Friday 12/31/21 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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Frank Carulli's Daily Picks

Harrah's Philadelphia - Race #5
Picks Notes
#3 MOONLIGHT SHADOW Dead game in defeat, can control easier pace in here.
#8 MEET THE CREEPER Ranged up on turn, flattened out, gets Tetrick.
#5 DOWNERS DELIGHT Steady check-getter won the last time in town.
Race Summary Moonlight Shadow worked hard to clear to the lead through fast fractions, then went down fighting against the 8-to-5, pocket-sitting winner. He is today's Best Bet in a pace-controlling role.

Meadowlands - Race #3
Picks Notes
#1 BNGS EXPRESS Just won in the same spot in second start since arrival.
#4 WINNING LINC Got past odds-on fave to finish second at 37-1.
#8 BALLERAT BOOMERANG Takes needed drop, draws outside again.
Race Summary Bngs Express sustained a first-over rally to get past the pace-setting favorite and out-kick the pocket-sitting runner-up. He draws the rail and seeks his ninth win of the year. Play 1-4 and 1-8 exactas.

Woodbine-Mohawk Park - Race #3
Picks Notes
#2 ROSIES WAR BONDS Couldn't fend off repeat winner two back, can carry speed the distance today.
#7 MAGIC WANDA Mare finished in money in 15 of 25 this year, can eclipse $100k in earnings.
#4 SEWIN SUE Three wins this year tops the field, finished behind 'Rosies.'
Race Summary Rosies War Bonds broke stride from post 8 last week but led to the stretch call in his two previous starts at this level. He coulnd't hold off favored repeater JC's Tease. Bet on him to win and place with an inner starting spot.

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Jerry Shottenkirk's Daily Picks

Gulfstream Park - Race #1
Picks Notes
#3 Omaha City Returns to where he does some of his best running and can recover from duds at Aqueduct and Kentucky Downs. Prior to that he was second to Golden Gal in the G3 Quick Call at Saratoga. Has won a couple here and and is always a good price, probably because of his sales price of $5.5K. He outran last bargain price long ago.
#6 Extravagant Kid Couldn't keep up in the BC Turf Sprint but was second in the G2 Woodford at Keeneland and won a$1 million event in Dubai. Lost a photo in this one last year and has hiked up his game since then.
#8 Carotari Won an allowance at Keeneland last out and won the Silks Run here in March; capable.
Race Summary Omaha City has taken on some strong company and has mostly done well; he's lined at 20-1 and takes on some quality older runners here, but is worth a look.

Gulfstream Park - Race #5
Picks Notes
#1 Sweet Serenade Has never been this far but it really looks like she would welcome it; she has closed well in most of her starts and will probably be moving well on the tail end this one as well.
#2 Candy Flower Loves to run long distances and has to be on the front end; will take her customary spot and should be tough to beat, especially if she can back them up here.
#5 Hungry Kitten Is a closer that hasn't been getting up lately, but her past performances show she's capable, especially at super-long distances.
Race Summary Sweet Serenade doesn't have the experience of a lot of these but with with the company and should be able to handle the route.

Gulfstream Park - Race #8
Picks Notes
#5 Miss Auramet Pounded optional claiming at GP last out foes in her return to the Plesa stable; always in the hunt.
#2 Introduced Won two straight at Monmouth and most recently was third in the Floral Park at Belmont; can get a good stalking position inside under Leparoux.
#7 Miss J McKay Is on the improve and comes in off a tough optional claiming win at Aqueduct; has lots of stakes experience and can make a run here.
Race Summary Miss Auramet loves its at Gulfstream and has a good chance to win her second straight; no stranger to stakes races.

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Jeff Nahill’s Santa Anita opinions for Friday, Dec. 31 (First post 12:30 p.m.)
December 31, 2021Jeff Nahill

Note: Why can’t Santa Anita stick to one post time? Third day of the meet and third different post time. Seriously.


FIRST RACE: 7-3-6-4
SECOND RACE: 1-6-2-4
THIRD RACE: 1-6-2-4
FOURTH RACE: 3-2-5-4
FIFTH RACE: 4-2-1-3 (BEST BET)
SIXTH RACE: 6-1-5-2
SEVENTH RACE: 6-5-4-2
EIGHTH RACE: 4-5-6-2
NINTH RACE: 13-7-1-5

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Free Winners for Friday, December 31st 2021 from THE LEGEND!
FREE HORSE PICKS
DELTA DOWNS
RACE #7
TIME: 4:43 PM EST
PICK: BET #8 Relax Town 5/2 odds to win @ Bovada

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Aqueduct Racetrack Selections for December 31, 2021 – Horse Racing Picks

By Kyle E in Horse Racing — Dec 31st, 2021 1:38am PST

Aqueduct Racetrack Selections for December 31, 2021 – Horse Racing Picks

There is Saturday racing after last weekend was shut down because of Covid. It’s back to stakes racing throughout the country.

Industry Leading 9% Cashback!

There are at least eight racecourses with at least one stakes race. The most events are being held at Gulfstream Park.

