Harness Weekly Update: $72 winner leads prolific H2W results

The TwinSpires Harness Blog Weekly Update covers our successes and failures from selected features and the H2W (horses-to-watch list). H2W horses through the following Monday appear in the next Update’s results.

Thursday, Aug. 17

Our trio of Mohawk Miles contenders threw three sevens, but favorites and misfortune left investments moot. Twin B Loudacris (9-2) broke badly while in contention, finishing seventh. Also in the seven spot were Job Hunter (61-1) and Dice R Out (9-2).

The Hoosier Sires Stakes for two-year-old filly pacers was won by a 5-2 shot while we went off with huge odds reflected by our contenders’ finishes. Mary Jo Ray (57-1) ended up sixth, and Forever Farah (75-1) was ninth. The Hoosier gold was in the overnights (see H2W results below).

Saturday, Aug. 19

The Sun Stakes program at Pocono was ripe with favorites. Except for our winning choice Bond ($3.00, $2.10, $2.10), we supported deeper contenders and hit the board with each. Stockade Seelster ($5.00, $2.80) completed an $8.80 exacta. Thirds went to Kierkegaard K ($7.80) and Sweet Amira (3.20).

H2W RESULTS

This week, there were 50 active H2W horses (a 26% win hit rate and a 48% across-the-board hit rate).

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.

Winners

Fancy Riggin, $72.00, $29.40, $8.80, Hoosier
Beguin Dugoutier F, $18.60, $6.90, $4.50, Tioga
Moonshadow N, $18.60, $3.60, $3.00, Ocean
Conquest AS, $13.20, $5.00, $3.20, Saratoga
Feast Day, $6.20, $3.00, $2.80, Meadows
Indianas Quest GB, $5.40, $4.10, $3.10, Yonkers
American Artist K, $5.30, $3.00, $2.40, Saratoga
What’s Up Cupcake, $4.80, $3.00, $2.40, Scioto
*Its My Show, $4.74, $2.36, $2.10, Red Mile
Act Fast, $4.00, $2.40, $2.40 OK, Pocono
Letsgotobrazil A, $3.20, $2.40, $2.10, Saratoga
SBD Corazon, $3.10, $2.40, $2.10, Batavia
El Rey, $3.08, $2.10, $2.10 OK, Red Mile

Seconds

A List Girl, $4.80, $2.40 (Exacta $8.40), Plainridge
Full Rights, $4.50, $3.10, Yonkers
Crown, $3.20, $2.40, Pocono
Heart On Fire, $3.20, $3.00, Pocono
Tempville, $2.80, $2.50, Vernon
Fear The Pansy, $2.40, $2.30, Batavia
*Cannibal, $2.10, $2.10 (Exacta $7.36), Red Mile

Thirds

Flyin Fitz, $4.60, Scioto
Devilish Hill, $3.20, Pocono
Samosa Hanover, $2,80, Tioga
Brilliant Beauty, $2.20, Pocono

NEWS & NOTES

Our post-Hambletonian automatic-play action is living up to its function. Rehash: Win bets are sans handicapping for any of the losing horses in either Hambletonian elims or finals. Winners racing again off of the highest class of stakes yet this season need betting attention across the board and in exotics. You may consider taking the process further, considering many in the pacing stakes. Any win price is considered value under these exclusive terms.

As of this update, winners (in no particular order) include It’s My Show, Tactical Approach, Confederate, Justice, Seven Colors, El Rey, Instagram Model, Kierkegaard K, and Mambacita. Do not be surprised if some of these come back as longshots. Few bettors are taking this angle seriously. We are keeping track.

The 2023 season introduces the next “Top 10” lists coming from public handicappers and racetrack PR people. This is for The Little Brown Jug in September. Here is our group as of Aug. 21. Note that some soph-colt pacers on our list have not confirmed inclusion but may be considering entering.

1.  Confederate
2. Seven Colors
3. Stockade Seelster
4. It’s My Show
5. Cannibal
6. Christchurch 
7. El Rey 
8. Voukefalas
9. Hurrikane Hunter
10. Fulton

Extraordinary extras

Indulge in our new monthly column, Among Ourselves, at Harness Racing Update.