Greyhound Preview: Palm Beach for 4/24/2014

15 excellent races are on tap for the Thursday card at Palm Beach.  We are just a few days away from the Puppy Stakes Final this weekend and there will be great action at the track leading up to it.  Here are the top races I will be following for the Matinee at “The Beach.”

Race 8 Grade D 545 Yards

Usually Grade D races can be some of the least entertaining of the card, but this race shows a few puppies just coming on the scene that could be very good here. #5 Marv Cook from Rader Racing already has clocked a 29.59 second blazer in his young career, but has struggled to find consistency from race to race. Always a threat when you are clearly the alpha dog on paper.

#7 Krispy Kreme has shown some pop out of the box in her first four races and is sitting in a race where everybody is light on the win percentage. I’m going with Kreme based on the better box and ability to get out in front early.

Picks: 7 - 5 - 2 - 8

Race 9 Grade J 545 Yards

In the M and J Grade races, I always look to see if the greyhound is getting better with their recent performances.    #1 Notorious has been showing some really nice lid flipping starts in the last few races and just bolted a 29.80 sec place showing last time out. Have to like this one on the rail for the win. The only other racers I see that may challenge are #5 Kiowa Shirley and #3 Stagger Lee who both has some early speed to compete in this field.

Picks: 1 - 5 - 8 - 4

Race 12 Grade B 545 Yards

The grade drop that is setup to pop is #8 Kiowa Precious.  Sitting in the prime 8 box with the 7 diving for the inside should leave the Steve Gilster Kennel hound out and front early for a box to wire victory. Going for 14 wins on the season and has a major past history of being dominant in the JV ranks. #4 Bayzide has done well since switching distances and should hit the ticket in this one.

Picks: 8 - 4 - 6 - 7

Race 14 Grade A 545 Yards

The race of the day only because it is the only top grade field on the card. A competitive race in this one has the #8 CRT Full Of It from the Champions Racing Team looking to be in the best place to win this. Loves mid-track and is going against a largely untested top grade field. Has also stepped up his game in April with 3 trifecta finishes.  #2 Taylo Ice and #1 Dusty Lane are the early speedsters on the rail that should be out in front early and contend throughout. CRT Full of It I’ll go with for the W.

Picks: 8 - 2 - 1 - 4 

Top Pick: Race 12 - #8 Kiowa Precious