Removing All Doubt
Abraham Lincoln once said: “Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.”
On Jason Levin’s “Inside Racing” show on Sunday, July 6, I removed all doubt.
Inside Racing, which airs live on Xtra Sports AM 570 in Los Angeles, Cal. was a great show — until my appearance. Apparently, I was under the impression that, like many of my freelance writing gigs, I was to be paid by the word. Hence, I bombarded guest hosts John Hernandez and Dick Harbin with a stream of syllables seldom heard outside of a teenage slumber party or an episode of “The View.”
Luckily, I used to work with John and Dick on the “Thoroughbred Connection,” so they’re probably used to my verbosity.
This week’s free plays
All selections (unless otherwise noted) are made in light of the conditions existing at the time of entry. Races taken off the turf, or modified in any way, should be passed.
BELMONT PARK * Race 9 (35%) * $200,000 Purse * 8.5 Furlongs * Dirt
5-Pascal (8/1)
Fair Odds: 4-1
3-Mint Lane (2/1)
Fair Odds: 5-2
6-Fidelio (5/2)
Fair Odds: 3-1
COMMENTS: Since finishing dead last in his debut at Ellis Park in August, PASCAL has developed into a nice horse. And, although he competed in the claiming race as recently as April 30, his latest effort stamps him as a prime contender against the likes of these, as he earned a 97 Beyer and -5 late speed ration (LSR) in an allowance win against older on June 4. If new jockey Cornelio Velasquez guns Pascal to the front, he could prove tough to catch. MINT LANE is definitely the one to beat, but has put in his best efforts rating on slow early leads, typified by his recent score in the Postponed, where he earned a 106 Beyer and -4 LSR following a moderate -4 early speed ration (ESR). When Mint Lane was forced to go faster early in the Grade II Peter Pan on May 10 (-8 ESR), he posted a 92 Beyer and -13 LSR. FIDELIO is talented, but his pace figures aren’t quite up to par at this point.
BET(S): WIN on 5 (at odds of 4-1 or greater). EXACTA 3,5 with 1,2,3,5,6.
HOLLYWOOD PARK * Race 8 (50%) * $75,000 Purse * 6.0 Furlongs * Turf
8-Get Funky (5/2)
Fair Odds: 5-2
10-Towzee (12/1)
Fair Odds: 6-1
1-Canteen (4/1)
Fair Odds: 9-2
2-Jungle Prince (6/1)
Fair Odds: 6-1
COMMENTS: GET FUNKY is undefeated in his last three turf sprints and brings a load of back class to today’s event, with a previous Grade II and recent Grade III win to his credit. Price may be the only drawback. TOWZEE ran extremely well in his latest (92 Beyer, +1 LSR) and get a favorable pace scenario for a rider (Alex Solis) who fits him well. CANTEEN loves Hollywood Park and has won two of three at today’s distance. JUNGLE PRINCE ran well after nearly two years on the sidelines; upset threat.
BET(S): WIN on 8 (at odds of 5-2 or greater). WIN on 10 (at odds of 6-1 or greater). EXACTA 8,10 with 1,2,8,10.
