Scioto: Analysis for Saturday 10/24/26

BEST BET: BRIGHT BET (1st)

SPOT PLAY: AL PAPI (9th)

Race 1: Non-winners $16,551 in last 4 or 10 races-$85K life/Opt. $50K Clm. - $20K GTD Pick 5

(6) BRIGHT BET gets major class relief and should be firing down the road to kick off the card and pad the bankroll of chalk lovers. (8) STARS OVER SYDNEY & (7) REAL THRILLER are seemingly up in class but in reality this field is softer overall than what they faced last week. (3) BETTER B BOLD didn’t fire in his first start for this barn; improvement is possible.

► DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card

Race 2: Non-winners $8,001 in last 4 or 6 races-$55K life

(8) AZRAEL BLUE CHIP moves into a top barn, picks up the best driver and adds Lasix. How’s that for a bunch of positive angles? Three-year-old has some ability and could turn things around in a hurry. (6) BETTER IS NICE dropped to this level last time and was a good second; win contender. (9) EXTRA SUDS also reached this class last time but couldn’t overcome the second tier and taking plenty of air. I wonder if Bartlett will fire out from this spot.

Race 3: $600K Breeders Crown Open Pace - $25K GTD Pick 4

(8) SUPER CHAPTER was certainly thrown a curveball having to start from post eight, but given his style of floating away and moving to the front, is it really that much of a deterrent? He can float here, let the speed to his inside settle and move to the top. No one is parking him unless their horse is uncontrollable. Maybe we get 4-5 instead of 3-5 because of the post. (6) GO DOG GO showed me something in the elimination when he fired out and retook before chasing home the rated winner to be a good second. This guy has the speed and deserves a big win. Is he ready to step up? (5) ANTOGNONI S went a long trip but kept coming last time. It was arguably his best mile in some time. He’ll be firing out; upset chance with a trip. (4) EMOTICON LEGACY will be the clear second choice but I don’t like how the race shapes up for him on paper.

Race 4: $400K Breeders Crown Mare Pace

(6) WARRAWEE MICHELLE gets the call because Dunn chose off and that could mean a slightly higher price on perhaps the sharpest mare in the field. (9) WALSPEA is another one that could be an elevated price because of her post, but in theory her blazing gate speed may negate the bad starting slot. She’s been freshened up for tonight and may pop a big mile. (1) TACTICAL MONI is going to be the chalk off a big elimination mile. I can’t toss her from my tickets but also don’t think I’d accept less than 2-1. (5) R DUTCHESS has been right there in this class all year and she’s a win candidate with the right trip.

Race 5: $664.5K Breeders Crown 3YO Filly Pace

Perhaps I can take the pulpit and make the case why (8) MISS JUM JABBER is the best wagering option in this race. She had no shot two starts back when the fractions were slow and perhaps she didn’t fire her best shot late. Lasix then goes on and she sprinted home off bad cover – while wide most of the final turn – with much better late life from an impossible spot. Another tidbit, she’s listed to sell as HIP 1375 at Harrisburg, so she’ll be all-in here. I’ll take the 5x to 10x better price than normal and hope the trip is smooth. (1) SANGRIA SUMMER paced out of her skin in the elimination to set a track record. You don’t need to be an expert handicapper to see she’ll be tough to beat. (3) HOPE HILL is perfect in three starts since changing barns; another contender. (2) WHOMP opened my eyes with her elimination mile. I’m worried about a first-over trip from this post.

Race 6: $664.5K Breeders Crown 3YO Filly Trot

(4) NEZUKO KAMADO S came to play in a big way in her elimination with an uncovered victory in track-record time. She’s typically at the mercy of the pace but has some good escorts to her inside or could make a second quarter brush if needed. (3) SHE’S MONI wasn’t quite as impressive in her elimination win but still won her third straight. She raced with shoes on that night, unlike in her previous miles, and is expected to be back to barefoot for the final. (6) SETYOURSIGHTSHIGH is also one that may remove the shoes according to trainer Marcus Melander. She’s been having trouble knocking down the door at the top level but could be interesting at a price with the right trip. (5) LITTLE ROAD has big early speed and a four-race winning streak. She has a shot and should be fair value.

