With Awesome Slew appearing a standout in the Sunshine Millions Classic, the last race Saturday at Gulfstream, the late pick four strategy is focused around him, and I’ll take a few shots in the three races that kick off the wager. So let’s take a look at the sequence, beginning with race 9, and compile a ticket.
Race 9
Stop me if you’ve heard this before – weather will have a profound effect on the racing at Santa Anita. Heavy rain that has fallen over the past two days all but assures a wet racing surface Saturday afternoon, adding an extra variable when handicapping the card. Last week’s pick five ticket was a loser via disqualification; hopefully this week’s ticket survives any and all inquiries/objections. Here’s a look at Saturday’s pick five, culminating with the Grade 2 Santa Monica.
Race 1
Aqueduct | Race 5 | Post Time 2:20 p.m. (ET) | Go to the TimeformUS PPs
So much for parlays. Our Pix last week were dubious going in, and worthless coming out. Sorry. Still, despite the weather there were a near-record 20 BreezeFigs maidens who won during the week, including a bang-up start to the Oaklawn meet where two popped over on opening day and another couple came home later in the week, one of which was a BreezeFigs exacta.
I admire perfection whether in horse racing or any other sport. I just don’t want to wager on perfection, knowing that people overbet the likelihood of its continuation.
So, when Running Mate raced in the Sugar Bowl Stakes on Dec. 17 at Fair Grounds after winning his first two starts, I went looking for alternatives to the 2-5 favorite and thankfully settled on the right horse in Proforma.
Race 5:
Mr. Canada (#6)
Gets a logical drop in class after being overmatched against tougher $25,000 claimers.
The TimeformUS Pace Projector is predicting he will be on the lead in a situation favoring the frontrunner.
The low-profile connections figure to drive up the price.
6-1 on ML.
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Race 5:
Mr. Canada (#6)
Gets a logical drop in class after being overmatched against tougher $25,000 claimers.
The TimeformUS Pace Projector is predicting he will be on the lead in a situation favoring the frontrunner.
The low-profile connections figure to drive up the price.
6-1 on ML
Race 9:
Cold Gone Hot (#9)
Linda Rice gets a 100 TimeformUS Trainer Rating with second time starters.
Saturday’s card at Fair Grounds is that track’s biggest of the year so far, with six stakes up for grabs, led by the Grade 3, $200,000 Lecomte Stakes, a Kentucky Derby qualifying race. Elsewhere, Santa Anita has the highest-graded event of the day in the Grade 2, $200,000 Santa Monica, and it’s Sunshine Millions Day at Gulfstream Park, with five stakes for Florida-breds.
Louisiana Stakes
TimeformUS handicapper David Aragona analyzes the 2017 Kentucky Derby prep races.
Fair Grounds | Race 11 | Post Time 5:00 p.m. (CT) | Go To The FREE TimeformUS PPs | Not already a TimeformUS member? Sign up
PRAIRIE REBEL
Trainer: Richie Scherer
Last race: Jan. 14, 8th
Finish: 2nd by a neck
Beyer: 83
Improving five-times-started 4-year-old tried two turns for first time and still had a big finish. Rails at 20 feet might have made difference here, since wide closers (and, man, was he wide in the homestretch) tend to take the worst of it in that configuration. Think connections have him figured out. Next-start breakthrough.
