Middle leg the key to Fair Grounds Pick 3

Fair Grounds will play host to a 10-race card on Saturday, and while there is not stakes action on the slate, there are attractive betting options throughout the day. I have tabbed a three-race sequence that is especially interesting to me, and here is my analysis of each event.

Race 3

A $10,000 optional claiming affair for fillies and mares gets the wager started, and a competitive field of seven will go postward. #7 Gavins Little Sis (3-1) has good current form and makes a first run off the claim for James Baker. Texas-bred 4-year-old looked the part last time, and she is the one to beat in my opinion despite the class rise.

Recent winner #5 Dancing Waves (4-1) and #3 Yes I'm Evil (6-1), making her first off the claim for Combs, will also be included as I go three-deep in leg one.

Race 4

Seven will vie in the allowance/optional claiming turf sprint, and my focus will be on a pair of price horses with speed. With the lack of a front runner in the dash, I will go two-deep with a pair of potential pacesetters that could spurt clear in the stretch.

#4 Sir Truebadour (8-1), winner of the 2018 Bashford Manor (G3), has yet to regain his sharp 2-year-old form for Asmussen. But the son of More Than Ready was a winner in his lone run on the weeds in 2019, and he could be the one to catch today under Santana.

#6 Tina's Exchange (12-1) earned hefty Brisnet E1 and E2 Pace figures on this course most recently in a first attempt since coming to the Calhoun barn. He tired in the lane in that endeavor, but he faces a softer field today and also will be forcing more reasonable early splits. Lightly raced 7-year-old is an inviting price with Brian Hernandez Jr. returning.

Race 5

Optional claimer on the dirt for fillies and mares attracted seven in a very competitive closing leg. The combination of #3 Fugitive Lady (6-1), #5 Cicada's Song (7-2), #6 Hyper Piper (3-1), and #7 Special Blessing (5-2), have compiled a cumulative 19-8-5-0 line at Fair Grounds. I have full confidence that this quartet will cap my wager in successful fashion.

Suggested Wager

$1 Pick 3: 3,5,7 with 4,6 with 3,5,6,7 = $24

Good Luck!