Tuesday 2/4/25 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-04-2025, 03:36 PM

Brian W. Spencer's Daily Picks

Mahoning Valley - Race #1

#7 Shanghai Delight	Wonder if the potential upside on the rail runner will lead to enough action to keep the price on this filly just playable as the likely second choice? She has been heading in the right direction and should get a great run right up on whatever pace there is.
#1 Josefina	Think one of these two logical players will decide the opener, and this one has a bit more upside with just the one career start under her belt. Mild worry about the top choice getting a big jump on her, but maybe she's a touch more tactical second out.
#3 Red Cat Spirit	Not the worst place for a debuter to land a share first out, as there isn't a whole lot of depth in here outside of the top pair. Would take a look on the track ahead of this.
Race Summary	Shanghai Delight gets Lasix today while looking to keep her forward momentum going. I'd be happy to take her at something like 2/1.

Mahoning Valley - Race #4

#7 Convert	Interested to see how much cash he takes, but I think he's going to be tough here with something similar to the try last out that had him finding the wire first before being disqualified.
#4 Jedi's Way	He'd be no surprise while dropping back in at this level after a good run for twice the price, but he wasn't a serious threat when facing similar a couple starts back, so I wouldn't want too short a price.
#1 Thisisridiculous	He finished behind Jedi's Way last time out, but he was competitive when second at this level in the two-back run, and he's probably the controlling pace on the move around two turns.
Race Summary	Convert can be tough here with a couple recent running lines to his name that stack up nicely, and I think he'll find a decent trip while getting the jump on deeper threats.

Mahoning Valley - Race #8

#6 Controller	His form has always been kind of spotty, so I'm willing to overlook the dud last time out, as I think he's in line for a really nice run of things while tracking the more committed pace players. Price might justify finding out the answer to whether he can get past horses right now.
#1 Dr Jack Flyer	Dangerous inside pace will have a go of it, but there is a little other speed in here that might ensure he doesn't get a break, and he doesn't typically offer a ton of fight when he gets into battle late. Overtaken but stays underneath?
#4 Casual Attire	Tough call -- he didn't have an easy run of things last time out, so I'm expecting better, but he also has a handful of non-threatening underneath finishes on his page.
Race Summary	Controller has a couple questions to answer on style and form today, but I think he'll offer the kind of midrange price that will make it worth giving him a look to get first run into a couple of fairly committed speed types.

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-04-2025, 03:36 PM

Frank Carulli's Daily Picks

Turf Paradise - Race #3

#5 JOE DON LOONEY (2-1)	In good form cycle for top barn, can make most of his speed.
#4 NOLONGERAHOBBY (12-1)	Confidently placed off year layoff, encouraging works.
#1 RUGGS (5-2)	Sprung 16-1 upset for new barn at distance which he’s earned $186k.
Race Summary	JOE DON LOONEY, first or second in 9 of 14 starts at 6F, tracked a fast pace two back, finished second and earned his top speed figure. He set a fast pace in a longer sprint last out and drew away to a 5-length victory in his second start for Evans. Bet to win and place and play 5-1 and 5-4 exactas.

Turf Paradise - Race #4

#2 MANGIA PANE (5-1)	Tries new game off the claim, faces unproven grass milers.
#8 FLINT STROLL (5-2)	Solid numbers, projects ideal trip, but hasn’t won in the last 2 years.
#1 SAN ANDRES (6-1)	Ran third off cross-country journey at TuP in the fall, draws rail.
Race Summary	In a field that is a combined 8-for-100 on the turf, take a price shot on MANGIA PANE, who has never run on the lawn. The 5-year-old is a consistent miler on the main track, gets class relief off the claim and worked fast over the track before his local debut. Bet to win and place and play a 2-8 exacta box.

Turf Paradise - Race #5

#8 EKATI’S ZOOM ZOOM (7-	Appears rounding to win but he was a vet scratch since his last start.
#5 MONGOLIAN NINJA (5-2)	'Finished well’ at 5-1/2F two back, then dueled inside winner and tired at 6F.
#4 R.A.E.’S DREAM (6-1)	No factor in higher-tagged debut, worked in 47-3/5 since then.
Race Summary	EKATI’S ZOOM ZOOM dueled with the 3-to-5 winner and tired at 5-1/2F, but he can upgrade to a win on the cutback to 4-1/2F in his third start. He picks up 8 pounds but gets Cruz to ride for a high-percentage trainer with layoff types and class droppers. Bet to win and place and play 8-4 and 8-5 exactas.

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