Mahoning Valley: Horse racing pick of the day for Nov. 9

Weekday picks and plays for Thoroughbred racing.

Monday, Nov. 9

Mahoning Valley Race 4: Allowance (6 furlongs, 2:08 p.m. ET)

#3 Weekend Buzz (3-1 on the morning line) and #7 First Song (5-2) loom as the favorites, after they finished second and third in the 6-furlong Loyalty S. at Belterra Park. But, while both warrant respect, you can argue #8 Docsluckycat (7-2) is the biggest threat of all.

A gelded son of 2013 Preakness (G1) runner-up Itsmyluckyday, Docsluckycat finished second in his debut at Thistledown, then stepped up to break his maiden dashing 6 furlongs at Mahoning Valley. After he tracked a solid pace, Docsluckycat forged clear to win by a half-length, with a 78 Brisnet Speed rating, which matches the par figure for Monday’s class and distance.

Trainer Michael Rone has been ultra-hot at Mahoning Valley, where he is 6-for-13 to start the meet, and jockey Luis Rivera has been nearly as successful, with an 11-for-39 record. There is plenty of speed in Monday’s field, so the fact Docsluckycat has shown the tractability to settle off the lead is a positive.

Let’s bet Docsluckycat to win, then play him over Weekend Buzz and First Song in the exacta and trifecta.

$16 to win on #8 Docsluckycat
$5 exacta: 8 with 3,7 ($10)
$2 trifecta: 8 with 3,7 with 3,7 ($4)
Total: $30

Good luck!