There are six stakes events at Gulfstream Park and the next most at Santa Anita Park with four. Santa Anita is putting on the $250,000 Joe Hernandez Stakes (Gr. 2) on the turf for one of the biggest races.

Over in Arkansas at Oaklawn Park, the $250,000 Smarty Jones Stakes is expected to run. Our first stop is at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Aqueduct has eight races worth $491,000 on New Year’s Eve afternoon. Head below for our free Aqueduct Racetrack picks for December 31, 2021.
Taking Your Horse Race Betting to the Next Level
Race 1
(1) Comedic Timing
+450 (9/2)
(2) Everesting
+1000 (10/1)
(3) Exalted Charm
+800 (8/1)
(4) Castle Chaos
+100 (1/1)
(5) Mandatory
+160 (8/5)

Post Time: 12:50 p.m. EST
Distance: 7 Furlongs
Purse:$80,000

The first race at Aqueduct Racetrack is an $80,000 assignment covering 7 furlongs. Mandatory and Castle Chaos could engage in a duel in the stretch here.

Mandatory is winless in seven attempts and has finished 2nd, 3rd, 2nd, 9th, 4th in his previous five attempts. Three races back, Mandatory placed 2nd behind 2 ½ lengths behind Hometown for an $80,000 prize.

That was a solid go at the to prize, but then Mandatory dropped off to 9th for $90,000 on April 24 at Belmont Park. Mandatory came back to go 4th in an $80,000 assignment most recently on December 2.

More is required but Mandatory has the talent to get it done. Castle Chaos goes in winless two attempts but in good form.

He placed 2nd behind Boldish by ¾ lengths for $60,000 as a rookie on September 2. In his next attempt, Castle Chaos placed 2nd again, this time for a $90,000 prize.

Castle Chaos should have the edge over Mandatory at the wire.
The Bet
(4) CASTLE CHAOS
+100
Place Bet Now!
Race 5
(1) Heavy Roller
+2000 (20/1)
(2) Direct Order
+600 (6/1)
(3) Blewitt
+160 (8/5)
(4) Dark Storm
+300 (3/1)
(5) Vettori Kin
+600 (6/1)
(6) Runningforhome
+800 (8/1)
(7) Microscope
+800 (8/1)
(8) Regal Quality
+1000 (10/1)

Post Time: 2:38 p.m. EST
Distance:1 ⅛ Miles
Purse:$50,000

Race 5 covers 1 ⅛ miles on the dirt for a $50,000 purse. Look at Dark Storm and Blewitt to give a good account in Race 5.

Dark Storm is 4 for 20 in his career and has finished 2nd, 6th, 3rd, 4th in his previous four attempts. He showed 3rd two races back on November 7 for a $55,000 purse.

Following that solid go, Dark Storm finished 4th for a $55,000 prize on December 11. A little more was expected there. Down to $50,000, he should have a decent chance.

Blewitt has finished 4th, 4th, 1st in his previous three attempts. In his latest race, Blewitt defeated Twisted Tom by 13 ½ lengths in a blowout for $28,000.

That was a wire-to-wire clinic for Blewitt. It was much too easy, so he’s up to $50,000. If Blewitt runs like that again, he shouldn’t have a problem.
The Bet
(3) BLEWITT
+160
Place Bet Now!
Race 6
(1) Mexican Wonder Boy
+600 (6/1)
(2) Boldish
+1000 (10/1)
(3) Lost in Rome
+3000 (30/1)
(4) Buy Land and See
+800 (8/1)
(5) Prioritize
+500 (5/1)
(6) Untreated
+180 (9/5)
(7) Two Thirty Five
+1000 (10/1)
(8) Parsimony
+1000 (10/1)
(9) Pioneer Spirit
+2000 (20/1)
(10) Croatian
+600 (6/1)

Post Time: 3:08 p.m. EST
Distance: 1 Mile
Purse:$84,000

Race 6 covers a mile on the dirt for an $84,000 purse. Mexican Wonder Boy and Untreated should run a strong race for the top prize.

Mexican Wonder Boy is 7 for 15, with good form recently to finish 1st, 2nd, 1st in his previous three attempts. He is coming off a strong performance to win by 1 length against Hammerin Aamer for $55,000.

This was after a 2 length win for $50,000 and then placing 2nd behind Villanous by 2 ½ lengths for $60,000. Mexican Wonder Boy skips up to an $84,000 assignment, but his form reads well.

Untreated should be there to bother his foes in the stretch. He should be tough to defeat in this one.

Untreated has finished 6th, 1st, 8th, 1st in four attempts, most recently a solid run for a win on November 19.

He beat Adare by 3 ½ lengths for an easy win after struggling in 8th in the Blue Grass Stakes (Gr. 2). That was too tough, but down to his level, Untreated drew clear easily.

