Holland's North American Spot Plays for Apr. 14

by Tim Holland

It's Tuesday and that means time for expert race picks at Fonner Park and Will Rogers Downs by handicapper Tim Holland.

Fonner Park Race Picks

Race 2

#2 Jimmy's Marco (6-1) weakened to finish fourth after vying for the early lead in his debut over the track and distance late last month. Trainer Haar has won with 22% of his runners since the beginning of last year and wins with 13% of runners in maiden special weight events. Early speed is dangerous on this oval and gelding figure to be the one to catch with McNeil remaining aboard.

Race 4

Trainer Gonzalez wins with 20% of his claimers and saddles #6 Thunder Box (2-1), who was a touch unlucky when second as the favorite in his latest, after being floated wide at the eighth pole. Gonzalez wins with 25% of his runners that were beaten as the favorite last time and gelding can be forwardly placed throughout under Journet, who has won with one of his last nine rides for the barn.

Race 5

Claimers going 6 furlongs include #1 El Diablo Grande (5-1), who led from the start to win his latest over the track and distance a week ago. Trainer Hemmer won with a high eight of last 17 runners that won last time out and gelding has a record of 4-1-2-1 on this oval. 5-year-old figures to be the one to catch again with Olesiak taking the mount.

Race 8

Gate-to-wire winner of this stakes 12 months ago, #6 Love At Night (7-2) owns an impressive record of 12-10-1-0 on this oval and comes off an easy win in a stakes over the track and distance last month. Trainer Hemmer has won with four of nine runners this meet and mare has won nine of 12 outings at this distance. Bay figures to be sent early with regular rider Fackler aboard.

Race 9

#7 Ourbestfriend D L (5-2) was prominent from the start when second in a stakes over the track and distance last month in his first start for trainer Anderson. Son of speedy sire Yes It's True has won one of two starts on this oval and Anderson has won with 19% of his starters at this meet. 4-year-old can be in good position throughout with Olesiak retaining the mount.

Will Rogers Downs Race Picks

Race 1

Rail is not the best for a first-time starter but debuting #1 Oklahoma City (6-1) has posted two good 4-furlong works recently for trainer Padilla, who wins with 11% of his newcomers. Gelding has a good first-out pedigree being a grandson of Carson City and out of a mare by Yes It's True. Padilla has won with one of five runners this meet and dark bay appears ready for a good first outing under Shepard.

Race 6

Trainer Buehrer wins with 17% of his runners third off a layoff and saddles #5 Burbach (4-1), who comes off a weakening second-place finish at this level in his second start after a short break. Son of speedy sire Too Much Bling is out of a stakes-placed mare and Buehrer wins with 9% of his maiden claimers. Gelding has tactical speed and can be in good position throughout with Cunningham remaining aboard.

Race 7

Likely favorite #11 Lady Laura (2-1) cuts back in distance after weakening late to finish second at Sam Houston over a mile in her latest last month. Daughter of Quality Road has hit the board in two of three career starts for trainer Asmussen, who wins with 23% of his runners going from a sprint to a route. Filly can be in good position from the start but better value may be found here with #2 Pussycat Pussycat (6-1), a debuting daughter of Tapiture whose offspring have won 20% of their first outings. Chestnut was a cheap yearling purchase but posted a sharp 5-furlong work in 1:00 1/5 eight days ago for trainer Young, who wins with 11% of his first-time starters. Chestnut is worth a look under Wethey, who has won with 21% of rides for the barn in the last 60 days.

Race 10

#1 Keanna (5-2) may have just needed her latest when weakening to finish third over six furlongs as the favorite at this level being her first outing since December. Dark bay has a record of 4-1-0-2 on this oval and trainer Trett wins with 27% of his runners second off a layoff. 4-year-old can be forwardly placed early breaking from the rail under Herrera, who has won with three of last nine rides for Trett.