Saturday 4/12/25 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 04-12-2025, 01:05 PM

Al Cimaglia: The Meadows Late Pick 4 Analysis

April 12, 2025 | By Al Cimaglia

The Meadows has an 11-race card with the 0.50 Late Pick 4 starting in Race 8. The sequence has a $5,000 guaranteed pool, and it will be my focus. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.

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Race 8 (3:05 PM EDT)

4-Shanghai James (7/2)-Was use off the gate in last, got a pocket ride and didn't have a response against a well-meant winner (8), who stormed by. This race could set-up differently and should get a close-up seat and be there at the wire.
6-Neyreit (5-1)-Should offer a square price and has the gate speed to land on the point or in the pocket. Ships back from PcD and lands in a good spot to post a win. This is a field of all $15k claimers except for #8 who is in for a $17k tag. Dave Palone should be aggressive from this post, has won its only start at the Mea and could add to that total.

Race 9 (3:25 PM EDT)

3-Buckeyebollinger N (4-1)-Willing to toss last from the 7-hole at MVR. Was a consistent player at Mea before the last race and has beaten this kind as well. Comes right back and could be sitting on a big try.
7-Sumomentsomwhere A (7/2)-Will take a swing with the Burke trainee and try to beat the morning line choice (4) with Aaron Merriman. Will rely on Ronnie Wrenn to get the veteran into contention and has enough gate speed to race near the top of the stack. Has won 5 of 20 at Mea and could offer a fair price.

Race 10 (3:45 PM EDT)

5-Defiant Character (7/2)-Raced evenly on a "good" track in the 1st race since 10-17. Comes right back and so does Merriman plus the winner isn't in this bunch. Will look for better and should blast out and try to take control when the wings fold.
6-Fasting (7/2)-Stayed inside last week in a needed race in the 1st start since 11-1. Faced some tough foes last year and hit the board in 4 of 7 with 2 pictures. Might be overlooked and could surprise if dialed on high.

Race 11 (4:05 PM EDT)

1-We Shall See (5/2)-Dave Palone takes the lines and returns to the Mea for the 1st time since 2-7. Beat the NW3500L4 that night going gate to wire. Takes on a better but still should fit. When Palone teams up with the Rick Hercules barn they post 33% winners. Comes back in sequence, should be rolling off the gate and could make every call a winning one.

$3.00 Late Pick 4

4,6,/3,7/5,6/1
Total Bet=$24

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 04-12-2025, 01:05 PM

Al Cimaglia: Woodbine Mohawk Park Jackpot Hi-5 Analysis

April 12, 2025 | By Al Cimaglia

Tonight, there is a mandatory payout on the Jackpot Hi-5 in Race 11 at Woodbine Mohawk Park. The wager is a 0.20 base bet with a 15% takeout, and there is a $214,212.80 carryover. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.

My ticket will key 4-Rockabilly Rebel N (5-1) on top. Consistency is not the strong suit of the Team McNair entry. Usually doesn't leave so will likely not be in the top 3 around the opening turn. Has to avoid getting shuffled and being too far away from the leaders when heading down the lane. Did rally when able to shake free in last, to miss by 1 1/4 lengths to finish 3rd, and the two who finished ahead are not in this field. The positives are Doug McNair knows this one well, can close in a hurry, and could be overlooked at the windows. Needs an honest pace and if so the one-move type could surprise with a sharp steer. This outfit is posting 21% winners over the last 30 days and that is well above their 14% yearly average.

The next pair of horses, 2-Kolby Two Step (4-1) and the 12-Elliot Moose (15-1) will be keyed in the 2-3-4 slots. Both have been in the hunt and will look for them to race big and be a part of the payout. Elliot Moose could get away in decent shape because Louis Roy on 2-Kolby Two Step should leave with more gusto than the last start. If that happens Elliot Moose could be forwardly placed by Ed Hensley early on, despite leaving from the 2nd tier. This ticket will use both underneath and not key the program chalk, 1-Stormalong (3-1) and the 2nd chalk 3-Momas Son Byrne (7/2). My play won't be the most popular ticket punched but the return will be solid if it connects.

The Jackpot Hi-5 has many possibilities without a 12-horse field. When the two trailers are added it makes handicapping all the more difficult. The coverage on the $48 play is good as long as 4-2-12 perform well.

