Daily Racing Form handicappers Ashley Mailloux and Mike Beer preview a 6 1/2-furlong dirt allowance at Parx Racing in Bensalem, Pa.
Wednesday’s Race 7 carries a $50,000 purse, a 3:22 p.m. Eastern post time, and a compact field of six. The two handicappers are split on top. Mailloux sides with 2-1 morning-line favorite Lucky Dude, while Beer is looking for value with Try Harder at 4-1.
Beer’s pick to win: No. 1 Try Harder
No. 1 Try Harder, trained by Ernesto Padilla-Preciado, was claimed for $16,000 three starts back and has since stepped up to first-level allowance competition. Beer points to the 5-year-old gelding’s most recent effort at this level and distance, where he contested the pace throughout before Lasso ran him down late on a perfect trip.
“This horse ran really, really well last time,” Beer said, adding that Try Harder does not need to be on the lead to run his race. He pointed to a closing effort at Penn National last August as further evidence of versatility.
Mailloux agreed the last race was an improved performance, noting the prior start going two turns on an off track was a poor fit for a horse who was 0 for 6 on wet surfaces. She gives him a full excuse for that outing.
Mailloux’s pick to win: No. 6 Lucky Dude
No. 6 Lucky Dude, one of two John Kirby-trained runners in the field, is the 2-1 morning-line favorite and the horse both handicappers view as the one to beat. Mailloux rates him the most versatile runner in the race, noting he has closed from off the pace and also been effective when positioned forwardly.
“I really think Kendrick Carmouche can just put him anywhere and he’s effective,” Mailloux said.
Beer also views Lucky Dude as the horse to beat, calling his most recent start “an underrated race” after he broke poorly, wound up last, and still finished third.
“He’s in really good form, breaking from a great post with tactical speed,” Beer said. The outside post 6 should help him secure position early.
The fresh horse: No. 4 Tunisian Spring
No. 4 Tunisian Spring, the Kirby-trained stablemate, returns from a layoff and has been working sharply. Beer called him “pretty dangerous in here,” noting the gelding has speed but does not need to lead and has been facing tougher competition.
Both handicappers pointed to his win three starts back over this track at six furlongs – a 79 Beyer that Beer called “a legit performance.” Mailloux noted the freshening could do him good after two uninspiring races, one on turf.
The handicappers’ verdict
Ashley Mailloux’s picks
No. 6 Lucky Dude
No. 1 Try Harder
No. 2 Trust Issues
No. 3 Chance
Mike Beer’s picks
No. 1 Try Harder
No. 6 Lucky Dude
No. 4 Tunisian Spring
No. 2 Trust Issues
Watch for more thoughts on this race from Ashley and Mike:
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