BetAmerica’s horse racing pick of the day: July 7, Thistledown

Weekday picks and plays for Thoroughbred racing.

Tuesday, July 7

Thistledown, Race 1: $7,500 claiming (6 furlongs, 12:50 p.m. ET)

Trainer James Jackson has been ultra-hot at Thistledown this meet. He is 7-for-17 (41%), with five runner-up finishes for good measure. He stands a strong chance to reach the winner’s circle again with #1 Spin Doctor (5-2), the morning-line favorite in Tuesday’s $7,500 claiming race for Ohio-breds that have never won three races.

Spin Doctor seems to hold a special affinity for Thistledown. He has cracked the exacta in all three of his starts over the local oval. In a $7,500 claiming event for non-winners of two races June 10, Spin Doctor dueled for the lead with #2 Candy’s Revenge (3-1) before he settled for second place by a half-length.

But 17 days later, Spin Doctor returned to dominate a similar race by 3 1/2 lengths and posted a 70 Brisnet Speed rating that ranks among the best in Tuesday’s field.

With jockey Terry Houghton (a 24% winner at Thistledown) retaining the mount, Spin Doctor can win right back, even with the step up in class. We’ll bet him to win and play him on top of a straight exacta, with Candy’s Revenge underneath.

$20 to win on #1 Spin Doctor
$10 exacta: 1 with 2
Total: $30

Good luck!