Picks Made Today for Fast Track and ON Turf
Race 1
5 – Arctic Rose – change in barns is a plus here as this one moves to a new barn with speed
4 – Argybargy Buck – ran a total clunker in last should show significant improvement today
Race 2
5 – Zydeco Music – seems to get a good setup here allowing for a sit of the speed trip today
3 – Lady Ave – this is the one to beat here with a 3-race win streak on the line and top jock
Race 3
8 – Stealing Apriority – another moving into a new barn who can show improvement for win
4 – Heartthrob – has had two good runs over this track – third race off layoff is key here
Race 4
1 – Plants and Birds – changes surfaces from turf to dirt – maybe the change needed for win
4 – Avendore – nice 2nd in last over the summer – working steadily towards this start
Race 5
3 – Keys Included – no chance with wide trip in last – get some value today based on that trip
4 – Costellos Kitten – may be the speed of this group which makes him dangerous for a win
Race 6
1 – Big Beemster – won first race at Churchill – ran well in last – could offer value here
6 – Special Operator – comes out of a fast race will need to negotiate a trip from outside
Race 7
8 – Fujin – ran very well on dirt first out – trainer’s horses can be trusted on turf
1 – Café Racer – another who ran better than looked first out – should improve mightily
IF OFF TURF – 1-8
Race 8
7 – Quinn Murphy – gets a drop here that is needed and 2nd off a layoff helps for fitness
3 – Queens Mission – should be on the lead and could get brave with little to no pressure
Around the Track
Our weekly glance at the race for top trainer and jockey at the Fair Grounds’ meet shows a tight race for top jockey but a runaway leader for top trainer. Jockey Reylu Gutierrez continues to hold a 2-win lead over last year’s champion James Graham heading into Thursday’s card. Gutierrez has racked up 24 wins at the meet. Trainer Bret Calhoun continued his hot streak and now has 19 wins at the meet while Brad Cox has 12 wins to hold down the second spot. Calhoun is winning at a 33% clip but Cox is winning at a 43% clip and has many more horses ready to run as the meet progresses.
Best Bet
Our Best Bet today will be in Race 8 - # 7 – Quinn Murphy – this one gets the drop down in competition that should put him in the winner’s circle today.
Good Luck and May they all come home safely.