Coast to Coast Pick 5 play for Saturday, March 23, 2024

SA RACE 3: WHAT A DUDE was gelded during his time off and could be rejuvenated as he plunges to below the price for which he was last claimed with blinkers removed for this $25,000 nonwinners-of-two tilt. Leading trainer Doug O’Neill’s go-to rider, Antonio Fresu, takes over on the son of Hard Spun who has been working right along. I’M A LUCKY MAN just missed two back in an identical spot under Kazushi Kimura and is dropping off a flat fourth in a $50,000 starter/optional claimer. (2)

GP RACE 9: JOHANNY graduated last time out over this course and distance with an 85 Beyer Speed Figure, which exceeded the Beyer par of 84 for this level. Tyler Gaffalione is riding at Fair Grounds, and Leonel Reyes is 1 for 7 at this meet for trainer Brendan Walsh, who had a 20 percent strike rate with last-out maiden winners over the past five years ($2.06 ROI). PAWKY finished a clear second behind an odds-on favorite in a longer two-turn race at this level off a layoff Jan. 31 and should be prominent with her tactical speed. (2)

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SA RACE 5: LEYAS CANDY has worked well, according to the DRF Clocker report, since finishing a lapped-on third in his return from a layoff and should be dangerous racing on or near the lead in a field without much speed. (1)

GP RACE 11: CANISY fits the nonwinners of a race since June 23 clause in the conditions of this event snugly, having cleared the second allowance condi¬tion in May at Belmont. The Point of Entry mare has been beating company in her Payson Park drills under the guidance of accomplished layoff trainer Christophe Clement. DIAMOND VEGA won a stakes in Germany going away with a 104 Timeform rating the last time she saw action in September and is adding Lasix for her first start on this side of the pond. Trainer Chad Brown has impressive stats pertaining to this situation.

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SA RACE 8: Spreading out in this first-level allowance/optional claimer that could belong to HAWKER, who was a distant second to stakes-bound Judge Miller when he went long for the first time on dirt Feb. 24. COWBOY MIKE outworked Grade 3 victor Hopkins last Saturday after dusting $32,000 claimers March 4 and looks to be on the up and up. Other possibilities include YELLOW BRICK, MIDNIGHT MAMMOTH, DON’T SWEAR DAVE, and BAD SNEAKERS. (6)

THE PLAY: 5, 6 / 4, 5 / 2 / 6, 10 / 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9 = $48 ticket

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