Thoughts on Santa Super Saturday Pick 4 at Fair Grounds

A premium will be on sharp handicapping throughout the terrific 14-race Santa Super Saturday card at Fair Grounds, where many of the races are devoted to up-and-coming two-year-old talent. We'll try and build up the bankroll on the front half of the card by tackling the 50-cent Pick 4 that runs from races 4 through 7. Race 4 #9 TWELFTH LABOR (4-1) has had two positive runs so far, falling way behind in his latest and narrowly missing going a one-turn mile. Capable of being more prominent early, a good thing in a race with not much speed. Second-time starters #5 BY MY STANDARDS (4-1) and #4 ROCKNROLL ROCKET (5-1) looking to help trainers Bret Calhoun and Al Stall, respectively, break out of early-meet win slumps. Both exit same November 24 Churchill Downs heat with upside. Race 5 A quartet of first-time starters look dangerous in this six-furlong dash. #4 SOLOMONIC (9-2), trained by Brad Cox, is out of a half-sister to Pioneerof the Nile, while #5 GOLDEN TIGER (9-2) is a full brother to multiple Grade 1-winning filly Wedding Toast. #10 STRONG ARM (8-1) and #11 DRIVER DAN (6-1) are by 16% debut sires Tale of the Cat and Uncle Mo, respectively. Race 6 #4 TIGERS RULE (15-1), who won over this course last February, has struggled over softer footing for much of the season. Should see better ground here and was thought of enough to run in graded company multiple times. #8 CAPE ANGEL (5-1) threw in a dud last time over a course he might not have handled. Great form otherwise since joining the Sharp barn. #10 COMPASS ZONE (5-1) the beaten favorite against similar on Black Friday when only beaten a half-length. Race 7 Willing to forgive rough-trip fold from #9 LADY T N T (7-2) in the Alcibiades (G1). Back sprinting and looked great winning at Saratoga and Churchill two and three back. #10 UNHOLY ALLIANCE (9-2) is two-for-two and figures to get sufficient pace to possibly make it three in a row for Brad Cox. Here's the ticket: 4,5,9 with 4,5,10,11 with 4,8,10 with 9,10 = $36 Good luck!