The Racing Biz is pleased to welcome Shore Bets, with a revolving cast of Monmouth Park handicappers.  Today, Rob Harding takes a swing.

by Rob Harding

[su_box title=”EXOTIC PLAYS” style=”glass”]Early Pick 5 (Races 1-5)

  • 2,3,4,6/4/3,5,7/4,5/5,6,7
  • $36 for .50 unit

Early Pick 4 (Races 3-6)

  • 3,5,7/4,5/5,6,7/3,5
  • $18 for .50 unit

Late Pick 4 (Races 9-12)

  • 1,7,9/3,4,6/2,4/4,10,11
  • $27 for .50 unit
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Race 1:

  1. #3 Shes Tuff as Nails 8-1 ML
  2. #2 Callmewachuwant 6-1 ML
  3. #4 Chippette 9-2 ML

This race seems like there is an abundance of early speed, and so a horse who should be able to sit a few lengths off that hot pace is #3 Tuff as Nails. Comes in off a win going longer, but has also shown enough speed to stay close enough in sprints…  #2 Callmewachuwant had a dominating win at a big number two- back, while finishing second going longer last time out; she’s another who should appreciate a quick pace… #4 Chippette is in really good form, and fits at this level incredibly well, and has the most ability to stay on should a duel ensue.

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Race 2:

  1. #4 Silver Bouquet 7-2 ML
  2. #2 Daddy’s Crazy Girl 3-1 ML
  3. #3 Harem Honey 12-1 ML

 

This is not the greatest group of horses in here, but #4 Silver Bouquet has shown talent sprinting. I would look for apprentice Juarez to get her on the lead and try to take it wire to wire… #2 Daddy’s Crazy Girl is a money burner at short prices, but has finished second at this level two times in a row and fits… #3 Harem Honey has faced better in her career and should be forwardly placed. She could stay on for a piece.

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Race 3:

  1. #5 Spring About 7-2 ML
  2. #3 March Too 3-1 ML
  3. #7 Get Creative 9-5 ML

#5 Spring About ran an even race last time out in a race that was run in a very quick time for the level. The 0-for jockey is a concern, but rider is capable enough to get a winner home at Monmouth as she has shown throughout the years… #3 March Too hails from the same barn, and exits the same race as the top pick. March Too will be a bit further back but should be able to come with a good run if a solid pace develops… #7 Get Creative drops to the basement off a turf effort in which no running was done, but has shown speed and the staying power to deliver at this level; however the drop is the concern for me.

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Race 4:

  1. #4 Charlies Rainbow 5-2 ML
  2. #5 Modern Mystic 8-1 ML
  3. #7 Feloya 3-1 ML

#4 Charlies Rainbow showed great speed against tougher last time before flopping late. The drop in class should benefit this one greatly, either on the engine or just off of the speed… #5 Modern Mystic has slowly rounded into her better form for Doug Nunn, and should be heard from late if an early duel materializes… #7 Feloya ran well at the level last time, but was really staggering late. Feloya is definitely one to consider underneath, but I will look elsewhere for the top spot.

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Race 5:

  1. #5 Smarter Still 10-1 ML
  2. #7 Dubai Time 9-2 ML
  3. #6 Thunder Calls 3-1 ML

#5 Smarter Still goes out second off a long layoff for low profile connections. The return race was not good but he was close up to a hot pace before fading. Azure Dragon, the horse who beat them that day, came back to win again on Haskell day in an allowance on the turf, so the company kept was pretty good. I foresee a stalking journey and trainer John Botty should have this one equipped with more staying power second time out… #7 Dubai Time faltered at a short price last time out on the drop to this level after being overmatched in a starter handicap. The cutback to a mile should be appreciated (4/16 lifetime) and a better price will be available today… #6 Thunder Calls is the one to beat off the neck loss on the drop to the level last time and should make some late noise again.

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Race 6:

  1. #3 A Sixties Tune 12-1 ML
  2. #5 Doherty 3-1 ML
  3. #7 Royal Burgh 5-2 ML

#3 A Sixties Tune gets some slight class relief after facing better in Jersey-bred allowances the last few times out. This gelding has only run around two turns a couple of times but a third at the distance inspires some sort of confidence in this less then stellar field… Tony Wilson must regret the claim of #5 Doherty last year, as the horse was off for close to a year after being picked up for 40k. However, Doherty ran a respectable second in the first start off the layoff on a speed-biased track two weekends ago here at Monmouth and should be able to replicate that effort tomorrow… Pletcher has finally declared enough is enough for #7 Royal Burgh, as the horse was eased across the lane in his first start off the layoff. The drop to 12.5k should help, but he will be another short price and hasn’t run a step since the maiden breaker last year.

