BetAmerica’s horse racing pick of the day: May 12, Fonner Park

Weekday picks and plays for Thoroughbred racing.

Tuesday, May 12

Fonner Park, Race 2: allowance (1 mile, 5:27 p.m. ET)

This race is restricted to horses that have never won two races, which means a few of the runners are veterans with lots of defeats.

This makes #7 Banana Pepper (5-2 on the morning line) an appealing choice, since the 3-year-old colt has only run eight times and might have more upside than his older rivals.

Conditioned by ultra-hot trainer Kelli Martinez, a 31% winner at Fonner this year, Banana Pepper lost his first seven starts in Kentucky and Ohio, but relished the drop in class when he moved to Fonner two weeks ago. With leading jockey Armando Martinez in the saddle, Banana Pepper crushed a 6-furlong maiden special weight by 4 1/4 lengths, which earned a 71 Brisnet Speed rating.

Banana Pepper will stretch out to a mile Tuesday, but as a son of the classic-placed Grade 1 winner Creative Cause, out of an El Prado mare, he has the pedigree to handle route distances. Kelli Martinez and Armando Martinez have won at 38% rate together over the last 60 days, and since this race doesn’t contain much speed on paper, Banana Pepper’s tactical foot will be a major asset.

Let’s place a large win bet on Banana Pepper and key him on top of a straight exacta, with #6 Eastside Boy, who brings quick speed ratings to the equation for leading trainer Isai Gonzalez.

$30 to win on #7 Banana Pepper
$10 exacta: 7 with 6

Good luck!