It's Sunday - Guaranteed $25,000 Pick 4 @ Balmoral Selections

Last night my Pick 4 got creamed. I knew I was in trouble when Vette Man won the 10th race. I had a bad feeling leaving him off the ticket but someone had to go, wrong one. One thing you learn about race handicapping is how humbling it can be, get cocky winning or getting close and then a rough lesson is handed to you. Yesterday for me was such a lesson. So starting over and getting back to the 3-3-3-1 routine and staying focused we may get back on track. Last night the Pick 4 paid $5608.30, nice pay day! We will continue with our $27 ticket and our balance is now $132.10. Here we go …

Race 7 #2 Towneism ML 5/2 #5 Bell Valley Zeke ML 5/1 #6 Majestic Royale 3/1

I’m with Majestic Royale here. Has back to back 2nd’s and last race showed some form improvement. Consistent speed figures and Leonard does well this gelding. Going to throw out Bell Valley Zeke last outing where he was parked outside. Has strong speed pairings and John Roberts has great ROI here.

Race 8 #2 Fox Valley Oracle ML 5/1 #5 Bob’s Minute Maid ML 6/1 Joinusforsomefun ML 4/1

This is the tough race of the four. Highly contentious and Nite to Remember will be a factor. I’m going with Bob’s Minute Maid to win this race. Smolin hasn’t won with her yet, but she showed great improvement last outing. Her speed figures get better with each race, and she knocked off some time last going.

Race 9 #1 Hitithard ML 9/1 #6 Classy Chassy ML 10/1 #10 Lookin’ Ahead ML 4/1

Another difficult race and thought of singling #1 Hitithard here, but still like Classy Chassy. I went back and watched the race, and she was boxed in all the way to the stretch, she moved up smartly but there was no room to clear, losing by 3 lengths. Her speed stays in the 80’s and Roberts has a .348 ROI with her. If she can get out and clear the field she has a great chance to win.

Race 10 #8 Little Gus ML 3/1

His last race was a nice stair step improvement through each call. Speed pairs well at 75-76 and pushed last out to the end. The one that we need to watch is Rejoiceandbeglad that is moving up in class off a solid win. She hasn’t gone as fast as Little Gus but recent winners moving up give me to pause. Otherwise, I don’t see anyone else getting close.

The ticket looks a bit chalky with no real longshots, but didn't see anything that looked threatening. Looking at Classy Chassy as the price play of the group. So let's finish the weekend of with a nice ticket to cash!

Good luck to all of you ...

$20,000 Guaranteed Pick 4 Selections for Balmoral tonight

Tonight at Balmoral is the Guaranteed $20,000 Pick 4 and last Saturday we hit it! Before we get started, last Wednesday night we missed the Pick 4 by one. Looking back should have taken Toshie’s Place as the single and would have had another one for $290.00. Tonight we’re going to do something different, instead of singling one race we’re going to do a 3 -2 - 2 - 3. This is an experiment, having hit one of three singles, so the idea is to spread the risk out a bit and forsake the longshot in two races. Our ticket is still $27 and the balance left is $159.10.

Here we go:

Race 10: #1/1A Major Monet ML 8/1, #4 All American Bomber ML 8/1, Special Joe ML 4/1

This is a wide open race and was tough leaving Vette Man off the ticket. I’m leaning to Major Monet here with a huge improvement last out coming in second and tightening up its final time. All American Bomber is moving up in class and the trainer hits about 12% of time, add Marcus Miller in the buggy and you have to respect this horse.

Race 11: #1 Popperosa ML 8/1 #6 Giddy Up Boy ML 4/1

Like both of these horses, had them in a previous ticket and Popperosa won for us on the 20th. I’m going to stay with Popperosa, she is moving up in class but like her due to speed/time form and Miller again. Giddy Up Boy showed a strong form improvement, good ROI with Roberts and Kreischer connection, could finally beat them all.

Race 12: #3 Johnny B Cool ML 4/1 #6 Rocket Dog 9/2

Johnny B Cool had a big race on the 20th finishing 2nd in a $4,000 CL event. Looks like is in great form and should be interesting with Smolin back at the reins. I like Rocket Dog here based on excellent speed of 75 relative to the others and rounding into form. Coming out of the 6 slot and Casey Leonard driving, just one of those steady horses that knows how to win.

Race 13: #4 Bring The Rain ML 8/1 #5 Real or Magic 4/1 #6 Drive’em Cowboy ML 9/2

While Bring The Rain looks the strongest of the three, I am going with Real or Magic. Had a good outing in Springfield, his speed and class fit nicely here and the Seekman/Fountane have a nice ROI together of .317. If you’re not buying my logic then go with Bring The Rain. Who ran an improved race last out and is getting Miller for the first time, very dangerous horse here.

With some luck tonight we catch some prices and cash a nice Pick 4. Don’t forget the 50 cent Trifecta on the 13th race. Tomorrow night will post selections for the Guaranteed $25,000 Pick 4 at Balmoral.