Speed a common theme for Fair Grounds Starlight Racing picks

First post at Fair Grounds tonight is 6 p.m. (ET) and players at TwinSpires.com can earn 50X points for losing Win bets on the Starlight Friday Racing program. Select the banner on the “contests and promotions” page and click the “Opt In” button to take advantage.

I like the following horses on the 9-race card:

Race 1: #1 Half Fast Rose overcame post 14 last time, registering a career-best 85 BRIS Speed rating leading wire-to-wire, and appears to be the only inside speed from post 1 today. A Fair Grounds’ turf specialist, 5yo mare posted consecutive wins last winter and looks poised to do so again with Robby Albarado. She’s listed as the 6-1 co-third choice on the morning line.

Race 3: Horses stepping up in good form is one of my favorite betting angles and last-out $5k claiming winner #10 Valid Pursuit has a chance to be a major player against these suspect entry-level allowance foes. Trainer Eduardo Ramirez wins at a 26% rate in the third start off the layoff and 5yo gelding figures to be up close stalking a moderate pace from a favorable outside post. And 10-1 morning line price adds to the appeal.

Race 5: #1 Kelcorcee proved much the best on the front end last time versus weak company, earning a 69 BRIS Speed rating that stacks up well in this spot, and lightly-raced 4yo gelding is a serious threat to win right back. Adds Colby Hernandez (16% win on early types) and figures to break running from innermost post. I’ll look for more today.

Race 8: May not be much value available with #4 Maddy’s Pro (3-1 co-second choice on morning line) but 3yo gelding appears ready to graduate after a good second at this level. He wound 9 ¼-lengths clear of a next-out winner in third and could prove impossible to run down with a similar trip here.