Fair Grounds: How to bet the Pan Zareta S. Dec. 4

A deep field of fillies and mares will dash 5 1/2 furlongs on the Fair Grounds turf in Saturday’s $75,000 Pan Zareta S. The grassy sprint is the feature on the card and arguably the best betting race on the slate as well.

Pan Zareta Wagers

• $10 win and place #7 Yes It's Ginger ($20)
• $3 exacta key box 7 with 1, 2, 5 ($18)
• $1 trifecta key 7 with 1, 2, 5 ($6)

I am going to think outside the box a bit and give top billing to the Greg Foley-trained #7 Yes It’s Ginger at a fair price. By Yes It’s True, the mare had been first or second in seven of eight races to start 2021 prior to failing to hit the board in a pair of tough graded stakes spots as of late. The bay had won two black-type races prior to going a bit off form, but the five-year-old comes in fresh with some solid morning drills in advance of Saturday.

Yes It’s Ginger has enjoyed prior success on the course with a win and two runner-up results from five local outings, which includes an allowance triumph in her most recent experience in New Orleans. The Kentucky-bred bay has fine gate presence and will be forcing the action from the first or second flight early on. Marcelino Pedroza, Jr. will be in the stirrups.

Trainer Joe Sharp’s #5 Inajiffy looked the part with a pair of fine tallies on the course to begin her career, prior to being outrun in the stakes ranks in her latest two offerings. The Street Boss sophomore has been on the bench since May but has trained well for a conditioner who is good with layoff types. The late runner lands in a field with an abundance of early speed and will be doing her best work late under Deshawn Parker.

Defending champ #1 Elle Z led throughout the race last campaign and drew the rail for her bid to retain her title. The fleet daughter of City Zip has an affinity for the local lawn as well as possessing class and ample early foot. The Chris Hartman charge will be sent from the start, though I fear that she will face pressure every step of the way.

#2 Brooke Marie has gone close in the stakes ranks on a few occasions and will break through with a black type victory at some point. The daughter of Lemon Drop Kid looked good in an allowance score at Keeneland off the shelf in her first start for trainer Eddie Kenneally Oct. 28, and any improvement off that will give her a chance with a sensible voyage.