How to play the Early Pick 5 for Opening Night at Delta Downs

Delta Downs fires up this Wednesday night. A unique bullring track with a charismatic host in Don Stevens, if you don't already play Delta races religiously, you might this meet as they move the racing to the nighttime.

Let’s stab at the early Pick 5, where there is a clear single, in my opinion, and two races where we can find separation.

.50 cent Pick 5: All As and Bs = $108

Race 1: Dirt, 1 Mile, Clm 5000N2L, 3-year-olds and up

As: We have three class-droppers in here that warrant our consideration. #1 Math Man (4-1) has been a consistent runner for Chris Hartman, Michelle Lovell, and now Juan Larrosa — though, he is finishing nowhere near the front. Finally down to the level that makes sense on the win end. A bit of a mystery about how #6 Marvins Gold (6-1) will do on a fast track, having run on mud or turf in his last six races. Vicente Del-Cid’s presence tips us this one is in form. Karl Broberg wins often when he gives his horse some time off and cuts the price in half, so it would be wise to use his likely even-money favorite, #8 Screwball (2-1).

B: #3 Nugget of Grace (8-1) is interesting in that he has the most recent win and now makes his first start for a trainer who wins 20% off the claim.

Race 2: Dirt, 4 Furlongs, OC20k/SAL10k, 3-year-olds and up

A: Count ‘em: 1,2,3,4 furlongs is the name of the game in this optional claimer with some quality horses on the Louisiana circuit. I think Del-Cid has the right idea in choosing #3 Colonel Klink (8-1) in here. His quickness looks to be the most dangerous of this bunch. #8 Shifty Henry (8-1) just won at this distance by four lengths. If either #9 No Pedigree (3-1) or #10 Old Indian Trick (4-1) draw in off the also-eligible list, they are definite uses. Both have early jets, class, and connections to keep them in form.

Bs: If they don’t, then I like #4 Let It B (5-1) to contend for the lead. Timothy Thornton getting on board signals Let It B is holding his four-win-in-a-row form. Also, #5 Farewell Time (5-2), who beat a few others in here last out going 2 1/2  furlongs. Broberg just can’t be ignored at Delta.

Race 3: Dirt, 1 Mile, MC 10000, 3-year-old and up statebreds

A: I want to give #5 Soulology (3-1) another shot in here. His debut on this track was impressive when he blew the break but flew around the turns and simply needed more running room. Back at Delta and stretching out is just what the trip handicapper ordered.

Race 4: Dirt, 5 Furlongs, Clm 5000, 3-year-old & up statebreds

As: #2 Mr. Priority (5-1) encountered trouble and ran bigger than the ink shows two back. Could be the late kicking at a price. #3 War Song (6-1) is another who knows how to finish a race. Blinkers on will only help, whether he sits closer to the lead in here or keeps to task picking them off late. #6 Cajun Berti (7-2) does his best stuff around this bullring, though Del-Cid is usually the one to take the call on those days. But I think we’ll get a better price than the morning line suggests.

Race 5: Dirt, 5 Furlongs, Md Sp Wt 34k, 3-year-olds and up

A: #6 Lagoon (3-1) is the one to beat here. His only run came on Louisiana Derby day against foes way tougher than in this, and he ran well with Marsalis for a bit. Hasn't raced since, but that bullet work on Sept. 27 tells us all we need to know.

B: The pedigree is there for #1 Foolish Boy (5-1), with the offspring of the dam winning 19% and the sire at 16%. Strong first outing, producing a solid number and beating a next-out winner. On April 28, we saw that #4 Rammer Jammer (6-1) can break and contend for the lead, but in his first start after three months off he was never asked early. Thinking he needed that one, and today we'll see the Ron Faucheux colt’s top performance to date.