Holland's North American Free Picks for Dec. 11

Tim Holland has a couple of picks for Turfway Park on Friday, as well as selections for Aqueduct, Gulfstream Park, and Fair Grounds.

Gulfstream Park

Race 1

Maidens on turf include #7 Vicmar (9-2), a debuting son of Revolutionary and a half-brother to four winners, including one on grass. Dark bay has been working forwardly and trainer Loza wins with 18% of his first-time starters. Gelding appears ready for a good first outing with Lopez taking the mount.

Aqueduct

Race 8

Chad Brown wins with 26% of his runners going from turf to dirt and saddles #11 Ahead of Plan (6-1), who finished a close third on grass in his latest here last month. Gelding has hit the board in two of his three previous starts on dirt and Brown has won with 23% of his runners this year. Son of Big Drama has tactical speed and can be in good position from the start with Franco up.

Fair Grounds

Race 6

#6 Stop War (6-1) makes her first start for trainer Rubley and was last seen when weakening to finish fourth at this distance at Saratoga in mid-August. War Front filly is out of a daughter of Shared Interest, who won the Ruffian (G1), and 3-year-old has worked well for Rubley, who wins with 12% of his runners that have not raced for 90+ days. Bay can be forwardly placed early with Suarez in the saddle.

Turfway Park

Race 5

Steve Asmussen wins with 21% of his second-time starters and saddles #8 Barakat (6-1), who took betting action but disappointed when unplaced in his debut at Churchill last month. Son of excellent young sire Constitution is a half-brother to one winner and Asmussen wins with 26% of his runners that were beaten as the favorite last time out. Bay can show more here under Bridgmohan, who has won with two of his last seven rides for the barn.

Race 7

#8 Blanket of Roses (8-1) closed to finish second in the Rushaway in one previous start on an all-weather track and made some belated progress when sixth over 1 1/16 miles on turf at Indiana in his latest in mid-October. Chestnut has a good pedigree for this 10-furlong trip and trainer Maker wins with 17% of his runners that have not raced for 46-90 days. Colt can be along from off the pace with Bejarano in the irons.