Rampellini: Delta Downs pick four play for Saturday, Nov. 19
Delta Downs puts on its richest card of the season Saturday, when eight stakes led by the Grade 3, $1 million Delta Downs Jackpot will be decided on a card that starts at 1:45 p.m. Central. There is an all-stakes pick four that runs on races 4-7 which has a $200,000 minimum guaranteed pool and a low takeout of 12 percent. Here’s a look at the sequence:
Race 4: RISE UP (4) appears to be the controlling speed in the Delta Mile, and is further appealing as a past winner of the Delta Downs Jackpot. He comes off a two-turn win at Charles Town, and Javier Castellano, who was aboard last out, is back in the saddle. FEAR THE COWBOY (3) could sit closest to RISE UP despite shortening up from 1 1/8 miles. He exits a fourth in a Churchill Downs stakes won by Noble Bird, who won the Grade 2 Fayette in his next start.
Race 5: THE TRUTH OR ELSE (3) fits the conditions of the Sam’s Town - for non-winners of a stakes - like a glove, being Grade 1-placed. The two-turn configuration is a bit of a question mark for him. ACES HIGH (9) has faced some quality rivals this year.
Race 6: There appears to be a good deal of speed in this race, the Delta Downs Princess, and while multiple stakes winner CAJUN DELTA DAWN (9) is quick herself, she is shortening up in distance and could get a stalking trip behind the sprint-to-route prospects to her inside. GOLDEN MISCHIEF (1) and DUDE FANTASY (10) both figure to be making their cases in the later stages. GOLDEN MISCHIEF is the lone horse in the field with a win over the six-furlong track at Delta.
Race 7: GUNNEVERA (6) comes into the Delta Downs Jackpot having faced some of the best 2-year-olds in the country. GUNNEVERA won the Grade Saratoga Special over the summer and split the field last out in the Breeders’ Futurity, a race won by Breeders’ Cup Juvenile hero Classic Empire. Javier Castellano was aboard for his Saratoga Special win and will be reunited with him Saturday. GUNNEVERA might race closer to the pace than last time, judging from a recent pair of bullet works. HOT SEAN (8) is a threat to wire the field. He’s proven at two turns and is a half-brother to Grade 2 winner Itsaknockout. DANGERFIELD (5) has tactical speed. Another of interest is BALANDEEN (7).
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The play:
Race 4
A: 4
B: 3
Race 5
A: 3
B: 9
Race 6
A: 1, 9, 10
Race 7
A: 5, 6, 8,
B: 7