot Leg R5; +White Claw R8; +Velocity Gator R13; +Rocktavius R14

Saratoga
9/30/23, Squadron Seelster R5; Vel Letsroll South R9; American Zest A R9
10/2/23, Quebecoise R4; Madame Kelly R12
 
Vernon
9/29/23, +Special Olivia R7
9/30/23, +Odds On Brexit R1
 
Yonkers
9/29/23, Mcmarkle Sparkle R6; Commander Cathy N R6