March means new promotions at 1/ST BET and Xpressbet, including fresh late Pick 4 Hit & Splits throughout the month. Yes, on every Thursday this month there are 2 million 1/ST Rewards Points up for grabs in Hallandale Beach, while the same is true for Sundays at “The Great Race Place.” So, let’s dive into the opportunity later this afternoon!
Grade Descriptions: Grade A=Highest degree of confidence; Grade B=Solid Play. Grade C=Least preferred or pass; Grade X=probable winner but likely at odds too short to play.
Race 8:
Grade: B-
Main Ticket: 3 No d’Oro; 6 Runnin Ute
Backups: 7 Major Tom
Forecast: There is not a ton of speed signed on in this low-level optional claimer at 6-furlongs, which bodes well for #3 No D’Oro’s chances. The 6-1-morning line shot was beaten to the front in his runner-up effort last month against several of his rivals this afternoon. He should have enough early zip to set a moderate early tempo versus this group. Hopefully he has enough left late to spring the upset. #6 Runnin Ute should be in a favorable spot on the backstretch as well. He moves up a touch in class in his first start off the claim for trainer Librado Barocio.
#7 Major Tom won the race No D’Oro and a few other rivals exit on February 9. He has won 2 of his last 3 and makes plenty of sense to win right back, but might be a bit vulnerable if the pace is not as contentious as in his victory last month.
Race 9: Pasadena
Grade: B-
Main Ticket: 1 Freedom’s Not Free; 7 Will Then
Backups: None
Forecast: The lone stakes race on the Sunday agenda is for 3YOs going one-mile over the Santa Anita sod where second-time starter #8 Tiz Secure was made the 2-1-morning line favorite off of his dominant win going one-turn on the dirt on February 22. You do not see this type of move from Hall of Famer Bob Baffert often, but perhaps he needs a spot to run him with his top flight 3YOs being pointed to Derby preps over the main track.
I prefer two others that have already competed over the lawn in #1 Freedom’s Not Free and #7 Will Then. Freedom’s Not Free goes two sprints to a route in his third start of the form cycle for Mark Glatt. The son of Omaha Beach finished third in his first stakes try down the hill in mid-February and should get a great trip from his inside draw with Flavien Prat taking over riding duties. #7 Will Then is the one likeliest to run them all down if they go fast early on. The War of Will filly takes on the boys in her first start of 2025 after a win in the Jimmy Durante (G3) at Del Mar to close out her 2YO season.
Race 10:
Grade: C+
Main Ticket: 3 Idaho Once; 5 Runkerry; 7 Halo Uncle
Backups: None
Forecast: It is difficult to trust 7-5-morning line favorite #6 Harcyn in this optional claimer for runners based in Northern California after underneath finishes against similar or lesser in six consecutive races. The son of Goldencents was claimed for $12,500 in late November by trainer Manuel Calvario. Calvario is winless on the meet. The 5YO gelding is likely to be hammered at the windows, but I am willing to let him beat me. I will use a few in hopes of gaining some much-needed separation from the betting public.
Race 11:
Grade: B-
Main Ticket: 5 Hurricane Cloud; 9 Ottoman Prince
Backups: None
Forecast: California-bred #4 Jimmy Blue Jeans was made the 3-1-morning line favorite in the finale. The 7YO gelding was not on the lead when taking on stakes foes last out, but regularly finds himself on the front end. #8 So I’m Told should make life difficult on the Jeff Mullins trainee in the early stages, so I prefer horses that can settle a bit off the pace.
#5 Hurricane Cloud is one of those. Trainer Richard Baltas takes the blinkers off this 8YO gelding and legs up Flavien Prat. He should get a great mid-pack trip. So should #9 Ottoman Prince. The son of Zoffany makes his second start off the layoff for trainer Phil D’Amato. He is 0 for 5 over this surface, but meets the softest group he has encountered thus far in the States.
Best of luck!!
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