3-4-7-1
Five of the seven runners come from the same race on November 14 in these conditions. #3 Change my world (5-1) was off the pace that day, dropped back and rallied again to finish third. He rallied from just off the pace to win two starts ago and has steadily improved throughout the season. #4 great heavens (9-2) came in second in that November 14 race, his third consecutive second-place finish. His closing running style is not ideal for this distance: in 13 starts at six furlongs he has won twice and finished second six times. A similar result is likely here. #7 All Hard Roads (8-1) had been well beaten by going longer in his last two starts. In his last start at six furlongs he ran a career best 91 as he finished second to Bold Diversion, who returned to win in this condition in mid-November.
Bet on our picks at AmWager!
RACE 5: GIRL CLAIMING $16,000, 2-YEAR-OLD, 5 1/2 FURLONGS
5-8-4-1
#5 Jersey (2-1) the last to leave was the slight favorite in these conditions, despite breaking the far outside post. He was forced wide all the way, and although he made a late move, the effects of his trip caught up with him and he finished sixth. Two starts back at Timonium, he finished third with a career-best 66 behind Mo Missile, who has won twice since. That effort may be more indicative of his true ability. #8 Gonzalo (4-1) came third with a career-best 59 final behind the bizarrely impressive winner Biker Baley. He has been consistently solid all year and has every opportunity to continue moving forward. #4 Flying to work (5-1)the only first in the field, goes out for Anthony Farrior and has many siblings who won early in their careers. Take a look at the board before deciding whether to include him in your late 5-play pick.
RACE 6: GIRL CLAIMING $12,500, 3-6 year olds, 6 furlongs
1-8-10-7
#1 Gaelic Hearts Gold (5-1) improved significantly to a 60-second timeout on the Meadowlands grass. He switches to dirt for the first time and takes a career low class drop. #8 Super sustainable secret (3-1) led almost the entire way, first after a 3.5 month break and last. He rode clear in the stretch, but drifted out late and was caught in the final steps. He has gotten better at staying in the lead throughout the season and looks set to be strong up front again. #10 Knuckerpuck (10-1) He stopped running poorly the last time, but has run well at this distance or a little longer in the past. He will undoubtedly improve the third of the cut after a seven-and-a-half month layoff.
RACE 7: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3 YEARS AND OLDER, 1 1/16 MILES
2-1-4-5
#2 Omaha Omaha (6-1) looked like a possible candidate for the Kentucky Derby at one point this winter. He hit the board three times during Derby prep, including a strong finishing third in the Virginia Derby on a speed-promoting Colonial Downs strip. He fell off in his last two starts, losing them by a total of 42 lengths, and went to the sidelines in mid-June. He has been working well for Mike Gorham since mid-October and is receiving Lasix for the first time. He clearly has a high ceiling and looks ready for a big effort coming off the bench. Rudy Rodriguez will send two over from New York, and both look live. #1 The Gray (9-2) won three starts back at Saratoga with a career-best 95, then ran a 93 at the next step up in the class despite traveling extensively. He has the best sustained pace numbers in this area. Stable size #4 Magical Ways (2-1) hasn’t won this year, but has finished in the top three five times in eight dirt starts with consistent numbers in the 90s. He will sit just off the pace to the inside and try to convert.
RACE 8: ALLOWANCE FOR OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W3X), 3 YEARS AND OLDER, FEMALES AND MARIES, 6 FUR LONGS
7-6-3-2
#7 I’m a sweetheart (7-2) has beaten second-level fields twice in her last three starts and is now moving up the class ladder. This is a much better field than she saw last time, but she will be a threat if she returns to one of her recent wins. My next two picks were dropped from yesterday’s Safely Kept Stakes in favor of this spot. #6 Passage East (9-5) saw her five-race win streak snapped last at Aqueduct, but now returns to the Mid-Atlantic and gets Yedsit Hazlewood on his feet for the first time. She seems ready to have a great journey near the pace. #3 Conquer this wecan (3-2) has only tasted recent defeat in the stakes business and seems well-intentioned for this spot, first after a two-month break. Look for Sheldon Russell to send her to the front and try to take them all the way.
RACE 9: CLAIMING $40,000 (CONDITIONED), 3 year olds and over, fillies and mares, 6 furlongs
2-8-1-5
#Laurel #Park #picks #musings #November #Racing #Biz