Jackpot Hi-5 Analysis

On Saturday night at Woodbine, there will be a $578,231 carryover in the Jackpot Hi-5 with a Mandatory payout. While the track has put together a 12horse field, this seems like one of the more hittable wagers for handicappers of all budgets. Let’s examine the field before going into betting strategy.

(1) MACHAL JORDAN comes off a steady effort in this same class and figures to be close to the action in a field that lacks a ton of early speed.

(2) CASIMIR OVERDRIVE stepped up to this condition last week and was a bit flat. That said, he was claimed out of that race by Carmen Auciello and is eligible to show more.

(3) PANEDICTINE steps up off a win and often that angle produces good results at a price. I am concerned that others may be a bit faster than him right now. (4) SINGLE WHITE SOCK closed some last week, but the fast pace certainly set him up nicely. He seems unlikely to be near the top of the ticket. (5) ERLE DALE N drops back down to the class of his last win two starts back and it has to bring confidence that Doug McNair chose this guy over another logical contender in #9. (6) DIALAMARA is another getting class relief and the clear ability to step up. His biggest issue could be a lack of early pace to set him up from behind. (7) HALF A BILLION hasn’t sniffed better than third in his last five starts at this level; using in the bottom slots only. (8) CHAMPAGNE PHIL has been okay in this condition recently and has some early speed in his arsenal if the driver chooses to use it. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him as high as second, but I just like others more.

(9) THE REV hasn’t been in this class since December 23, when he was sent down the road to win the last mandatory payout Jackpot wager at Woodbine. Veteran pacer has plenty of early speed in a potentially paceless race and while some will shy away because McNair chose #5, Mike Saftic has driven this 7-year-old well in the past.

(10) MACH ON THE BEACH is another class-dropper, but the post and fact that a couple inside will be leaving hurt his chances dramatically.

(11) DARCEE N should be in line for a trip in the top flight while starting from the second-tier and should hit the ticket somewhere.

(12) BANK SHOT HANOVER steps up off the claim by Victor Puddy and would need some luck to hit the board with plenty of traffic likely in the bulky field. I see the three best horses in the field as #’s5, 6 & 9, with the latter potentially providing the best value. I’ll key some .20 cent tickets around those three to ensure a winner if they finish 1-2-3 and spread looking for a huge ticket with the 9 singled. 5,6,9 / 5,6,9 / 5,6,9 / ALL / ALL = $86.40 9 / 5,6 / ALL / 5,6 / ALL = $28.80 9 / 5,6 / ALL / ALL / 5,6 = $28.80 Total Investment = $144