Sunday late Pick 4 thoughts
Race 8 - Should be plenty of pace to run at in this one as #1, #6 and #10 all like to go to the front and #2 returned in his 2015 campaign with a front-running maiden win. I like #3 and #11 to sit good trips behind the vanguard and make first run. Favorite #3 is good and improved sharply last time but is hardly a lock first time going 9 furlongs on a fast 2-turn track. #9 closed strongly in his last going 5 wide and has a good effort at the Spa on his resume. Not sure what to do with the Euro shipper #8, has some back class running on synthetics, but his dirt works at Belmont are just ok, nothing special. Of the front-runners #2 still has upside and a strong 2-turn effort on his resume. A: 3 (2nd),9,11 B: 2,8
Race 9 : Scratch of #4 puts #11 in the race, who's a contender based on past numbers and adds blinkers to get into the mix earlier against what looks like a pace-less race. I think either #8 or #10 goes to the front and the one who does will be tough to catch. #6 could leap forward in his second start adding blinkers off a good effort. #2 showed a nice close in his last start into a weak pace but that was against lesser, may have too much left to do here. A: 8 (2nd),10,11 B: 2,6
Race 10: Good group in the CCA Oaks despite the scratch of Wonder Gal, who I really liked in here the way she was able to run on in a fast paced Mother Goose. I'm against the other two coming out of that race, Chide and Include Betty, who both basically picked up the pieces on a race that melted down. Keen Pauline figures to go to the front again after her Black Eyed Susan win, with Curalina in close proximity and I'm a Chatterbox not much further back. I think its one of those three. Danette has always been a talented underachiever, I could see her catching a piece underneath. A: 3 (win),6, 8 (2nd DQ) B: -
Race 11: Typical skull-busting day ender. My real hope is it starts raining after 5 pm and the race goes off the turf and it becomes an auto-All. Can make a good case for any of the 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9 or 10. Narrowing down I'll take my chances with 2, 3, 4, with B horses 8 & 9. Pace looks to favor those closer to the front and those three will be in the first half of the field. 2 & 3 were both competitive at Maiden level, then won easily when dropped to Maiden Claiming. #4 is only horse in field to win at Maiden level, has run OK in stakes and tougher allowance races. A: 2 (win),3,4 (2nd) B: 8.9
#3 has to be mentioned, last start was on dirt and 2 back on yielding turf both are throw outs..three back was a nice effort vs horse that came back to win in next start, Mott off to a great start at meet.R4
#6 is an obvious contender, not the best trips/setups in her 3 career races.
#10 figures to get plenty of attention at the windows, debut in Ireland on soft turf in field of 23, dwelt at the start only beaten 3.5 lengths, is a half sis to Giant's Causeway and Motion is great with horses making North America debut but the ones he's done well with were racing with lasix, this one isn't.
I'm reaching a little but that's how you make $ in this game, #5 is 15-1 ml...could see an improvement stretching out, is freshened for this start and Pletcher historically has his runners ready to go early in the meet. NOTE: last 3 meets at Spa, Pletcher 0 for 9 with his cutbacks but 13/37 35% with his stretchouts.
R7 could be best betting race on card, right now looking at 1,6,9 as my contendersI've been going through the PPs this morning. I like #1 in the first race. #5 in race 2. Looking at #2 in race 4.
Interested in your thoughts on race 7; I think my pick today is coming from that race.
R3
I'm going to take a shot again 3/5 ML fav #1 who could win, exits graded stakes company.
#2 is off the claim for Riccio/Nevin very dangerous angle, Nevin 6 for 19 32% in Spa dirt sprints L3 meets.
#6 last race was in slop, 2 back was turf..both are throw out races, 3 back makes her a player in here, solid work on 7/21 and owns a win over track.
Also Sweet Whiskey was recently scratched from an Alw race at Bel, can't be viewed as a positive in any wayR3
I'm going to take a shot against 3/5 ML fav #1 who could win, exits graded stakes company.
