BLACK-EYED SUSAN DAY: MOANA KEY TO ALL-STAKES LATE PICK-5
By Matt Pappis
Tracksideview Staff Writer —-
( I recommend NOT playing Pick-4’s this weekend the takeout out is 25.5% the Pick-5 takeout is only 12% * )
Race 7) 1‰ Mile Pimlico Special H. Grade III. Purse $300,000 FOR
THREE-YEAR-OLDS AND UPWARD Post Time: ( 2:39)/ 1:39/12:39/11:39
Watershed (3): He has run more than a few dirt races good enough to beat this group if Shaman Ghost doesn’t show up with his best off the layoff.
Shaman Ghost (6): The other horse from the Jerkens barn and the much more highly regarded one. He will be heavily favored and if he runs his race he will be tough to beat.
Dolphus (1): In very sharp form since entering the Jimmy Jerkens barn coming off a front running victory at Aqueduct. I am going to use this one and hope he can go wire to wire to beat heavily favored Shaman Ghost.
Race 8) 1 Mile. (Turf) Hilltop S. Purse $100,000 FOR FILLIES,
THREE-YEAR-OLDS Post Time: ( 3:13)/ 2:13/ 1:13/12:13
Compelled (5): Ran very well in defeat in the Florida Oaks on the Tampa Bay Derby undercard, finishing 3rd behind La Coronel who ran second that day. La Coronel since has won back to back graded stakes and is headed to Ascot this summer. This filly has never been out of the trifecta in in 6 career starts.
My Sweet Stella (6): Zayat and Lukas were forcing this one on the Oaks trail and she finally gets classy relief and turf for the first time. She is well breed for the turf and deserves a shot at this level.
Victory to Victory (3): She is the one to beat second off the layoff after defeating a nice group of horses at Keeneland in an allowance.
Race 9) 6 Furlongs. Adena Springs Miss Preakness S. Grade III. Purse
$150,000 FOR FILLIES, THREE-YEARS-OLD. Post Time: ( 3:44)/ 2:44/ 1:44/12:44
Pretty City Dancer (12): Appreciated getting back to sprints but did not appreciate the slop on the Oaks undercard getting beat 6 lengths in the Eight Belles. There is a ton of speed signed on here and she should come rolling late.
Our Majesty (5): Was very good when winning in Keeneland in an allowance field that was good enough to be considered a stakes. She could be a very good one we are watching.
Vertical Oak (6): Possesses a lot of tactical speed in a field loaded with early speed, she should be able to sit a great trip and blast home.
Nonna Bella (8): Gets back to one turn after the failed attempted in the Florida Oaks.
Race 10) 5 Furlongs. (Turf) Jim McKay Turf Sprint S. Purse $100,000 FOR
THREE-YEAR-OLDS AND UPWARD Post Time: ( 4:16)/ 3:16/ 2:16/ 1:16
Amelia’s Wild Ride (2): Like the jockey switch to Jose Ortiz who should be able to save all the ground from the inside.
Pay Any Price (4): This is a very fast horse. If he is loose early, this race is over from the bell.
Grand Candy (7): Has some back races on the Fair Grounds turf course, which makes him a player in this spot.
Race 11) 1„ Mile. Black-Eyed Susan S. Grade II. Purse $250,000 FOR
FILLIES, THREE-YEARS-OLD. Post Time: ( 4:50)/ 3:50/ 2:50/ 1:50
Moana (7): For anyone who follows me they know I don’t like taking horses who just broke their maiden next out vs winners, but this is a bad group. I land on the Pletcher filly who has been highly regarded since last summer. Her numbers fit right with this group and she is only going to get better.
Tapa Tapa Tapa (2): Is the class of the race and should be used on all your tickets. She comes out of a live race in the G3 Honeybee.
Full House (4): Comes out of a third place effort in the Gazelle, which I still view as a strong race. The leader could not survive a brutal pace duel in the Oaks, however the second place finisher came back to run a big race in the Oaks. This isn’t a very good field so she has a shot.
Pick 5
1,3,6/3,4,6/5,6,8,12/2,4,7/2,7 = $108
* I recommend NOT playing Pick-4’s this weekend the takeout out is 25.5% the Pick-5 takeout is only 12% *