Monday at the track: Garrity picks races at Will Rogers Downs and Fonner Park, including the $55,000 More Than Even Stakes at WRD
With only Fonner Park in Nebraska and Will Rogers Downs in Oklahoma running, we are going to keep things short and sweet today. We have four plays, two from each track, and are expecting fast dirt in all of them. Let’s go.
Will Rogers Downs, Race 6, 4:45 pm EDT
Allowance, 1 mile, Dirt, 3 & Up
This very tough second-level allowance drew a field of ten. We like 4-Drifting West. He’s a 4-year-old colt who we think is better than his form suggests: he came off a layoff in March at Oaklawn, where he was fed to the wolves against a very tough field, on a sloppy track he didn’t like; he finished far back. Then on April 28 he ran in a Will Rogers allowance, with conditions very similar to today’s, but had a very wide trip, which pretty much eliminated any chance to win, but he still tried hard, finishing a decent 4th, only three lengths behind the winner. Here he gets an inside trip, which should help him avoid losing ground around the turns, and he figures to get an ideal trip from a pace standpoint, as he’s a stalker, and there is enough speed to set the race up for him. We think Drifting West is sitting on a big race and will bet him to win at 4-1. The bet: Will Rogers Downs, race 6, $40 to win on 4-Drifting West.
Fonner Park, Race 2, 5:27 pm EDT
Maiden Special Weight, 6 furlongs, Dirt, Nebraska-bred Fillies & Mares 3 & Up
We like the favorite here, 2-Zibby Too. She’ll be a short price, but as long as she can run in a reasonably straight line, she should win this. She had better break her maiden this afternoon, because she will never in her live see another field this collectively slow. Look for her to stalk the pacesetters and move to the front at the top of the stretch. We will bet her to win at 2-1. The bet: Fonner Park, Race 2, $30 to win on 2-Zibby Too.
Will Rogers Downs, Race 9, 6:15 pm EDT
$55,000 More Than Even Stakes, 1 1/16 miles, Dirt, Oklahoma-bred Fillies & Mares 3 & Up
The More Than Even, a nice little stakes for state-bred females, drew a field of eleven. We like a longshot, 2-She’s All Wolfe. She won her last race, a similar stakes race, by coming off the pace, and we think that’s a fit here, as there are several runners with high early speed, including a few stretch-out sprinters, and there should be a robust early pace. Look for her to sit mid-pack, and to be moving late. She’ll need to improve from a speed figure standpoint to take this, but she’s a 3-year-old, and they can improve quickly, especially this time of year. We will bet her to win at 12-1. The bet: Will Rogers Downs, Race 9, $25 to win on 2-She’s All Wolfe.
Fonner Park, Race 6, 7:15 pm EDT
Allowance, 1 mile, Dirt, Fillies & Mares 3 & Up
Eight female horses go in this first-level allowance. It’s a mile, which at Fonner involves negotiating three turns, making saving ground crucially important. We like 6-Banker Nita, a stretch-runner who should get an ideal trip today: we’re expecting a speed duel, as there are a couple of one-way front-runners in the group, and Banker Nita should be able to save ground behind the speed, and take over when the pacesetters begin to shorten stride. Look for her to be toward the rear early, to move up slowly in the middle of the race, to move to the front around the far turn, and to win going away down the home stretch. We will bet her to win at 3-1. The bet: Fonner Park, Race 6, $30 to win on 6-Banker Nita.
That’s all for today. Until tomorrow, enjoy the racing, stay safe, and, as always, good luck at the windows.