THOROUGHBRED DAILY PICKS:
Finger Lakes, race 5
- #8 LET’S MAGA (6-1) – Right set-up, right spot, right price in speed-laden field.
- #1 TWICE SMITTEN (7-2) – Took step back in last pair, still merits respect, can stalk and pounce from rail.
- #5 HEARTBUSTINGIRL (6-1) – Had tune-up, nearing $100k in Finger Lakes earnings.
LET’S MAGA burned money in her second start this season but she is worth a win and place bet at an inflated price in this spot. She gets plenty of pace to run at and finished third behind Sweet Shallots (14 wins, $203k), a recent 5-length winner under these conditions, the last time she ran at this level.
Finger Lakes, race 6
- #2 ICE LOVE (5-2) – Can’t go beyond after strong comeback at this distance in new barn.
- #5 DANSEUR D’ORO (3-1) – Won ‘completely geared down’ two back in her first try beyond 6F.
- #7 FLURRY OF ROSES (4-1) – Flurry of good efforts, save for the fact she seldom wins.
ICE LOVE made a good first impression for her new connections off an eight-month layoff. She followed the 3-wide move of the 9-to-5 winner, wandered a bit at the top of the stretch and went down fighting. Play 2-5 and 2-7 exactas.
Finger Lakes, race 9
- #10 ZUCCARACE (6-1) – Useful front-end try in debut against better, shortens up, draws outside.
- #4 ESCAPE MISSION (3-1) – Disqualified from front-end win in the slop on drop to this level.
- #6 DARK MARKET (5-1) – Took money off slow work tab but didn’t factor, gets second-time Lasix.
ZUCCARACE, pressured on the lead by the 3-to-5 winner, tired in the stretch in MSW company. He can use his speed well from the outside post on the cutback to 5-1/2F for high-percentage connections. Bet to win and place.
HARNESS HORSES TO WATCH:
- ALWAYS FLASHING A (Harrah's Philadelphia) – Classy 10-year-old always in the hunt in $10k claimers.
- BARSTOOL MONTAIN (Woodbine HRN) – Flushed out on turn, had aim on victory, flattened out late in debut.
- CONFEDERATE (Meadowlands) – Won as driver pleased in Meadowlands Pace elimination, take in the final.
- DANZON HANOVER (Tioga Downs) – Held second behind co-fave through solid back half.
- I’M SPONGE WORTHY (Pocono Downs) – Chased fleet-footed longshot before giving way in the stretch.
- JOHNNYREDS VICTORY (Northfiield Park) – Sustained 4-wide rally from far turn, second to runaway fave.
- KJ HUNTER (Yonkers Raceway) – Weaved between runners in stretch, finished full of run for third.
- SAVE ME A DANCE (Yonkers Raceway) – Content on pocket trip, no match for winner through :27.2 final quarter.
- WELL SAID CELEB (Hoosier Park) – Can use his speed well at big price in Wednesday’s 4th race.
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