HARNESS RACING: Matchmakers Sweep; Faves Swarm

In this edition of the TwinSpires Harness Blog Weekly Update, we cover our results from leg 2 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 29

Two favorites and a second choice each won a division of the Borgata older-pacing series at Yonkers, leaving our choices to fill in some of the exotics’ gaps.

We were fifth, sixth and seventh in division one with Tyga Hanover (14-1), Raukapuka Ruler N (31-1) and None Bettor A (6-1), respectively.

Finishing third for us in division two was San Domino A ($2.90). Western Fame (5-2) finished fourth.

The last division presented a place for Backstreet Shadow ($2.10, $2.10 OK) and third with Lyons Steele ($3.10), while Chief Mate (20-1) was sixth.

Thursday, April 1

At the Meadows we were third with our top choice, Tinos Pulse ($3.80), while Chico Estrella ($2.10, $2.10, $2.10) won. Grand Master (19-1) got fifth.

Friday, April 2

The Blue Chip Matchmaker Pacing Series at Yonkers offered one pair of divisions, which we swept.

In division one, we were first with Blue Ivy ($4.80, $3.20, $2.10) and nabbed second with 32-1 Monica Gallagher ($11.40, $10), a $54 exacta. Keep Rockin A, the favorite, finished fifth.

The other division went to Siesta Beach ($15, $4.40, $2.10), with Machnhope ($2.60, $2.10) completing the $26.60 exacta.

Saturday, April 3

At Miami, the local feature went to a 6-1 shot and finishing behind it by a nose was our choice, Hamsandwich ($11.60, $6.80).

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 34 active horses - a 15% win hit rate and a 41% ATB (across-the-board) hit. Horses with asterisks before their names were tweets @FrankCotolo. Follow for late choices.

Winners

Fly Eagle Fly, $7.90, $4.10, $3.50, WoMo
Calm As Calm Can Be, $3.80, $2.40, $2.10, Northville
Meetyouatmidnight, $2.60, $2.10, $2.10 OK, Monticello
Yankee Osborne, $2.60, $2.10, $2.10, Philly
SB Mikes Hot Beach, $2.40, $2.10, n/s, Monticello

Seconds

Cheeky Cherry, $6.40, $3.20, Northfield
Mister Marvalous, $4.60, $2.80, Pompano
Barely Behavin, $4.20, $3.20 (Exacta $4.10), Northville
Sunset Braydon, $3.40, $2.80, Pocono
Latoka, $3.00, $2.60 (Exacta, $9.40), Freehold
Moon Doggie, $2.80, $2.20, Meadowlands
Skyway Bebop, $2.80, $2.20, Northville

Thirds

Whos Watching, $3.90, WoMo
South Beach Star, $3.40, Meadowlands

NEWS & NOTES

It was opening weekend of the 2021 spring meeting at Northville Downs, with races taking place at the suburban Detroit facility on April 2 and April 3 evenings. Northville hosts harness racing on Fridays and Saturdays through June 26 with a nightly post time of 7:30 p.m. (ET) through the 26-day stand. The 28-day fall meeting will take place from Sept. 17 through Dec. 17, also on Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m. (ET).

Charlottetown Driving Park announced the opening date for the Spring meet is May 8—one week later than initially planned. First-race post every night is 6 p.m. (ADT). The decision was made after consulting with horse people and harness racing industry groups. This will officially launch the countdown to the 62nd running of the Gold Cup & Saucer. The May 1 and May 13 dates move to later in the season. All planned 79 race dates will be held at Charlottetown. The May schedule is through May 15, with Thursdays added beginning May 20.

The 2021 harness season at Philadelphia began April 2. Philly races on a four-day-a-week schedule of Wednesday-Thursday-Friday at 12:25 p.m. (ET) and Sunday at 12:40 p.m. A revamped wagering schedule aims to give bettors more big-money payouts. There are two Pick 4s with 15% takeouts and a 50-cent base on Sunday in the first four and last four races and a Pick 5 (18% takeout, 50-cent base) on races five through nine.

Also at Philly, the Super Hi-5 wager (15% takeout and a 50-cent base) replaces the Jackpot Hi-5s on the third, ninth, and last races. The new Super Hi-5 pays out if a winning combination has been sold with a carryover if there are no winners. The same goes for superfectas (which along with trifectas carry a lower takeout and all Pick-3/4/5s.

Extraordinary Extras

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