PARX PICKS AND HORSES TO WATCH: JAN. 5

Street Band
Street Band upset the 2019 Grade 1 Cotillion Stakes at Parx Racing . Photo by Allison Janezic.

Parx Racing has a 10-race card on tap for this afternoon. Post time for the opener is 12:25 p.m., and we’ve got Parx picks.

How’d we do last time at Parx?

RACE NUMBERCONTENDERSCOMMENTS
Race 85-4-1-3Last time out, at this same starter level, they came in waves after #5 Petulant Delight (6-1) but couldn’t get to him, as he pressed the pace early, took command, and held off challenges to win by three parts of a length. It was the veteran’s second straight win against similar, he could be a major speed player here, and there’s every reason to think a repeat is possible (especially if you get anything like the morning line price)… #4 The Robert (5-1) made a menacing outside move rounding the far turn but flattened out a bit to finish fifth, though beaten just a couple. He’ll be coming late — but will he be on time? #1 Solar Warning (9-2) will have to work out a trip from down on the inside with speedier speed outside of him. Last time out he tested our top choice at the head of the lane but was no match while hanging onto third… The farther the better for #3 Terry’s Charm (3-1), who’s been away since finishing fourth behind the top choice two back but gets added ground to stoke up his run today…
Race 93-6-5-7Points to ponder: #3 Admiral Abe (5-1) has been away since Nov. 18 (48 days), was a vet scratch Dec. 7, and is going a two-turn distance here that’s right at the edge of his best. On the other hand, he’s in good form now, has been facing better company than these, and last out was second behind next-out G3 Fall Highweight winner Share the Ride. He looks to be the speed of the speed in here… #6 Jump for Alex (4-1) didn’t run well last out when a well-beaten fourth against better. But that was his first try in nearly three months, and his better efforts put him right there. For good measure, there figures to be some pace for him to run at… The lightly raced #5 Irish Cork (3-1) has been making quick work of his conditions and has never been out of the money in 11 career starts. He shouldn’t be far from the pace… What to make of #7 Dreams Untold (7-2)? His good tries, especially locally, have been really good. And his bad tries? Well, pretty bad. His last, in the Concern Stakes at Laurel Park, was one of the latter, so to endorse him, you’ll need to draw a line through that. And his only one-mile try? Well, that was inconclusive, too: he was unruly, stumbled badly at the break to drop to last, made a huge move into second, and then emptied out. That was nearly a year ago, so let’s see what he has to offer today. The talent’s there for sure…

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