Tonight, WEG will have a mandatory payout of its Jackpot Hi 5 wager in race 12. There is a carryover of $548,396 and some are projecting a further $2 million may be bet.

by Brett Sturman

In what’s become a staple of the close of a Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG) meet, tonight offers a mandatory payout of the Jackpot Hi 5 wager in race 12. After accumulating a carryover amount of $548,396, wagering on the bet was suspended last week as to ensure a windfall to the total handle figure on closing night. Twelve horses comprise this mid-level conditioned event and the field appears so evenly matched that it might just be easier at this point to throw darts, but we’ll take attempt a more practical look in a race that is going to require some luck to successfully hit.

ELECTRIC WESTERN paced the back half of his mile last out in :54.1 and in his race prior to that paced the last half of his mile in 53.4; albeit accomplished off respective slow first half miles but an impressive feat nonetheless. These foes don’t appear any better than what this one has been up against of late and he plays the role of beaten favorite tonight; lands about as good a starting post you could hope for in this bulky field. YS LOTUS makes his third start here since arriving from Pocono for Allard; hard to think it he won’t be heard from at some point on the move back to the inside following a no shot race. GRATIAS DEO is another making his third start over the track and he hasn’t been this low in class since arrival; the obvious problem is landing post 10 in a field of this size. I expect we’ll see some early speed tonight from his corner tonight from Moreau and Filion. REGAL SON fits on paper and was a tripped out winner at this level five back; Christoforou will somehow have to avoid traffic woes from the second tier. A COOL CARD steps back up after a confidence-building win last out against lesser; his 1:49:1 mark taken earlier this year at Hoosier is easily the fastest seasonal clocking of anyone in here for what that’s worth. AUDREYS DREAM probably should have been better well positioned last out with the plunge in class but what can you do? I’m largely indifferent to this one but he does show some superior rivals on recent view and figures to land on the ticket in some capacity. SHADOW MARGEAUX put in a game first over try last out when hiked up to this level; seems a step or two slower than some of these on paper but goes for a capable barn. THE REV is generally better than his last couple races show for team McNair, and HALF A BILLION at least gets Jamieson back in the bike. PAPARAZZI HANOVER is another short priced morning line type that I’m not sure what to do with; early speed likely coming but he could face a long road to the top from out here for a horse that’s now come up short twice in a row as the favorite.

The plays:

• $0.20 Jackpot Hi 5: 
3-4 / 1-3-4-10 / 1-3-4-10-11 / 1-2-3-4-6-10-11 / 1-2-3-4-6-8-10-11 ($55.20)
• $0.20 Jackpot Hi 5: 
4 / 1-3-10 / 1-3-4-10-11 / 1-3-4-10-11 / All ($28.80)
• $20 Win 4
• $1 Exacta Box: 1-3-4-10