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After making stops in Indiana and Ohio last week, 1/ST BET and Xpressbet’s “Bonus Boonanza” promotion moves east where Finger Lakes takes the baton later this afternoon. The Farmington, NY based venue has a nine-race card that gets started at 12:55 PM local time. For those who missed the first few opportunities at “Bonus Boonanza” a week ago, it is simple. Just bet at least $100 at select tracks on Tuesday and Thursday (after registering for the promo) throughout the month of October and earn a $10 bonus. Today’s mission is at Finger Lakes where I happen to like a few horses on the slate.
Race 1:
The card kicks off with this state-bred first-level allowance event at one-mile where the pace should be honest given the presence of #5 Stop the Spread and #6 Brown Don’t Stop. Stop the Spread was made the 2-1-ML favorite after four straight underneath finishes dating back to mid-July for trainer Rachel Sells. He is the likeliest to hit the board in this compact group of six, but hard to trust on top given his 0 for 17-record dating back to the beginning of 2025. I will hope to run the field down with #2 Maturation. The son of McKinzie makes his second start off the claim after a late run from last led to a runner-up finish at this level on September 29. Owner/trainer Luis Gutierrez sports a 14%-win rate with a positive ROI for the year with a 104-start sample size. Hopefully this 3YO takes a slight step forward for his new barn with jockey Steven Frey back in the saddle.
Play: #2 Maturation (6-1 ML)
Picks: 2-1-5
Race 6:
I will try to wire this group of $5k N2L claimers at two-turns with #1 Ducky Medwick. The son of Mr. Monomoy makes his second start off the claim for owner/trainer Linda Rice after a slow start from the gate on September 30 cost him his best chance in a 5.5-furlong dash against better. The class drop, move to an inside post, and stretch out to a route of ground should allow the 4YO gelding to get to the top from his rail draw under jockey Oscar Gomez. From there, Gomez should be able to dictate moderate terms and have enough late to earn this one his second lifetime victory. A potential single to kick off Tuesday’s late Pick 4 sequence.
Play: #1 Ducky Medwick (5-2 ML)
Picks: 1-9-6
Race 8:
The Tuesday feature is this $30k optional claimer at six-furlongs where there is not a ton of early speed signed on. I will hope to get the jump on the group with #4 Momentum Flies. The son of Uncle Mo makes his first local start after battling early and tiring late against starter allowance foes at Belmont Park in mid-September. Prior to that, the Rudy Rodriguez trainee sped to the lead in a beaten claimer at the Spa on August 30 and had enough left late to hang on by a half-length in the end. Jockey Reylu Gutierrez has not been aboard this gelding yet, but should have an easy mission. Get him out of the gate cleanly and take control of the tempo immediately from there. With a clean break and a bounce back to his effort two-back, Momentum Flies could prove to catch late at what appears to be a playable ML price.
Play: #4 Momentum Flies (6-1 ML)
Picks: 4-7-1
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