We have a nice late Pick 4 sequence on our hands at The Big A on Saturday highlighted by a couple of state-bred stakes races. I believe we have some vulnerable, or semi-vulnerable, favorites to take a crack at. If we can beat a few of them this thing has a chance to pay well. The action kicks off with a stakes race for New York bred fillies and mares going 7 panels on the main, let’s start there.
Race 6: The 7th running of The New York Stallion Series Staten Island Division came up pretty interesting. The morning line favorite, Kelli Got Frosty, drew the rail and I am way against. I am going to go 4 deep in here with P J’s Superego, Keep Bustin, My Jopia, and Matchmadeinheaven. P J’s Superego was the last to make the cut. I kept going back to her and came to the conclusion that if she makes the lead, she might just keep going. There aren’t a lot of pure frontrunners in here and having Joel Rosario in the irons doesn’t hurt either. She definitely could steal this at a nice price. Keep Bustin has a legit shot. She is as honest as they get while missing the board only once in eleven career starts. My only knock with her is she hasn’t overwhelmed me visually speaking. My Jopia, this one is a major contender in my eyes if she handles the switch back to dirt. She has been racing in open company and is coming in 3rd off the layoff, she should be primed for a top effort. Lastly, I am throwing in Matchmadeinheaven, just in case Clement has this one ready to fire. This field doesn’t seem so scary that this cannot be won by a layoff horse such as this.
Race 7: I could end up wearing a dunce cap at the end of this race in a big way. I am taking a shot against Bakken. I just feel it is his first time against winners and he will not get the same easy lead he got while breaking his maiden. With that said, he did set legit fractions and I can not argue if you use him. I just think there is enough doubt to take shot against him. I will be using the trio of Jeter, Crackerjack Jones, and Truth Is to try to beat this even money favorite. The one I am most interested in is Crackerjack Jones. I am expecting him to bounce back in a big way after not caring for a track labeled good in his last. He has the figs to compete and I’d like to see him sit right off the pace, just like he did in his win at The Spa. Truth Is, he had a pretty tough trip in his last while running between horses and he clearly hated the slop two back at Saratoga. I expect him to run a nice one today. Jeter I threw in just in case. He might be able to work out a nice trip racing just behind the speed and possibly be able pounce.
Race 8: The New York Stallion Series Thunder Rumble Division (awesome name) is the feature stakes today for New York breds, ages three and up. We have another morning line favorite (Chapman) drawn on the rail, and once again I am against. I am going to go 4 deep in here with West Hills Giant, Sportswriter, Commandante, and Ultimate Empire. I really like Sportswriter in here but I don’t trust him enough to single. He goes out 2nd off the claim for David Jacobson and he should run well today. He broke from the rail last out and also encountered a bit of trouble as well. As for the other three, I am using them defensively. I won’t ramble on about their pros and cons, I am not high on any of them but I still have a nagging feeling they all could win. That is why they made the cut.
Race 9: I am going to single My Pink Easterbaby in the night cap. The way I see it, she should have an easy lead while dropping in company. That is always a dangerous angle. While I don’t trust her completely, I just can not envision any other outcome. Which scares me because it’s not like this gal has been super reliable by any means. This was a tough race for me. I gave a look to a few others but I just can’t get by my top choice. The pace edge she appears to have just keeps screaming in my face so our fate will lie in her hands.
The Play: Fifty cent Pick 4 will cost $24 dollars – 4-5-9-10 with 2-8-11 with 1-3-8-12 with 4. (If you add Bakken in the 7th race this ticket will cost $32.)
As always, I wish everyone a winning day and I hope I helped turn you onto a horse or strengthened your own opinion. Have a great weekend everyone, good vibes sent your way.
