The Wager: 50 Cent Late Pick Four
The Track: SunRay Park and Casino
The Race(s): Races 6-9
Looking to beat a horse in the opening leg of this series - in my estimation - which will be massively overbet making his local debut for excellent connections. Can that horse win? Sure. But we're gonna get paid handsomely if we're right.
Let us begin.
RACE 6 is a $5K claimer for NW2 types racing 6 1/2 furlongs. A field of eight runners is headlined by morning line favorite #2 YO LA TENGO, coming in from southern California and riding a long losing streak. You have to go back to 2016 to find his lone career victory. The son of Sundarban has been toiling in the cheaper claiming ranks of late, and has only hit the board twice in his last eight starts. Nonetheless, the name Justin Evans in the trainer line of his past performances commands respect. He'll be too short a price to use here, so let's find some alternatives. #7 DANI'S RING was a no-threat second last time out at Sunland, but didn't lose a lot of ground behind the winner in deep stretch and was nearly 2 lengths clear of the rest of the field crossing the wire. He's been earning minor awards of late and should be in the thick of things down the backstretch in a race that doesn't appear to have a ton of speed. #3 HIP TO BE DON broke his maiden last time out and must have impressed jockey Alfredo Juarez, Jr. enough to keep him back aboard for his first start facing winners. The son of Eternal has put together enough decent races that the jump in class might not be as intimidating as it first appears.
Race 7 is a $5,000 claiming sprint at a distance of 6 1/2 furlongs with a field of seven set to face off. #2 ISTAN THE MAN is the top selection here for trainer Justin Evans, back on the main track and at a distance he has won at in the past. He should be prominent throughout under jockey Alfredo Juarez, Jr., and has the added benefit of a win over the course. #5 SURF N SKI was an impressive winner last time out in a race where he was able to control the tempo from his inside post. He'll have to deal with some additional pace under jockey Elvin Gonzalez, but should give another good effort after finishing in the money in four of his last five starts. If you can spread this ticket out a bit more, look at #1 CARSON CITY FIVE who put up some decent figures in his most recent starts, likes the course and will get a good trip from his inside post.
Race 8 is a state-bred allowance event for fillies and mares going 4 1/2 furlongs. #1 PAY AS YOU GO flattened out badly in her second career start, but she'll be muscled along to make the lead from her inside post under Juarez. She looked good breaking her maiden in her Sunland debut. #2 LA JAQUESITA broke her maiden last out and has been a bit more consistent of late. She ran well in her only two local starts back in 2016. #7 DOM FUNNY gets the services of impressive apprentice rider Francisco Amparan. She also appears to want the lead, and from her outside post, at this trip, she'll need to clear this field heading into the far turn.
Race 9 is a bit of a grab bag, so we went four deep in here hoping to catch a price. #5 MO ED WHO turns back a bit in distance for good connections and gets a hustling rider who handles this course well. #7 TROOPER TROOPER is back over his favorite course and will be motoring late. #2 HIDDEN DETAIL takes a tumble in class for one of the region's leading barns and could be a bit closer to the pace in this spot. #8 TRUST SANTIAGO has hit the board in each of his last three starts and could be pushed along to make the pace from his outside post.
The Ticket (In order of preference)
R6- 7,3
R7- 2,5,1
R8- 1,2,7
R9- 5,7,2,8
The Cost $36
The Budget Ticket
R6- 7
R7- 2,5
R8- 1,2
R9- 5,7,2,8
The Cost $8