Assiniboia Downs mandatory-payout pick five for Sept. 28, 2022

RACE 3: TUFFENOUGHTOSTART is on an upward trend, and either of her last two starts would be good enough to win this. The 42 Beyer Speed Figure she received for her runner-up finish in her latest stands out, and she figures to get a nice trip from an outside post in a short field. She is entered in a tougher spot Monday and may run in both races. (The deadline for this was prior to scratch time.) Not sure how she will handle coming back this quickly if she does run, and she would be ineligible for this race if she pulls off an upset. Also using LADY SUNSET who is taking a substantial drop and will likely be the one they have to run down.

RACE 4: MARK YE WELL and DAZZL’N MISCHIEF are clearly the ones to beat, but this is a very competitive event so using them all. LIL MISS ZAK is unlikely, but she did show more speed in her latest and will not mind the cutback in distance.

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RACE 5: MERMAID KISSES has taken a shine to the local surface, with a runner-up finish in her first try here Aug. 31 followed by an impressive win at this level Sept. 14. KNOW WHAT I MINA set a fast pace after being gunned from the rail in the same race and moves outside where his jockey may have more options. GOOD TO ME cuts her price in half following a decent effort in her first try in open company. GOLD DIGGIN DARLIN has improved in her two starts for trainer Shelley Brown and has races in her past that would win this. RIVER DEPUTY, second to Mermaid Kisses last time, should be rolling late and there will be speed coming back to her. WHAT UP NOW J T is eligible for a N4L, but she is trending in the right direction and has been right there in her last four starts.

RACE 6: Whittling it down to two, beginning with AROUSE N GO who comes right back for the same price and distance following her front-running win Sept. 12. She goes for a new barn, and the past couple of years trainer Tom Gardipy Jr. has a 19 percent strike rate and $1.80 ROI first off the claim. MISS PARFAIT goes for the hat trick after winning back-to-back conditioned claimers going 5 1/2 furlongs, and her running style suggests she will appreciate the added yardage.

RACE 7: BITETHEBULLETBRO set a fast pace under pressure before settling for third versus tougher and should have an easier time up front in this spot. He could be gone if he breaks alertly from his outside post. TOWARDS THE LIGHT almost got up in time at this level in his latest and could pick up the pieces if the top pick falters.

THE PLAY: 5, 6 / ALL / 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 / 5, 7 / 2, 9 = $67.20 ticket.

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