Wedneday August 6 picks

Race 1

#7 MR. AWAD has pretty much everything you look for in a race like this. He’s already won at the elongated distance, is in sharp recent form and is still lightly raced enough to have a little upside. #1A HENRY’S HERO and #1 OPEN ROAD both fit well. #10 RICKY’S FOUR as the talent to win if he can handle the surface switch. #8 WAZEE MOTO skips a condition but loves the distance.

Suggested bet: Exacta box – 7 w/ 1,8,10

Race 2

#8 ROI DE VIOLETTE loves the track, is in sharp form and acts like he’ll love the 1 ¼-mile distance. #10 RESCIGNO is the most talented horse in the race but hasn’t run all that well at the distance before. #2 WE HOPE has been solid all meet and is bred to handle the distance.

Suggested bet: Exacta box – 2,8,10

Race 3

#8 GET A LIL IN takes a good drop in class off a solid fourth last time. #7 GATEWAY WEST ran much better than any of today’s rivals in his lone turf start but it’s an open question whether he’s still that good now. #10 SEA THIS should get a nice stalking trip.

Suggested bet: Exacta box –7,8,10

Race 4

#4 PERFORMER’S IMAGE has already run three good races at this level. #6 MALA MALA CAT beat Performer’s Image last time and obviously fits well. #7 BAGGER VANCE is a reasonable favorite but has already failed twice at short prices this meet. #5 BETTER THAN LUCK is good enough to make an impact at a big price.

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

Race 5

#5 TATJANA’S SALUTE ran well to get second in both of her turf starts, most recently a closing 2^nd to Elchase, who eventually won a tough allowance here. #2 DATS DA BULL was very wide last time but will hopefully be able to save some ground post 2 today. #6 CHECK INTO COBBLEY improved dramatically last time and adds Lasix today.

Suggested bet: Exacta box – 5 w/ 1,2,6

Race 6

#5 WINSTRELLA has simply run much faster than any of today’s rivals. He disappointed last time but returns to turf and takes off the blinkers for this spot. #3 MOUNT WEATHER was a good second at this level last time and almost always runs well here. #7 ELCHASE has a couple of big wins at Colonial and should sit a nice stalking trip today.

Suggested bet: Exacta box – 3,8

Race 7

#6 FAST DEVON returns to dirt after an ultra-impressive turf win last time. He’s run well on dirt before and should be even stronger today in his second start of the year. #5 FRANKIE W was a good fourth behind some tough customers last time. He should relish this 5 furlong distance.

Suggested bet: Pick-3 – 5,6 w/ 1,4,5,7 w/ 5

Race 8

#1 BEBE GRAND returns to the main track after a solid turf try. He’s better on dirt and may loom as the controlling speed today. #4 XIZSTE is sharp right now and loves this distance. #5 CHANGE COURSE has won two straight and must always be considered a threat. #7 BABO has also won two straight but those were on turf and he may be a bit better on that surface.

Suggested bet: Exacta box – 1 w/ 4,5,7

Race 9

#5 BALTIMORE CLASSIC clearly didn’t handle turf last time but should get some additional fitness out of that and be primed for a peak effort at his best trip today. #8 CAPE GIRARDEAU will be tough if he can run as well on dirt as he has on turf. #6 MESSALINA should be rolling on the lead. She’s never been this far so it’s an open question how well she’ll finish down that 1300-foot stretch.

Suggested bet: Win - 5