Wednesday at the track: Garrity goes to Indiana Grand, Parx Racing, and Lone Star Park
We have three plays today, at three different tracks, in just over an hour. We expect fast dirt in the first and third, and soft turf in the second. Let’s go.
Parx Racing, Race 9, 4:31 pm ET
Starter Allowance, 6 furlongs, Dirt, 3 & Up
The nightcap at Parx has nine starter allowance horses going six furlongs on the main track. The pick is: 2-White Bluff, who was claimed last out by trainer Scott Lake. Lake is good first off the claim, with a 17% win rate, but what we particularly like is speed: White Bluff has a lot of it, and the rest of the field does not. We think he will control this race on the front end, and win going away. We will bet him to win at 4-1. The bet: Parx Racing, Race 9, $35 to win on 2-White Bluff.
Indiana Grand, Race 8, 5:36 pm ET
Allowance/Optional Claiming, 1 mile, Turf, Fillies & Mares 3 & Up
There was rain in Indiana yesterday, and while we think this race will stay on turf, we think the grass will have some give to it. That makes 7/5 morning line favorite 5-Zuzanna, a former $8,000 claimer who won a Grade 3 stakes at Del Mar last out, a mammoth underlay, and the opportunity to bet against her makes this a good betting race. We like 2-War Cabinet, a stretch runner trained by Reeve McGaughey. We think War Cabinet will like the soft going, and we think that there will be enough early pace to set up his late run. Look for him to be last early and flying late. We will bet him to win at 7/2. The bet: Indiana Grand, Race 8, $40 to win on 2-War Cabinet.
Lone Star Park, Race 7, 5:45 pm ET
Allowance, 6½ furlongs, Dirt, 3 & Up
Nine go in this first-level allowance. 7-Violent Ridge is a strong play: he spent the winter at Oaklawn Park, where he ran quite well, and while he stiffed in his last race, which was at Lone Star, we are willing to draw a line through that effort, as it was over a muddy track that he clearly did not like. A reversion to his Oaklawn form, which we are expecting, will be more than good enough to win this. We will bet him to win at 9/5, and we will do so enthusiastically. The bet: Lone Star Park, Race 7, $50 to win on 7-Violent Ridge.
That’s all for today. Until next time, enjoy the racing, be safe, and, as always, good luck at the windows.