Holland’s North American Racing Picks for Sept. 16

Tim Holland has a couple of plays for the closing day at Kentucky Downs, as well as picks for Canterbury Park, Remington Park, and Mountaineer.

Kentucky Downs

Race 5

Brad Cox wins with 26% of his second-time starters and saddles #6 Big Union (4-1), who hung late when second in his debut at this distance at Indiana last month. Son of Union Rags is out of a mare by Munnings and has worked well since his first outing for Cox, who won with three of his first 10 runners at this meet. Colt can be in good position from the start under Geroux, who has won with 33% of his rides for the barn in the past two months.

Race 9

#8 Guildsman (20-1) drew off to win the Tom Ridge S. on the all-weather surface at Presque Isle by three lengths after rallying from off the pace last month in his first outing since June. Gelding was slightly disappointing in three previous starts on turf in this country, but had near top-class form as a juvenile in Europe before joining trainer Walsh, who wins with 15% of his runners that won last time out. Son of Wootton Bassett can be running late with Gaffalione taking the mount.

Canterbury

Race 13

Maiden claimers going 6-furlongs include #6 Nazdrave (8-1), a debuting son of 24% first-out sire Secret Circle and out of a mare by Yes It’s True, whose offspring win 14% of their first outings. Works include a bullet 4-furlong move in :47 five days ago for trainer Bravo, who wins with 24% of his newcomers. Gelding can win at first asking under Valenzuela, who has won with one of his last eight rides for the barn.

Remington

Race 2

#11 Pollux (4-1) has not been seen since making some progress after a slow start in his debut on the main track just over a year ago, but trainer Trout wins with 36% of his runners that have not raced for 90+ days. Gelding should take to turf being by Constitution and out of a mare by Smart Strike, and recent works include a sharp 4-furlong move in :46 4/5 this month for Trout, who won with one of his first two runners at this meet. Chestnut can be along late under Cabrera, who was aboard for barn’s recent winner here.

Mountaineer

Race 5

Trainer Fletcher won with three of his last 12 second-time starters and sends out #10 Miami Magic (5-1), who comes off a weakening third place finish in his debut here last month, a race in which the first two finishers both returned to win their next outing. Fletcher wins with 18% of his maiden claimers and gelding can be on or near the lead throughout with Yaranga retaining the mount.