By Don Phillips Jr. — Friday, December 18, 2020 —
Best PLAY of the DAY:
RACE 6:
#2 Beautiful Karen (7-5) started her career trying a mile twice but that was not her distance then. So trainer Linda Rice went back to the drawing board and gave her a seven month freshening. Her next two races were much better, far more consistent. The filly is coming into this off of her top Beyer figure when a mis-judged ride cost her the victory. If Jose Lezcano can navigate her tactically, she will graduate today.
Best VALUE Play of the DAY:
RACE 9:
#11 Blurt (6-1) went unplaced in his first career start in stakes company going 6 furlongs. Thereafter, a change in distance going longer almost did the trick, but an untimely move possibly cost this colt the race. The switch in jockeys should be the answer here.
HRI Handicapping contributor Don Phillips has been analyzing horse races and sports contests professionally at myriad publications for over 30 years. He will be providing a Best Bet and Best Value play daily in his Act the Races feature from the Big A
