Two Upsets Come Through Among Double-Digit Winners

The high-tension program at Mohawk June 13 produced a few surprises, two of which we supported. One of these took place in a North America Cup elimination when the mighty Artspeak was passed aggressively by the only horse we thought could topple his skein if he did not pull away. In any event, Wakizashi Hanover ($15.80, $4.00, $3.00) got the win. Artspeak held for second (Exactor $37.10) and the other colt we suggested you use for a Triactor was third as Betting Exchange ($3.60) completed the trio. The $2 Exactor paid $190.40.

Wiggle It Jiggleit ($2.10, $2.10, n/s) was much the best in another elim and in the third Go Daddy Go failed miserably, not making the final by finishing next to last, with our other choice, The Wayfaring Man finishing behind him.

We won big with Colors A Virgin ($17.50, $8.30, $5.80) in a Roses Are Red elim and had a little luck doing so, as she was placed fist after finishing second to Venus Delight, who was disqualified and placed last for an infraction in the stretch. In the other elim, Weeper finished fourth.

The Fan Hanover produced the biggest upset, much to the chagrin of thousands of players, as the 2014 Horse of the Year, Jk Shesalady stalled enough in the stretch as she chased a 90-1 shot and then was passed by Sassa Hanover and Wrangler Magic, the latter a 27-1 filly. (There was no show wagering in the race, so “Magic” presented a place price over $90.) In the other “Fan” split, our choice, Deli Beach, got the lead in the stretch at 105-1 but finished eighth as seven fillies closed across the track in a photo-challenging finish.

Friday, June 12, we were third in an Armbro Flight elim with 6-1 Allie Labrook ($2.40) as Bee A Magician floated to victory again as the top choice. The other event elim found our choice, Fra Blucher (4-1) breaking at the start and being eliminated.

The Battle of Lake Erie was a heart-pounding stretch drive, with our choice, Cammikey (30-1), battling with Foiled Again (5-1) and Clear Vision (6-1) and getting nipped by the duo. Cammikey’s show price was $11.60.

On the Hambletonian Trail for the week, we were second with Iron ($2.50, n/s, Exacta $4.20), second with Billy Flynn ($3.40, $2.60, Exacta $6.00) and third with Cruzado Dela Noche ($2.10).
 
All Hambletonian Trail race stories are archived at the Hambletonian Society website.
 
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H2W LIST RESULTS

The H2W results list across-the-board prices. Also, exactas listed are included when a H2W horse finishes second with a race favorite or the first two finishers making up the exacta are H2W horses (an asterisk appears when both horses were listed to complete the exacta). The note “ok” determines that prices published are correct even when a show price exceeds a place price or any or all of the prices are the same. This week, there were 62 active horses (a 19-percent win hit rate and a 44-percent in-the-money hit rate).

Please note that some H2W results reflect win, place and/or show results occurring after press time and that it is up to you to follow those horses that have not performed before this weekly review is posted.

Winners

Sharp Returns, $18.40, $6.40, $3.80, Scioto
Haymaker, $15.20, $5.10, $3.20, Saratoga
Tarport Andy, $15.00, $7.50, $2.50, Monticello
Shareslittlespirit, $11.20, $7.90, $4.20, Century
Won Sweet Dream, $10.20, $4.70, $3.90, Vernon
Dark Prince, $9.60, $4.40, $4.40 ok (*Exacta, $44.40), Running Aces
Aldebaran Eagle, $6.00, $3.60, $2.20, Meadowlands
Seagram, $5.80, $2.80, $2.20, Philadelphia
Lisa Jane, $4.20, $2.60, $2.40, Northfield
Livefreeordiehard, $4.00, $2.70, $2.10, Buffalo
Escalante, $2.90, $2.80, $2.50, Century
Queen Of Denial, $2.20, $2.10, $2.10, Running Aces

Seconds

Friskie Til Dawn, $10.00, $4.40, Northfield
Da Terror, $5.40, $4.00 (*Exacta, $44.40), Running Aces
Daughtry Hanover, $5.40, $3.40, Scarborough
Garbo, $5.40, $3.40, Scioto
FF Bigshow, $4.60, $3.80, Pocono
Fox Valley Shannon, $3.80, $3.00, $2.20, Scarborough
This Bird Will Fly, $3.60, $3.60 ok, Charlottetown
Stop The Traffic, $3.20, $3.00, Scioto
Windemere Jolt, $3.10, $2.50 (Exacta, $9.30), Charlottetown
Lucky Lime, $3.00, $2.60 (Exacta $7.80), Scioto
Schooner Or Later, $3.00, $2.40
 
Thirds

Manipulator, $8.80, Scioto
My Boss, $6.90, Century
Tawa Road, $4.40, Running Aces
That’s My Girl, $3.80, Scioto
 
News & Notes

A good friend, trusted source and reliable supporter to this scribe, Robert Rosenheim, is dead at 77. Robert R. Rosenheim died on June 1 at his home in Sharon, Conn. after a long illness. Robert was a strong supporter of harness racing and his filly trotter, Armbro Prowess was a division winner. The closest he came to major success was in 2010 with Temple Of Doom. Bob gave this reporter many exclusive insider information and comments throughout his career. He will be missed by many, including the contributors to this blog.

Cambest, speed champ and prolific sire, is dead at 27. Based on a Time Trial mile at the Illinois State Fair track in 1993, Cambest became the fastest standardbred of all time, clocking in at 1:46.1. He died June 10 at Walnut Hall Ltd. in Lexington, Ky. In his four-year racing career, Cambest earned over $1.4 million. He was retired from racing and went to stud at Walnut Hall at six, Cambest has progeny earnings of over $134 million, currently seventh among pacing sires according to the career earnings of their foals. Cambest exhibited remarkable speed in pari-mutuel races, too, and he passed it to his foals. He ranks fourth among pacing sires of 1:55 performers with 596. Cambest will be laid to rest in the Walnut Hall cemetery beside the graves of Scotland, Volomite and Garland.

Tioga Downs continues to struggle but works to keep horsemen and bettors interested. The Tioga race office announced a starter series for the next three Fridays. The series are open to pacers who have raced for a claiming price of $5,000 or less in at least one of their three most recent starts. Preliminary rounds held on June 19 and June 26. The prelim events have a $6,000 purse. The top nine money earners from those events will meet in a $10,000 final on Friday, July 3.


Extraordinary Extras

Indulge in many standardbred topics at my Hoof Beats blog titled Vast Performances.

Ray Cotolo contributed to this blog

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