Player Quick Pick: Monmouth for 5/24/2014
by Ryan Dickey
Monmouth race 11 | 5:43 pm ET Majestic Light Stakes for 3&up going 1 mi & 70 yds
MOST PROBABLE WINNER: 6-Code West
Although he won’t be the post-time favorite, thanks to the horse one gate to the right of him, Code West is your winner of the Majestic Light Stakes. Second start off the layoff, as well as second start for trainer Wayne Catalano (Code West was previously trained by Bob Baffert), points to him having a bigger day than Itsmyluckyday (#7). Although it’s Kendrick Carmouche’s first trip aboard Code West, the 4 year old Lemon Drop Kid product is sitting on a big race, as evidenced by his last two published works--a bullet work here at Monmouth, and near-bullet work at Churchill (2nd of 30 at the distance). He sports three wins and three places in six starts at the distance, so this race is right in his wheelhouse. Bet him confidently on top in exotics, and in multi-race bets.
VALUE HORSE: 2-Spa City Fever
In a short field, with two top-contenders, the horse that may be overlooked most by bettors could be Spa City Fever. Although he’s a little longer in the tooth than Code West and Itsmyluckyday, this 8 year old gelding can still contend for second-best. Listed at 9-2 on the morning line, he should have a post-time price of 5-1 or higher, and represents the value in this field. Play him underneath in exactas, and with Code West and Itsmyluckyday in trifectas.
OTHERS TO CONSIDER: 7-Itsmyluckyday
Although finishing second in both the 2013 Florida Derby and Preakness Stakes is nothing to be ashamed of, Itsmyluckyday did not live up to expectations after beating two fine 3 year olds in last year’s Gulfstream Park Derby and beating Shanghai Bobby to win the Holy Bull. The 4 year old did win a $75 k stakes last time out, after finishing 4th in the G2 Gulfstream Park Handicap to start his 2014 campaign. Itsmyluckyday is a good race horse, has the class to compete here, and is a deserving favorite, but Code West should be best today. Bet Itsmylucky day underneath in exactas, and with Code West and Spa City Fever in trifectas.
WAGERING OPTIONS FOR $20 PLAYERS $5 WIN/PLACE 6 ($10) $2 Exacta 6 over 2 ($4) $1Trifecta box 2,6,7 ($6--total $20)
WAGERING OPTIONS FOR $50 PLAYERS $15 WIN/PLACE 6 ($30) $4 Exacta 1 over 2,7 ($8) $2 Trifecta box 2,6,7 ($12)
Monmouth race 11 | 5:43 pm ET Majestic Light Stakes for 3&up going 1 mi & 70 yds
MOST PROBABLE WINNER: 6-Code West
Although he won’t be the post-time favorite, thanks to the horse one gate to the right of him, Code West is your winner of the Majestic Light Stakes. Second start off the layoff, as well as second start for trainer Wayne Catalano (Code West was previously trained by Bob Baffert), points to him having a bigger day than Itsmyluckyday (#7). Although it’s Kendrick Carmouche’s first trip aboard Code West, the 4 year old Lemon Drop Kid product is sitting on a big race, as evidenced by his last two published works--a bullet work here at Monmouth, and near-bullet work at Churchill (2nd of 30 at the distance). He sports three wins and three places in six starts at the distance, so this race is right in his wheelhouse. Bet him confidently on top in exotics, and in multi-race bets.
VALUE HORSE: 2-Spa City Fever
In a short field, with two top-contenders, the horse that may be overlooked most by bettors could be Spa City Fever. Although he’s a little longer in the tooth than Code West and Itsmyluckyday, this 8 year old gelding can still contend for second-best. Listed at 9-2 on the morning line, he should have a post-time price of 5-1 or higher, and represents the value in this field. Play him underneath in exactas, and with Code West and Itsmyluckyday in trifectas.
OTHERS TO CONSIDER: 7-Itsmyluckyday
Although finishing second in both the 2013 Florida Derby and Preakness Stakes is nothing to be ashamed of, Itsmyluckyday did not live up to expectations after beating two fine 3 year olds in last year’s Gulfstream Park Derby and beating Shanghai Bobby to win the Holy Bull. The 4 year old did win a $75 k stakes last time out, after finishing 4th in the G2 Gulfstream Park Handicap to start his 2014 campaign. Itsmyluckyday is a good race horse, has the class to compete here, and is a deserving favorite, but Code West should be best today. Bet Itsmylucky day underneath in exactas, and with Code West and Spa City Fever in trifectas.
WAGERING OPTIONS FOR $20 PLAYERS $5 WIN/PLACE 6 ($10) $2 Exacta 6 over 2 ($4) $1Trifecta box 2,6,7 ($6--total $20)
WAGERING OPTIONS FOR $50 PLAYERS $15 WIN/PLACE 6 ($30) $4 Exacta 1 over 2,7 ($8) $2 Trifecta box 2,6,7 ($12)
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