Thoroughbreds Monday: McMudder looks at races at Parx and Delaware Park

Obviously, Mick needs to address the DQ issue. Should Maximum Security have been disqualified from his finish and placed behind the last horse effected by his changing of paths on the second turn? Yes, the Stewards did the right thing but why did it take so long? (They wanted to get it right) Was that political? (No) Was it unanimous? (Yes) Ultimately, the decision should have been fairly straightforward. Luis Saez allowed his horse, Maximum Security, to float out impeding War of Will and Long Range Toddy. Long Range Toddy’s rider Jon Court filed an objection but War of Will’s did not. Even though Flavien Prat on Country House made an objection, his horse did not appear to be directly affected to the extent of the others. So, in Mick’s humble opinion, if Jon Court had not filed an objection there would have been no change. But since he did, the Stewards were required to address the objection and they did so appropriately. So what should come out of all of this? Luis Saez should get penalty days and Flavien Prat should buy Jon Court something really nice for filing the objection.

Picks for May 6, 2019:

Everything is saturated. No racing on turf today…but then again, none was scheduled locally.

Parx Race 3
3-Assail has not been on a fast dirt track in over a year so she will be in familiar territory today. She takes a drop and looks to be lone speed, a very important angle on an off track. 4-To the Flag has been respectable in the off going and is coming off a win at a lower level. Odd that connections have chosen the jockey to have NOT won on this one recently to ride. 2-Jemrose has struggled at this level previously but gets the rider from her last victory back today. Look for the track to be sticky by the third.
$10 W/P/S 3-Assail
$2 Exacta Box 2,3,4
$1 Trifecta Box 2,3,4

Parx Race 5
A PA bred maiden race on an off track is always a challenge, made more so here by firsters from barns that excel with young horses. 1-American Praise makes his maiden voyage here with hot jockey Mychel Sanchez up. The barn wins with firsters, the pedigree is good in mud, and the recent work in the mud was solid. 3-Pictor was a solid runner up last out in the mud and a repeat performance could land this one. Trainer Bernie Houghton is 20% second out and excels with young horses. 8-Defibrillator is an inconsistent sort that needs to move up off his last effort.
$10 W/P/S 1-American Praise
$2 Exacta box 1,3,8
$1 Trifecta box 1,3,8

Delaware Race 1
4-Queen Nekia is getting a shot to finally break through at this level in a short field on a surface that should help move her up. 1-Setubal gets another shot at this level with a change in venue. She has been knocking and should be close again here. 2-Hola Princess takes a step up here to a level she has only tried once previously. She has been consistent but has lacked the ability to seal the deal.
$10 W/P/S 4-Queen Nekia
$2 Exacta box 1,2,4
$1 Trifecta box 1,2,4

Delaware Race 3
Nonwinners of two lifetime races often are a battle of mediocre older mares and unproven 3-year-old fillies. This race eliminates the older component and is only for the 3-year-old fillies. 2-Firey and Gorgeous has never faced older but has been consistent with these. She has improved since her maiden breaker and continues to face similar. 3-Creedibility takes a drop after trying to find the right company previously. 4-Sky Run looks like the other likely one here.
$10 W/P/S 2-Firey and Gorgeous
$2 Exacta box 2,3,4
$1 Trifecta box 2,3,4