PARX PICKS AND HORSES TO WATCH: Jan. 4
Parx Racing has a 10-race card on tap for this afternoon. Post time for the opener is 12:10 p.m, and we’ve got Parx picks.
Carryovers: Jackpot Pick 5, $13,498
- What we learned on Maryland Juvenile Stakes dayHere’s what we learned at Laurel Park for Saturday’s Maryland Juvenile and Maryland Juvenile Filly Stakes.
RACE NUMBER | CONTENDERS | COMMENTS |
Race 8 | 5-4-8-1 | Peeling off the blinkers on #5 The Great Gazoo (3-1) seems to have been a good move by trainer John Servis; the Malibu Moon gelding responded with the best effort of his career, winning a speed duel in a solid pace for the distance before having to settle for a near-miss second. In his second try in the barn and second off the bench, he looks poised to graduate here… Trainer Jamie Ness has a 31% strike rate bringing maidens back off similar layoffs to that of #4 Johnny Swish (8-1), and you have to like the confidence the trainer is showing, keeping this one in the special weight ranks despite a clunker last out… You always have to respect trainer Linda Rice when she ships from New York to Parx, as she’s doing with first-off-the-claim #8 Charger (2-1). This one, once a $215,000 yearling, has run well his last three on the main track… |
Race 9 | 5-6-7-3 | We’re inclined to give another crack to #5 Souper Fly Over (9-2). The Harry Wyner trainee didn’t show much down at Gulfstream in the Claiming Crown, but who knows how the ship and change in weather may have affected him. And he had an excuse two back, when he hooked 3-10 winner Thorny Tale before fading from the scene. Prior to that he’d run three straight good ones against similar and has the tactical ability to work out a good trip… Over the summer #6 Friendly Fella (7-2) was in good form at Monmouth, and while the Claudio Gonzalez trainee hasn’t been quite as good of late, he’s also been facing tougher; last out he caught a rugged allowance group at Laurel. On the drop into starter company, he can bounce back… The last couple aren’t great for #7 Thundershook (5-2), and he did lose to our top choice two back, but he’s shown plenty of back class to contend here, and second time off the bench could bring a step forward. The odds feel a bit short, though… #3 Sneakiness (6-1) caught a tough group in last but has shown he fits with these sorts… |
LATEST NEWS