Peck: Monmouth pick five play for Sunday, Aug. 2
Haskell Day at Monmouth Park is the premier day for racing in New Jersey, and the card features some interesting betting races of course. Here's a look at the late pick five:
Race 10
BRADESTER was game in victory in the Salvator Mile last time out, and with his early speed and the rail draw, he should be well positioned from the start. PROTONICO has won two straight, and the resulting Beyers put him right in the thick of this. VALID could not keep pace with Bradester last time, but a better race flow could move him way up in this Monmouth Cup.
A's: 7
B's: 1, 8
C's: None
Race 11
HEART TO HEART looms the main speed in the Oceanport, which is a little light on pace. But KHARAFA also deserves strong consideration after a gritty win in the Elkwood, in which he overcame a ton of trouble to get his neck down on the wire.
A's: 5, 7
B's: None
C's: None
Race 12
AMERICAN PHAROAH is going to be on 95 percent of all tickets and rightly so. Many will treat him as a "free square" for pick five purposes, but those looking to gamble on a boxcar payout may want to hedge at least a little, and for me, that's where UPSTART comes in. He's working well, he fits the race flow, and he picks up Joe Bravo. It could well be that none of that matters if the Triple Crown winner runs his best race, but it's nice to have a little insurance and a shot at a windfall if he doesn't.
A's: 1, 4
B's: None
C's: None
:: See Kenny Peck's pick five play in DRF TicketMaker and bet it with DRF Bets
Race 13
Using those runners capable of closing in this turf route as there appears to be plenty of speed signed on. That includes LADY DYNA, RED LETTER, and SILVERVILLE, though a key scratch or two in other legs would mean a deeper spread in this one.
A's: 7
B's: 3, 5
C's: None
Race 14
GINGGE was sharp in victory first time out, as was SUNSHINE SANDY. POP START was placed first via disqualification in her latest, but the resulting figure gives her credibility. LET'S PARLAY was no threat to the odds-on winner in her return from the layoff, but she was well clear for the place.
A's: 5, 6, 7
B's: 2
C's: None