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Race 7:

  1. #2 Tune Me In/#2x Lighthouse Sound 7-2 ML
  2. #9 Picozza 4-1 ML
  3. #6 Mills 3-1 ML

Both halves of the Ness entry are live in here, as #2 Tune Me In and #2x Lighthouse Sound have each paid instant dividends off the claim. Tune Me In was a horse with some back class who was taken by Ness and returned right back at the same level to win last time. Ness usually keeps sharp horses in form, so I would look for another big effort tomorrow. Lighthouse Sound has run some nice numbers lately and continues up the class ladder. Although it might be too tough in here, based on the current form you cannot ignore Lighthouse Sound… #9 Picozza returned off the long layoff to dispose of a field here last time fairly easily. The worry here is the bounce second time off the long layoff after a big performance, but the horse has shown far too much to leave him off your tickets… #6 Mills was claimed for 50k by David Jacobson two starts back and was no factor in a much tougher spot last time. I would expect Bravo to have this one wheeled out turning for home and he could make noise at a fairly short price.

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Race 8:

  1. #9 Trinni Heart 6-1 ML
  2. #10 Majestic Number 6-1 ML
  3. #2 Songa 5-2 ML

 

#9 Trinni Heart comes in off a win against softer where he clearly overmatched his competition. Trainer Serey Jr. was probably happy he was not claimed, as he steps him back up to the level of the claim, and has primarily faced better throughout his career. He’s a definite player to repeat… #10 Majestic Number comes in for a 1 for 31 conditioner, but attracts jockey Abel Castellano Jr. who is having a superb Monmouth Park meet. This horse had some success at Monmouth last year, and is 2 for 4 lifetime with 2 seconds at MTH… Finally, #2 Songa takes a big plunge in class for trainer Jacobson. Songa has been facing much, much better in those recent starts and will be a very short price. He’ll be on my tickets for protected use, but I like others far more.

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Race 9:

  1. #7 Shimmering Cara 6-1 ML
  2. #9 Trish’s Wish 4-1 ML
  3. #1 Forest Funds 9-2 ML

 

#7 Shimmering Cara delivered as the short priced favorite last time out against open company. She takes a step up in class to face optional claimers today but I see it as more of a horizontal jump in class in the sense that turf sprinting is one of those pursuits where a horse can get in good form and stay in good form… #9 Trish’s Wish does her best running on the Monmouth turf course, and was eased across the wire as an overmatched longshot in the stake last time out. She has proven to be tough to pass in the lane if given moderate fractions up front, and is a player here… #1 Forest Funds has shown speed going longer which is a plus given that she is buried down on the rail. I would look for jockey Navarro to gun for the lead and hope the distance foundation suits the filly well here.

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Race 10:

  1. #4 Chubbianna 6-1 ML
  2. #6 Amblin Easy 9-5 ML
  3. #3 Bustin Out 8-5 ML

I think many might default to #3 Bustin Out based on her recent form before the flop in the open stake last time, but this field is far more difficult than anything she has faced before… #4 Chubbianna has never run a bad race while sprinting, and could sit a nice trip behind the early leaders. #6 Amblin Easy “easily” disposed of her competition last time going further. The 6F split was run in a very solid time and should allow for this one to stay reasonably close on the cutback… Bustin Out took one on the chin last time, but this horse was the easiest of winners multiple times already this meet. Ferrer will once again go to the lead and the amount of pace pressure she receives will decide her fate today.

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Race 11:

  1. #4 Out of Nowhere 10-1 ML
  2. #2 Rosebud’s Tiger 4-1 ML
  3. #7 One Minute 9-2 ML

 

#4 Out of Nowhere contested a hot pace last time out, going first time turf for Russell Cash at Saratoga, and faded late. Here today, in the Colleen Stakes, the cutback to 5F should be appreciated today, and the speed she will once again hopefully show will also be a plus going the short distance… #2 Rosebuds Tiger broke the maiden over the GP turf course first time out in a strong time. Based on that effort alone, the horse is a definite use… #7 One Minute has been aggressively spotted by Steve Asmussen, but this is a more realistic spot given the breeding (by Run Away and Hide, out of a Cherokee Run mare). I cannot endorse her for the top spot but based on class relief alone, as well as the Paco factor, we have to include her on the ticket.

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Race 12

  1. #10 Betterthanrevenge 15-1 ML
  2. #4 Exclusive Sarah 6-1 ML
  3. #11 Jojo’s Gal 3-1 ML

This is the type of race where nothing would surprise me. Almost all of these horses have been spinning their wheels at this level, which could leave it ripe for a huge upset. #11 Betterthanrevenge has faded in both starts at this meet at a mile, but trainer Kevin Fields won the last race here last Sunday and when he does win races, he usually wins them in bunches… #4 Exclusive Sarah should show speed from the opening of the gate, and is equipped with a better post position draw this time around after being 6 and 5 wide in the prior two efforts… #11 Jojo’s Gal would have to be considered the one to beat just based off the horrid recent form of a lot of these, but no chance I take her for the top spot. She’s protective use in all multi race wagers.