Springtime racing is so much more fun! The horses are bouncing around acting giddy. The fans actually come out to the paddock and the rail. Not long until wining horse photos are taken in the . . . Winner’s Circle. Mick may be old school but the use of a side of the paddock (Laurel and Parx) or a spot along the walking route (Aqueduct) to shoot winner’s photos seems cheap. Why can’t tracks set up nice backgrounds for the photos so the background isn’t TV monitors and peoples’ backsides? Every track in the UK has a designated place, inside or out, for the winner to stand and be dismounted. They then use the same area for any post race claiming auctions (a great way to do things that Mick will explain in a future missive). For now, hope for more blue skies and moderate temperatures so winners can be celebrated where they should be . . . the Winner’s Circle.
Picks for March 26, 2019:
Overnight rains should pass but the track will be wet. Assumption here is good rating.
Parx Race 1
$12500 n2 for older girls at 5½f. Much like yesterday’s first race, this one gets a deserving short-priced favorite that should start your day out very well. 2-Ouro Verde is better than this field in virtually every race she has ever run. Trainer Michelle Nevin doesn’t put them on the van unless they are very well intentioned. And a wet track just moves this one further ahead.
$10 W/P/S 2-Ouro Verge
Parx Race 4
$5K n1y claimer for older boys at 8f 70. 7-Ousby is a very interesting horse in here. Regular readers have read Mick’s rants on turf horses but here is a turf horse that had been running in Florida all winter getting shipped north to run in a dirt race. Nothing about this move makes sense except the drop following the two recent miserable outings. So two ways to view this, he is done and should be avoided at all costs OR this race gets him eligible to run in $5K starters on the turf and he might be OK. In either event, his one dirt start should win here so that is all he needs to get back to and not his earlier turf races. This is an all or nothing play because having “eased” close up in the comments lines may be a harbinger of doom. Several others with a chance include 3-High Dollar Kitten, 4-Final Ritual, and 1-Sunshine Sperry.
$10 W/P/S 7-Ousby
$2 Exacta box 3,4,7
$1 Trifecta box 3,4,7
$1 Superfecta box 1,3,4,7
Parx Race 5
$10K maiden boys at 8f 70. 6-Wheelbarrelbrothrs is getting really good at burning cash. Big favorite in the last two and checked in 3rd both times. Mick thinks this one needs to see turf to fulfill his promise so look elsewhere again. Instead give 3-De Punta a Punta a shot. He showed a new found pulse last out and will pay well.
Parx Race 6
$10K claimer for fillies and mares at 6f. 3-Rio Vista wins with a repeat of her last race but has never strung two top races together before. 1-Dan’s Girl goes to a better barn off the claim (21% vs 12%) and is at the same level and price as her most recent victory. So do you feel lucky? Bet on the bounce or against it. Mick gives YOU the choice.