$25K Starter Allowance for the ladies NWx or NW4. 7 furlongs
#7 Roselba (10/1) on the bench since early October, she has had a couple of slow works since, perhaps signaling the trainer intention to rate her rather than make her the speed. Trainer Rory Huston 75% with horses off 61-180 days. Can loom a danger. #9 Steady Love (9/2) cannot exclude any Claudio Gonzalez entry and you will find out what his instruction will be to jockey Jomar Torres within moments after the gate opens. The bias of this track is not playing to the outside and certainly not to the speed from the nine spot. A bet in the exotics is best. #1 Still Alive and #1a She’s Primo (7/2) connections of this entry confident getting Sanchez and Laprida riding. In her last race, Still Alive laid up next to the pacesetter, drew even at the turn, then signaled once with the whip and took off like a bolt. Hand ridden out, she won easily by seven lengths. This daughter of Midshipman is 5:3-0-0 for $71K at Parx, scored her highest lifetime Equibase number, and made it look easy. She’s Primo is third off the layoff and can improve off her last race as she appears headed in the right direction and placed in the best spot. #3 Dilly Dilly Philly (8/1) trainer Scott Lake scalding of late with a 17:6-2-2 record. Claimed two back, she gets a furlong and seventy-yard length abatement today and that will be a welcome site for this speed horse.
My choice is the entry if it stays intact. If not, I’ll take a crack at the price with #7 Roselba.
$35k Optional Claimer for 3yo+ NW2x or NW3. One mile, seventy yards
Given the competition, and the ability to make a case for nearly every entry, this should be a great betting race. #10 Flat Out Beautiful (3/1), #7 Bumperdoo (20/1), #8 Bird King (4/1), #5 Koan (12/1) and #2 Ruby Bleu (12/1) have all just raced against each other in their last on November 11th. Flat Out Beautiful has the always emulous Jamie/Frankie tandem. #9 Confessor (8/1) got off to a slow start in his last before summarily trashing the field by ten in its last at Penn on November 20. Moves up in class today and is trained by the aforementioned Scott Lake. #3 Irish Cork (9/2) just scored in a statie $35K allowance for his second in a row, benched and now returns after three sharp :48+ works. #4 Rock On Luke (5/2) won its last race and gets Mychael Sanchez for his second ride. He will be the speed.
My very slight nod goes to Irish Cork.
$21K Allowance for fillies and mares, 3yo+ NWx or NW2. One mile
#9 Cosi Momosi (4/1) is moving up after dismissing claimers in NW3 and NW4 last two. This track has played well of late to routers from the seven plus draw. Her front/stalking style will bode well today. #2 Grady’s Lady (6/1) is similar in that she is going for her third win in a row after scoring well in the past two claimers. #1 Wedding Day Kitten (15/1) is the Mid-Atlantic traveler hitting Pid, CT, Mnr, Lrl, and now back here for another winter. Her last trip showed improvement and will be worth playing in the tri or super. Late flying Loran Holiday (7/2) is third off the layoff and hot jockey Sonny Leon returns to the irons. #4 Templement (3/1) is going to be bet down because of her strong numbers. Claimed two back, she was sent off as the second choice in the windows. She ran a solid race hanging in for the place.
# 5 Friday (8/1) is a real danger today as she can get after it when there’s a dirt track that is fast.
My choice is #7 Heaven Sent Angel (5/1). Coming back just eleven days later and running a solid race in the state bred First Lady Stakes, she smoked a $31K allowance field prior and draws a favorable post. This is her third race off a layoff and first race on a fast track since arriving, look for her to stay near the lead and draw away at the turn.
1st – Celtic Vow
2nd – ET’s Night Ranger
3rd – Wood Bee
4th – Watch Your Words
5th – Owin I Am and Even Thunder
6th – Don’t Make It Easy
7th – Highwaytwentyseven
10th – No Fly Zone