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 – 3 – 1
The opener will have a huge favorite in the #2 Mo Smoking (8-5). She’s taking a huge drop in class and should be very tough to beat. Not only she the most talented, she has a pace edge on the rest and breaks from the rail. Very formidable.
Race 2: 4 – 1 – 2
Pick 4: 1,2,4 / 1,2 / 2,4,7 1,2,3 ($27)
#4 Sweet Crystal (3-1) looks vulnerable on paper, as she lost her last race by 23 ½ lengths. That was last year, and she has received a nice rest by Trainer Robertson who has her nicely spotted today. If she shows her usual early speed, she can easily wire this field. Needs one soft quarter.
Race 3: 2 – 1 – 6
The stands will be “buzzing” with excitement if #2 Beehive (9-5) is able to wire the field. Not because of the price of course…pun intended. The talented 3yo filly by Temple City won easily last time and although stepping in class, faces a field she can certainly handle. I expect her to be 2-for-2 in 2024 after this race is over.
Race 4: 2 – 7 – 4
This race for maiden claimers $10k feels like the right time to take a price on top. Therefore, I’ll go with #2 Collier (8-1) for Trainer Liftin and Gallardo. She takes the biggest drop in racing, maiden special weight to maiden claimer, and her numbers are not that far off the top ones. My main concern is her style…she comes from the back, and this race is only 5 ½ furlongs.
Race 5: 1 – 2 – 3
Pick4: 1,2,3 / 5 / 1 / ALL ($15)
A nice allowance field going two turns comes together to kick off the Late P4, and I’ll go with #1 Graceleadsushome (4-1), who has been facing La.-breds in New Orleans recently. Those races are on par with company here, and I like the tactical speed the mare will show from the inside. Trainer Roussel spots his horses well and should have this one ready off the brief layoff.
Race 6: 5 – 7 – 3
I’ll be very surprised if #5 Ronic (7-5) losses today. He won last time routing and now turns back to a sprint, but he had been facing MUCH tougher throughout his career until he dropped down to $5k claimers in his last. Back up the class ladder, but one he should handle with aplomb.
Race 7: 1 – 5 – 4
#1 Driven One (9-5) is only 3-for-23 lifetime, but has found a very good spot today from the rail while making his 2024 debut. He’s effective on both surfaces and tries dirt today vs. a very soft field. If he’s ready off the layoff for talented trainer Brittany Vanden Berg, he’ll be tough to beat with Felix in the saddle.
Race 8: 9 – 1 – 2
The last race today is a real puzzler. So much so, that I’ve decided to hit the “all-ball” in the Late Pick 4. And because it’s wide-open, I need to find a price, and that horse will be #9 Money Agent (8-1). Even though the 4yo colt is stepping up in class from $6,250 to $20k, those cheaper races were on dirt. He’s been much more effective/faster on turf however, and has never faced this low a level on the grass. If he gets a good trip/ride, he has a big shot to upset the well-balanced field.
