Picks made for fast track and on turf.
Race 1
6: Blushinstreetdevil: Think this one might be able to get to the front here and go on.
2: Courageous Timmy: Has run two good ones here at the track; expect another one.
Race 2
1: Lima Zulu: Appears to have landed in a good spot here in first start for Stidham.
6: Humor Me Please: Ran in spots in last; 2nd time around two turns may help chances.
Race 3
1: Let It Be: Will pop the gate and try to go gate to wire from the inside rail.
6: Two Dot: Closed nicely in last to get up for 2nd and looks to repeat that effort.
Race 4
4: Booster Shot: Ran well in a wide effort in last and Reylu gets back onboard for Stall.
6: Power Alley: Likely something here as Graham hops aboard for first time starter.
Race 5
7: Lone Star Max: First-time starter faces a few making first start; working well for this.
1: Righteous Freedom: Showed good speed off long layoff; should be fit for today’s effort.
Race 6
6: Salsalita Verde: Trainer has done well with limited first time starters going long
8: Mischievous Gal: Ran very well first out: stretches out and gets blinkers for first time.
Race 7
5: Moment of Stardom: Has two wins over this course and has the right running style.
9: Greeley Went West: Should be outside part of the course and closing through the stretch,
Race 8
4: Fifteen Love Back: Going back to this one; odd running in last: gets jockey change.
7: Underdog: Has run well enough in past few to take this but has to work out a trip.
Around the Track
The race for top jockey and trainer stayed fairly consistent through the five-day holiday card week with Reylu Guiterrez and Bret Calhoun maintaining their leads over their rivals. Guiterrez has made 33 trips to the winner’s circle while both James Graham and Jareth Loveberry are not far behind with 27 wins apiece. The leading trainer race stayed stable as well with Calhoun continuing to lead Brad Cox and Ron Faucheux. Calhoun has saddled 23 winners while Cox has amassed 15 wins and Faucheux 13.
Best bet
Our Best Bet will be in Race 2 — No. 1 Lima Zulu, who is making a first start for a trainer doing well in the early part of the meet.
Good luck and may they all come home safely.