Maiden America Thursday 12.23: Delta Downs Picks and a Turfway Park Pick from the Hooptie Handicapper

Maiden America 12.23.21

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Race 1 Delta Downs - $38K Maiden Special

State Bred 2yo’s going 7.5 Furlongs

8-Cabro Toro (3/1) ran here on Nov. 26 and put up the best Equibase score of the group. The entry is going to take the money today, and I am not backing two horses who have 7 & 6 races respectively and have yet to hit par. 2-Lauri’s Wish (4/1) is my selection. She enters from Gulfstream and is one to keep an eye on the toteboard. She put a solid number in her bow versus much stiffer competition.

Race 5 Delta Downs - $35K Maiden Special

3yo↑ fillies and mares go 6.5 furlongs

5-Palm Court (2/1) should take this. Churchill shipper who is first off the claim for Joel Berndt (25%). A smaller venue like Delta seems the right track for her after racing at NYRA and Churchill. She has been previously trained by Mike Maker, Dallas Stewart and Steve Asmussen.

Race 5 Turfway Park - $62K Maiden Special

Wesley Ward brings in two with 1-Nay Say (5/2) and 4-Madamoussepousse (4/1). Both have had sizzling works heading into tonight, but I am not a fan of turf to synthetic. They both have killed their works at four furlongs; however, this is 2.5 furlongs longer where the horse will not find this surface as easy to get the distance, or as forgiving as turf. This race, to me, is one where you see mildly experienced runners, yet none have come near tonight’s par. I am going with the Gun Runner first-timer 12-Gilded Crest (5/1). Gun Runner, junior sire of the year, is 35% with first time 2yo fillies in msw races. If by chance 14-My Lily Mae (6/1) gets in, she’ll be my choice then.

Happy Hunting!