Stronach 5 Bonus Coverage (Guest Post by John Pinder)

I had the pleasure of meeting John at the NHC two years ago when he made a deep run and we’ve kept in touch. He graciously offered to provide some bonus analysis of the Stronach 5 today and I was happy he did. Take it away, John!

Hello Ladies and Gents. Happy to lend a few ideas and thoughts to the ITM platform.  Before we get down to brass tacks, a few words about as to who is this good-looking guy whom PTF has found on the planet Texas, not named JK or Nick Tammaro.  My Name is John Pinder, horseplayer since I can remember.  My Dad was a man of few words but he always came alive when routing home his horse, who would just miss hitting board, the seed was planted.  Contest play has really helped propel my handicapping to the next level, NHC Semifinalist in 2019. Focusing in on who can WIN the race, regardless of price is where I will focus and provide my insight. – Enough about me.  WE – you and I – Let’s get after this week’s Stronach 5!

This week’s kickoff leg to one of the best bets in racing will be a challenging one – Let’s make sure that we take into consideration the top contenders and the next logical competitors, using our strongest opinions to build our tickets.

Leg A:               Laurel Park Race 7      5½ Furlongs. (Turf) Clm 16000n2L

A’s:

5 Gennie Highway Long layoff – Ran well last year before LO – Bullet last workout

13 Twirling Wind Broke her maiden on the turf at this distance – Top notch connections

15 Got Blues AE – Shipper for Motion – Long layoff – Consider if she gets a spot in the starting gate

B’s:

4 Judi Blue Eyes Has the speed on dirt – This is the second attempt to get her on the turf

6 Pins and Needles Tampa shipper – Gets a good jockey

9 Toma On the bench since Feb – Quick recent workout – Trainer good with dirt to turf

Leg B:               Gulfstream Race 9     1 Mile. (Dirt) OC 25000

Hoping to pare down in this leg slightly

A’s:

4 Sky Chaser Looks like a strong fit in here – Could be compromised by the additional distance

5 Lil Miss Hotshot Strong contender – 2nd off the bench – Should improve even more

B’s:

8 Free to Fly Recent numbers are wanting – New barn – Maybe turns it around

Leg C:               Laurel Park 8     1 Mile. Alw 55000nc

Very competitive race – Pace makes the race – Should be a good one.

A’s:

1A Name Changer Versatile Runner – Will compete for the win

3 Harpers First Ride Very good closer – Will be super live with a pace – Should get the setup

7 Cordmaker Long layoff, but this one was a BEAST all last year other than G2 going out to 1 1/4 – A+

B’s:

8 Alwaysmining LRL specialist, but I believe he wants the lead – Lots of good competition today –

Leg D:               Gulfstream Park 10      1 Mile. (Turf) Mdn 47k

They don’t make it easy on us Horseplayers do they?  This one has lots of firsters with good connections and good pedigrees.

A’s:

4 Mony Great connections – Ran well first time out back in March – Should improve A/B – Upgrading to an A because he has a race

6 Joe Benjamin Figures fit – Good connections – Wet track last time – Solid A

10 Salow Firster that looks ready based on workouts on the turf (+) for Wesley Ward – Strong pedigree

B’s:

8 Unbridled Tizzy Firster that looks ready based on workouts for Casse – Strong pedigree

11 Fake Muse Figures fit – Outside draw will make it tough – Has speed to clear, but that will take a little starch out. – Lacks that finishing touch

Leg E:               Laurel Park 9     1 1/16 Mile. (Turf) Alw 42000nc

Should be a competitive race here in the last.  Number one seems like the horse to beat, but let’s cover our basis and our bottom line.

A’s:

1 J Beresford Tipton Good Runner – Needs a good pace – Should get it from the 6

8 Aransas Gulfstream shipper – Runs on late – Good connections – Will benefit if it gets hot

B’s:

6 Cannon’s Roar Could get brave on the front end and rock them to sleep

7 Epitomize Motion has been working him on of the turf every week since the beginning of May

Below is a screenshot from DRF’s Ticketmaker of how I plan on playing my ticket.  Goes without saying that I did not include all of my opinions, but the strongest are listed below – C I T A (Can’t Include Them ALL)

Money talks, right?

Let’s make it happen!