Hoosier Park: Harness plays for July 28

Hoosier Park Picks for July 28

(Each week, Cotolo employs money-management tactics to build wagers that focus on plump profits.)

For the program on July 28 at Hoosier Park, we suggest some horses for selected plays that may fit in any type of wager.

Race 2

Three races ago at this level, #3 No Parking Zone was parked in an early duel and faded late at 5-2. In this short field, she is as good as her two main contenders leaving to her left and right at the gate and should be overlooked by the public because of them.

The obvious Morning Line (ML) choice is #2 Justa Hintof Spice, who had to go to Hawthorne to win after losing at this level in Indiana.

Race 3

Last week at this level, #8 Partyboy Heff made two moves to win in his continuing persistence to finish on the board, scoring the place spot seven times this season. Now he may begin to add in the win column.

Breaking in a pari-mutuel race after a sharp qualifier, #2 Who’s Negan was not eliminated from the incident at the gate. Instead, he rolled along on the outside strongly before giving into the early strain. Smooth going makes him dangerous here.

Race 6

Not all of the gear needed for a mile was working for #5 Big Bank Hank on July 22, making that a moot effort, but the three races before are worthy of attention. His recent finish showed a strong move at 17-1, though he finished ninth. His ML of 6-1 would be a gift.

It’s easy to support #9 Fifty Flat as a contender though the track handicapper dismisses him at 12-1. Melissa Essig’s gelding rarely undermines himself, using early speed to take advantage of good ground-saving spots for late charges that get him checks.

Race 8

The step up to nonwinners-of-two was looking fine for #6 Wal Finest until he galloped out of contention. We like him because staying on gait he has been improving enough to earn a top mile with a group like this in which class is arguable.

A good horse to beat for the top spot is the ML favorite #2 Skipping Stone who once again will be overrated, closing as an underlay.

Race 9

Speed is always important to measure the probable strength of green horses, and this trot is a good example of taking a strong leap of faith betting a non-proven loser. The subject is #10 Loving Jesse. Her recent qualifier is a strong return from her first pari-mutuel race in which she broke at the start and walked home. The qualifier, in 2:02, getting caught late by just a head, had her leading by seven lengths at one point. When that kind of heat is spread into quarters, this gal will be soaring.

Of course the New Jersey-bred #7 Sugar Shoppe is obviously in control of her speed already and gets a 3-1 ML as she travels west to start her career, but you won’t have to leap to take a shot at her lower offering.