Race 7: $443K Breeders Crown Mare Pace - $30K GTD Pick 4

On paper and in reality this boils down to a match race between (6) TWIN B JOE FRESH and (3) FRANCENT N. Francent got the better of “Fresh” up at Mohawk about six weeks ago when the latter was clearly off her game. That is not the case now and while I would take either horse given a big discrepancy in the odds between them (2-1 vs. 4-5), I expect the final tally to have them very close in the wagering. The narrow edge goes to the reigning Queen of the division Twin B Joe Fresh. (4) ROCKET DEO had some sneaky late pace in her elimination and was even grabbed up a bit late. If she gets into the right flow, maybe she spices up the trifecta. (7) CHAMPAGNE ROOM has the early speed to get into the race and fresh Lasix could help as well.

Race 8: $664.5K Breeders Crown 3YO C&G Trot

This race could be a bit of a chess match with all of the power on the inside and middle of the gate. Tactically (2) BIG RANGER may have an advantage as driver Tim Tetrick should get to decide whether or not he wants to release any of the others horses if they elect to take an early shot, which I’m not convinced of at this point. I’ll be on board at 9-5 or higher. (5) NIX NACKEN was second best behind the top pick in the elimination but was clearly very comfortable and hardly being pushed to his edge. He can take plenty of air and has proven himself multiple times. (6) APEX hasn’t been the same horse since the Hambletonian and now we get Lasix as he scoped with a bit of blood last time. Is that the answer to his recent struggles? I wouldn’t hesitate to use him. (1) AMERICAN POWER could fire out here and secure great position and reportedly he may go without shoes.

Race 9: $664.5K Breeders Crown 3YO C&G Pace

(5) AL PAPI may’ve finished second if he wasn’t blocked in the stretch last weekend. He’s certainly got some of the best acceleration in this group. You can also make the case that he’s right there with (4) BRANDON BLVD at the top of the division and he’ll certainly be a better price tonight. The latter was done in by a conservative drive in the elimination round and luckily he drew a good post regardless. He’s probably going to try his patented float and brush move again; one to beat. (6) SWEET LOVIN LOU hasn’t finished worse than second in a long time. Trip is going to be key to his chances. (2) MELILLO is another that rarely misses the board; using underneath.

Race 10: $660K Breeders Crown Open Pace - $15K GTD Pick 5

(2) BEST CHIP hasn’t been 100% right according to his trainer and perhaps that explains his last two defeats. Rumors are he’s doing better now. We are also getting a driver change to Bartlett and he’ll certainly squeeze the lemon dry to get a win. You’d be surprised how much a new set of hands can make a difference, even if the move is lateral. (1) WOMEN LAYER has found himself at the right time and I have to expect that Gingras will be protecting the rail like it is life and death; respect. (5) PRINCE HAL HANOVER is a true warrior who dances every dance and rarely tossing in a subpar mile. (9) ERVIN HANOVER is intriguing because he’ll be a big price and we all know what he is capable of when on his game.

Race 11: Open Pace Handicap - $25K GTD Pick 4

(3) HUNTINTHELASTDOLAR has been in a coma of sorts for some time now and even the class drop couldn’t make the difference. I wonder if the switch to Bartlett can help awaken him at fair odds. (7) OAKWOOD ARDAN IR has been making a good living winning these Opens and he’s certainly the one to beat. (5) I DID IT MYWAY rolled down the road in this class a week ago; this spot is tougher. (2) PARIS’S DRAGON has crossed the wire first or second in each of his last five starts.

Race 12: Non-winners $16,551 in last 4 or 10 races-$85K life/Opt. $50K Clm.

(5) OAKWOOD HEYMIKI IR wasn’t bad in his first start back from three months on the sidelines. Six-year-old should be ready to roll now as he drops in class. (7) TWISTED DESTINY exits the Breeders Crown and almost certainly will be firing off the gate in this spot. He should be on your Pick 4 tickets. (4) HIGHER GROUND is very consistent in this and higher classes, but only tends to step up for the win when one notch lower.

► Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter

Race 13: Non-winners 10 races or $80,000 life to be claimed for $47,500

(5) BOOMERANG switched to this condition and took care of business last time. He should float away and land on the engine again. (6) ODDS ON MISTER X takes a step up the NW ladder after a narrow defeat last time. Three-year-old could still be improving. (4) RIDER HANOVER lands a better post tonight and notice he’s won in this class before.

Race 14: Non-winners $8,001 in last 4 or 6 races-$55K life

(3) HANDSOME SIR adds Lasix and Chris Page to the equation this week. There is plenty to like here, including that he should be forwardly placed. (9) ODDS ON SUGAR is a lightly raced 3-year-old taking on older. He has the early speed and form to compete. (6) CAVIART CADET is listed with Todd McCarthy to drive. If he actually elects to sit in the paddock for four races to wait for this overnight horse, I’ll move him up a notch. I have my doubts that he’ll drive.