Expect the $300,000 colt to clear again for a win on Friday afternoon.
The Bet
(6) UNTREATED
+180

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Sunland Park Picks: Returns December 31
By J.N. Campbell


SUNLAND PARK Picks
31st December 2021

Race 1 : 7-2-4-3
Race 2 : 6-4-3-8
Race 3 : 8-9-6-2
Race 4 : 6-8-10-1
Race 5 : 3-9-7-10
Race 6 : 6-7-2-5
Race 7 : 2-7-9-4
Race 8 : 6-5-9-8
Race 9 : 4-10-5-1
View Today's SUNLAND PARK Entries

Sunland Park returns! Those words might seem like a non-starter, but they are not. After 2 years of cancelled schedules, the Meet is back. With much fanfare, it offers bettors a unique mix of races.

At Horseracing.net/us we have you covered, including all of the action related to the KYD Sunland Series! It is a good time for some of the best that North American racing has to offer. Stay tuned!

If you're looking for picks elsewhere around the country this Friday be sure to check out our free Horse Racing Picks via the gold button below.
Horse Racing Picks
Tvg Sitetakeover 992x300

Most Likely Winner: (Race 7: Rollin in Diamonds #2, 5/2):

Trainer Todd Fincher has quite a solid reputation when it comes to conditioning. This homebred is by Roll Hennessy Roll, and they will be making their 2nd lifetime start. The gelding was 7th on debut in a MSW @Zia Park, but he was probably trying to figure out just what was going on. Fincher will have had time to work with his charge, and I would expect the runner to be calibrated much differently this time around. Talent exists, it just needs time to develop. Is another training title in Fincher’s future? We expect so …

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Win, #2



Off-the-Pace Play of the Day: (Race 8: B a Champion #6, 15/1):

Looking for some value on this card, I found a gem in this runner … odds of 15/1. Trainer Jimmy Collier watched this one run on nicely earlier in the year at the MSW level @Ruidoso Downs. After some time off in September, the gelding by Indy Express went to Zia Park looking for a fight in ALLW Co. The result was less than sparkling. After 3 more races (one was a BT), I think he is poised to profit from the switch in scenery. Some horses just do not like certain tracks, and coming to Sunland should do the trick. What a price!

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Bankroll, Graduated Wager WPS #6 ($10-W, $15-P, $75-S)



Spotlight Race of the Day: (Race 6: Dirt, 6F, MSW20.4, 2):

Here is a challenging little MSW Co. race that will test our abilities. I have what I think is a clear winner, so it is just a matter of figuring out how to construct a nifty bet. As for the top selection, no one would be more pleased than Mattress Mack to see Runhappy’s offspring win and win and win … The Houston-based philanthropist decided to go with famed Claiborne Farm to be the home for his stud. Now, his progeny run far and wide. Norwood #6 is a colt dusting off his shoes, and getting back to business after making his debut way back at Keeneland last April for the Chapman Barn. He is with Joy Martin these days, and after some works at Zia, and more recently at Sunland, the colt looks ready to go with 1st time Lasix. The best news is he gets one of the budding young regional riders in the country in Roimes Chirinos. This young man has talent, and this should be a good pairing on Opening Day! Using him on top is the plan, but I also like Revolt and Riot #2, Thirsty Echo #5, and Valiant Charge #7. These should help us cash! Runhappy … cash happy!

Wagering Recommendation: $2 Superfecta Wheel, 6 w 2/5/7 w 2/5/7 w 2/5/7

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Gulfstream Park stakes selections for Dec. 31
John Mucciolo

A trio of competitive grassy stakes races will be contested at Gulfstream Park on Friday.
Race 1 – Janus S.

The opener is a five-furlong dash on the green with a strong field of eight signed on. In a race without much early zip in the fold, I believe that #8 Carotari (7-5) will benefit most of all for conditioner Brian Lynch.

By Artie Schiller, the five-year-old dons a 4-3-1-0 mark on the course, and he bagged the Silks Run S. in his latest local appearance. The bay will be forcing the action from the break under top gun Luis Saez.

#1 Smokin’ Jay (8-1) has a lot of exotics appeal at a good price. The Kelsey Danner charge has been solid with fellow sophomores this campaign, and I think that he will be ready to tackle his elders from off the pace.
Race 5 – Via Borghese S.

A total of 10 fillies and mares will go postward in the 1 3/8-mile affair, where #4 Sorrel (5-1) looks like the value play in the field for me.

The Christophe Clement trainee was closing fast when third in the Orchid S. (G3) on the course in March, and I expect the Dansili filly to receive an honest pace from which to rally into on Friday. Paco Lopez will guide the Irish-bred, who I will use in the first and second slots in all of my wagers.
Race 8 – Abundantia S.

Eleven fillies and mares will vie in the five-furlong finale, and I will use a pair of longshots in my plays to close out the card.

#8 Ambassador Luna (15-1) was outrun at Del Mar most recently, but I really liked her runner-up performance at huge odds at Keeneland the start beforehand. The Ben Colebrook trainee owns a second from two tries on this lawn, and her post draw will allow her to track the tempo and get first run turning for home with Corey Lanerie up.

#6 Drapes (12-1) cuts back in distance following five route races on the green for sharp conditioner Tom Proctor. The American Pharoah four-year-old tired late in her stakes debut at Colonial Downs last time out but she comes in fresh and is worth a play at a square number. The bay will rally from off the pace beneath Edwin Gonzalez.