Daily Racing Form handicappers David Aragona and Mike Beer analyze a field of nine older horses going a mile on the all-weather course in an allowance/optional claimer at Turfway Park in Florence, KY.
Wednesday’s Daily Racing Form Race of the Day is Race 6 on a 10-race card at Turfway Park with a post time of 8:25 p.m. Eastern and a purse of $106,000. Aragona picks No. 9 Prince of Power to win while Beer goes to No. 3 Baby Max – both flagging No. 5 Septarian as the most intriguing longshot if he takes to the synthetic for the first time.
Aragona’s top pick: No. 9 Prince of Power
Prince of Power, trained by Jesus Esquivel with Martin Garcia riding, is Aragona’s top selection based on his ability to get to the front from his outside post. The pace projects slow enough for him to clear to the lead uncontested – a scenario that worked when he wired the field at a similar level two starts back. He ran creditably in the Dust Commander Stakes last time, pressing the odds-on favorite on a fast pace, a performance Aragona views as better than the running line suggests.
Beer’s top pick: No. 3 Baby Max
Baby Max, trained by Kelsey Danner with Joe Ramos riding, is the morning-line favorite and Beer’s top selection based on his strong synthetic form at Turfway Park. Beer thinks he ran great last time in the Dust Commander despite finishing second – he made an early move on the far turn, took the lead too soon, and paid the price late as Honor Marie came from off the pace. Both agree that if he reproduces either of his last two efforts, he will be tough to beat.
The rest of the field
Septarian, trained by Riley Mott with Vincent Cheminaud riding, is the horse both identify as the most intriguing longshot. He returned from a long layoff with a win at Tampa last time and makes his synthetic debut here. Aragona notes his sire, Protonico, wins at 18 percent with synthetic starters – a positive sign. Beer believes this field is well within his reach if he handles the surface.
No. 1 First Strike, trained by Cirilo Gorostieta with Agustin Gomez riding, has scored all five of his career victories at Turfway Park and enters off a solid win last out.
No. 4 Lincoln Highway, trained by Victoria Oliver with Walter Rodriguez riding, is a deep closer who will need pace to develop in front of him – Beer includes him second believing that scenario is possible here.
The handicappers’ verdict
David Aragona’s picks
No. 9 Prince of Power
No. 5 Septarian
No. 3 Baby Max
No. 1 First Strike
Mike Beer’s picks
No. 3 Baby Max
No. 4 Lincoln Highway
No. 5 Septarian
No. 1 First Strike
Aragona goes to Prince of Power on top while Beer sides with Baby Max, with Septarian drawing interest from both as a potential price horse in his synthetic debut.
Listen for more insights, as David and Mike break down this race:
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