Delta Downs: Pick 5 Play for Oct. 15

A nice night of racing under the lights of Delta Downs with a juvenile stakes featuring some serious state-bred talent. I’ll lean on a couple horses who are standouts on the Thoro-Graph sheets and look to spread in the other races.

50-cent Pick 5 = $90

• Race 5 - 8
• Race 6 - 2,3,4,5,6
• Race 7 - 5,7
• Race 8 - 5,6,7
• Race 9 - 1,2,3,4,5,7

Race 5 Dirt 6 1/2 Furlongs Clm 15000N3L 3-year-olds & up

Although #8 Mists of Time (5-2) is best at finishing second or third, he is dropping in class and consistently earns Thoro-Graph figures far superior to this field.

Race 6 Dirt 5 Furlongs Clm 20000N2L 3-year-old & up fillies

At this distance we want front runners, so we’ll grab the best early speed, but let’s also use two sneaky route-to-sprint trainer angles. #2 Hamazing Lace is not a front runner but still breaks sharp, gets Del-Cid and the needed class drop. #3 Taylors Babe (7-2) is shortening up and switching surfaces, Grudzien’s forte. #4 Lightning Hart (6-1) looked sharp in the front-end win at Will Rogers Downs and the recent works suggest he’s fit. #5 Mariah’s Candy (9-2) is sent out by Jayde Geldner, who wins 28% rate with route-to-sprints. #6 Boston Belle (10-1) needs the lead and Joe Stokes has the outside draw to cross over on his early speed foes.

Race 7 Dirt 6 1/2  Furlongs Alw 35000N2X 3-year-old & up fillies

A rule to live by at Delta Downs is this: always use a half-sibling to a Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) winner trained by Asmussen. Enough said about #5 Malibu Kendall (5-2). But, wow, she sure doesn't seem like a runner on the page. So we’ll use #7 Speed Queen (4-1) who has the best Thoro-Graph figures, running style, and fresh legs to cruise against these.

Race 8 Dirt 7 Furlongs LaLegacyB100k 2-year-old state-breds

#5 Bispring (4-1) is a 3-for-4 son of El Deal whose connections have been high on from the get-go, sending him to Belmont for the Tremont S. He’s back in Louisiana, where he won his last two and fired a bullet five furlongs, suggesting he is still improving. #6 Cravens (6-1) took on two live first-time starters at Colonial Downs and dealt them a game blow. Prior to that he finished one length behind Dunedin, who was a half-length shy of winning the Breeders' Futurity (G1) at Keeneland last week. Those were on the turf, so the switch to dirt is the question, but the Asmussen barn inspires confidence. #7 Late September (2-1) will make his first start after trying Royal Ascot company. Camejo had him fit for his Churchill Downs maiden-breaker and this son of Munnings bred by Coteau Groove is as live as they get. 

Race 9 Dirt 6 1/2 Furlongs Clm 5000N2L 3-year-old & up fillies

#1 Judge This Trip (20-1) drew the unfortunate rail, but at this price and with gate speed possibly could manage it. #2 Tapit’s Lady (7-2) has the jets to make these fillies pay. Rider Birzer is hot to start, suggesting he’s getting the live mounts. #3 I Love You More (15-1) is interesting in here, given the likelihood of a fast pace to close into. #4 Rebecca G (5-1) dueled and faded last time. Might be in a similar scenario here, but Del-Cid takes the call, and there is no worse feeling than being alive in the last leg of the Pick 5 and not having one of the best bug boys in the country on your ticket. Ditto goes for Broberg, so let’s use the huge class-dropper #5 Woo Hoo (3-1) whose fresh off the layoff. #7 Marilyn’s Magic's (6-1) one win came at Delta and she looks to be in better form and ready to fly late.