Parx: Pletcher ships in two favorites for allowance races
The Saturday card at Parx Racing includes a pair of one-mile allowance races for 3-year-olds. Race 5 is for fillies, and race 8 will match males.
Todd Pletcher looks to have the favorite in both races. Alto Belle will be heavily bet in the fifth, and Donegal Moon might be the choice over the Linda Rice-trained Hard Hitter in race 8.
Saturday will be the fifth day of the Parx meet, which due to its purse structure seems to be drawing increased attention from New York horsemen. Pletcher’s starters would be his third and fourth since the meet began. On Monday, he sent out the 3-year-old Saratoga Mischief to finish second in a Parx allowance sprint and African Fighter to finish fourth in a third-level optional-claiming race.
Rice went 1 for 1 at Parx last weekend, winning a two-turn maiden race for 3-year-olds with Tipit. Rudy Rodriguez also had two Parx starters last weekend. Although he does not have a runner Saturday at Parx, he does have a Sunday entrant. Each of Saturday’s allowance races has a purse of $51,000.
Alto Belle won her maiden by 18 1/2 lengths at Aqueduct in November. In her first try against winners Jan. 31, she finished sixth of eight in the Busanda Stakes after bobbling at the start. She has worked twice since.
A P Majestic should not be overlooked. She has been dropping too far back early while facing stiff company in one-turn miles at Laurel Park and could benefit from the two turns of this race. She is trained by Michael Trombetta.
Donegal Moon, in race 8, has made his last three starts in the Withers, Jerome, and Remsen stakes for Pletcher. This looks like a good spot for him to get back on track.
Hard Hitter, in his first try against winners, finished last of five in a salty running of the Miracle Wood Stakes at Laurel. The top three finishers – Marengo Road, Charmed Victory, and Never Gone South – all have ability and should be heard from as the season progresses.