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My last Sunday picks of 2018, let’s make it a good one!
Race 1: CLAIMING $5,000 Six Furlongs Picks: 3-2-4
Zoo Yorker (#3): Ships in from Finger Lakes, where trainer is 29% shipping and 31% in claiming races. If track is on the muddy side, this horse has run well and good up good speed figures. Jockey/trainer has good positive ROI.
Martywithteparty (#2): Drops from $8,000 to $5,000 claiming and has won at this level before, just four starts back. Won two straight earlier this year in wire to wire fashion. Speed figures among highest of the field.
Scout’s Honor (#4): Plenty of speed boast well for this late closer. Drops in class and with a good pace in front, has a great chance.
Race 2: CLAIMING $16,000 – $14,000 Six Furlongs Picks: 2-6-8
Big Bella Brown (#2): Runs very well on muddy tracks, where three of his wins have come from. This horse will sit off a good pace and come with late run. Trevor McCarthy is always a plus when aboard.
Just Flashy (#6): Will be the speed of the field. Three back he went wire to wire at the $15,000 level. This horse has great speed and will be tough to catch. Trainer is 17% in sprints and has an edge.
Mr.Fixit (#8): Drops back to $14,000 level, where he found success when he won three straight at the $16,000 level at Laurel. This horse has plenty of speed and could sit off or go to the lead. Trainer is 25% in sprints. Must use.
Race 3: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING $50,000 Six Furlongs Picks: 7-4-5
Sheikh of Sheikhs (#7): This horse has gradually improved since coming to Laurel where he is two for three in sprints. Trainer is red hot and 19% with last out winners. This level should fit his style, along with strong beyer number, this horse is a must play.
Do Share (#4): When Mike Maker ships to Laurel, he means business. Unraced since the G1 Carter in April, this gelding has posted strong works and comes back into an easier spot. Trainer is 19% when off more than three months and will get plenty of pace. Must use.
Irish Colonel (#5): Has posted ten straight races of beyers 89 or more, including a 100 Beyer earlier this year. This horse runs very well on off track, so if it comes up muddy, he’s a use. Trainer is 19% when starting second off the layoff.
Race 4: CLAIMING $8,000 Six Furlongs Picks: 1-4-3
Aiden’s Rag Doll (#1): Rough trip last time at a distance he’s not accustomed too. Now back at six furlongs, he’s in a better spot. He has the rail and can save ground from a fast pace. Trainer is 18% in routes to sprints. Must use.
Gimme Kimmy (#4): In the superfecta in four straight races, including a win two starts back at this distance. This horse is a deep closer and will need pace, but she has run well and could pose a good shot.
Driven by Speed (#3): Rudy Rodriguez ships this filly down to Laurel Park for the first time since being claimed. Trainer is 23% with first time horses and puts Trevor McCarthy aboard. These two have plenty of success together. Has good speed and has faced better. Must use.
Race 5: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $25,000 Six Furlongs Picks: 9-4-6
Rosy’s Rainbow (#9): Never finished outside top 4 in her career. Her beyer numbers are the best of the field and she has good speed. She is a level of consistency and can be relied on.
Windixiewin (#4): Good speed figures and has run well at Laurel Park in the past. She will come from mid pack but she has a good closing kick. She has beaten a few of these in here before. Competition not new.
Oxhilirating (#6): Won a $25,000 maiden claimer last time out and has a steady worktab since then. She will be the speed, and will be tough to catch. If she can set a good pace, she can upset.
Race 6: CLAIMING $5,000 One Mile Picks: 8-7-3
Throw the Deuce (#8): Has a win and a third in two starts at the $5,000 level. This horse comes from the mid pack and good speed figures, if the leaders get into a speed duel early on, then he can be coming late. Trainer is 26% in claiming races this meet. Live longshot.
Brahms Romp (#7): In last five starts, he has a win and four straight second place finishes. This horse has been as consistent as they come. He has speed, he can rate, and come flying late. Good speed figures and trainer is 23% in routes, must use.
Hayne’s Fever (#3): Drops from $16,000 to $5,000 level, and this spot might be perfect. Last time out, he stumbled at the start and lost all chance. Today he faces weaker, and in good spot. Trainer is 39% when dropping two classes. Must use on the ticket.
Race 7: CLAIMING $5,000 Six Furlongs Picks: 6-5-9
Gucik (#6): Ships in from New York for Linda Rice and boasts a big chance. Rice is 26% shipping and 27% in claiming races. This horse has speed and strong beyers. Great jockey/trainer combination. Must use.
Awesome Standard (#5): Has two wins and seven top three finishes at Laurel Park. She has stalking speed and can rate. Trainer is 15% in claiming races.
Tipit (#9): Inn the money 50% of the time at this distance. Beyer numbers are largely consistent throughout his career. His last win was wire to wire fashion. Will likely need those tactics again to win.
Race 8: CLAIMING $5,000 Six Furlongs Picks: 4-2-8
Plenty Elusive (#4): Last two came on sloppy track, this horse can be good on his best day. Only third start of 2018, trainer is 27% with horses third off the layoff. This horse has an off the pace style and will need a good pace to run at.
Get a Valentine (#2): Ships in from New York and faces lowest level of his career. Trainer is 17% when dropping two classes and gets leading rider Victor Carrasco aboard. Good choice.
Sventastic (#8): Posting strong works coming in, this gelding is ready to roll. He will need pace, bit has a good strong closing kick. Stumbled at the start last time out and lost all chance. Good break and fast start will help chances.
Race 9: CLAIMING $8,000 1 1/16 Miles Picks: 6-1-2
Rare Eagle (#6): This horse has won four of his last six starts, including one at this level last time out. Distance is right up his wheel house and he is facing company that isn’t the toughest. Must use.
With Exultation (#1): Ships in from New York to the lowest level claimer of his career. He is an off the pace horse, but gets the rail and can save ground. Trainer is 32% when dropping two classes and 26% shipping. Live once too upset.
Worth His Salt (#2): Consistent beyer numbers and a red hot trainer make the horses chances. Trainer is 23% in routes and 22% in claiming. His last three wins have all come wire to wire, so expect him to go to the front if he can. If so, look out.