Holland's North American free racing picks for Oct. 5

Tim Holland offers his free expert picks for race tracks across North America. Tracks covered include Parx, Thistledown, and Presque Isle.

Parx

Race 7

Trainer Coletti wins with 17% of his first-time starters and saddles #6 Charly’s Assassin (8-1), a debuting son of 23% first-out sire Uptowncharlybrown out of a mare by Speightstown whose offspring win 16% of their first outings. Gelding is a half-brother to three winners and has been working well for Coletti, who wins with 18% of his runners overall in maiden claiming events. Bay can win at first asking under Nunez, who has won with 11% of his rides for the barn in the past two months.

Thistledown

Race 3

Maidens include #8 Big Al’s Express (6-1), who debuts for 18% first-out trainer William Cowans. Works are nothing special but gelding has a good win-early pedigree being by Twinspired, whose offspring win 18% of their first outings. 2-year-old is a half-brother to one winner and may be ready for a good first outing under Machado, who has won with one of his last eight rides for the barn.

Presque Isle

Race 4

#5 By the Book (6-1) lost some chances when checked in her debut over 5 1/2 furlongs on grass at Colonial in early August. Daughter of Ghostzapper is out of Closeout, who won the Pucker Up (G3), and trainer Proctor wins with 13% of his second-time starters and with 17% of his runners that have not raced for 46-90 days. Dark bay can show more here under Hernandez, who has won with two of his last four rides for Proctor.

Race 5

A competitive stakes on the Tapeta surface includes #8 Lisa’s Legacy (15-1), who rallied from just off the pace to win her debut over 5 furlongs on grass at Indiana Grand in August from which race the third-place finisher easily won her next outing at Kentucky Downs. Daughter of Hard Spun is a half-sister to Not That Brady, who finished second in the Withers (G3), and trainer Hubley has won with 17% of his runners this year. Filly can be along from off the pace with Ayala riding.