One Tricky Pick Four
by Andrew Champagne
Sunday's late Pick Four sequence is highlighted by a pair of graded stakes races for 2-year-olds. It's a tricky sequence with some big fields, and it's going to take some skill to cash a ticket here.
Here's how I'll play it.
RACE #8: We start with a $40,000 claimer for older horses on the grass. I thought this was wide-open, and I'm responding by going five-deep, using #1 Big Island Boy (5-1), #7 Stableford (7/2), #8 Kwacha (4-1), #11 Killer Crossover (8-1), and #12 Part (6-1).
Killer Crossover is actually my top pick despite being the longest shot of the group. His race on turf last out, where he finished fifth behind Give No Quarter, wasn't bad, and trainer Phil Serpe has quietly had a solid meet to this point. The post stinks, but I think this one has some quality, and he could win at a bit of a price.
RACE #9: This is the Grade 2 Adirondack for 2-year-old fillies, and I think the morning line man got this one right. I'm going two-deep, using #1 Wonder Gal (3-1) and #3 Angela Renee (5/2).
Angela Renee showed an ability to rate in her debut, and in winning that race, she beat a next-out winner. Her works are sharp, the added distance shouldn't be a problem, and I think she's a very deserving favorite.
RACE #10: In contrast to the Adirondack, the Grade 2 Saratoga Special is wide-open. I'm going four-deep here, using #1 I Spent It (7/2), #3 Mr. Z (5-1), #7 Cinco Charlie (9/2), and #11 W V Jetsetter (10-1).
Mr. Z may have been best in the Sanford. He had a horrible trip and induced lots of contact, none of which seemed beneficial to him. With a better trip, he could easily win the Saratoga Special at a decent price.
RACE #11: We end with a claimer on the turf, and this is another one that isn't easy to figure out. I'm going three-deep, and will add an also-eligible if he draws in.
#3 Nineinthenine (5-1), #4 Hyman Roth (12-1), and #7 Kathy's Kitten
(8-1) are all on my ticket, and all three could go off at solid prices. Of this group, I like Nineinthenine most. He probably needed his last race to a certain extent, and that race, where he ran a close-up fourth, was far from bad.
However, if #11 Grand Rapport (2-1) draws in, he probably wins. He loves Saratoga, cuts back in distance after a near-miss against better horses, and has been out of the money just four times in his 20-race career. Use him if he gets in.
This isn't a cheap ticket. It's a $60 wager if Grand Rapport scratches, and if he runs, the value goes up to $80. If you play it, best of luck!
Sunday's late Pick Four sequence is highlighted by a pair of graded stakes races for 2-year-olds. It's a tricky sequence with some big fields, and it's going to take some skill to cash a ticket here.
Here's how I'll play it.
RACE #8: We start with a $40,000 claimer for older horses on the grass. I thought this was wide-open, and I'm responding by going five-deep, using #1 Big Island Boy (5-1), #7 Stableford (7/2), #8 Kwacha (4-1), #11 Killer Crossover (8-1), and #12 Part (6-1).
Killer Crossover is actually my top pick despite being the longest shot of the group. His race on turf last out, where he finished fifth behind Give No Quarter, wasn't bad, and trainer Phil Serpe has quietly had a solid meet to this point. The post stinks, but I think this one has some quality, and he could win at a bit of a price.
RACE #9: This is the Grade 2 Adirondack for 2-year-old fillies, and I think the morning line man got this one right. I'm going two-deep, using #1 Wonder Gal (3-1) and #3 Angela Renee (5/2).
Angela Renee showed an ability to rate in her debut, and in winning that race, she beat a next-out winner. Her works are sharp, the added distance shouldn't be a problem, and I think she's a very deserving favorite.
RACE #10: In contrast to the Adirondack, the Grade 2 Saratoga Special is wide-open. I'm going four-deep here, using #1 I Spent It (7/2), #3 Mr. Z (5-1), #7 Cinco Charlie (9/2), and #11 W V Jetsetter (10-1).
Mr. Z may have been best in the Sanford. He had a horrible trip and induced lots of contact, none of which seemed beneficial to him. With a better trip, he could easily win the Saratoga Special at a decent price.
RACE #11: We end with a claimer on the turf, and this is another one that isn't easy to figure out. I'm going three-deep, and will add an also-eligible if he draws in.
#3 Nineinthenine (5-1), #4 Hyman Roth (12-1), and #7 Kathy's Kitten
(8-1) are all on my ticket, and all three could go off at solid prices. Of this group, I like Nineinthenine most. He probably needed his last race to a certain extent, and that race, where he ran a close-up fourth, was far from bad.
However, if #11 Grand Rapport (2-1) draws in, he probably wins. He loves Saratoga, cuts back in distance after a near-miss against better horses, and has been out of the money just four times in his 20-race career. Use him if he gets in.
This isn't a cheap ticket. It's a $60 wager if Grand Rapport scratches, and if he runs, the value goes up to $80. If you play it, best of luck!
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