Late Pick 5 sequence:
Race 9 SELECTIONS: 11 – 5 – 3
#11 Red Knight has good versatile speed but has a preferred late closing style. In a race with adequate pace up front this nine-year old should be in contention for the win. #5 Agitare had a horrible start last time and also ran on a different surface than anticipated as the race was moved to the All-Weather; anticipated improvement. #3 Pao Alto has yet to attempt a marathon distance but has the pedigree and the connections to make the possibility a reality.
Race 10 SELECTIONS: 7 – 1 – 6
#7 Picking Up Pennies is in great form for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. ; this five-year-old gelding has won his last 3 races; he has great early speed and gets Jose Ortiz in the irons. #1 Miles D has been away from the races for almost a year but is still a threat based on his prior class levels and the competition he faced. #6 Black Belt has shown steady improvement and ran a career best speed figure last time out after a layoff. Although he is stepping up in class, if he maintains the form from his last race he should be in the hunt.
Race 11 SELECTIONS: 9 – 3
#9 Shantisara is an Ireland bred mare with the explosive ability to quicken on the turf. Her last two efforts have not been on par with her aptitude, but if she is on her “A” game she will be the one to beat.
#3 Wakanaka also fits a similar profile as her main rival in this race. Ireland bred filly trained by one of the top turf conditioners in the game; this filly should sit a good trip under jockey Joel Rosario.
Race 12 SELECTIONS: 6 – 12 – 10
#10 Ivar Is a strong late runner with the ability to stay close enough, will run in his fourth consecutive grade 1 and should really appreciate the added distance of today’s contest.
#12 City Man has an affinity for the finish line regardless of the level. Trainer Christophe Clement has been campaigning this six-year-old when he is ready and the efforts have been very good. Even with a step up in class for this grade 1, we should still expect a strong performance.
#6 Lady Speightspeare put us all on notice with her effort in the Breeder’s Cup Filly and Mare Turf, until we go back and look at her victory in the Grade 2 Nassau at Woodbine which was also another top-notch effort on turf. I would not be surprised to see her turn in another really good effort her today.
Race 13 SELECTIONS: 10 – 1 – 8
#10 Cyberknife danced the majority of the big dances last year and comes into this race proven and battle tested. Trainer Brad Cox checks all the boxes with this four-year-old son of Gun Runner, and much like his sire Cyberknife has the potential to get even better has he continues his career.
#1 Proxy has made continuous improvement since the summer for trainer Michael Stidham. I can envision a trip where jockey Joel Rosario comes from the clouds, which is not ideal but would match the strong late closing speed that this son of Tapit possesses.
#8 Get Her Number since moving to trainer Peter Miller in the summer of last year had primarily been running sprints; today he will attempt to show that his grade 1 Cigar Mile runner up finish was no fluke. Another runner in this field that continues to improve, jockey Luis Saez should have this runner in a good forward position.
Let’s make it happen!!!