#2 is off the claim for Riccio/Nevin very dangerous angle, Nevin 6 for 19 32% in Spa dirt sprints L3 meets.
#6 last race was in slop, 2 back was turf..both are throw out races, 3 back makes her a player in here, solid work on 7/21 and owns a win over track.
It's a prep for BallerinaGood luck, if speed holds for a change you might be on to something. I just don't see any reason why they're Sweet Whiskey in here other than to blow through an available condition for nice $. She's not in for a tag as far as I can tell.
Also #5 Jeter, only one out of last race to cover more ground than winner, 20 more feet than winner according to TrakusR2
From a class stand point #3 lays over this field but not sure the 8 yo has enough left in the tank, huge drop down and Jacobson is plenty capable with these types, 0 for 6 at distance though, hasn't won in two years...
#4 drops in from NW1X races, if #3 can't get back to his good races #4 certainly fits with these, similar layoff which produced a great Spa effort last year. C Englehart 17-7-2-4 82% ROI dirt sprint Claimers under $40k last 3 Spa meets.
#5 is off the Claim for Esler who won Sundays last race with horse 2nd off the claim.
#1 route to sprint solid trainer move but horse appears off form
#6 is off claim, Javy rides but will take money even though moving up in class, pass for me
And R3: Pk3 #2/3,5,9/6R3: DD #2,6/5
Belmont meet was a joke because of thisThese jocks are continually leaving the closers with too much to do in the stretch. It's not that long people! They must be used to racing at Woodbine or Kentucky Downs.
Cheap racing today and some short prices that were well spotted in preps by connections, late pk 4 should be better racingJesus just take the early speed and you're good, not entertaining racing to watch at all
GL Gandy. We both can hit this with 6/1,9/3,10/3,7Monday Late Pick 4
Race 6 - Going to try to get away with just the 6 & 9 here. #9 is the lone horse dropping down for a tag, comes in 3rd off layoff, cutting back a 1/2 furlong, was stakes placed late last year and has 3 of the top 4 speed figures in the race. Junior, who just authored a 12/1 upset in the 2nd, rides #6, who's moving from turf to dirt, route to sprint, 3rd off the layoff, and adds blinkers to his already front-running style. Should be on the engine with turnback fitness to stay the trip. If they fail there's about four others with a shot.
Race 7 - Really fun looking turf sprint group. I'm using 1, 8, 9. All three will be stalking the pace and are turning back from 6 furlongs which I prefer to those stretching out from 5. The one early horse that worries me is #4, as he won this event last year and has been in a similar training pattern, although his form is not quite as good and he won't get the lead with #3 firing alongside.
Race 8 - 3, 7, 10 in a muddled pace scenario. #3 drops from an open Grade 3 stake against the likes of Quality Rocks and Lady Zuzu and gets Castellano. Talent-wise she's the only horse in the field to break her maiden since the start of 2014 at the open special weight level on turf. #7 is easily the fastest horse in the race, but moves from dirt to turf and comes off a 6 month layoff. However her string of sharp works indicates she's well intentioned, and with her front-running style she's a definite wire threat. If a hot pace develops #10 showed a solid middle move to win first time out in a professional manner for Chad Brown. No reason to think she can't improve here. Would not talk anyone of the 4, 6 or 11 as price possibles.
Race 9 - A thoroughly mediocre group here. Will use the two class droppers #3 (who also gets blinkers) and #7, along with #6 coming from the hot connection of Junior/Mott. I would kick myself if I didn't also include the Ward first timer, #10 in this subpar group, although debuting at Maiden Claiming isn't a ringing endorsement. But the 12/1 morning line is too good to pass up. Will try to beat #9, who is 0 for 3 at the level but gets Castellano to stick around on the getaway race. Back up with him if alive this far.
6,9 / 1,8,9 / 3,7,10 / 3,6,7,10 $36
GL Gandy. We both can hit this with 6/1,9/3,10/3,7
Geeeez. Seems like Johnny V is the only jock there that can get a horse to run straight.