No good horizontal offerings today so it is back to the basics with verticals at Parx and Delaware Park. It will be hot, so the focus returns to horses that do well in the heat. These are often the old warriors that benefit from the extra temperature to get warmed up but are professional enough not to overheat. Look for reduced post parades today to aid. So the focus is first on old warriors with back class, second on horses shortening up, and third on horses getting pilot changes to calmer and quieter riders. The challenge is avoiding those runners with issues that can get worse with heat like bleeding.
Today's weather: Toasty. Should remain dry today but storms are coming.
PICKS FOR JULY 29, 2019:
Parx Race 5
4-Fleet Gold Digger fits the bill as the old class horse in here. He has 10 wins, is a reclaim for current connections and ran well last out. He has legitimate speed but has shown the ability to sit a trip and finish. 9-Thomas Knight is another back class runner that is taking the drop here. His last effort can be excused based on a sloppy track and he has won going this distance on this track with better. Paco Lopez coming down to ride is a big plus…but what else would he do on a Monday? Go to the beach? 7-Musical Comedy needs to be used on the bottom of the trifectas and superfectas because that is where he usually finishes. He tries but is not up with the others. 3-Stand and Salute is another old warrior that fits at this level. He runs late so he should be picking up the pieces, at worst.
$10 W/P/S 4-Fleet Gold Digger
$2 Exacta box 4,9
$1 Trifecta box 3,4,9
$0.10 Superfecta box 3,4,7,9
Delaware Park Race 3
Maiden 2-year-old fillies going two turns on turf. No back class here but lots of interesting firsters. This race will be won by the most professional of the group, so Mick is looking for experience or top notch breeding. None of the runners with experience have shown much talent so the focus goes on to breeding and connections. The advantage goes to 4-Pleasant Mo who is by red hot sire Uncle Mo, has solid works and is coming from a 18% firster barn. The breeding says more ground may be in her future but 7 ½ should work first time. 3-Gypsy Girl is out of a good producing Affirmed mare so the surface and distance should fit. Trainer Tony Pecoraro continues to excel at the meet although winning with firsters is not his best angle. 2-Pictureperfect Usa started her career for trainer Wesley Ward in claiming company which is not a great sign, but she has been given time to grow up and comes in here for a barn that excels (27%) off the layoff.
$10 W/P/S 4-Pleasant Mo
$2 Exacta box 3,4
$1 Trifecta box 2,3,4
Mick’s Quickie’s
Parx Race 3: 3-Rochela is a suspect favorite here and will be short priced. Use that fact and go get some value with 1-Skookie. She ran poorly last time but has been freshened for a barn that excels on the layoff and the drop.
Delaware Park Race 4: 1-Viradia has been shipped around to find the right company. Today she should find this small group to be to her liking. She is the controlling speed, on the rail, and has the best rider. Should be enough.
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