RT picks the late Pick 4 at Parx, and offers best wishes to retiring track announcer Keith Jones
Parx Racing 12.21.2020
After 33 years, Keith Jones, the Parx race caller is retiring to Texas. A personal favorite, Keith has called more than 60,000 races and he will be missed. Who knows, maybe he’ll show up at Lone Star to pinch hit a time or two? Keith will be a tough act to follow. Thank you for the great memories, Mr. Jones.
Upcoming track openings:
Santa Anita December 26th
Turf Paradise January 4th
Sam Houston January 8th
Oaklawn January 22nd
Taking a stab at the late pick four today
Race 7 - $7.5K Claimers N3L
3yo’s↑ going 7F
Fast pace in this one and with a field of fifteen runners going seven furlongs, I tend to lean heavier to the jockey and consider this a route race, although it’s only one turn.
# 2 King Ranch (8-1) may prove dangerous in this due to a rare entry by RudyRod, who is 40% at Parx. Jockey Jaime Rodriguez 16% in routes and 2-2 with Rudy’s horses. A front runner, this will be just his second time off the turf, a turn back in distance by one furlong, and a big drop in tag may be what’s needed. #13 Justice Of War (8/1) having a great campaign in 2020, 4:2-0-1 for $28K, Linda Rice ships this Tiznow grandson to Parx where she is 18% off this length of layoff and 20% off a last winner. Twelve days ago, he had a sharp work of 1:01.8, so his form is sound. #3 El Dulzura (15/1): After three consecutive tries at this level, he finally put out a decent effort, laying near the pack and having a late rally. Do not count on a repeat performance as the top four runners out of that race put out their best number in a long time. Pass. #7 Talented Son (8/1) went off as the favorite last out, got knocked around at the start and simply couldn’t recover. This will be jockey Abner Adornos’ second look and given the horses run patterns, you’re going to see a better effort. #10 Tally Mo (6/1): A must have on your ticket, this is Edward Colettis’ first off the claim runner where he is 20%. As important, Mychael Sanchez, Parx leading jockey, has the mount. Together, they are a 23% win prop and tossing out the recent turf and slop races, this gelding is tough at Parx. I sincerely doubt that Sanchez will take him to the lead and given the far draw with speed to his outside, it wouldn’t surprise to see him tuck closer in and shoot for the late purge. #1 Too Much Johnnie (4/1), another beaten favorite, has been claimed three four times in a row. Michael Pino 18% off the claim and 20% with Angel Castillo. This year, he has gone 12:1-3-3 for $45K and at Parx, he’s 18:2-4-4 for $80K. Castillo retains the mount after three previous trainers and will bounce this guy straight to the lead and try to wire the field. #5 Goldenlineof (8/1) trainer Mario Doninguez 19% when stretching out and 20% with horses off a win. Rigo Sarmiento (15% in routes) retains the mount. Benefactor of a face pace last time, he will get the same set up today and will be a late factor. #14 Alongcametheprinve (7/2) is going off as the favorite due to the big class drop from last out. Given the positive results from the runners in his last race, he should not be excluded form your ticket. However, I would tread lightly as this horse does not have a race or workout at Parx.
This is anyone’s race and I would be prone to take, from a win/place perspective, I would go with #10 Tally Mo.
Race 8 - $22K Starter Allowance NW$Y
3yo’s↑ going 6F
#1 Factor This In (8/5) Ness/Frankie 30% winners and Ness 25% with last out winners. Outstanding campaign this year hitting 8:3-4-0 for $75K. He will certainly be a consideration today and will be pressing the speed. #7 King’s House (8/1) jumped out to a huge lead versus many in this race today. He set some mean fractions for his first off the claim for Patrick Ashton. Jockey Girardo Milan rode this Harlington-sired gelding a year ago and it’s doubtful that he’ll change this front runner's style. Today’s turn back of a ½ furlong may be a needed tonic. #8 American Talent (10/1) is going to surprise a few people today. Coming out of an open $8K claiming race in his last, Anthony Salgado kept looking for racing room and ended up too far back to win yet ended up with place money. 14:3-3-2 for $145K at Parx speaks for itself. #4 Manolete (6/1) has four winners in ten races this year and is coming off a $16K allowance race win at Penn. Silvestre Gonzalez returns to the irons and he will take him straight to the lead. My choice in this is #3 Flashy Kyem (8/1) Sanchez/Flores-Coba eight wins in sixteen tries. Moved to GP in late February then summarily benched until June, changed trainers a couple of times, won a $8K N1Y claimer in early October, then returned to Parx where he had an airing out race versus tougher three weeks ago. This late flying son of Medalist is 34:7-9-4 for $385K at Parx and 17:3-4-2 for $160K at the distance.
Race 9 - $22k Starter Allowance NW$Y
3yo↑ fillies and mares going 6F
Speed, speed and more speed today with #2 Gator Girl (12/1) #3 Always Talking (5/1) #9 Love On Fire (2/1) and #8 Gossip Isle (15/1) all fighting for the lead coming into the turn. Love On Fire is going for her third win in a row and certainly has the wherewithal to pull away late from the pack. However, her last race was an outlier where the competition had never put up that large of a number before, so I am against this favorite. #2 Gator Girl (12/1) and #5 Midnight Miracle (6/1) return from that same race as the 9, so pass. That leaves #3 Always Talking who is first off the claim for Daniel Velazquez (24%). Another speed horse, Abner Adorno gives this granddaughter of Speightstown a first try and together with this trainer, are 20%. 14:5-2-4 for $96K this year and with the returning horses from his last race all showed improvement, makes him a live play at a price. #1 Charity Stripe (3/1) although not a huge nod, this Successful Appeal mare is my co-choice. With Frankie in the irons and Tim Kreiser training, they are teaming together for the first time. Kreiser 36% winner at Parx and Pennington a 20% winner. Had she not put up her recent numbers at Penn, where I am suspect of their reporting data, I would have singled her.
Race 10 - $7.5K Claimers N4L
Fillies and mares 3yo’s↑ going 6F
Running low on time, so my choices are #2 Creedability (5/1) #1a Cawaja Time (4/1) and #11 JJ Loves Billy (3/1) with the preference to 1a, who is in razor sharp form right now.
