Harness Weekly Update: Mohawk longshot connects, 41% hit the board

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

Thursday, Sept.15

This week’s Mohawk Miles contenders were both victims of faulty gaits. Knowitallwes, a favorite, was part of a few bad trips that took out others while he finished—6p9p8. A 16-1 shot was the winner. Then Kharlamov (8-1) jumped during the mile and finished eighth to the race favorite.

In Grand Circuit (GC) action at Mohawk, we hit on Gaines Hanover ($16.40, $6.30, $4.80) and did not hit the board in the other three. Tactical Planner (15-1) finished fifth; Winooski (35-1) got sixth; and Thunderously (32-1) ended up seventh.

Friday, Sept. 16

At The Meadowlands we cashed on one winner of five state-bred finals—Oh Well ($3.80, $2.40, $2.20). We were second in a dead-heat with Air Power ($2.40, $2.80 OK), completing a $6.00 exacta.

A pair of 9-1 shots beat two of our contenders, Grand Fashion (3-1) who broke to finish fourth, and Tactical Mounds ($2.60) in a dead-heat for third. We also lost with favorite Ucandoit Blue Chip.

Saturday, Sept. 17

Other GC events at Mohawk had us swinging for the fences except for Charleston ($3.90, $2.40, $2.10). We were disappointed in Ants Marching (11-1) finishing fifth and Goldin Greatness (8-1) finishing seventh. We tried to beat mega-choice Test Of Faith, failing with So Much More (14-1).

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 form a cold exotic combo; most base prices are $2). 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 41 H2W horses (12% 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

Reys N A Ruckus, $11.00, $4.20, $3.80, Pocono
Sweet Pink, $8.80, $4.80, $6.00 OK, Meadows
Seein Red, $5.00, $3.00, $2.10, Meadows
Diamondtequilashot, $3.80, $3.20, $2.10, Northfield
The Wise One, $3.40, $2.40, $2.20, Plainridge

Seconds

Apple Valley Art, $8.20, $4.20, Hoosier
Huntinthelastdolar, $4.20, $3.30, Red Mile
Cobra Venom, $3.20, $2.40 (Exacta $7.80), Running Aces
Brooklets Desire, $2.80, $2.60, Hoosier
Serious Miki, $2.40, $2.10, Hoosier

Thirds

Time For George, $6.30, Saratoga
Regal Son, $6.00, Pocono
Dribbling Bi, $4.10, Yonkers
Prince Of Tides, $3.00, Northfield
Louie, $2.80, Freehold
Ex Why Zee, $2.40, Running Aces
Umberto, $2.30, Saratoga

NEWS & NOTES

Trainer Per Eriksson and breeder Frank Antonacci will be inducted into the Harness Racing Hall Of Fame. Per’s impressive body of work includes winning three Hambletonians with Prakas, Giant Victory and Alf Palema. He also trained Hambletonian Oaks champ Lookout Victory and five Breeders Crown winners, four World Trotting Derby winners, and two Kentucky Futurity winners. Eriksson returned to his native country where he continues to train.

Antonacci is a second-generation member of harness racing’s successful family, operators of Lindy Farms in New York and Connecticut, and are part of Crown Stables, home of champion trotters Lindy’s Pride and Speedy Crown. The Antonaccis raced or bred nine millionaires – Moni Maker, Crazed, Cantab Hall, Victory Dream, Lucky Chucky, Harmonious, Snow White, Mr. Feelgood, and Ready For Moni. They won a trio of Hambletonians and Breeders Crowns.

Extraordinary Extras

Indulge in our column Alternative Actions at Harness Racing Update.