HALLANDALE BEACH, FL, November 19. 2021 — What we’re hoping for in tomorrow’s ninth race at Gulfstream Park is directly to the right on the HRI homepage. What follows below is a look at the featured event from Laurel Park, also on Saturday.
Further, we’ll take on several late races from Aqueduct, including the celebrated G2 Red Smith at 11 furlongs on grass and Churchill’s G3 Chilukki Stakes for fillies and mares going a flat mile. First stop, Maryland-my-Maryland for a 1-1/16 miles turf event.
LAUREL PARK
Optional Allowances Race 8
PROJECTED WINNER: My Candy Girl (4-1). ACCEPTABLE WIN ODDS: 5-2 or greater.
THE SKINNY: Not many trainers can improved on the grass expertise of super-trainers Mike Maker or Brad Cox, but perhaps Brittany Russell can. That appears to be the case here. Her most recent victory, following a Russell claim in August at Saratoga, resulted in a career best score last out.
The Twirling Candy filly has won on both firm and yielding ground, and Jevian Toledo fits her perfectly as her last run indicates. She’s won at the trip over this course and is properly spotted by a barn profitable with turf and allowance runners, and is 25% efficient with repeaters.
EXOTICA: In addition to a straight wager equal to the total exotics investment, we’re key-boxing My Candy Girl with properly spotted Dickinson trainee Belle Belisa (8-1), competitively-fast Witty Banter (8-1) and Awesome Jazz (6-1), a fast-finish runner to the choice last out. Additionally, we will key our choice first in trifectas over the above.
CHURCHILL DOWNS
G3 CHILUKKI STAKES Race 10
PROJECTED WINNER: Obligatory (5-2). ACCEPTABLE WIN ODDS: 2-1 or greater.
THE SKINNY: Faced virtually impossible dynamics from a trip perspective in G2 Raven Run at Keeneland last out. Gave Search Results all she wanted at this trip in G1 Acorn this summer and broke maiden around one turn going a mile at Gulfstream last winter and won G2 Eight Belles on Derby undercard, lone try under the spires. Mott, 21% with beaten favorites, reaches out for Joel.
EXOTICA: Exacta key-box Obligatory with She Can’t Sing (6-1), an explosive winner of her last, and Horse for Course (3-for-7) and Horse for Distance (4-7) Sally’s Curlin (10-1).
AQUEDUCT RACETRACK
MAIDEN ALLOWANCES Race 8
PROJECTED WINNER: Scuttlebuzz (9-2). ACCEPTABLE WIN ODDS: 4-1
THE SKINNY: Gelded four-year-old appears very well meant. A Horse for Course (2-for-2) and Distance (6) 4-2-0, he turns back and finishing well behind an extremely soft pace in last at 7 furlongs. So the conditioning is there. Also is Manny Franco, who rode this horse to victory at this trip, albeit vs state-bred rivals, in June. Rates to get better setup here and posted to get a favorable clear run.
EXOTICA: In addition to straight wager at 4-1 or greater, exacta key-boxes including late developing three-year-old Kawhi Me A River (7-2), the sharp Call Me Harry and consistent hard-hitter Colton’s Command (3-1).
G2 RED SMITH STAKES Race 9
PROJECTED WINNER: Serve the King (3-1) ACCEPTABLE WIN ODDS (3-1)
THE SKINNY: Typical Chad Brown/Peter Brant patience-project has come to hand as a late season five-year-old with a fast, forward pattern, good spacing in second start off brief freshening and has gotten along with Irad very well in last two starts. Rates to get a little more pace to run at this time despite marathon trip.
EXOTICA: Serve the King to win at 5-2 or greater and key-boxing exactas classy, speedy veteran marathon specialist Channel Cat (4-1), a two-time trip winner with blinkers re-added and improving late-developing No Word (8-1).
STATE-BRED MAIDEN ALLOWANCES Race 10
PROJECTED WINNER: Catching Cupid (8-5). ACCEPTABLE WIN ODDS (6-5)
THE SKINNY: Catching Cupid placed gamely in rapidly run debut, earning an excellent figure but likely leaving something in the tank, has worked sharply twice subsequently and Jorge Vargas gets a return call from Charlton Baker, 21% effective with second-time starters.
EXOTICA: Singling Catching Cupid in final Pick 3 with all horses listed above, extra ticket with projected winners. If not alive, betting ‘Cupid’ straight at even money or more and key-boxing exactas with price shot Raw Courage (12-1) making second start off the Toscano claim with Javier on the re-ride and the improved Hot Rod Humble (9-2), in solid form for Asmussen. Also, keying Catching Cupid in trifectas over the two rivals listed above.
As always, make suggested multiples at available minimums; straight wagers at a $2 base
