Local knowledge can pay off for sharp bettors

There is a decided advantage for a local bettor who keeps abreast of the racing stars on his circuit.

Case-in-point:

Charles Town, Thursday night, January 6, 2005, race number two, for maiden fillies and mares, four and five years old, going seven furlongs.

The winner, sent off at 39-1, LITTLE CORRIE, was a 5yo mare by the obscure sire, Double Helping, HOWEVER, her dam was sired by local legend, CORTAN.

The place horse, 4yo filly, UP AND AGAIN, was by Awesome Again, o/o the stakes winning mare, UP AN EIGHTH (FERDINAND-Hey Majesty by Majestic Light); winner of twelve races, including the Park Heights Stakes and the Very Subtle BC H., with seconds in the Barbara Fritchie H. (G2), and Garden State BC H. (G3). She banked $465k in her career racing for Bob Meyerhoff, he of Broad Brush, Concern, etc. fame.

UP AND AGAIN, sent off at the ridiculous odds of 32-1, narrowly missed getting her picture taken, due to being five-wide in deep stretch, and fell short of the winner by a mere half length. Definitely one to watch.

The resulting gimmicks were outstanding:

Daily Double....................$211;

Exacta.........................$1,254;

Triple...........................$6,261