Hawkeye Sports
Thursday's Free Pick: Boston College Golden Eagles - 14
Thursday's Free Pick: Boston College Golden Eagles - 14
| #4 Grit and Glory | Stalker was a good 2nd in a very key race at the level last time, catches a group loaded with early speed, and won't even be favored; look out. |
| #2 Striking Speed | Fellow stalker was 2 lengths behind the pick last time and is another who should trip out, though the gap to make up won't be easy; second-best. |
| #3 Blood Moon | Speedster did well to draw outside the rail (and ML favorite), though dueling early and holding late seems like a lot to ask; comes unglued late. |
| Race Summary | You won't get rich on the 4 but that race flow really points to him, so play him aggressively to win and place, while getting some additional value by keying him to kick off the early Pk5 as well, as there are plenty of others here who will get bet, so a win will knock out a lot of tickets right off the bat. |
| #2 Magical Sound | Pace player wired his turf debut at Mth and now steps way up, but she looks loose here as the speed of the speed; come and catch the pick. |
| #7 Magisterium | Euro miss closed nicely to be 2nd in her US debut and will be tough here, but her running style leaves little margin for error; comes up short. |
| #4 Lexinator | Fellow closer was 3rd in a stakes on the Tapeta at PID, but that could play on the turf, though she will be left with a lot to do; can get a share. |
| Race Summary | There is other speed here, but the 2 was clearly fastest if you look at the Mth race, so give her a look in all the slots, and especially in the late Pk5/Pk4 as well, since she could fall through the wagering cracks, which means a win would add plenty of value to both sequences. |
| #8 Blitchton Lady | Stalker did well to draw outside for her style, catches a favorite she'll be in front of the entire way, and should offer a hint of value too; can surprise. |
| #6 Sharp Starr | The chalk will be tough, as her races are better than these, but her lack of early speed is a worry, as the pick will get first run; still, looms plenty scary. |
| #3 Cheatham Hill | Potential inside speed was a length behind the pick last time, so she clearly figures, though winning with this trip won't be easy; using underneath only. |
| Race Summary | The price will be right on the 8, and with the 6 taking all the money you're guaranteed some value, so play her in all the slots, and especially in the late Pk5/Pk4 as well, as budget players will be singling the chalk, which means a win by the pick will knock out a good percentage of the tickets. |
| #10 Air Token | Stayed on nicely after opening a big lead in the lane when second in minor stakes company last time out, and he should be able to get another nice, first-over trip with these. |
| #1 Closer Look | Big effort in that October turf win, but he doesn't always back up his bigger tries, so he's no sure thing to run back to it here at a shorter price. |
| #4 Somekindofmagician | Drops for this one after the stakes run last out, and he is capable of some really fast races like he ran in that two-back try. |
| Race Summary | Air Token should get a bit overlooked in this one, and with a well-timed move, he can try to find the front again in the lane with this group. |
| #7 Dancing Til Dusk | Has found the right kind of level in those last two starts with maiden claimers, and she should be able to get another good trip right near the top. |
| #4 A Ring Thing | Can bounce back off the dull run last time out, but I wouldn't be too excited to take any kind of short number here off that clunker, even if the back races fit. |
| #13 Guilder | Drops in for the first time with some obvious room to improve against a softer bunch, but that last one wasn't anything to write home about, and I wouldn't be interested in landing on top with this filly at anything like the 4/1 ML. |
| Race Summary | Dancing Til Dusk is a really good fit with this crew, and she has early speed to give her the jump on many of her other main competitors today. |
| #4 Fast Draw Kid | Handled a modest state-bred bunch with ease in the debut run, and he has some room to improve in this second career start. Mid-range price with a shot. |
| #7 Tate | Faded late going long in the first try with winners at Keeneland, and he can get a decent run from close range with these. |
| #2 Palatial Times | Posted that easy maiden claiming win on the hike after being claimed, and they step him up again for a $62,500 tag this time around. He's probably in a bit deep, but he has been progressing with every start and could have another forward move in him. |
| Race Summary | Fast Draw Kid might get a little overlooked off a low-fig debut win, but he can improve with that race under his belt and should get a tactical go of it at this 7f trip. |
| #8 ROCKIN ZENDAYA | Right spot, right price, post the concern. |
| #5 GETOFFMYCLOUD | Enters 21-percent barn, gets class relief. |
| #1 DON’T DALLY SALLY | Drops, gets rail and Merriman to drive. |
| Race Summary | Rockin Zendaya chased a 1-to-2 runaway three starts ago, couldn’t keep up with faster pace in follow-up, then drew post 9 in latest. She can beat this field if she can work out a trip from the outside. |
| #9 MONGOLIAN HERO | Holds tactical advantage on class drop, good value play. |
| #2 BETTOR BE GOING | Couldn’t sustain middle move, projects ideal trip. |
| #1 NICKEL BAG | Front-end tactics failed two back, drops again, seeks 53rd win. |
| Race Summary | Mongolian Hero wilted under demanding fractions as the favorite, but he can control a more sensible pace on the class drop despite post 9 starting spot. Play 9-1 and 9-2 exactas. |
| #5 FOX VALLY HUSTLER | Trapped at key juncture, can turn tables on the favorite. |
| #6 ROCKETTE BABY | Rallied to win 4 of his last six starts, deserving favorite. |
| #1 SHADY’S STARLIGHT | Flushed out on turn, loomed, flattened out in stretch. |
| Race Summary | Fox Valley Hustler sat a loose pocked, was pinned inside by a lively outer flow and found room too late against similar foes. Play 2-1 and 2-5 exactas. |
| #1 She's Classy | Held third in her first local start after winning at Monmouth; fits for this price and from the inside looks like the one to catch. |
| #5 Royal Habibi | Has a win and two seconds in three starts and is a good fit at the level; probably a short price. |
| #2 Dancing Crane | Ran an even fourth in his first vs. winners and has a good chance to improve. |
| Race Summary | She's Classy has the speed to save her spot along the rail and should be able to ward off challengers. |
| #7 Secret Time | Closed to fifth in the Hilltop at Pimlico in her first U.S. start. Broke her maiden at Longchamp and she's in good hands here with Delacour. |
| #8 Tournesol | Won the Portofino Bay and was second in the Martha Washington in her last two, both at Gulfstream; can close very well and will make a run here. |
| #5 Logic N Reason | Won a Belmont allowance wire-to-wire and hasn't been in a turf stakes race; Clement stable now on the scene, and this one has a good chance. |
| Race Summary | Secret Time was too late in her bid at Pimlico and should find this stakes spot to her liking. She's the one to hold off here. |
| #5 Jolting Joe | It's hard to go against the Maker stable these days as he's winning everywhere, including the Breeders' Cup; this one closed from far back and finished a decent fifth at Pimlico last out and can get rolling earlier this time around. |
| #6 Island Commish | Just missed in a Grade 3 at Kentucky Downs and can be a big player from the start; was perfect in two trips over the GPW course last fall. |
| #7 Monforte | Solid Gracida runner has won five of his last six and he's won five of eight overall on turf. Just very, very tough on the front end, and if he doesn't get any pressure, he'll probably be long gone. |
| Race Summary | Jolting Joe has a good closing move and will get a very fast pace in front of him; look for the big stretch run and another Maker stakes score. |

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