Evangeline: Longshot Bookends for May 25 Pick 5

Two key conditions for diving into a Pick 5: having a horse you like enough to single and seeing a race that can produce a bomb. We’ve got both of those heading into Wednesday’s Evangeline Downs Pick 5. Even better, we have two live prices in our bookend legs, so we can feel confident drumming up a Pick 4 if the first leg doesn’t go our way, keeping the second price horse in mind. Likewise, we’ll use the logical favorite as a B in both legs, in case one pans out and the other does not. Let’s take the cherry off the top of our Preakness Day winnings and build us a bet.

All As: $4

All As and Bs: $18

Race 4  

A: #7 Younmehoneybunny (10-1) spotted the field eight lengths after being left in the gate last time (declared a non-starter), she hustled up showing ability, though tiring late. Trainer Brinkman wins 20% with third-off-layoff runners, and his entry seems to have a shot to contest on the front end or sit off and steal it late. 

B: On paper, class dropper #4 Kasen’s Sister (8-5) seems to be the only speed and will be bet as such. Hard to imagine him being left off many tickets, so I will be using her protectively as a B. 

Race 5 

A: Hanger City will be on full display in Race 5–check out the records of the morning line top 3: 18-1-5-5. 22-3-6-6. 49-4-5-10. Either concoct a suicide with these 3 soda pops or ask Bob if you can see what’s behind door #4 Thunk (8-1). Stepping up in class and seemingly overmatched if you look at the Brisnet speed figures, but this fella has looked great winning his last two against decent fields and his figures put him in the thick of it against this field. I’ll also be leaning heavily on #5 Cherokee Takeover (4-1), who very well could be the favorite after his 11-length win against $20,000 claimers when making his first start for trainer Keith. 

Race 6  

As: Only three fillies make sense on top here for me. #1 Mint Julius (3-1) makes her second start for trainer Allen Landry, who wins 28% with second-time starters. A solid speed figure and third-place finish shows me we’ve got another step forward coming. #3 Love That Star (7-2) couldn’t hang on for the gate-to-wire score last but we’d be foolish to not give her another shot given her figures. 

B: #8 Kiss Goodbye (5-2) looks to make her third start count after facing a tough bunch including Pineapple Alley and Sheza Salty Gal. She should be able to work out a better trip from this outside spot and get the late run she needs to pass what looks to be a contentious front end. 

Race 7 

A: #2 Peacock Kitten (3-1) has been facing tougher, including Two Emmys and Santin in the Muniz Memorial (G2). He has the figures and fresh legs to run another big race, and his only real competition are dirt specialists trying grass with no sire angle to justify the move.

Race 8 

As: #3 King Marvin (10-1) is a first-time starter by Custom for Carlos coming out of Sam David Jr.’s barn—both solid angles to play. Likely named after longtime barn manager and all around great guy, King Marvin attracts Tim Thornton to the reins. #4 Italian Prince (8-1) faced tougher last time out and looked good in the early stages though having a troubled trip. Bumped out of the break and checked before the turn losing five lengths—most importantly, as Benny Southstreet likes to point out, this is not mentioned in the running line, so we should get some value here.

B: #2 Freed (2-1) is back sprinting and should return to his best efforts. Two back he broke sharp from the far outside and went for the lead but was contested and pressed three wide in contention throughout.