Horseshoe Indianapolis pick five play for Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026
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RACE 7: Going to take an immediate stand with ELTINGE in this ITOBA Stallion Season Fillies Handicap, as she comes off a deceptively good effort in her latest despite having to check behind a fallen foe, closing with interest along the rail in the late stages. There’s a fair amount of early speed in this field, and this filly should be well set up, assuming she gets a clean trip. (1)
RACE 8: HARD LUCK PRAYER was a game winner in the Governor’s Handicap in his latest, an effort that stamps him as a top contender in the ITOBA Stallion Season Handicap. He was on the lead in that score but also can rate and make one run if need be. SLY GUY was second best behind Hard Luck Prayer in the Governor’s Handicap, but he may have simply moved too soon in that loss as he made the lead on the turn and opened a clear advantage only to be run down late. His tactical speed should mean he's well spotted from the start once again. Q'S TOPNOTCH was caught in a duel in his dirt route debut when in the same race as the aforementioned pair, but he rated nicely two back, albeit on the turf. He is dangerous if he can avoid another protracted pace battle. (3)
RACE 9: WATCHER makes her stakes debut in the Piedi Bianchi Handicap, but she’s a strong fit based on her best Beyers. She’s been away since July, but she won 3 of 4 prior to the freshening and the resulting Beyers give her strong credibility. Note trainer Aaron West’s record with last-out winners. (1)
RACE 10: The To Much Coffee Handicap seems to be as wide open a race as any on this card, with several different scenarios possible in terms of race flow and a number of horses who could be considered contenders depending on how the race sets up. To whittle this race down by a few horses seems imprudent, as it would likely mean not using longshots with upside. For that reason, I’m going to wrap it up using them all and hope for one of those longshots. (12)
RACE 11: Lots of possibilities in the Circle City Stakes, but taking a broad approach in the To Much Coffee means having to get a little leaner in this final leg. J’S JERSEY BOY seemed beaten on the turn in that last one, but he regathered himself and drove up the rail to graduate in a game effort. CASH PER TRIP overcame the race flow to graduate the maiden ranks via a forward trip in his second career start. Q’S BEST BET has already shown himself to be versatile enough to lead or rate, and that’s an edge as he tries to work out a trip from post 10. KANSASCITYJUSTICE is easy to like off the authoritative maiden score in his latest, complete with a representative Beyer. FOREVER RELEASE has yet to run a poor race and figures to be well spotted just off the leaders. She may be good enough to beat the boys. (5)
THE PLAY: 9 / 4, 5, 9 / 2 / ALL / 1, 2, 5, 7, 10 = $90 ticket
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