Yesterday at Turf Paradise we got King of the Sky at 14/1 off a ML of 6/1 and he finished second. He paid $9.80 for place and $5.60 to show. With a $12 investment, the return was $36.40 for a net profit of $24.40. A good start top the week.
Today, the DRF gives us the 7th race at Charles Town, a maiden special weight with a purse of $26,000. It's for 3YO and upward sprinting 7 panels. We have a field of 10 and it is a mix bag of seasoned maidens, a couple of lightly raced 3YO's and some first time starters. One of those salty races that we would normally pass on, but not today.
Where does that leave us? the #9 Stop the Bull ML 5/1.
There are several angles here with this 4YO first time starter. We can start with Lasix being used for the first time. Nice workout pattern since February, good breeding adds to the attractiveness. Jeff Runco is having a solid meet here at Charles Town and hits 24% on MSW along with 18% on first time starters. He has Montano in the irons who is one of better riders and with Runco hits 24% of the time.
With first time starters I would like to see some real value come our way, anything less than 10/1 would make me concerned. So how to play him. Since we got off to a good start yesterday, I might be willing to take some added risk today. If he floats over 10/1 then the stack bet ($2W,$4P,$6S) is on. If he goes off at 6/1 to 9/1 then $6 to show, knowing the show pool could work against us,but better than nothing.
This will be a quirky race, but first time starters can be nice value plays.
