Wednesday Night

Okay, so I’m in a funny mood, bummed out about John Henry and all the BC contenders that appear to be dropping out on a daily basis. The Filly & Mare Sprint division has been particularly wracked with disappointments this season as, in addition to the death of Indian Flare, we have lost Nossa Cancao and now River’s Prayer to career-ending injuries.

Imagine my surprise when, while watching race 4 at Penn National on Wednesday night, it quickly became evident that there was a distinctly Medieval-theme: the winner was Saxon Warrior, followed by Sir Prantlack and Victorian Knight who completed a $1 tri that paid $171.20. Unfortunately, the 5 horse—appropriately named Mr. Medieval—failed to flesh out the superfecta, beat out by…Jazzercised. How odd! Of course, odd names are de rigueur at Penn National. Look no further than the show horse in race 6: Paranoid Schizoid!

And it’s not just Penn National. How about Booty Man, in race 7 at Beulah, or Thong or Panties, in race 3 at Hawthorne? I had to chuckle at this name, not obscene just funny, in race 9 at Beulah: Aklikyoucanrun (unfortunately, he can’t, finishing 10th of 11). On the other hand, Hopeheruns can and did, winning race 3 at Hoosier. In the very next race, the winner had to be Western Pennsylvania-bred, with a name like Da Mullett.

Best payout of the day: race 8 at Keeneland, after longshot Five Star Thief paid $105.20 for the win. With the favorite Buddy Got Even finishing well back, the $2 superfecta paid $55,076.