Hello, My name is Andrew Rdesinski, and my twitter handle is @phillyboy415. I am honored to be apart of the Colonial Downs group of analysts making our selections throughout the meet. I will be handicapping the Thursday cards, each week. Let’s print money!
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Last Week was a rough opening day, but I like some shots today and after watching how the track played out last week, I found out how the track works and it seemed to be off the pace friendly, and more speed favoring towards the end of the race week.
My top picks went – 9 Top picks – 0-1-2-1 – no money made on top picks
Let’s bounce back today!
Race 1 – 5 ½ Turf MSW
TOP PICK- #2 Blessed Arion – R. Latchman/ Amanda Rawlings
- This 3yo Gelding has yet to meet the turf, but it bred amazingly for it. They pointed for turf last time out, but it came off and he still ran 3rd. He has a good early pace rating but can also sit just off the pacesetters, which could be beneficial for this type of turf course. I expect the #7 to possibly flatten out on the lead and Blessed Arion to be able to get on by down the stretch.
UNDERNEATH
- #7 Risk Reversal- C.C. Lopez/ Anthony Russo
- The gelding was nothing but early pace during his early years but ever since his 27 months on the bench and switch to a new trainer, he showed more of an off pace type of run style. This 7yo maiden, with Lopez aboard should go back to his old running style if no one sends right away. He also has 1 second from 1 start over this distance on the turf.
- #5 Tetsu – Paco Lopez/ Jonathon Thomas
- First time Starter for a solid barn when it comes to turf. Solid turf breeding and a solid post with an aggressive jockey in Paco. $200k purchase, look for a good first outing.
- #1 Hero of Perfection- Keiber Coa/ Angel Kocijan
- This horse was green in his debut and it was on synthetic which could of been the reason. With the experience of the debut and an increase in jockey, I can see some improvement from him.
RACE 2- 1M 1/16th Turf Starter ALW 25K
TOP PICK- #6 Closer Look- Horacio Karamanos/ Ferris Allen III
- This gelding couldn’t buy a clean trip his last two outings, which ended him up being in 6th when it came to the finish line. However, in his turf debut three races back, he won by damn near 5 lengths for a 25K maiden Tag. Off the pace runstyle, and a former leading jockey at Colonial and two bad trips coming into this race, makes my eyes light up. Look for a solid price here.
UNDERNEATH
- #2 Jag – Trevor McCarthy/ Jamie Ness
- The likely favorite and probably rightfully so, should be able to go to the lead or sit right off. Strong connections and highest speed figures in the race. Watch out for him to win, but I think my top pick might have a little more kick today.
- #1 Hillsdown- Mychel Sanchez/ Michael Pino
- This horse came into form finally last time out and broke his maiden with Sanchez aboard. Might be a little cheap but the connections know how to win, and I like the odds enough to throw im in the mix.
RACE 3- 6Furlongs Dirt 2yo fillies MSW
TOP PICK- #6 Larimar- Paco Lopez/ Michael Stidham
- This filly almost took them gate to wire in her debut at Monmouth but got worn down and lost by less than a length. I expect Paco being aboard this filly to be able to hold on and win today.
UNDERNEATH
- #2 Windy City Kitty- Xavier Perez/ Wayne Potts
- The other filly with experience, ran a green but improving 4th at CD last time out, and was claimed by Potts for $40,000. The move up in class and less horses lined up today, I expect a way stronger more professional outing from her.
- #1/1A
- Always have to use the entries if there is any in 2yo races like this. Although I think turf might be in their future, I just don’t see much left in this race.
RACE 4 – 1M 1/16th turf Claiming 16K n3L
TOP PICK- #5 Lefty Comming- JD Acosta/ Anthony Russo
- This is a very cheap race, and not much caught my eye. However, this horse’s last race should win this current race. He came flying home late at a mile and 3/8ths at Belterra against Alw non winners of 6 months and got 2nd.
UNDERNEATH
- #4 Seattle Ric- Perez/ John Robb
- One of pacesetters and honestly the more legit one in this field. Possible gate to wire winner here.
- #6 Sadler Bay- Michel Sanchez/ Douglas Nunn
- One run type of horse, I like Sanchez on this horse and in this spot. Possible upset winner here. Needs the race to set up in his favor.
RACE 5- 1 mile turf OC10K
TOP PICK – #7 In Equality – Ruben Silvera/ Ronald Abrams
- This gelding, ran very solid last time out at Parx. These connections pointed for the turf two back but it came off, which usually happens at Parx, and ran a mediocre 4th on the dirt. This field has its question marks, but this one caught my eye more than the rest.
UNDERNEATH
- #2 Poshky- Mychel Sanchez/ Gerald Brooks
- This horse either really loved Suffolk or has turned his form around for the better. His last outing in which my Top Pick ran 3rd in, was not an eye catcher. If he puts it all together he can make some noise.
- #5 Smart Two a T- Tais Lyapustina/ Antony Aguirre
- This gelding seems like the early pacesetter. Possible gate to wire winner.
RACE 6- 6 Furlongs Dirt AOC 25k/N1X
TOP PICK – #7 Sworn Silence – Joe Rocco Jr/ Michael Tomlinson
– Horse Shipping in from CD and dropping in from ALW company. Multiple styles of running, should be beneficial for this filly. There is some pace signed up so I expect this filly to sit the trip and roll by in stretch.
UNDERNEATH
- #1 Neva’s Gal- Trevor McCarthy/ Jamie Ness
- This filly has run two straight blow out races at parx beating her competition by 25 combined lengths. I just feel like this filly will bounce today and not show her best.
- #3 Trace – L. Reyes/ Richard Hendriks
- This filly has always been on my radar since her maiden victory last summer. She has yet to piece it all together since then, and I don’t think today will be the day but I think she puts in a game effort.
RACE 7- 5 ½ F Turf MSW
TOP PICK- SINGLE ALERT – #3 Zip Drive- Jorge Vargas Jr./ Arnauld Delacour
- This is my best bet of the day. Lone Speed, great connections, and a cut back in distance. 2nd time out I think this horse will benefit the most and win easy.
RACE 8- 1 Mile Turf OC12k
TOP PICK- #8 Checkbouncin Billy- McCarthy/Ness
- This horse has been able to sit off the pacesetters and come with one big run to make some noise before. Yet I also see her possibly going straight to the lead or in contention early. Either way this horse has been in tough races as if late, and seems to catch an easier field. Strong connections is a plus.
UNDERNEATH
- #5 Superling- Silvera/Abrams
- This horse is on the cheaper end and I have personally seen this horse go from a horrific dirt form to a respectable yet cheap turf from. Good closing kick can easily make a run for the money.
- #3 Ordinary Love- Russell/Nunn
- If this Mare goes back to her Tampa form, she can win. I just don’t know what to expect.
RACE 9-1 MILE turf Claiming $5000N2Y
TOP PICK- #6 Owl Creek- Lopez/Rogers
- This gelding peaked my interest for several reasons. First Reason is C.C. Lopez has been live on every mount this meet. Second reason is that he has a closing kick. Final reason is, he is way better on turf then he is on synthetic.
UNDERNEATH-
- #7 Charlie Mops- McCarthy/ McMahon
- The likely favorite, and could and possibly even should be the early speed. Could go gate to wire.