Parx Racing: Picks and analysis for Wednesday's mandatory-payout Philly Big 5; pool starts at $145,979
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RACE 6: MISTER ME takes on winners for the first time after a dominant victory against statebred special weight company last month. The Bernard Houghton trainee could have a pace advantage in this seven-furlong dash over the main track. SMOKED BOURBON battled early and pulled away late in his debut win over this racetrack on Nov. 4. He draws outside in his first start versus stakes foes. (2)
RACE 7: MEGA MIL ships into Pennsylvania after taking on better in Kentucky for trainer John Servis. The Honor A. P. filly battled early and tired late last out but finds a favorable spot off the six-week freshening. NATURE’S CANDY comes in having won two in a row. The Uncle Lino mare should get a favorable stalking voyage from her outside draw. (2)
RACE 8: ADERO has just one win in 2025 but should benefit from a perfect pocket trip in this year’s Turkey Trot. The son of American Freedom has won 5 of 18 over this surface and has been against the flow in his two recent losses. CALL ME FAST makes his third start since entering the Jamie Ness barn. He got a confidence-booster against lesser last month and also should work out a favorable voyage from his inside draw. (2)
RACE 9: CROWN ROYAL BABE draws outside after running into a buzz saw in an open-company allowance Oct. 22. Her ability to relax early and finish should benefit her in a race with plenty of early speed types signed on. RIVER ESCAPE was awesome on debut, besting a field of eight despite botching the break. She is capable of making it 2 for 2 to start her career but needs to fix the gate issues. KEYSTONE STATE ships in undefeated for trainer Cathal Lynch. She has shown solid gate speed and draws the rail in her first run against stakes foes. (3)
RACE 10: SUNNY BREEZE makes the second start of his form cycle after getting buried on the rail at Laurel Park last month. The move to an outside draw should allow this son of Cajun Breeze to relax just off the early pace and earn his first victory of 2025 in the Wednesday finale. (1)
THE PLAY: 6, 8 / 7, 9 / 3, 4 / 1, 10, 11 / 7 = $12 ticket
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