Playing the Late Pick 4 at Arlington

Saturday is Million Preview Day at Arlington and TwinSpires is offering a 10% bonus to players on all Pick 4s. The late sequence (Races 6-9) includes three stakes and I’ll take a swing it.

Here are my thoughts on the races and a $48 Pick 4 ticket I’ll be playing.

6^th race: The Pizza Man (#6, 1-1 m/l) will be seeking his third consecutive victory in the 1 ½-mile Stars and Stripes (G3). The 7yo gelding has the benefit of a recent prep and could prove impossible to deny given his affinity for the course. I’ll also use expected pacesetter O’Prado Ole (#4, 8-1), a long-distance specialist who invades in top form for Dale Romans following an allowance romp at Churchill Downs.

7^th race: The Arlington H. (G3) features nine horses at 1 3/16 miles and Go Around (#6, 3-1) and Messi (#12, 4-1) appear well-meant for trainers Bill Mott and Graham Motion. I’ll add local horse Peej (#10, 20-1) to the mix following a rallying second in the Black Tie Affair for Chris Block. The 5yo gelding always tries hard on Arlington’s turf (7-3-1-2) and possesses good tactical speed; he could be in position to mount a serious upset challenge turning for home.

8^th race: I’ll take a stand against a couple of shorter prices on the morning line from difficult outside posts, One Mean Man and J R’s Holiday. The former exits an all-out allowance win and may not be able to hold his form on the quick turnaround while the latter always leaves himself plenty to from off the pace. Grade 3 winner Oscar Nominated (#1, 12-1) is eligible to rebound today with a ground-saving trip and Arlington Classic (G3) third-placer Swagger Jagger (#2, 6-1) is eligible to run a big race from his inside post. I’ll also use Tequila Joe (#5, 9-2), who can show more after experiencing a tough trip from an outside post in the Arlington Classic; and Lomcevak (#8, 12-1), who is unbeaten from a pair of turf attempts and will enter on the upswing for owner/trainer Jack Frost following a sharp allowance score at Churchill Downs.

9^th race: Will use four distaffers in the entry-level allowance. Clare View (#13, 6-1) draws in off the also-eligible list and looks more than capable of ready to go off the layoff for Block. Queenofthepalace (#5, 3-1) and Fitpitcher (#6, 8-1) are logical win contenders and Sunset Knoll (#12, 8-1) looms a threat to steal it as lone speed.

.50-cent Pick 4 ticket ($48)

4,6 with 6,10,12 with 1,2,5,8 with 5,6,12,13

Good luck!

Visit the “contests and promotions” page at TwinSpires.com for further details on the Million Preview Day 10% Pick 4 Bonus