Sunday July 20 picks

Race 1

#6 HEZA DISCO was right on top of a debilitating pace last time. The huge class drop and significantly better pace scenario should make him very tough today. #2 SMILING CAT is always right in the mix but has given up three straight stretch leads. #4 MR. WILLIE JOE was a decent second at this level last time.

Suggested bet: Win - 6

Race 2

#6 AFTERNOON JAZZ made up some ground after a rough trip last time. He’ll be tough to deny with a clean trip in this easier spot. #2 SATIN BLUE is the always dangerous speed on the rail and she can obviously handle running against the boys after finishing third behind two next out winners the last time she tried. #7 SHARETHEHONOR can win this with his best effort.

Suggested bet: Pick-3 – 2,4,6,7 w/ 5,6,8 w/ 7

Race 3

#5 DANA CALIFORNIA wins easily with a repeat of her June 14 effort. She has run a clunker since then and now takes a precipitous drop in class so there are plenty of warning signs if you want take a shot at beating the favorite. #6 BEACH CITY is a logical second choice after running well against tougher this meet. #8 ASHLEY’S DREAMER was good two back and had an excuse last time.

Suggested bet: Exacta box – 5,6,8

Race 4

#7 LIMEY hasn’t lost since November, 2006. There’s no reason to expect his six-race win streak to end today as he goes second off the layoff at his favorite track and distance in a condition he’s overqualified for. #5 ROI DE VIOLETTE showed a ton of determination to win his last despite a brutal trip. He should run even better today but must find a career best to handle the favorite.

Suggested bet: Pick-4 – 7 w/ 4,6,7 w/ 1,2,3 w/ 1,2

Race 5

#4 RUNFORRENEE has her best chance to win since her four-length maiden score last summer at Colonial. She drops substantially from starter allowance company and gets a perfect set-up stalking a fast pace. #7 MINNIE’S EXPRESS gamely held on beak her maiden in fast time. Can she rate? #6 ROMAN QUEEN MARY was cooked in a suicidal duel last time. The drop and cutback should suit.

Suggested bet: Exacta box – 4,6,7

Race 6

#1 VALID CITIZEN ran huge to break his maiden first off the claim last time. He will win with a repeat of that effort. He’s never sprinted on turf before but is bred to even better at that game than going two-turns. #2 MR. INVISIBLE steps back up after nice dead-heat win in a key race. #3 SEEYOUINTHECITY has every right to improve in his 3yo debut after a promising 2yo campaign.

Suggested bet: Exacta box – 1 w/ 2,3

Race 7

#1A OPEN ROAD looks like a new and much improved horse on turf. It’s always tough facing winners for the first time but he looks well spotted to win right back after a dominant maiden score. #2 WHITE HEART LANE lost by just a nose at this level last time. He figures to be right back in the mix today. #3 GRAND AND WARREN clearly fits after two good races at this level.

Suggested bet: Pick 3 – 1,2,3 w/ 6 w/ 3,6

Race 8

#6 FRISKY THUNDER has been basically unbeatable in Virginia-bred stakes this season. This is probably shorter than he’d prefer but he’ll be awfully tough to beat regardless. #1 POWER JEANS hasn’t won in awhile but it awfully consistent and he did run a couple of big races at Colonial last summer. #3 SANDY’S GOLD hasn’t been the same since winning this last summer.

Suggested bet: Trifecta – 6 w/ 1,3 w/ 1,2,3,4,5

Race 9

#6 PLEAD MY CASE made a very promising turf debut six days, closing strongly for second after a wide trip. He’s drawn better today and is obviously sharp. #3 SKATIN JAKE looked like a winner before yielding late in both starts at Colonial this season. He’ll be right in the mix yet again today.

Suggested bet: Exacta box 3,6