Picks for January 8, 2019:
Saturdays rains should be distant memories on Tuesday at Parx but the cool temperatures and cloud cover will do little to dry out the track. Look for fast but the surface should retain considerable moisture
Parx Race 2
A very even race for $5K older boys at 5½. Why is this an even race? The best horse is coming off 113 days away and 3 other horses are coming off longer. And three other were in the same race 10 days ago where they all ran poorly. Gotta hope Jamie Ness has 5-Forest Blue ready to roll because he won’t get a softer landing spot off the bench.
Pick: $10 W/P/S 5-Forest Blue
Parx Race 4
4-Thatta Boy Girl makes the logical step up after winning last out. She was impressive that day but stretches out to 7f, a new distance for her. It’s hard to see anyone going with her and bravery on the front end works.
Pick: $20 W/P/S 4-Thatta Boy Girl
Parx Race 7
Four runners in this PA bred allowance are on virtually identical form cycles but only one of them has early speed. Track bias handicapping says bet lone speed and 7-Smokinpaddylassie looks like loan speed or tracking off 4-Aussie Mist. Look for 1-Sweet Maggie Mae to be rolling late.
Picks: $5 W/P/S 7-Smokinpaddylassie, $1 Trifecta 7/1,4/1,4
Mahoning Valley Race 1
A $4K race for non-winners of three races in a year. This is a condition that does not exist at most tracks so it is common to see horses with early year success and poor recent form in here. Bingo! So who stands out as being on a good form cycle? 3-Seeya When I Seeya fits. He seems to be enjoying the return to the dirt and is in a 20% barn.
Pick: $10 W/P/S 3-Seeya When I Seeya
And now for some quickies….
Parx Race 9
2-It’s Good to Be Us. After six months off and the $650K price tag, it better be. Mick wonders if the connections considered gelding this one during the break.
Mahoning Valley Race 2
1-D’Platinum looks like a lock here but best horse from top connections should feel that way. It’s good to see Ron Paolucci still in the game. When he reported that he was getting out of owning horses last summer, Mick was saddened. Owners who can play at the highest levels (Ria Antonia) and with $4K claimers make it possible for everyone to dream.
Mahoning Valley Race 4
Can you ignore a 0% trainer with a 0% jockey? 3-Eskendulce is first off the claim by a barn that is 0 for Mahoning and at 3% in 400+ starts in the last year. The horse is being raised from the $8K claim tag to $15K. Why is Mick having angst here? Because 3-Eskendulce is about as consistent as they come. 11/13 ITM at Mahoning. 10/16 ITM at the distance. 10/12 W/P in the last year. Might need to be ready with a flutter if that M/L goes higher.