Championship Stakes for $20,000 Guaranteed Pick 4 @BalmoralPark

Last Wednesday night we got knocked out on the first race when longshot Miss Blues scored at 25/1! The rest of the ticket went fine with Plum Grove our single winning and our groupings doing fine. The Pick 4 ticket paid $1803! That is the 4th Guaranteed Pick 4 that has exceeded a $1000 in a row. Tonight’s races for the $20,000 Guaranteed Pick 4 will be no walk in the park. We have one Stakes consolation and three Stakes Championship races, all good horses and each one can win. Staying the course with a $24 ticket, here are my selections tonight.

Race 10 #1A Flowmaster ML 4/1 #4 Cole Snap ML 8/1 #7 Fox Valley Yukon 5/2

The first race is the consolation race and it’s a tough one for these colts and geldings. I had real trouble choosing between Flowmaster and Fox Valley Yukon. Both have good speed fig’s, had lousy races last out, know how to win and solid connections. In this case, I would wait for the price to dictate the direction here. So will take the one who has the higher odds, and it should be Flowmaster.

Race 11 #4 Pardon ML 6/1 #5 Mystical MJ ML 3/1 #6 Fox Valley Praline ML 7/2

This is a championship pace for 3YO fillies. Some excellent choices here and we have had several of them to win in the past. Mystical MJ is going for her fifth in a row as Fox Valley Praline is in line for four in a row. I’m going to lean slightly to Fox Valley Praline only due to stronger speed numbers of late. It’ll be interesting to see the tactics between Miller and Roberts since the break next to each other. Pardon is dangerous here too.

Race 12 #7 Power Of A Moment ML 7/2

Another 3YO championship pace but this one is for colts and geldings. A tough group of horses and very difficult to single here, but when all said and done I have the #7 holding them off to score. This gelding had a strong streak going and then fell out of form. It looks like Miller has him rounding back into shape and should have a strong race tonight. Many here can’t be ignored but will take the #7 to win it.

Race 13 #2 BOI ML 6/1 #5 He’s So Hot ML 7/2 #8 Dutch Richman ML 3/1

Here is another tough group in this 3YO colt & gelding stake championship race. I like the #8 Dutch Richman here. We had him in our group back on the 10th win he won and that made it 9 wins in 13 tries at Balmoral. His speed numbers have been rising consistently with Marcus Miller driving. After his last effort he looks like he is getting stronger and should win this race.

The All button for the $15,000 Guaranteed Pick 4 @ Balmoral

Last Sunday, scored two nice victories in the Thoroughbreds with Grassy winning the Bowling Green at Belmont and then Sunday, winning the BC Cup at Hastings with Northern Causeway. Then we roll into Balmoral for the $25,000 Guaranteed Pick 4 and get creamed. We hit the first race with Fox Valley Absolut and then zilch. It paid over $4,000 and that made the Guaranteed Pick 4’s over four figures for the week. This is a new week and back to our own money now, and this card tonight is no easy one, in fact, if I had the cash would hit the all button in Race 9 & 10. But with $24 to spend it will be one tough ticket in the Guaranteed $15,000 Pick 4 for tonight, so here it goes …

Race 7 #1 Stormont Caviar ML 8/1 #5 Mad Cow Lisa ML 3/1 #6 POW ML 4/1

POW is going to be my choice in this race. This 5YO gelding is dropping in class and has a pair of 81’s recently. His finishing times and class should prevail over this mixed bag of trotters. Michael Reading seems to do well with class droppers and will play that angle.

Race 8 #5 Plum Grove ML 3/1

This race is like Race 7, a mixed bag of horses and that on paper anyone could win, given the perfect trip. The #5 Plum Grove is really in a nice groove with back to back seconds and improving finishing times. Marcus Miller drives her for the third time and looks poised to win it. So will take the shot and single here.

Race 9 #5 Wand’s Cowgirl ML 5/1 #8 Tinkers Damn ML 7/2 #10 Edita Hanover ML 6/1

Another race where anyone of these girls could win, it’s that wide open. If you can afford it hit the “all” button. After all the hemming and hawing, I landed on #8 Tinkers Damn. This mare knows how to find the board and has decent speed. Also, going with the trainer angle here, Kincley doesn’t have a deep string and his horses do real well. If she gets to the lead she will wire this group.

Race 10 #6 Johnny B Cool ML 4/1 #9 Samstorm ML 3/1 #10 Maximus Meridus N ML 5/1

In this claiming race, five horses are dropping in class. This makes it especially tough to find the right class and speed pairing. Like race #9, if you have the funds hit the “all” button and hope for the bombers to show up. Without that luxury I’m playing #9 Samstorm to win. Last two races have been real strong and feel he is top form, the post is the only downfall for him, but if Wilfong keeps him close he can pass this lot. Of all the droppers, Johnny B Cool is the live one here.