Evangeline Downs Pick 5: Thursday April 7, 2022

We saw some juicy prices on the will pays last night — a good sign that playing Evangeline’s Pick 5 is worth the squeeze. Let’s keep grinding after a nice night where 2 As and 3 Bs came home for us. Hope you cashed for $286.80!

The Pick 5 Begins with Race 4, 6:51 PM CT Post Time

In Thursday night’s Pick 5, I feel confident we can bookend the sequence with singles. If favorites come in legs 2-4, then we likely want nothing to do with the payout. Let's bank on chaos, and justifiably so in three competitive, challenging races. Consider playing 3 As and 2 Bs and 2 As and 3 Bs since we are so skinny in the B Column.

All As = $18

4 As + 1 B = $21

3 As + 2 Bs = $8

2 As + 3 Bs = $1

Race 4 Dirt 1 Mile Clm 5000N2L 4yo & up statebreds

A: We can begin with confidence that #5 Charli Michael (7-2) will wire this field. Last out he went too fast early and couldn’t make the distance, but there are no other frontrunners to speak of and he should be able to even out the effort and sustain the bid in his second two-turn attempt.

Race 5 Dirt 1 Mile Clm 5000k 4yo up

A: #3 Jeha (3-1) comes in from Gulfstream/Saffie Joseph’s barn after being claimed by Grudzien. The four-year-old’s figures are strong, but note those all come over synth and turf — dirt is the question. Same story for #4 Armchair Jockey (5-1) — all best performances have been on the turf, but those efforts would win if they translate to the dirt. Ron Faucheux’s # 7 Harbor Knight (10-1) appreciated the added distance last out and looks to improve on that win in his second two-turn start.

B: #8 Chop Chop Charlie (9-5) is making his second start since being claimed by Karl Broberg, a situation that often results in horses returning to their previous peaks — should send but has the outside post to work out a trip from. Can’t fade altogether in my opinion, and we want to be alive to the next leg, where our value lies.

Race 6 Dirt 6.5f OC10k/SAL5k 4yo up 

This is the race that makes the sequence exciting.

A: Three LA-bred horses exiting Fair Grounds could run well at a price against this field, specifically our longshot #9 Nosy Banker (20-1) (SCRATCHED). Winner of four at the Fair Grounds meet, he has the running style to press and pass this feisty fast field. #10 Rockdale (15-1) (SCRATCHED) makes his second start as a claim-back for Faucheux’s barn. He could wire this field and has an advantageous post to get the lead into the turn. If the pace heats up, as it looks to on paper, #6 Jeb’s Lucky Eight (9-2) and #3 Common Law Cat (8-1) will be the late runners to take advantage, so let’s preference them as well. 

B: Let’s use two other frontrunners with strong figures, connections, and value: #2 Strong Rules (10-1) and #11 Guitarzan (15-1).

Race 7 Dirt 1 Mile Alw 28000NC 4 yo up

A: Throw out the last race and # 5 Rightandjust (8-1) fits on figures, class, and has the early speed to stay in position to finish the job late. With # 1 Speaktomeoflove (6-1 coupled) there is a strong likelihood of a send from the outside post. He absolutely fits on figures and class. 

B: # 7 Union Station (2-1) is a closer who strung three wins together to end 2021, then ran into fierce company and slow set-ups. #4 Bold Thirst (9-5) — the post position and pace should set up nicely for a horse who can be forward yet still take advantage of a meltdown. 

Race 8 Dirt 6 Furlongs Md 7500 3yo & up statebreds 

A: #9 Bold Dancer (5-2) has the speed and takes the MSW to MC class drop. Trained by Keith Bourgeois, and Vicente Del-Cid gets the call after winning four on opening night. 

Single. Cash. Celebrate. Repeat.