BetAmerica’s horse racing pick of the day: Aug. 7, Ellis Park

Weekday picks and plays for Thoroughbred racing.

Friday, Aug. 7

Ellis Park, Race 7: Maiden special weight (7 furlongs, 4:40 p.m. ET)

#4 Temper Time (6-1 on the morning line) didn’t show much in her debut July 8 at Keeneland, where she raced in mid-pack over a wet fast-track and weakened to finish seventh, 10 1/4 lengths behind the winner.

But there are reasons to believe this $250,000 yearling purchase can improve in her second start.

First and foremost, there’s trainer Dale Romans’ extraordinary record with experienced 2-year-olds at Ellis Park. Since 2015, Romans has gone 8-for-16 (50%) with such runners, compared to his 5-for-35 (14%) record with juvenile first-time starters at Ellis during the same time frame.

Temper Time breezed a quick half-mile from the Churchill Downs starting gate just two days prior to her debut. She’ll hopefully arrive at Ellis Park with a little more in the tank, after she breezed an easier 3 furlongs from the gate in :35.40 Monday.

With hot jockey Martin Garcia in the saddle, Temper Time can outrun her morning-line odds.

Let’s bet Temper Time to win and key her in the exacta, with the well-bred first-time starters #6 American Grace (9-2) and #9 Honorifique (6-1).

$12 to win on #4 Temper Time
$3 exacta: 4 with 6,9 ($6)
$6 exacta: 6,9 with 4 ($12)
Total: $30

Good luck!