Picks for each leg of Indiana Grand's closing-day Pick 5

Thursday is the final day of the 2021 racing season at Indiana Grand, and the track is ready to celebrate with a special opportunity for bettors.

Indiana Grand will seed the final Pick 5 pool of its meet with $50,000, which is like having a $50,000 carryover on tap. Throw in the fact the Pick 5 takeout rate is a super-low 11.99%, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more value-oriented racing wager anywhere in the U.S. this weekend.

So what are we waiting for? Let’s take a race-by-race look at the sequence and assemble a ticket:

Race 6: Maiden Special Weight (5 1/2 furlongs)

The well-bred first-time starter #5 Como Square (3-1) is a logical choice under leading jockey Marcelino Pedroza, but it’s worth noting trainer Brad Cox has gone just 4-for-25 (16%) debuting juveniles in sprints at Indiana Grand this meet. For backup, we’ll include #7 Carlie Q Blue (4-1), a daughter of the three-time Group 1-winning two-year-old Air Force Blue.

Race 7: $5,000 Maiden Claiming (5 1/2 furlongs)

#3 Prime N Proper (7-2) has tactical speed and ran second sprinting six furlongs over this class level on Oct. 12. She’ll be touch to catch while cutting back to 5 1/2 furlongs, though #8 Anna’s Tribute (3-1)—who rallied to finish less than a length behind Prime N Proper on Oct. 12—may give her a tussle under Marcelino Pedroza. And don’t forget about #9 Lilmiss Sassypants (8-1), who finished ahead of Prime N Proper over this track, distance, and class level on Sept. 29.

Race 8: Maiden Special Weight (six furlongs)

The unraced #2 Habuiah (4-1) is a half-sister to Devil’s Cross, who broke his maiden at Indiana Grand as a juvenile. Hot trainer John Langemeier wins at a respectable 14% rate with runners debuting in maiden special weights, stamping Habuiah as a key contender to challenge on debut. But second-time starter #4 Molly’s Warrior (8-1) and the untested Churchill Downs shipper #9 No Drama Momma (3-1) also have solid win credentials.

Race 9: Allowance (5 1/2 furlongs)

#7 Cap de Fuego (5-2) hasn’t missed the trifecta in his last seven starts and brings a bevy of competitive Brisnet Speed ratings to the equation. But Cap de Fuego is a pacesetter with a couple of seriously speedy rivals to his immediate outside, so if the pace gets hot, #1 Rich Kingdom (6-1) or #5 G as in George (9-2) may be capable of picking up the pieces.

Race 10: Salute The Heroes S. (one mile)

#2 Bayou Cat (5-2) has wired three straight dirt routes at Indiana Grand, including a stakes. His Brisnet Speed ratings are strong, although Kentucky shipper #7 Spa City (2-1) has posted similar figures and is 2-for-2 over the Indiana Grand main track. One or the other should take home top honors.

Here’s how we’ll play the Pick 5:

• 50-cent Pick 5: 5,7 with 3,8,9 with 2,4,9 with 1,5,7 with 2,7 ($54)

Good luck!