Week 4 of the meet begins. It’s a special 5 day racing week with a holiday program on Monday. The last time we gave out picks it wasn’t too good two weeks back (no racing last Thursday). We’ll try to get back on track after a freshening as they say. 7 race Thursday program on tap. Jockey Julien Couton appears to be back in action today as he is listed on some mounts.
Race 1: Maiden claiming $25,000 3 yr old Fillies (6-5-3-4)
6 Traffic Stopper drops in class from maiden special weights to maiden claimers for a tag of $25k. Also cuts back from a route to a sprint. Appears to be the one to catch on the class drop.
5 Shake It Cali is another who drops in class. Her two sprint tries over the tapeta have been really good and merits respect on the class drop. Only concern is a jock who’s been off to a cold star (2 for 55).
3 Miss Ski is a second time starter for William Delia. I remember playing this horse on debut opening day but she lost all chances once the gates opened. She broke slow and was outrun. If she can break she will improve quite a bit.
Other to consider: 4 Clubhouse Soda is a filly that has shown improvement through her first two starts. She comes out of the same race as the 3 horse on opening day. She finished fourth picking up some pieces late. At a big price she’s a consideration underneath.
Race 2: Claiming $3,200 4 yr olds & up (3-2-5)
3 Candy’s Martini draws jockey Julien Couton back aboard in his first mount in a month. Couton rode this horse to a victory in a $4k claiming event last time. This horse will look for his second win in a row with 7 lifetime wins over the surface.
2 Moonlight Blue takes a slight drop in class after facing a little tougher group his last two times out. He’s back at a level he won in three back. With the leading jockey aboard this horse deserves a look.
5 Kona Coast will do a couple things for trainer Jonathan Wong. Goes from sprints to a route and also drops in class from $6250 claimers to $3200. With sprinter speed this horse could try to take them all the way.
Race 3: Claiming $4,000 4 yr olds & up (1-2-4-6)
1 Silent Movies won impressively last time out first start off a 19 month layoff. Comes back today and stretches his feet another furlong. Horse should benefit from the early speed duel expected.
2 Tomasino drops in class back into this $4k claiming level. Since being off for four months has not shown much in return. Third start in the cycle hopefully allows this runner to return to the winners circle.
4 My Friend George is one making his first start in 10 months. Ran well off his last lay-off and sure loves the golden gate surface sporting a 7 for 31 record.
Other to consider: 6 Fast Sale is a price horse underneath to consider. Appears to do his best running late. There is some pace to chase and is stepping back up the class ladder. Should offer great value at 15/1 on the morning line.
Race 4: Claiming $12,500 4 yr olds & up F & M (5-2-7)
5 Jenpirestrikesback will be the pick here. She broke her maiden last time out for $12500. Comes right back to the n2L condition and if she repeats her performance last out she’ll be tough to beat.
2 Hit it Twice is still knocking on the door over this track. She does sport two close finishes and tends to be in the mix late.
7 Real Good Deal comes out of a common race with the 2 who finished second in front of this filly. She looks to turn the tables on the filly here.
Other prices to consider: 1 Priest Lake is making her second start off a 11 month lay-off. Didn’t seem to run her race last out. If she’s able to duplicate her races before the break she’s a dangerous long shot. 4 Morning Dove broke the maiden last out for $8k. She will hop into the n2L condition with a slight step up in class. Will come running late.
Race 5: Maiden claiming $12,500 3 yr old Fillies (1-7-2)
1 I C Fire takes a step up in class from maiden 8s to this $12500 condition. This filly also tries routing. Trainer Tim McCanna has good numbers going from sprints to routes.
7 Hermia ran a good race on her first try over the surface. I’m willing to give her another chance hopefully with the step up in class it signals this horse is improving. Top trainer Wong at 6/1 on the m/L.
2 Silver Script didn’t finish in the money until opening day earlier this meet. All her other races weren’t great and this horse did finish impressively last time out. Odds have never been lower than double digits for this filly.
Race 6: Claiming $5,000 4 yr olds & up F & M (6-5-4)
6 Sitin and Thinkin drops in class and is a runner suited for the pace setup. Appears that her best running comes late and draws jockey Ricardo Gonzalez.
5 Hopscotchy finally returned to running a good race last time when she cleared the n2L condition. She stalked the pace and closed late even under slow conditions. Looks to be a better sprinter than router and at 10/1 she’s a good price.
4 Joyous steps back up in class. Is a price horse to use underneath especially considering her tapeta record (0 for 12 with 6 in the money).
Race 7: Claiming $6,250 4 yr olds & up F & M (2-3-7-9)
2 Propeppy winner on opening day will look for back to back wins. She’s stepping up the class level but she’s always consistent. She hasn’t been off the board in quite some time and thus deserves to be the price play of the day at 6/1.
3 Sea Myrtle finished second in the first race of the meet losing to a wire to wire winner that day. She picked up the pieces late. Cuts back to 5.5 furlongs and maybe accelerates home. The best bets from opening day return today.
7 Diamondsnchampagne is another contender at mild odds. She won in her first start off a two month break last time. This mare is also 5 for 12 over the surface. And based off the two month freshening she could even be getting better.
9 Night of Idiots is a big class dropper from comes from $20k n2x conditions. Did win for $12500 n2x couple starts back and with the big class drop could be the one to beat.
Other to consider: 6 Happy Issue is another class dropper from open 16 claimers. Gets speedy jockey William Antongeorgi iii to maybe take them all the way. 5 Power of Nine the 11 year old who ran a good second last time out. Veteran runners did well last week and she will try to continue that trend.
Best bet: Race 6 Sittin and Thinkin 9/2
Price play: Race 7 Propeppy 6/1
Good luck today!