Onwards and Upwards to Parx
We HAVE to get better, and we fully realize that if we don’t start delivering real, profitable results immediately, you will start tuning us out. You deserve sharp, relentless, and bankroll-building analysis every single time you read this column or listen to the show. We’re back in the film room, doubling down on our preparation, and taking a hard-nosed approach to make sure we turn this ship around starting right now.
Simply put, we can’t possibly be worse than we were last week, so we have to look onwards and upwards. We have a massive day of racing today at Parx, featuring two million-dollar showdowns in the Grade 1 Cotillion and the Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby, and we have it all covered right here at Let ‘em Run.
Be sure to tune in at 12:30 PM on Sports Talk Media Network and Capital Sports Network. John Kostin and myself will provide valuable updates following any late scratches or track changes that may impact our selections. We will also be posting our official P5 tickets directly on the podcast—so be sure to tune in, follow along, and good luck!
Race 11: The Parx Dirt Mile (3:30 PM EST) – $300,000
A very solid race to start the P5 sequence. In this leg, we decided to go deep as we are looking to single in the two big races coming up in races 13 and 14. We think in this race, the #10 Saudi Crown (3-1) is the class of the field. He needed the break after racing against some very good horses last time out, and usually fires well after a layoff. The #4 Dilger (IRE) (8-1) may provide some pace pressure to the favorite, and trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. names Micah Husbands to ride. The #1 Hall of Fame (9-2) gets jockey Jose Ortiz back in the saddle and looks to secure a clean trip from the rail.
Race 12: The Gallant Bob Gr. 2 (4:03 PM EST) – $400,000
A big, competitive field of 11 lines up in this year’s edition of The Gallant Bob sprint race. The favorite in this race, #8 Stradle (4-1), tells you right from the start that this is a wide-open contest. Moving from turf to dirt is an angle that trainer Steve Asmussen executes exceptionally well. The #10 Captivator (9-2) looks to secure his third win in a row; shipping from the West Coast is a long commute, but jockey Emisael Jaramillo made the trip for his only mount of the card—an angle we always like. We are going deep again in this leg to cover a very chaotic field.
Race 13: The Cotillion Gr. 1 (4:58 PM EST) – $1,000,000
For the next two legs in the P5, we look for the winners to come from the likely post-time favorites. There is plenty of early speed in here to set up perfectly for our top pick, #8 Measure (4-1). Jockey Manny Franco, who recently won the riding title at Saratoga, gets back aboard for trainer Mark Casse. Brisnet.com handicaps this runner as the lone stalker in the field (“S”), with more than enough front-running speed signed up to give Franco the setup he needs.
Race 14: The Pennsylvania Derby Gr. 1 (5:48 PM EST) – $1,000,000
This race sets up as almost a mirror image of the Cotillion, with #6 The Puma (4-1) getting an ideal pace scenario. Look for jockey Javier Castellano to utilize this runner’s closing kick to run them down at the wire. The Puma has been running against the absolute top of the 3-year-old division, and this field does not feature the best of those usual rivals. Adding blinkers for today’s race only adds to the appeal.
Race 15: Allowance Optional Claiming (6:16 PM EST) – 7 Furlongs Dirt
If we get to the “will-pays” by this final leg, we will have plenty of coverage. This seven-furlong distance is tricky for many horses, and not many runners in this field have proven experience at the trip. The Prime Power pick per Brisnet.com is the #2 Monster Max (5-1). We like jockey Mychal Sanchez to send this runner straight to the lead and not look back. The #10 Trotsky (8-1) has the most experience at seven furlongs and over the Parx surface—two big checkmarks next to his name. Capable 18-year-old jockey Yedsit Hazlewood gets the mount for trainer Louis Linder.
Our Late Pick 5 Ticket & Final Remarks
- Race 11: 1, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10
- Race 12: 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10
- Race 13: 8
- Race 14: 6
- Race 15: 2, 5, 6, 8, 10
- Total Cost ($0.50 Base): $90
Use our picks, mix in your own, and build a winning ticket. As mentioned earlier, be sure to tune in at 12:30 PM to hear our full analysis of this Late P5 after scratches and track changes are announced.
As always: bet smart, cheer hard, fast horses can be fun, and in the end… Let ‘em Run. Good luck!
