Friday June 27 picks

Race 1

#9 LIMEY was an absolute terror on the turf last season, going 5 for 5, including three wins on the Secretariat Turf Course. He’s been off since September but won here off a similar layoff last summer and has working well for a good layoff trainer. It’s also good to see Karamanos choose him over a horse he just won with. #8 RESCIGNO came the closest to dethroning Limey during his win streak, with a ¾-length defeat at this level last September. He’s also been off since fall but has been working steadily since early May. #4 WOODED made up 20 lengths to win last time and has been unbeatable at this level but he shortens up into a relatively paceless race today.

Suggested bet: Trifecta key 9 w/ 4,8 w/ 1,4,7,8

Race 2

#8 BLONDESHAVEMORERUN has run several races that would win this and is generally at his best on this course. He was very wide his entire last race and should improve dramatically with a cleaner trip today. Post 8 may equate to another wide journey but he’ll likely be the biggest price of the top contenders. #4 READY SMILE has improved dramatically in each of his three races. Further improvement may be unlikely for a 6yo but a repeat of his last effort would be good enough to seriously contend today. #6 TASK FORCE had a little trouble in lone turf try and has every right to improve today off a good pace-pressing effort over a muddy track last time.

Suggested bet: Exacta box - 8 w/ 4,6

Race 3

#7 THE BOHEMIAN lost all chance against a similar field last time when he had to take up while making a strong move on the turn. He may just not be the same horse as we was last year when was a competitive allowance horse but he should run much better today. #1 SMILING CAT is a legitimate favorite off a close-up third vs. good starter allowance foes. #3 MISSING BLUE as a good second at this condition last out and has never been out of the exacta in 3 races on the Secretariat Turf Course. #4 PLEASANT PICK cuts back to a flat mile after a string of steeplechase races. He appears to be in good form and has been good at both this course and distance before.

Suggested Bet: Exacta box – 7 w/ 1,3,4

Race 4

#6 GRAZEZING failed as the favorite in a similar spot last time out but that might have a touch further than she wants to go and returns to her preferred 5 furlong trip today. #2 FATHERLESS LASS ran very well here last summer at a mile but has never run as well at this short a distance and has been away from the races since October. #9 EXPLODE was competitive against allowance competition as a 3yo at Colonial but drops to the #12,500 off a long layoff for her 4yo debut. She’s been working well and would be no surprise. #10 FLOR DE CANELA relished the switch to turf last time, just missing at this level.

Suggested bet: Pick-4 – 2,6,9,10

Race 5

#3 DOHA returns to turf today after several bad dirt races led to a six-month break. She’s run better on turf than dirt and already owns a win at this course and distance. Throw in the leading rider, a good pace scenario and a nice 10-1 morning line price and she looks like a promising bet today. #7 POLISH HEIRESS also returns to the turf after struggling on dirt recently. She’s loves this distance and has never been out of the trifecta on the Colonial lawn. #8 DANCIN ‘N GROOVIN got cooked in a suicidal pace duel last time and may face the same fate today. #5 PARTNERS LUCK has enjoyed a tremendous season at Charles Town. She’ll handle the change of venue fine but may add to the expected swift pace.

Suggested bet: Exacta box – 3 w/ 5,7,8

Race 6

#4 FOREST CRUISER finished a decent fifth behind ultra-impressive maiden winner C Street last time out. The drop to maiden claiming company for the first time may be all he needs to get his picture taken. #8 SIR REDFORD ran a much improved race to get second behind a heavy favorite on the Colonial main track. He’s a half-brother to two turf winners so the surface may well play in his favor today. #9 BLINK AND DANCE ran off to lead by 12 lengths while setting a blistering pace last time out. He understandably tired to third that day but shortens up a full furlong today and should be much stronger in the stretch if he settles better in his start on the Secretariat Turf Course. #7 BIRTHDAY BEAU may hold the key to race. If Karamanos elects to send the speedy son of Silic the race should set up for a closer but if Birthday Beau is content to track Blink and Dance early he should get first run and has every chance to live up to his status as the 9-5 favorite.

Suggested bet: Exacta box 4 w/ 7,8,9

Race 7

#7 HIGHCREST took his debut while sprinting on a synthetic track, beating a next-out winner in the process. He’s bred more to go long on the turf and seemed to have been trained that way by primarily steeplechase connections. He needs to step up to win this but all factors point to just such an improvement. #9 KIM’S DIXIE TUNE ran well against tougher in Florida and looks to fit well in this spot. The 3yo may well improve in his first start off the claim for trainer Ferris Allen. #5 AMERICANISM has run well enough to win this type of race in every one of his recent turf starts but that amazing 38-1-12-5 record has to scare off win bettors. #3 TREASURE MAP flattened out last time but he ran well enough to take this last season and should be fitter today.

Suggested bet: Pick-3 – 3,7,9 w/ 1,3 w/ 6,7

Race 8

#1 DANCER FOR LOVE has been working brilliantly for his debut. He’s by a good first out sire and trainer Michael Trombetter is clicking with 32% of his firsters. The only flaw is the even money morning line price. #3 SANTA VINDI has been just so-so in her first two starts but the three-quarter sister to Grade I winner Golden Missle should still have some upside and may well appreciate the cutback to six furlongs today. #5 ZAM SLAM makes his dirt debut today after tiring going long on the grass last time. She’s worked well on the main track so it certainly shouldn’t be a shock if she prefers dirt.

Suggested bet: Trifecta 1,3 w/ 1,3 w/ 2,5,6

Race 9

#6 CASTLE BULL was a decent third in his debut despite a steadying at the start. The top two finishers in that race both came back to hit the board in their next race. Castle Bull is bred to appreciate the stretch-out to a mile. #7 BEAU ROCK showed dramatic improvement in his last two races. He would be a perfectly logical winner but may have company on the front end today. #5 MO’S LAST CALL fits well here but has done his best running on turf. He’s also better off racing near the lead and there are a couple of horses with more early speed.

Suggested bet: Trifecta key – 6 w/ 2,5,7