Dec. 18 spot plays for Fair Grounds and Turfway Park

Picks and plays on a $75 budget for the competitive Friday cards at Fair Grounds and Turfway Park.

Fair Grounds

Race 9: Allowance (1 1/16 miles on turf, 5:52 p.m. ET)

#13 I Hear You (6-1) has flashed speed against tough company on the Kentucky circuit, where she recently knocked heads with Zagora S. winner Luck Money and the up-and-coming Great Island.

Facing easier foes at Fair Gounrds might be all I Hear You needs to prevail for trainer Michael Stidham, who has gone 7-for-19 (37%) to start the meet.

$20 to win on #13 I Hear You
$5 double: 13 with 3
Total: $25

Race 10: Allowance/optional claiming (1 1/16 miles on dirt, 6:21 p.m. ET)

#3 Spa City (7-2) showed promise last winter, when he broke his maiden over 1 1/8 miles, with a 103 Brisnet Speed rating, the highest figure in Friday’s field.

After he took the summer off, the stoutly bred son of Street Sense returned to win a 1 3/16-mile allowance Oct. 15 at Keeneland, where next-out winner Letmeno was among his beaten rivals.

Trainer Brad Cox is off to a hot start at Fair Grounds, where he is 7-for-21 (33%) to start the meet.

In a race without an abundance of pace on paper, Spa City has enough tactical speed to work out a favorable trip under jockey Florent Geroux.

$25 to win on #3 Spa City

Turfway Park

Race 6: $30,000 maiden claiming (6 furlongs on Tapeta, 8:44 p.m. ET)

#6 Orb of the Boro (3-1) is easily the fastest of the experienced runners in Friday’s field. None of his rivals have ever cracked the 67 Brisnet Speed rating plateau, while Orb of the Boro has posted four figures in the 70-75 range and put up his best figure when he finished third for a $32,000 claiming tag at Indiana Grand last month.

Orb of the Boro brings tactical speed to the equation and will be dangerous if he handles the switch from dirt to Tapeta.

Since the first-time starters in the field don’t appear formidable, we’ll take a shot and single Orb of the Boro to kick off a double.

$15 to win on #6 Orb of the Boro
$5 double: 6 with 2,6 ($10)
Total: $25

Race 7: Allowance/optional claiming (6 furlongs on Tapeta, 9:14 p.m. ET)

#6 Pico d’Oro (3-1) and #2 Medicine Tail (9-2) ran first and second in the Juvenile S. at Ellis Park over the summer and put up Brisnet Speed ratings that easily top Friday’s field.

If they handle the switch to Tapeta, they’ll be tough to deny in allowance company.

Good luck!