Holland's North American Racing Picks for Apr. 21

by Tim Holland

Will Rogers Downs

Race 3

Trainer Diodoro has been winning with 29% of his runners at this meet and saddles #8 Texas Long Bow (3-1), who drops in class off a fading unplaced effort over the track and distance this month in his first outing since December. Diodoro wins with a high 33% of his runners dropping two classes and gelding has won four of 14 career outings. Bay figures to be tough at this level under Kennedy, who has won with 37% of his rides for the barn in the past 60 days.

Race 6

#4 Hoboken (5-2) makes his first start on this oval and has not been seen since finishing well when second at this distance facing better at Houston in early March. Son of More Than Ready is a half-brother to five winners and has hit the board in four of five career outings. Trainer Broberg wins with 23% of his runners that have not raced for 46-90 days and 5-year-old can be near the front from the start with Cabrera retaining the mount.

Race 8

34% of races at this distance recently have been won in gate-to-wire fashion, and #1 Ten Count Out (7-2) appears likely to be the one to catch. 6-year-old was claimed by Broberg when weakening to finish unplaced after dueling for the early lead on turf at Fair Grounds in her latest last month. Daughter of City Zip has won five of 14 career starts on dirt and Broberg wins with 26% of his runners first off the claim. Chestnut will try claiming company for the first time and rider Cabrera has won with 23% of his rides for the barn in the last two months.

Fonner Park

Race 2

#2 Fashion Fact (12-1) drops into a claiming event for the first time off a fading sixth-place finish over 6-furlongs here six days ago. Trainer Condon wins with just 4% of his claimers, but daughter of The Factor has a record of 5-1-1-2 on this oval and won one of three previous starts at this distance. Filly can be in good early position and tough at this level with Bethke riding.

Race 4

Trainer Martinez wins with 20% of runners second off a layoff and saddles #2 Trask (5-2), who may have needed his latest when second earlier this month being his first outing since December. Martinez has won with a solid 31% of starters at this meet and son of Data Link has won three of 14 starts on regular dirt. 4-year-old can be in the early mix with Armando Martinez remaining aboard.

Race 7

Claimers going 6 furlongs include #5 Magnanimus Man (5-2), who was prominent from the start when a close third in a starter allowance event in his latest in early March. Son of New Year’s Day makes his second start since being claimed by trainer Gonzalez, who has won with 22% of runners this meet and who wins with 20% of his claimers. Chestnut can be forwardly placed early under Olesiak, who has won with 17% of his rides for the barn in the past 60 days.

Race 8

#4 Shady Lane (6-1) proved her liking for this oval when making it three wins in a row here when leading from the start in her latest last month. Improving daughter of Top Hit makes her fourth start for trainer Anderson who wins with 19% of his runners that won last time out. 4-year-old figures to be sent early again and can continue her win streak with Olesiak again in the irons.

Race 9

Trainer Gonzalez wins with 12% of runners going from a sprint to a route and saddles #3 Thunder Box (5-1), who comes off a closing fourth-place finish over 6 furlongs here a week ago. Chestnut hit the board in all three previous starts at this distance and Gonzalez has won with 22% of starters this meet. Son of Ice Box can be nearer the front early here with Journet riding.