We are going with Parx & Mahoning Valley while the weather is free from moisture.
Parx 5th - $35K Allowance N1R
State bred 3yo’s↑ going seven furlongs
#3 Knockout Kick (9/2) Shackleford son won going away in mcl company when last seen here on Nov. 23. Speed type stretches out one furlong and will face winning horses for the first time. He will take a lot of money and I have no interest. #7 Strawberry Red (4/1) looking for win number three in a row, hot trainer Jaime Bravo-Estrada (6:3-1-0 last week), jumping this guy up a click in class. Looking over the pp’s, he does not run well versus full allowance company. That said, he is 13:3-1-0 for $66K at Parx, 3/3 at the distance for $51K and 10:4-0-0 for $71K this year. We will see how he does on a fast track. #2 Wise Jude (15/1) returns to the same level today after being bumped in the start last out and chasing the leaders. He eventually got up for show money and is getting a needed turn back in distance. 24:2-3-9 for $166K at Parx makes him a good choice for exotic plays. #8 Chrisatude (7/2) Reuben Silvera getting it done yesterday with three wins is back in the irons for the second time on this gray grandson of Pollard’s Vision. He is 7:2-1-1 for $46K at Parx and 8:2-1-1 for $40K this year. Abrams/Silvera 19% winners and he responded well to the jockey last race. He will be tough to beat. #9 Geebert (3/1) caught a closer biased track last Dec. 1 and took advantage of a speed duel when closing in the stretch and winning going away in an open starter allowance. It does not appear that he will get the same setup today and his trainer, Robert Mosco, only 10% winners off a win. My choice is a price play on #6 Stay Hydrated (15/1), had a tough trip last out and bumped badly, then moved to within a length of the leaders and tired down the stretch. 3yo gelding out of Stay Thirsty is a much better horse than his odds assume. Penny Pearce/Gerardo Milan 22% together and his pressing style will afford him the chance to close this out. Finally, every horse, five of the nine entries from his last race, which have run, has shown improvement.
Parx 6th - $23K Starter Allowance
Fillies and mares 3yo↑ going a mile and seventy yards
#2 I’m Not Joking (7/2) went off as favorite in last, finally decided to wake up and run when it was too late. Returning three weeks later with the same jockey, she will have a faster pace to move into. 22:7-8-2 for $198K at the course and 22:7-5-5 at the distance are strong enough numbers to bet her in exotics. #7 Mia Bella Rosa (5/1) blew past the field on Dec. 9, in $16K allowance company, today she takes a hike in class from that one. In her four races prior, she ran against tougher company at Laurel and Pimlico and fared decent, winning a $42K starter allowance. Seemingly a horse for the course, she has 15:4-4-3 for $128K and is 4:2-0-0 for $40K at the distance. She is a dead closer and watch for Jamie Rodriguez to lay off the pace and make the run late. #9 Pecan Pattie (8/1) beat tougher three back at Parx and just missed next time at Penn in the slop versus $254K OC N2X while running protected. She lacked any luster in her last race and today, has regular rider Angel Rodriguez in the irons. Every time Angel has ridden her, she’s hit the board. My choice is #1 Slingin Sammy B (4/1) of course I look for Mychael Sanchez whenever there is a route race, and he had this Cross Traffic filly on a three in a row streak before she shipped to Gulfstream for the $80K Glass Slipper Starter Stakes. She went off at short odds and Luis Saez just could not get anything out of her. Sanchez/Taylor 21% together and she is back on her home court where she will continue her winning streak.
Parx 8th - $22K Starter Allowance
3yo↑ going 6.5 furlongs
Running low on time, so, briefly, my choice is #4 Souper Fly Over (4/1) 6yo out of Ghostzapper, Jeremy Laprida is back on board and he will be flying late. Initially, #11 Zaevion (3/1) looked like the choice, yet no races or works at Parx is a concern.
Parx 9th - $50K Starter Allowance
Fillies and mares 3yo↑ going seven furlongs
First and foremost, this is the worst field of runners that I have seen who have raced for this large of a purse. It is nuts. I have two choices - #15 Mary Costa (15/1) thankfully, she is a far run to the only turn, otherwise, she will be hung out. Speed type set torrid fractions last time and will have the benefit of being the pacesetter today. #1 Maglie (5/1) Mario Dominguez 26% with horses off 61-180 days and her four slow works leading up to today makes me suspect they are trying to keep her from being a speed type. Jockey Rigo Sarmiento is a real comer, so keep an eye on him
Mahoning Valley 4th - $21.2K Allowance N2L
2yo’s running six furlongs
#8 Scat’s Choice (5/1) stayed in msw company until graduating, entered the G2 Sorrento at Del Mar, caught fast fractions before tiring to 4th. She has been racing against allowance company sine and has two place finishes. No excuse last out as the big favorite at Mountaineer. We shall see if the Ohio plains are a better environment.
Mahoning Valley 6th - $29K Allowance N2L
Statie fillies and mares 3yo↑ going six furlongs
#7 Diamonds N Dew (2/1) has been knocking on the allowance win door and today will be her day. Luis Rivera gets his third attempt with her and will get to a fast start and wore the field.