Racing Best Bets – Saturday, May 25
As we take a breather from the Triple Crown trail and prepare for Belmont at Saratoga or Bel-A-Toga, we are treated to a couple of fun cards from New York and California. The Santa Anita card features a tricky late Pick 5 that is all state-bred races. The early half of the card features Cal-Bred favorite, The Chosen Vron, who is one of the coolest horses running. Rarely do you see a millionaire off mainly state-bred races, but that is exactly what Vron has done because of his consistency. He’s a shot price and a likely winner, but he does not offer much value since he will be so heavily bet. Let’s look at today’s racing best bets.
The Pennine Ridge, Belmont at the Big A, Race #7
As they head postward, the favorite is expected to be #2 Legend of Time who will try to win in the US on second asking for superstar Euro trainer Charlie Appleby. He was disappointing last out at Keeneland and is not part of the “A” string for Appleby, so I’ll take a shot against him here.
#3 Risk Tolerance looks like the next dominant turf horse for Chad Brown. He showed tactical speed, something Brown is not known for, while chasing a decent pace on debut and then was able to run down the leaders with an average at best trip. Any step forward today will make him very difficult.
The other Brown in here is the #1 White Palomino who was impressive at Keeneland last time out while getting a perfect trip. Prat picks up the mount and I like the confidence that Brown shows in this one wheel back into a graded stakes off that maiden score.
#7 Triple Espresso enters the race as the most experienced contender and even tried the Derby trail in the Jeff Ruby Steaks. Turf is his best surface, but he will need to improve to beat any of the top three and the price is not that enticing for him to do so.
Picks: 3-1-2-7
Racing Best Bets: $50 Win – 3
$20k N1X Allowance, Santa Anita, Race #7
We are headed to the undercard at Santa Anita for my favorite play of the day. #4 Danzing Cat returns to the track for trainer Peter Miller after a break and has been working wonderfully in the morning. Last year she was facing older horses as a 3-year-old and will not have that disadvantage in a race that drew surprisingly little speed for a sprint. She should break on top and control the race from the jump.
#2 Tizzy Twister runs back off the claim for Papaprodromou who has excellent numbers in this scenario. She will shorten up today, returning to the six-furlong distance where she has won twice. The pace doesn’t set up wonderfully for her, but she will be running at the end.
#1 Irish Wahine enters the race with three wins in her last four starts but will need to show more speed today to have a chance at the top prize.
#5 Wishtheyallcouldbe offers the best price at 6-1 in her 2nd race off the layoff. She loves Santa Anita with three wins in seven starts and should be the closest pressure to Danzing Cat giving her an edge over the inside runners.
Picks: 4-2-1-5
Racing Best Bets: $50 Win – 4
Spot Racing Best Bets:
Santa Anita, Race #3: $50 Win #4
Belmont at the Big A, Race #10: $50 Win #5
