For the early pick 5:
1) I’m on #4 Hollywood Handsome.. Navarro is deadly off layoffs... 36% with 90+ day layoff and close to 50% on 180+ day layoff. Gives him time to dope the horses up.... also, Hollywood Handsome has by far the most class and dropping to his lowest level of his career. He has also been working out really well... will single in most tickets
2) Sayyaaf should win at a short price shortening to 5.5f. If I try to beat him, it will be with the two outside horses. Declined ran a great race last time out after having a rough trip. Loved how he actually rated for the first time and was making a good move at the end to come up just short. Still debating how to play this in the exotics.. would rather not single a 3/5 fave who lost at the same price last time out.
3) The toughest race of the sequence... could go a bunch of ways. A few horses have some mediocre early speed, but none that consistently go to the lead. Walkoff is interesting cause I feel like he will like the added distance, and has closed so well— just don’t know if he will have any pace to run into. #6Growth Engine is the horse to beat IMO, not Potomac. He’s gotten off to rough starts last two times out, and yet, was still there at the end. Very dangerous if he is able to run his race with no issues. Only worry with me is a big jump in class #7The Rock Says ran his best race last time out in his first race on fast dirt— if he improves off that, he will be right there. #4 Potomac has shown big improvements over the last couple months.... I don’t like when horses are claimed off Rudy though— this will be his 2nd start after being claimed, but the first one was only 5 days later so it might have had the Rudy oats and hay in his system still. Might regret it, but will probably pass cause i think he’s due for a regression. 2,6,7 for me.
4) my best bet in this one is #5 Gosilently. Last race was a throw out being off turf, and before that, ran consistently well on the lead on turf. He’s without a doubt the speed of the race, and last year, speed was dominant in the first few days of the meet. Will single on most tickets... but as a backup, will include the 3 and 10 in other tickets.
5) Aubrey Tate is the horse I like most. Working out well, Norm casse is very capable with first time starters, and Bayern progeny has outran there odds so far... love me tomorrow will be on my tickets- Wesley ward with 2yo are deadly, and hoping that maybe she needed a race. She broke so well, but had nothing left late. Just had a bullet workout- dangerous. ghostghostghost will also be on my ticket... Asmussen/Santana is a deadly combo, and the horse has been working out consistently well.
Will post my pick 5 ticket after scratches are announced