The Tuesday card was cancelled after the third race after an incident regarding ambulance response times caused concern and eventually the ending of the card (not sure what I can and cannot plug but there are more specific articles to find on the subject). Fields today look competitive on paper, so let’s not waste any time and get into the Wednesday card.
All times EDT
RACE 1 – 6 furlongs, Maiden Special Weight Post Time: 3:30 p.m
A P Sweetheart (#1) looks to have turned the corner after a strong run at Horseshoe Indy. Honorandaprayer (#4) was close last time out and faces some of the same horses she saw on August 4th. The fact Gaddiel Martinez climbs back aboard Back The Crick (#3) after a disastrous debut gives me enough confidence to include this horse, banking on improvement in start number two. This horse also just worked 5 furlongs in 58.4 seconds, a time worth considering.
Race 1 selections:1-4-3
RACE 2 – Maiden Claimer $7,500 Post Time: 3:57
Ennerielly (IRE) (#1) is the only horse here that really looks to have the opportunity to reverse form, having not run since April at Tampa Bay Downs. Cookie Bear (#8) is a horse making her first start, and I’m sure I’ve recently mentioned the 3-furlong breeze before debut angle before. She happened to turn her breeze in a professional 36.3 seconds. Thy Name Is Woman (#2) was close last time on a biased track, so it will be interesting to see how she comes out of that race.
Race 2 selections:1-8-2
RACE 3 – 1 mile 70 yards, Claiming $5,000 Post Time: 4:24
Burnin Turf (#3) at 6-1 on the morning line is a price I want all day, dropping class and showcasing the ability to go the distance with 5 wins and 3 other in-the-money finishes in 9 starts. Tommy B (#1) has also shown he can go the distance with a second-place finish last time out and could benefit from a less-biased track. Every horse that finished ahead of Maynard (#5) ran back in the money, including two wins. I could see him hitting the board here.
Race 3 selections:3-1-5
RACE 4 – 6 furlongs, Claiming $6,250 Post Time: 4:51
Thunder Cane (#5) is a safe pick here, given his recent success and 5-for-7 record hitting the board at 6 furlongs. Valid Sense (#8) has some experience on the Gulfstream Park Tapeta and should be in a class more suited to him. Night Ride (#3) might need a start to get himself back to form but I don’t hate speculating that he could run in the money in his first start this year.
Race 4 selections:5-8-3
RACE 5 – 6 furlongs, Claiming $16,000 Post Time: 5:18
These Apples (#3) ran into Timeforanangel last time, a horse I selected that day, and I think she runs a winning race based on her effort last time out. Rock N Reward (#5) will be a tough customer however, as the duo of Scooter Davis and jock Antonio Gallardo is always worth a look, and she’s won her last three starts. This time last year was when Awesome Empress (#7) was in her best form, and she just turned a half-mile work in 46.3 seconds, so I’ll slot her into third.
Race 5 selections:3-5-7
RACE 6 – 1 mile 70 yards, Claiming $6,250 Post Time: 5:45
Too Much Fun (#4) romped to her first win last time out by over 8 lengths and I think betting her back in this spot is a smart move at the 6-1 line. Kathlyn’s Phalanx (#7) has faced stiff company and this field might suit her better. Red Haired Girl (#8) was in the money for each of her three tapeta starts and should compete to hit the board today.
Race 6 selections:4-7-8
RACE 7 – 1 mile 70 yards, Claiming $13,500 Post Time: 6:12
I don’t see how Naked Eye (#4) loses after winning at this distance by 4 lengths last time out. I expect her biggest challenger to be Little Martha (#1) off the strength of three straight wins, the last coming in allowance company. Cocktail Kisses (#10) could return to form in a class drop to a level she’s more comfortable in.
Race 7 selections:4-1-10
RACE 8 – 1 mile 70 yards, Maiden Claiming $7,500 Post Time: 6:39
I’ll stay with the wide draw and bank on Both Sides Of Bad (#10) who makes his first start on all-weather. Gleaming (#6) gets jock Walber Alencar, who I think (I need stats to prove it) makes a difference when getting a horse he’s never ridden before. It may be the case that Mr. Impatient (#9) ran himself into better condition with his most recent start, as before that his workout times would definitely led me to picking him.
Race 8 selections:10-6-9
See you next week for Presque Isle Downs racing!
