Happy Memorial Day Weekend…thank you to all who served in our military and kept our country safe and strong. And shout out of my nephew Ethan who will be enlisting in the Marines this July.
You can reach me on “X” @hkravets and/or email at hkravetshorse@gmail.com….. Post time is 3:40pm EST. Good luck, and CRUSH YOUR BETS!
Race 1: 2 – 6 – 3
In today’s opener, #2 Sharp Attack drops down to the lowest level. She’s had trouble breaking from the gate, but if she does even a little better, she’s got a big shot vs. this field. Some might not like the quick turnaround in one week, but I believe that’s a positive sign.
Race 2: 2 – 3 – 5
Early Pick 4 Ticket: 2,3,5 / 4,5,7 / 2,5,6,7,8 / 1,5 ($45)
#2 Slava Ukraini stretches back out to two turns, where he’s been effective before. Perhaps he’s not as good as he was last year, but one slow quarter just might get the job done today.
Race 3: 4 – 5 – 7
This is the most difficult race to handicap on the card, mainly because very few have turf form to go back to in this maiden claimer. Therefore, I’ll go with a price, #4 Church Pew (10-1). The 3yo by talented sire Catholic Boy has not done much on paper, but she does have early speed in a race without much in it. In addition, there’s a drop in class, trainer change, and good works leading into this affair. Let’s “pray” that she runs well!
Race 4: 5 – 8 – 1
Trainer Brittany Vanden Berg claims #7 Maqamat (3-1) and keeps him in the same class level, $4k claimers. She’s batting 27% on the win end at the meet and finds an effective spot for this new acquisition. Back numbers fit and form is good enough to win here.
Race 5: 5 – 1 – 6
Here’s another one for Vanden Berg in the #5 Khozan’s Success (5-2). He had no chance 2-back when he got a vicious shuffle off the short layoff. Today, he drops, and a clean trip will make him tough in this spot.
Race 6: 4 – 1 – 3
Late Pick 4 ticket: 1,3,4 / 4,5 / 3,5,9 / 2,4,7 ($27)
#4 Sailing Solo (9-5) has something many of his contenders don’t have: early speed. And while I’m hesitant to take 9yo’s off layoffs, he has been working forwardly and locally. His class is undeniable and if feels like the $25k claiming price makes sense in the situation. I would not take too low a price on the win end, but is a must use in all verticals and horizontals.
Race 7: 5 – 4 – 2
The Work All Week S., named after the talented Ill-bred who won the BC Sprint back in the day, has a $75k purse and is dominated by trainer Scott Becker, who has half the runners in the field. It’s hard to believe the two main speeds, #5 WW Hotshot (7-5) and #4 Fast Jack, will battle each other considering they’re both trained by Becker. WW Hotshot had a perfect prep at FanDuel winning easily on the lead, but he doesn’t have to win that way. Expect a horse trained by Becker to win, perhaps even a Becker trifecta.
Race 8: 9 – 5 – 3
#9 I’m Box Office (9-2) will try to be the star of the Race 8 show off the layoff and close to the lead for Trainer Block. Although her Beyer figs are slower than others, the Timeform numbers suggest she’s right there with the top horses in the race. She can’t be too far back and will have to tuck in early on the first turn, but she’s working well and seems prepared to win today.
Race 9: 4 – 7 – 2
If early speed is your calling card at the betting windows, then #4 Philipsburg (9-5) is your man. The main question I have is why the drop down in class after winning at a higher level. Perhaps the connections are just being realistic or couldn’t find another spot based on the condition book. He’s the likely winner in the finale if he breaks on top.
