With rain in the forecast for Thursday, we will break from our turf routine and keep it safe, albeit in a competitive 5-1/2 furlong hop, skip and jump over the main track.
And we’ll double down on that notion by pitting the current Gerald Bennett–6 for his last 10 to begin the week– vs. the old Gerald Bennett, courtesy of the recent Darien Rodriguez barn change.
Each are having productive meets, and in She’s Peachy Keen (3-1), Bennett has the filly to beat given a needed freshening, going synth to dirt, and getting Samy Camacho at the controls.
Prior to her recent PID efforts came back to back wins at Colonial Downs and Monmouth Park dirt ovals.
Now, previous to her two latest efforts, Above Par (4-1) also won both her priors at Monmouth, including one at today’s short-sprint trip. The turnback and outside draw are favorable scenarios here.
Add the fact that Rodriguez is a glaring 40% profitable first-time off the claim–a live race at that–and Antonio Gallardo riding at 33% every time he gets a leg up for these connections, it’s worth gambling on a minor upset.
We’re taking Above Par to win at 3-1 or greater and making a peachy keen exacta box.
