Hi everyone. Can’t believe the races are still going on despite the coronavirus. But here we are.
RACE 1: Maiden claiming, $16,000, one mile, turf
I’m picking #5 FIRST IN LINE. George Weaver has the best stats compared to the rest of the trainers in the field. He’s batting .18 in maiden claiming races, .20 with blinkers on, .18 in routes and .12 in turf races. Joe Bravo will ride again and this gelding will cross the wire first.
PICKS: 5-3-4
RACE 2: Optional claiming $25,000/Starter allowance $16,000, 1 1/16 of a mile, dirt
#6 BLUE BLUFF will take this race. Gelding is going for his third-straight win and trainer John Servis is batting .18 with won last starts. Beyers-wise, he’s also a notch above the rest too. Two straight races of 80+ Beyers. Torres is riding and he’ll get a well-deserved win.
PICKS: 6-5-4
RACE 3: Maiden claiming $12,500, one mile, turf
#5 BARBIE’S KING seems most likely to win. Trainer Edwin Broome is batting .17 in turf races which is better than all the other trainers in this race. Gelding almost won three back and the last two races were within four lengths of the winner. Other than that, the rest of the field hasn’t come even close to finishing ITM.
PICKS: 5-7-8
RACE 4: Claiming $16,000, one mile, turf
Another easy bet for #1 VERDICT IS IN. He’s the lone gelding that’s won at today’s distance and that win was on the GP sod. Trainer Eddie Plesa is batting .20 in turf races and top jock Paco Lopez is riding. The trainer-jock combo is pretty solid (44 .20 AVG. ROI $1.97). All the others are a crap shoot. I’m sticking with the obvious.
PICKS: 1-5-6
RACE 5: Maiden claiming $50,000, 6 ½ furlongs, dirt
I’m going with the outside horse #9 DAILY GRACE. Trainer Ralph Nicks wins often in dirt sprints (.16) and in maiden claiming races (.20). Irad Ortiz will be riding and he’s due for his first win of the day.
PICKS: 9-1-3
RACE 6: Claiming $50,000, 1 1/16 mile, turf
Tough race to handicap. I’ve looked over this for hours and I am finally going with #5 FARAWAY KITTEN. Seems like this colt is the most consistent compared to the rest of the field (2-2-6). Others are all over the place. I know the trainer is 0-for-9 with first races off the claim but the colt’s record instilled some confidence. At today’s distance: 6-3-1-1 (92 Beyer). Just missed at this distance two back at GP in a $75,000 stakes race too. Seems like FARAWAY KITTEN is getting used to the track. Gonna be a big win for apprentice jockey Cristan Torres.
PICKS: 5-1-2
RACE 7: Optional claiming $62,000/N2X, six furlongs, dirt
#4 DAY BY DAY should win this. She’s in a class above the rest. She’s won several times at this distance and at GP, she’s 2-1-2 in the last three races, a bullet workout on March 13 and Irad Ortiz is riding. A perfect winning combination.
PICKS: 4-1-2
RACE 8: Claiming $16,000, one mile, turf
I’m rooting for #9 CASSIDY’S SMILE. Jockey Hector Barrios will get his long-awaited first win of the day. Filly ran a 73 Beyer (the best in the field) three back at this distance. Hasn’t raced in about two months and should be fresh and ready to go.
PICKS: 9-6-2
RACE 9: Optional claiming $100,000/N3X, six furlongs, dirt
Honestly, either #5 WHYRUAWESOME or #4 FAST PASS should win this race. These are the top two horses in the field (look at the PPs). I’m going with WHYRUAWESOME because Jose Ortiz is due for his first win of the day. This is the one.
PICKS: 5-4-6
RACE 10: Maiden $16,000, one mile, turf
The any horse can win race. I’m going with #4 DON’T TAZE ME BRO, only because of the name. LOL. I wonder what that college nut-job has been up to.
PICK: 4
Stay safe, stay at home and better days are on the horizon.