Late plunger loses big at Portland

For the third time at the current meeting, a large last-minute wager resulted in a horse going off at 1-20 in the first race at Portland Meadows last Saturday.

Seeking Love, the morning-line second choice at 3-1, went off at 1-20 after an unidentified bettor at Gulfstream Park wagered $4,200 into a win pool that contained only about $1,000. The winner, Wind Trail, paid $58.20 despite being listed at 3-1 at post time. Seeking Love ran third in the $2,500 claiming event for fillies and mares.

A similar last-minute bet made Run Irene Run a 1-20 favorite in the first race on Saturday, March 20, and another caused La Baquera to go off at 1-20 in the second race on Saturday, Feb. 21. Run Irene Run ran fourth and La Baquera ran third while the logical contenders who won those races paid $21.80 and $97.20, respectively.