Handicapping the Cross Country Pick 5 for Nov. 20

The Cross Country Pick 5 on Friday combines races from Aqueduct and Churchill Downs, offering a low 15% takeout.

Cross Country 50-Cent Ticket:

• 1,4,11 with 3,10 with 3,4 with 2,5,6 with 1,2,3,8,10 = $90

Cross Country Pick 5 Analysis

Leg 1 -- Aqueduct Race 7 (2:45 p.m. ET)

Optional claiming dash on the dirt for fillies and mares attracted 11. A speed duel seems likely in the opening leg, which prompts me to focus on the late runners.

#1 Miss Jimmy (8-1), #4 Fair Regis (7-2), and #11 Speightstown Gal (6-1), are the closers I will use.

Leg 2 -- Churchill Downs Race 5 (3:03 p.m. ET)

Juvenile fillies will dash six panels in the maiden claiming affair. #10 Easy to Bless (5-2) gets top billing coming in on a massive class plunge for Maker. If the Flat Out filly duplicates her debut second at Keeneland, she will be the one.

#3 Passionate Heart (10-1) also drops down from the special weight ranks and is worth including at a square number, as well.

Leg 3 -- Aqueduct Race 8 (3:17 p.m. ET)

Turf claiming event appears to be pretty logical on paper, led by class dropper #4 Dream Friend (6-5). Grade 2-placed son of Ghostzapper will be tough with something like his best.

#3 So High (8-1) cuts back in trip and removes the blinkers as an interesting price candidate for Thomas. Nathaniel gelding could be dangerous late under Rosario.

Leg 4 -- Churchill Downs Race 6 (3:36 p.m. ET)

Sprint event for $40,000 claimers is topped by the surging #2 Boyfriend Material (3-1), who has compiled four wins in succession. I also think that the fleet #6 Jalen Journey (5-2) is a must use, while stone closer #5 Hurricane Highway (10-1) is also worth inclusion.

Leg 5 -- Aqueduct Race 9 (3:47 p.m. ET)

The finale is an allowance tilt on the lawn for fillies and mares, and it’s a tough way to end the sequence. I will spread with #1 Short Pour (8-1), #2 Windfall Profit (3-1), #3 Sun Summers (12-1), #8 Fierce Scarlett (5-2), and recent maiden romper #10 Apurate (5-1).

Good Luck!