Delta Downs Late Pick 5 on Nov. 3: Singling the Longshot

The early Pick 5 looks haveable but chalky, so let’s pass. I see potential value in Race 7 and separation in the first two legs, so let’s attack the Late Pick 5.

Races 5 and 6 have classy, stakes-caliber fields that will make for interesting races (and possibly some vertical action), and I am against a likely co-favorite in #6 Vodka Gimlet (4-1) and the morning line favorite #5 Old Indian Trick (5-2).

50-cent Pick 5 = $60

Race 5: Dirt, 7 Furlongs, Alw 37000C, 3-year-olds and up

I’ll take two of the three stakes winners in the first leg. As the lone speed #4 Big Chopper (5-2) could very easily be a single in here. Exiting the Oklahoma Derby (G3), Scott Gelner’s three-year-old has shown talent on the front end. But if he gets headed, he folds. That had to hurt when #7 Game Day Play (6-1) hit the gate last out. No way did he want to see that race out, especially after falling back to last. He’s faced some mighty runners (Fulsome, Caddo River), and he won’t be intimidated when pressing Big Chopper into submission. 

Race 6: Dirt, 5 Furlongs, OC15k/SAL7k, 3-year-olds and up 

#3 Baseball Lover (6-1) set the track record last out… at four furlongs. We’ve known for a while he is fast, but can he beat this seasoned bunch? He’s won his last two and overcame the rail draw last time, so I am a believer. There are quite a few quick gate horses in here, so I wouldn't blame you for singling sprint stalker extraordinaire #4 Alterana (9-2). Ten of his 12 wins have come going this distance, and I am confident that going two turns last out was a prep for today. 

Race 7: ​​Dirt 7, Furlongs, Clm 20000N2L, 3-year-olds and up state-bred fillies

#6 Stop Shop N Drop (12-1) has a sneaky good Thoro-Graph figure last out and the pattern projects her to take another step forward. This is the kind of horse I look to build a ticket around.

Race 8: Dirt, 1 Mile, Clm 10000N3L, 3-year-olds and up fillies

#1 Anna Clause (5-1) matched her previous top Thoro-Graph figure last out, and if she can repeat, she’s all set against these. #4 Us Second Cute Pie (15-1) fits on the sheets against these and will be overlooked. #7 Chrome Savage (4-1) is 2-for-4 at this distance but might need one off the long layoff. #8 Burning Desire (3-1) enters for a hot barn after a recent bullet work. #9 Rebecca G (8-1) should be the lone speed and with Vicente Del-Cid up, will almost certainly be in the thick of it coming home. 

Race 9: Dirt, 7 Furlongs, Clm 5000N2Y, 3-year-olds and up

#1 Maintainance Matt (9-2) is a consistent type who should be able to get a clean trip saving ground and looking to pass late. #3 Thunk (8-1) tried allowance company but drops back to the level where he fits. #7 Downtowner (6-1) had a nice work between starts and should run to his top level second off the layoff and dropping down in class. There’s no doubt about it, #8 Off Sixes (15-1) does his best running in the fall. I’ll include, assuming he can have the same return to form as he did last year at this time. #9 Lovethatcause (6-1) has outside speed and form, having won his last race. He now enters a barn who does well first off the claim. The same goes for #11 Cap Rock Miner (5-1); if he draws in, he can wire the field.