Early Pegasus Day Pick 4 hinges on Betty

The $16 million Pegasus World Cup (G1) serves as Saturday’s finale, but there is a bevy of betting opportunities on the Gulfstream card prior to the main event. I will take aim at cashing in early in the card, starting with a playable early Pick 4.

Race 2

Seven-furlong dash for fillies on the main oval is no easy one, with a baker’s dozen going to the gate. Promising first-time starters #2 CACHE and #3 TAKECHARGEDELILAH have to be included on my ticket, especially if they are live on the tote board. The former lures Javier Castellano away from another, while the latter goes for the ever-dangerous Todd Pletcher. #10 SOAR FROM SHADOWS is my top pick and I will also include #6 MUCHACHA UNO, #8 ROMANTIC MOMENT, #9 COACH ROCKS and #13 BEYOND GRACE in the Pick 4.

Race 3

Shug McGaughey’s #7 APPLE BETTY ran a big one last time when rolling to a convincing 3 ½-length victory in the Dowager (G3) at Keeneland. Blue-blooded daughter of Galileo gets a nice draw outside to avoid trouble and while I am not a huge fan of an obvious single, I feel there is enough value in the other legs of the sequence to do so.

Race 4

One-mile maiden special weight event for sophomores is intriguing with a few lightly raced ones with potential. #13 LIFE’S A PARLAY ran well at first asking when third on this oval, posting a 100 BRIS Late Pace number in the process. $725,000 son of Uncle Mo is a half-brother to 2014 Triple Bend (G1) hero Declassify and likely will appreciate the extra furlong today.

#12 POINT TO REMEMBER ran a big second in the fall while showing speed and looks like a must use for Jimmy Jerkens. #6 THE GREEN MO’STER was fourth in exiting what I think will turn out to be a very key race at this meeting. Romans pupil shows a solid half-mile drill readying for this one.

I feel confident going three-deep to escape this race.

Race 5

Finale will have 14 going 1 1/16 miles on the turf and I will go deep. A click of the ‘all’ button seems appropriate but for cost purposes I will narrow the selections down. #5 HAMPTON POINT, #6 NEEPAWA and #14 GOLDEN CHALLENGE are three of my top picks in this tough grassy endeavor. In a field without star power, I often give a big chance to first-time starters.

Others of interest include #13 SIR SAHIB, #2 MATHEMATICIAN and #3 EMPIRICALLY.

50-cent Pick 4 Ticket (races 2-5)

2,3,6,8,9,10,13 with 7 with 6,12,13 with 2,3,5,6,13,14 = $63

Good Luck!!