Spotlight Race of the Week-Pennsylvannia
Box ‘em, Box ‘em, Box ‘em is my motto when it comes to betting the exotics. In last week’s Spotlight race, I went with the second choice Sleeps With Fishes to beat out the favorite Kingbezza. Turned out it went the other way, with Kingbezza getting top honors, paying $5.00 for the win. Boxing the top two picks paid an exacta of $12.80. Not too bad for the pair of favorites.
But we’ll go one better with the Box ‘em theme. My third pick was 15-1 longshot Black Sea Pearl, who was making his second start after a lengthy layoff. The strategy worked well, as he got the third spot and linked followers to a trifecta (if boxed) that paid $114.80. Gotta love those triple-digit payouts!!!
The race that was covered was a $2,000 claimer and both Kingbezza and Sleeps With Fishes have transferred to new barns.
This we the Spotlight travels to Pennsylvania and is directed at the 9th race on the card. This is an open Allowance race that will be tested on the fast dirt track. Eligible horses are those age 3 and over and they will be running a mile.
1. Fabulous Bet 5-2-Makes second start after a seven week layoff. Return trip was disappointing fifth with 87 SP in the slop. Usually does well on off-track. Very consistent on dirt with 12 wins in 36 starts and in-the-money 26 times. Should perform much better this time out.
2. Home Fries 99-1-Has been running over his head for some time. Career best speed of 76 is much below others in this field. May find lower end claimers to be better competitive spot but is at huge disadvantage in allowance level.
3. Glitterpig 6-1-Returns to mile after two fialed tries going longer distance. Mile looks to be preferred distance for this colt who charted a season best speed of 101 during the summer. This is 15th start of year which seems to be on the excessive side, however, this one has shown unique ability to be productive. If longer routes in last two didn’t wear this one down, he’ll have opportunity to score at nice odds.
4. Bad’s Rocket 2-1–From August 2008 through March 2011 this runner had a streak where every race had a speed of 100 or higher except for two. Since March, this six-year old may have lost a step in his stride as the 100-level has been a hard target to hit. Has won graded and stake races in past and has been very tough at allowance level, but red warning flags are flying with recent results.
5. Mayrair Marauder 5-2–Won G3 race a year ago but has had tough times in stake races. Allowance level has been his masterpiece with 6 wins in 7 starts. Hit speeds over 100 in five of last seven outings and looks to be in a good spot entering into this race.
6. Early Fall 15-1–Broke maiden in the beginning of the year and has been on the board once in a dozen subsequent starts. Race mile three times and lost ground in final quarter each time. Speeds have been in mid to upper 80’s of late, best of his career, but still low for the allowance group. May find claimers to be more generous level as doesn’t blend well with this grouping.
7. Beat N Broken 6-1-Last five races resulted in speeds in the 90-range, running in claimers and starter allowance with four seconds. Picked up in low $5k claimer and jumps up to allowance where he has not fared well in past. Only has two weeks rest coming into event, which always a concern, but still looks to have shot of scoring some BP’s and sim cash.
Mayfair Marauder is nearly flawless at this level and gets my vote to win the race.
Fabulous Bet looks to get act back together after last shaky outing.
Third choice to Glitterpig who has bit more experience at this level than Beat N Broken.