Picks at Fair Grounds and Turfway Park for Dec. 18

Fair Grounds

Race 5

#1 Rightandjust (7-2) ran evenly in a solid special weight sprint race on debut and seems poised to improve on the stretch out combined with the class drop. Awesome Again colt is bred to run long, and he should be able to save a lot of ground with his inner post slot under Arrieta.

Race 7

Juvenile fillies will run long in a maiden special weight affair, and Asmussen’s #4 Empress Katherine (5-2) looms large in her second route attempt. Expensive Nyquist filly showed vast improvement against a solid field at Churchill Downs second time out, and she could be lone speed on Friday beneath Santana.

Race 10

#7 Cowboy Diplomacy (5-1) could be the controlling speed in a field lacking pace for Brad Cox. Tapizar gelding lacks the back class of many in the field, but he has raced himself back into shape this campaign, and he offers great value for a top barn as well.

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Turfway Park

Race 5

I will take a shot with #10 Tynan (15-1) in a big field for Dane Kobiskie. Liam’s Map filly cuts back in trip for her all-weather debut, and I think that she will thrive on the surface change at a fair price.

Race 7

Bill Morey’s #6 Pico d’Oro (3-1) has the right running style to rally for victory in the stretch in a field with a lot of early zip. Curlin colt had a solid prep on the dirt at Churchill in preparation of his synthetic bow.

Race 8

Mike Maker’s #10 Miss Mess (3-1) looks very tough in the finale with Bejarano in the controls. Palace Malice sophomore makes her first run at the maiden claiming level, and the versatile lass should have clear sailing throughout from this post slot as well.