For those who don’t know, I do the Handicap Weekend at http://blog.horseplayersassociation.org/ and with the Breeder’s Cup festival yesterday I didn’t get to the Saturday Pick 4 at Balmoral. So we are back on schedule today with the Guaranteed $25,000 Pick 4. The races are number 7 through 10 and we are going to stay with a $24 ticket. Here we go …
Race 7 #4 AJS April Doll ML 3/1
There are several females that I like, Toshie Special, Tinkers Dam and Cole Blue but in the end the number 4 looks too good. This 5YO mare is dropping in class with a nice pair of speed figures (78 – 79) and has back to back 1:53 finishing times. Marcus Miller is driving and Scott Galloway hits at .297 with drop downs. No lock but she looks super fit and ready to win it.
Race 8 #6 Hitithard ML 8/1 #7 Detailer ML 12/1 #8 Thrills Sugar Buzz ML 6/1
In this race, Thrills Sugar Buzz looks real solid. Two wins in last three, excellent times and good speed (83-77-83). Todd Warren has been right on in the buggy with this 7YO gelding and while the others can be tough, I see the #8 handling them. You could argue singling him here too.
Race 9 #1 Itzalassi ML 8/1 #4 Temperment ML 8/1 #6 Bobs Minute Maid ML 5/1
This is the ticket buster race. With no budget in place I’d hit the “all” button. In truth, the more I look at this field the less I like them. There are several here that have done by us in the past, but they look like they are out of form. You look at Itzalassi and you see those five wins in a row, then three with troubled trips, can this 3YO filly bounce back? I have always been a big Temperment fan, but she is a far cry from her form of August, so that leaves us the #6. Bob’s Minute Maid is another that has been less than stellar; the only thing that makes him strong is his final times. So in the end, I’m going with Itzalassi to come back and win.
Race 10 # 1 Forcryingoutloud ML 3/1 #2 Mandy’s Gold ML 5/1 #6 Pickaplacetopark ML 5/1
This is a highly competitive group and in the end I’ll go with the #6 Pickaplacetopark. This will be her first start at Balmoral and with Todd Warren driving. She had some good efforts at Maywood and then struggled at Indy. Her back to back 68’s while not the top for this group shows me form is coming into play. The 4YO mare has shown good 70’s not too far back and good shoot through this crowd and take it. I also like Mandy’s Gold in here too.
