Northfield: Sunday $30,000 Guaranteed Pick 4 Analysis

Northfield Park will host eight $300,000 Ohio Sire Stakes finals for 2- and 3-year-olds on Sunday, September 1 to decide the best in the Buckeye State. In addition to the impressive display of horsepower, the track is offering a $20,000 guaranteed early Pick 4 (race 7) and a $30,000 late Pick 4 to whet the appetites of handicappers. Below I’ll take you through my ticket for the late Pick 4 starting in race 11. Unlike most tracks, Northfield offers a $1 minimum on the wager, so it tends to pay better since fewer players hit.

Race 11 - $300,000 Ohio Sire Stakes - 3YO filly Trot

Despite six being sent out from trainer Chris Beaver, it is hard to look at this race and not think (2) ONLY TAKE CASH will take plenty of beating. The Cash Hall-sired filly beat Open foes in the Casual Breeze last time and her only losses in this series have come via tough uncovered trips. Unless there is a tag-team effort to take her down, I like her chances. My backup plans here are (5) REFINED and (7) PURE CHANCE. Both have been accustomed to racing near the lead lately but I’m hoping for a patient steer as others press the pace and potentially soften up the top pick.

Race 12 - $300,000 Ohio Sire Stakes - 3YO filly pace

There will likely be a bit of a chess game between the drivers on the three inside horses here as they all can’t have the early lead. Ultimately (3) QUEEN OF THE PRIDE gets my top call as I believe her to be a half-step faster than the rest, but make no mistake (1) GIGGLES N DREAMS and (2) SNOBBYTOWN won’t go down without a fight and (5) RYLEE ROO or (6) IN LOVE AGAIN could surprise if the pace is hot.

Race 13 - $300,000 Ohio Sire Stakes - 3YO Colt Trot

My first instinct was to go against the nearly unbeaten (6) LANE OF STONE, but there simply isn’t enough early speed inside of him to think he won’t make the front. At 14 for 17 lifetime, you have to think this Wishing Stone colt will find a way. (7) SERENITY CRUISE has an upset chance if Tyler Smith can work out a trip. Unfortunately he’s stuck to the outside of the favorite. (3) DYLAN THE GREAT has displayed the ability to win when things go his way.

Race 14 - $300,000 Ohio Sire Stakes - 3YO Colt pace

The undefeated (1) BLACK HOLE will be on my tickets and has looked very impressive winning from off the pace despite some tough trips, but my top pick goes to (2) ROCK CANDY. The son of Pet Rock has had very little consistency in his races, missing most of July and then three more weeks in August. It’s been a while since we’ve seen his best but this looks like the perfect spot for him to gun off the gate and show ‘em if he has them. Hopefully we avoid a 2-3-6-1 Pick 4 result as that will likely be break-even at best.

Race 11 Late $1 Pick 4 Tickets:

2 / 1,2,3,5,6 / 3,6,7 / 1,2 = $30

2,5,7 / 1,2,3,5,6 / 6 / 1,2 = $30