Frank Carulli: Stronach 5 Analysis | Friday, Jan. 28, 2022

‍All five favorites lost in last week's Stronach 5 sequence, triggering a $49,623 payout to two bettors who correctly picked all the winners. It could be much of the same this week, with 45 entrants spanning four tracks nationwide. The $1 wager features an industry-low 12-percent takeout. Here's an early look at the action, with an update to follow Friday after scratches:

LEG A: (Laurel Park, race 9, 4:16 EST) -- CHAMBO ran his best race three starts back when he finished second to hard-hitting Plamen (6-13, $146k). RIPPOLINO is a proven router and drops below his claim level. VISUAL ARTIST gave way to fast sprint fractions on sloppy tracks in his last pair and should lead for as far as he goes. PAY THE KID is a longshot consideration, stepping up in class off the claim by a hot barn.    

LEG B: (Santa Anita, race 3, 4:33 EST) -- CAYTON KID appears the one to catch and beat, but she offers no value in her first route attempt, so look elsewhere. She returns on short rest and benefitted when the four runners who finished behind her encountered early trouble last Friday. DORITA'S HAPPY stretches out in distance, too, after she chased a rapid pace and held third two starts back, then rallied from post 10 in a race that produced a next-out, one-mile runaway. GLORY OF CHROME trailed into the final turn but launched a 4- and 5-wide rally to get beat 1-1/4 lengths. She has been plagued by slow starts but remains a good price play on the Stronach 5 ticket.
     
LEG C: (Gulfstream Park, race 9, 4:42 EST) -- Many ways to go in this one, so we will go 4-deep on the ticket. DANGER arrives from Woodbine in top form but is compromised by the outside post and slow-starting habits. She ran second to Ann of Cleves, who is 14/3-2-3 and a six-figure earner on turf not counting three stakes tries. UNA LUNA, KITTEN'S ROMANCE and CHOOSE TO BE HAPPY also make the ticket, having finished first or second in 23 of 38 starts combined on the Gulfstream lawn.

LEG D: (Golden Gate, race 3, 4:49 EST) -- DAMN THE TORPEDOES broke slow, rode the rail behind the dueling leaders in a 4-horse field and finished willingly while no threat to the winning favorite and runner-up TORREY'S GIRL, who has to carry her speed an extra half-furlong today.    

LEG E: (Santa Anita, race 4, 5:04 EST) -- PRIANO rushed up between rivals to take the lead in his debut at Los Alamitos, shook a duel with the favorite and drew away from the trip-sitting second fave in the stretch. The son of Tiznow tries the turf in his second start and lures Pratt to ride. CHERUBIC FACTOR last a few lengths when steadied at the break, advanced steadily while 3-wide from mid-turn to the finish and was clearly second best. The added furlong could make the difference.


Suggested $1 Ticket
Leg A: 2, 4, 5, 7
Leg B: 3, 7
Leg C: 6, 8, 9, 11
Leg D: 3, 8
Leg E: 1, 4
COST: $128

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