Playing the Spiral Stakes Late Pick 4

The Spiral (G3) highlights the biggest day of racing at Turfway Park and I’m going to play inside speed in the Kentucky Derby qualifier, #3 Fast and Accurate. He adds speed rider Tyler Gafflione and at 15-1 on the morning line, the Mike Maker trainee could be a big number.

He enters on the upswing, breaking his maiden wire-to-wire at Turfway two back and leading wire-to-wire in turf stakes at Gulfstream, and Fast and Accurate brings increasing BRIS Speed and Pace numbers into the event.

I also like the sophomores on both sides of Fast and Accurate in the starting gate, #2 Soglio and #4 Convict Pike.

Soglio is a dangerous closer in the 12-horse field and given trainer Graham Motion has won three editions of the Spiral in the last nine years, the Scat Daddy colt figures to be ready for a top performance. He recorded a good second in the Eddie Logan two back and is eligible to make a seamless transition to Polytrack.

Convict Pike brings improving form into the Spiral for Rusty Arnold, recording a nice turf maiden win at Gulfstream before finishing second to Master Plan in the OBS Championship on a synthetic track last out. That rival came back to post a rallying third in the UAE Derby (G2) and Convict Pike will look to make his presence felt from midpack.

The Spiral is part of the Late Pick 4 (races 8-11) and I’ll key on the above horses. Here are some other thoughts in the sequence:

Race 8: Eight of the nine Rushaway contestants would try to lead wire-to-wire if given the opportunity – the 1 1/6-mile event is loaded with early speed and there isn’t a race on the card that sets up better for closer. #6 Gorgeous Kitten is a strong win play for me. He registered an 84 BRIS Speed rating breaking his maiden at Turfway two back, a number that stacks up favorably against his main rivals, and gained valuable seasoning rallying when caught behind a moderate pace in the John Battaglia Memorial, passing horses to finish in midpack.

I’m expecting a forward move today from the late runner.

A pair of logical contenders -- #4 Cool Arrow and #7 Sailing Home – will be used as savers.

Race 9: #6 Delphinia is a serious wire-to-wire contender in the Bourbonette Oaks (G3) for Wesley Ward but I will spread five-deep by adding #2 Jenna J, #3 Darkwingsoverdubai, #7 Fun and #8 Gilded Lady.

Race 10: I’m taking a stand against the horses in the outside part of the Spiral starting gate, using the trio mentioned above.

Race 11: A full brother to multiple Grade 1 winner Real Solution, #1 Kitten’s Solution is certainly eligible to graduate her for Ward and entrymate #1A Knight’s Dream is also in with a chance in his first start for Maker. Viable single. Will add #2 Ingadore, #3 So Random, #4 Our Gordie & #6 Harangue to another ticket.

Pick 4 tickets (races 8-11)

Playing the following 50-cent tickets on a $60 budget:

6 with 2,3,6,7,8 with 2,3,4 with 1,2,3,4,6 ($37.50)

4,6,7 with 2,3,5,7,8 with 2,3,4 with 1 ($22.50)

TwinSpires.com players can earn a share of $2,500 Bonus Pool on the Spiral Stakes Day program at Turfway Park. Bet at least $200 on at least 5 total races and use 5 different bet types (Win, Exacvta, Trifecta, Superfecta & Daily Double). Be sure to “Opt In” for eligibility