Handicapping for late changes and multiple picks for Pick 4s, 5s and 6s. With uncertain afternoon weather on the horizon this week and for most of the summer, most tracks will take their turf races off if downpours arrive. The changes are due to both rider safety and track maintenance although Mick feels that it is more of the second than the first. Rain is good for grass but replacing huge clods is expensive from a labor standpoint. It’s not like harrowing! So based on weather forecasts, always go a little deeper on your horizontal tickets if your think a surface change may come late on the card. The next few days look perfect to work on this.
Weather: Clear and mostly sunny with the possibility of strong storms later in the day.
● ● ●
Belmont Race 5 (3:40 p.m. ET)
2-All Go is an interesting story. His recent wins were at $8 and $10K at Gulfstream Park West but was on the lead turning for home in a G3 since then but got bogged down on a very wet turf course. Kendrick Carmouche gets the leg up for the third straight time and there was improvement in each race. Firmer would be better for this one. 5-Herecomesyourman is a consistent sort that ran a cracker last out on a good turf course similar to what he will have today. He needs to get the right trip since his turn of foot is supect and he is more of a grinder. 1-Go Poke the Bear is an angle the world does not get to see very often. First off the claim for trainer Todd Pletcher doesn’t happen very often. Mostly because he doesn’t claim many horses. But this is a reclaim so he knew what he was buying and the connections gave him the OK to drop $50K on a horse lost a month earlier for only $30K. This is a very strong angle for a trainer that wins at 44% off the claim.
Belmont Race 5
$10 W/P/S 2-All Go
$2 Exacta box 2,5
$1 Trifecta box 1,2,5
● ● ●
Parx Race 4 (2:16 p.m.)
Droppers galore dominate this race and each is in with an angle for success. 2-Teufles and Roses gets cut in half for this one. She has been through the hands of several successful claiming barns in the last year and seen success at a higher level than this in every one. Aggressive connections so this one is in it to win it. 4-Ignite needs the class relief but this may not be enough. She should get a piece but not a major one. 5-Princess Palomar enters here off two subpar efforts off the claim. A return to form puts her in the mix. 10-Viva Nevada gets the outside and should be able to stalk. If she is close to her winter form, she can pick up the pieces and pay a good number.
Parx Race 4
$10 W/P/S 10-Viva Nevada
$2 Exacta box 2,10
$1 Trifecta box 2,5,10
$0.10 Superfecta box 2,4,5,10
● ● ●
Laurel Race 6 (3:45 p.m.)
4-Jarvis Steel comes in here after three straight solid efforts for pilot Horacio Karamanos, the wizard of the turf sprint in Maryland. This one may be better at the shorter distances but is solid here. The trip will be key. 8-Street Copper ran a cracker first off the layoff to win at Monmouth and a repeat here puts this one in the picture. Jockey Julian Pimentel was on board once before and it was a win. 9-Uncle Youdge is a hard knocker that fits here. The outside post will be a challenge and he has burned punter money in the last three. 10-Regal Image is solid but inexperienced. Breeding is regal indeed.
Laurel Race 6
$10 W/P/S 4-Jarvis Steel
$2 Exacta box 4,8
$1 Trifecta box 4,8,9
$0.10 Superfecta Box 4,8,9,10
● ● ●
Monmouth Race 10 (5:00 p.m.) – Honey Bee Stakes
3-A Bit of Both gets the first shot at making this a big stakes weekend for trainer Jason Servis at Monmouth. This filly is 4 for 5 lifetime including 3 in a row although today’s surface is new. Pedigree says it should not be a problem but the lack of experience on the weeds will make the odds better for the punter. 9-Orra Moor showed that turf was OK by her last out but that the trip was beyond her. Today she gets a shorter trip and should be there at the end. 6-Queen of Bermuda is by an international turf sire that gets sprinters and won a G3 on a heavy course over 6f in Europe. Another that should be coming into her own here.
Monmouth Race 10
$10 W/P/S 3-A Bit of Both
$2 Exacta box 3,9
$1 Trifecta box 3,6,9
● ● ●
Delaware Race 5 (3:19 p.m.)
2-She’s Right Again enters here off of a bit of a tour of the US. Yes, others in here have been on a world tour but this one has not made consecutive starts at one track in over a year. But she runs well everywhere she runs and the barn specializes in turfers. 4-Steelin Magnolias spent the winter on the sidelines but enters off a very solid work tab. It’s turf so Graham Motion’s 3-Cosmic Love and Jonathan Sheppard’s 7-High Sierra need to be included based on trainer excellence. Neither have found their calling to date but should be getting close.
Delaware Race 5
$10 W/P/S 2-She’s Right Again
$2 Exacta box 2,4
$1 Trifecta box 2,3,4
$0.10 Superfecta box 2,3,4,7
● ● ●
MICK’S QUICKIE’S:
Belmont Race 9 (5:51 p.m.) – Dancin Renee Stakes: 2-Holiday Disguise gets huge class relief and should have pace to run at here.
Laurel Race 3 (2:08 p.m.): Bonus points if you can sing the song . . . 6-Gold Cadillac.
Monmouth Race 8 (4:01 p.m.): 4-Black Dynamite takes the next logical step. Will remain underwater on that yearling sales price but is moving in the right direction.