Gierkink: How I'll play Turfway for Saturday, March 17

The Pick 5 on this terrific 12-race card begins with a one-mile optional claimer that could set up for JINGLE ME THIS (1) or entrymate INGADORE (1A), if Gladtobehere presses the favored NORMANDY CROSSING (5) up front. Will also use the latter, a six-time winner on the Polytrack, who’s riding the wave of a two-race win streak.

The aptly named first-timer starter DA BULLET (4) is bred to be fast, and could take some catching in the second, a six-furlong maiden special. His trainer has sent out 20 percent debut winners over the past five years. The well-bred second-timer FRENCH CURVE (5), a Tiznow colt from the dam of Grade 1 victor Square Eddie, is making his first start for a trainer bearing impressive numbers with new shooters.

:: Get bonus PPs for Saturday's Jeff Ruby Steaks card at Turfway Park

My top selection in the third, a one-mile maiden special, is the debuting Maryland shipper PEACE OF EKATI (5). I’m assuming the Michael Dickinson charge worked three-quarters in 1:13.40 last Saturday at Turfway with his stablemate, Grade 3 winner Archaggelos, a contender in the Grade 3 Jeff Ruby Steaks. Also using longshots ALLURING AMERICAN (9) and COURAGE AND HONOR (10). Either one is eligible to improve dramatically on their poor last-out performance.

The fourth, a wide-open optional-claiming route, can probably be pared down to BEMUS POINT (2), SHEZAPPEALING (5), TRUE BOOTS (7), ETHYL ETHER (9) and SWEET ELLA (11).

There are a host of pretenders in the fifth, a one-mile maiden special. Hoping to have the bases covered by going four-deep with FINAL REWARD (5), TRUE DREAM (9), SHE’S DA NUTS (10) and NECESSARY (11), who’s a surprisingly low 5-2 on the line.

PICK 5: 1,5/4,5/5,9,10/2,5,7,9,11/5,9,10,11

The early Pick 4 begins on race 2, on which I’ll use the same horses if I get knocked out of the Pick 5 in the first leg.