Race 11 (10:35 PM EDT)

0.20 Jackpot Hi-5

4/2,12/2,12/1,3,5,6,11/1,3,5,6,7,8,9,10,11 for $16

4/2,12/1,3,5,6,11/2,12/1,3,5,6,7,8,9,10,11 for $16

4/1,3,5,6,11/2,12/2,12/1,3,5,6,7,8,9,10,11 for $16

Total Bet=$48

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 04-12-2025, 01:07 PM

Frank Carulli's Daily Picks

Laurel Park - Race #1

#9 WICKED MELISSA (10-1)	Showed pulse in second start, good work since, has stablemate to beat.
#8 SHE GOT THE MUNNI (2-1)	Stablemate of ‘Melissa’ ran third behind 8-5 winner in same spot.
#1 AUTHENTICATED (3-1)	Flopped on barn switch, has speed and rail and sheds 7 pounds.
Race Summary	In a field of unproven routers, WICKED MELISSA is worth a price stab. She was 7-2 in a four-horse field to start her career, then showed some improvement despite an awkward break in a 5-1/2F follow-up. She breezed 3F in :36-4/5 since then and is bred to handle more ground. Bet to win and place.

Laurel Park - Race #3

#6 FRECCIA D’ARGENTO (3-	Tries to shake ‘bridesmaid’ tag in fourth start at this level.
#9 COAL MINE (9-2)	Stands 4/2-1-1 in last four starts for $7,500 at Laurel Park on a fast track.
#10 DIVINE EXCHANGE (6-1)	Bid on turn to brief lead in longer route when last seen in the fall.
Race Summary	FRECCIA D’ARGENTO took the longer way home when she finished behind similar rivals three starts back. She shed the blinkers and added to her growing list of runner-up finishes in her last two one-mile tests. Give her one more chance to break through with a win. Bet to win and place and play 6-9 and 6-10 exactas.

Laurel Park - Race #9

#3 UMBRAL (4-1)	Useful first try for high-percentage acquisition barn, romped in previous 7F try.
#7 GHEE FOR THE WIN (3-1)	Rallied for top 3 placings at five tracks in the last year.
#4 STAR VENEZUELAN (6-1)	Finished in the money in all six starts to begin her 3-year-old season.
Race Summary	UMBRAL disputed the pace to the stretch before fading to fourth in a 6F sprint won by the favorite. She can use her speed wisely in this field and has license to move forward in her second start for Gonzalez. Bet to win and place and play a 3-ALL exacta.

Turf Paradise - Race #2

#1 SECRET POTION (6-1)	Drops after troubled trip, should get ideal set-up from the rail.
#5 SUPRISINGLY PERFECT (8-5)	Earned big numbers while running 1-2 in last five starts on dirt.
#7 PICAHOUSE (8-1)	Hustled to dispute fast 6-1/2F pace, just missed in yet another photo finish.
Race Summary	SECRET POTION class drops and remains at a distance which he is 3-for-10. He draws the rail and should be in good forward striking range throughout. He steadied at the half-mile pole, recovered to gain to the quarter pole and flattened out as the favorites swept the money spots last out. Bet to win and place and play a 1,5/ 1,5, 7/ALL trifecta.

Turf Paradise - Race #4

#1 THIRSTY FRIEND (7-2)	Can stalk and pounce with clean run from the inside in first start off the claim.
#8 FARENHEIT O C (9-2)	Good zip at 6F, shortens up and wears blinkers in second start for Diodoro.
#4 CHIRAG (4-1)	Disappointed in latest but finished 1-2-3 in previous three short sprints.
Race Summary	THIRSTY FRIEND stalked the top two finishers in the 5-path, edged up near the stretch and hung as the favorite. He gets class relief for his new connections at his maiden-breaking distance. Bet to win and place and play 1-5 and 8-5 daily doubles.

Turf Paradise - Race #5

#6 UNION HARBOR (5-1)	Will be running late, will have to negotiate traffic in another crowded field.
#4 LULA BELLA (8-1)	Packs dangerous speed in this spot, use in exotic wagers.
#8 I HAVE A DREAM (3-1)	Joins list of class droppers, sheds blinkers, lures Hernandez.
Race Summary	UNION HARBOR, bumped by the rival to his inside at the start, raced far back until she mounted a furious rally to finish second. She has to get away better at today’s shorter distance, but remains a good value play in her second start this year. Bet to win and place.