Bucking a Mountaineer Trend And Singling a Closer in Pick 5 Carryover

Several favorites look vulnerable in the Pick 5 tonight (Wednesday, July 19) at Mountaineer, including morning line choices of 4-to-5, even money, and 9-to-5, but one favorite I will lean on is #7 Divine Connection--5-to-2 on the race 7 morning line.

Divine Connection sticks with $5,000 claimers but drops in class in that this marks a return to the conditioned claiming ranks. Closers are generally at a disadvantage going 5 1/2 furlongs at Mountaineer, but this one has speed to stay close with the outside draw, and there's enough pace to keep things honest in front of her. The Brisnet.com Speed Ratings are consistently faster than the rest of the group. Yes, some have run as fast, but generally in one-off efforts, and she's consistently 70+.

Why am I looking at Mountaineer on opening day at Del Mar two days before Saratoga opens? Because there is a $11,623 carryover in this pool, and I'm hoping it's slightly depleted with most people playing Del Mar and/or focused on Saratoga (we'll play the Ellis Park Pick 5 carryover on Friday for similar reasons). The Pick 5 begins with race 5 at 8:28 p.m. EDT (5:28p PT) and is the perfect way to keep the party going as Del Mar winds down.

Good luck!