The first Friday at the Spa and we are ready to cash in some tickets headed into the first weekend. We have a 10 race card and we are locked in and ready to take a swing at each one of them. I will be looking to take down the early double (Races 1-2) and a middle pick 3 (Races 5-7) . Big Pete will have his full breakdown on his "Play of the Day" and the late pick 3 (Races 8-10). We appreciate you taking a look at this write-up and GOOD LUCK.
Little Pete's $2.00 Early Double:
R1: 5, 6, 7
R2: 1, 6, 7 Cost: $ 18.00
Little Pete's $ 1.00 Spot Pick 3:
R5: 2, 7, 9, 10
R6: 1, 5, 8, 9
R7: 3, 4 Cost: $ 32.00
Big Pete's $ 1.00 Late Pick 3:
R8: 4, 6, 7, 8
R9: 1, 3, 7
R10: 1, 2, 3, 9 Cost: $ 48.00
Little Pete's Early Double:
Race 1:
(5) Im Just Kiddin is my top pick in here who should have plenty of early speed to be forwardly placed and the Justify pedigree puts this horse over the top when it comes to the stretch drive. (6) Camp Akeela is training lights out coming into this one and we should see an aggressive ride from Gaffalione which is always a preference for me when betting in these sprints. My last play will be (7) The Splendid One who gets the Luis Saez bump for me and I think will be lower than the 6/1 ML odds come post time. Luis will find the rail early and have this horse placed in a position to win throughout. If the speed early is too much to sustain for these inexperienced horses, then I trust the stretch drive to Saez.
$3.00 WPS 5 Cost: $9.00
$2.00 Ex Box 5,6,7 Cost: $12.00
Race 2:
(1) Remain Anonymous has the inside post and will be sitting right off the pace on the rail and waiting for the stretch drive to pounce; this is my top pick. (6) Melting Snow fresh off the claim in the Tom Amoss barn and we should see some great gate work from this horse. We should anticipate Gaffalione to get into position to close strongly against a bunch of tiring horses. (7) Cadeau de Paix is a price play in here that will also benefit fresh off the claim in here. I am thinking that the horses to the outside will be able to break free and be close enough early to make a charge late.
$3.00 WPS 1 Cost: $9.00
$2.00 Ex 1,6,7 Cost: $12.00
Big Pete's "Play of the Day":
Race 3:
Pletcher and Irad at 6:1ML seems impossible for (1) YOUR MISSION. He was a fast closing 2nd on his debut and came back and ran evenly. With the addition of L1 today, maybe their was an issue as he went to the shelf after that and makes his 2022 debut today. I trust the connections have him ready and most of the other contenders have had their chances. He’s bred to excel at this distance and surface.
(4) Biondi is the speed and (6) Uragano is the stalker that will need to hold off Your Mission.
$ 7.00 WPS 1 Cost $ 21.00
$ 7.00 Exacta 1 w/ 4, 6 Cost $ 14.00
We’ll also use (1) Your Mission in R3 and try to crash in on a DAILY DOUBLE play.
We’ll use likely favorite (6) Just Like This and (7) Suppressor look solid in the 4th.
$ 7.00 Double 1 w/ 6, 7 Cost $ 14.00
Big Pete's "Play of the Day":
Race 4:
(1) Actualize scratches so that opens this race up. There doesn’t appear to be a lot of speed entered which bodes well for (7) SUPPRESSOR. He has seen the front on many of his races but not the finish line. They dropped him to this level last time and he almost pulled it off. This time they cut him back and Atras switches to Davis. I think they can get some separation around the turn today and have enough to hold off this bunch as no one has shown they can close.
(4) Inspired Mischief and (6) Just Like This drop enough to wake up here for 2nd.
$ 7.00 WPS 7 Cost $ 21.00
$ 7.00 Exacta 7 w/ 4, 6 Cost $ 14.00
We’ll also use (7) Suppressor in R4 and try to crash in on a DAILY DOUBLE play.
$ 7.00 Double 7 w/ 9, 10 Cost $ 14.00
Little Pete's Spot Pick 3:
Race 5:
(10) Al's Prince may prove to be too much late down the stretch and a dangerous closer on grass. (2) Gooch Go Bragh has the inside post and the class relief to be extremely competitive in here. We should expect Irad to let this horse find their footing early and then close strongly. (7) Bail Out is a perennial runner up racer and I think will have a chance late to change that stigma. (9) Lord of Wars is my last play who will benefit from some class relief and Dylan Davis getting the mount. We should anticipate an aggressive ride early and that pays off late.
$3.00 WPS 2 Cost: $9.00
$2.00 Ex 2,10 w/ 2,7,9,10 Cost: $12.00
$1.00 Ex 7,9 w/ 2,7,9,10 Cost: $6.00
Race 6:
(9) Grape Nut Warrior is my top pick in here who should have the patented run down the lane late against this field. (5) Straw into Gold will run a similar style race in here and fan out wide to close strongly; may be too good. (8) Barrage is coming into this one after a nice win and attracts Prat this time out. I think this horse will be aggressively ridden to hit the rail early and have a strong rail stretch drive. (1) Cotton has the rail and Johnny V. This horse will be sent towards the front and challenge others to pass late. I like that running style in these races and think this horse could get away from the bunch.
$3.00 WPS 8 Cost: $9.00
$2.00 Ex 8,9 w/ 1,5,8,9 Cost: $12.00
$1.00 Ex 1,5 w/ 1,5,8,9 Cost: $6.00
Race 7:
I am closing with the Ortiz brothers with (3) Six Percent and (4) American Pure. (4) American Pure is my top pick in here and should be a heavy favorite come post time. I think that the seasoned vet of (3) Six Percent will be eating up ground late and be the biggest competition to (4) American Pure.
$5.00 WPS 4 Cost: $15.00
$5.00 Ex Box 3,4 Cost: $10.00
Big Pete's Late Pick 3:
Race 8:
With the Ward filly out, (7) STATIC FIRE may have an easier time up front on the lead. If she can slow them down up front, this lightly raced speed ball can steal the show. There job got a little tougher with less speed entered, but I want the stalker and closer in here. (6) DERRYNANE is your typical turf sprint specialist. She looks to be back in shape as Rosario returns with her sporting back to back bullet works for this. She may be primed to make a statement for a Breeders Cup run. (8) POPPY FLOWER is getting a lot of attention with her powerful closing kick. She’ll need the speeds to back up so if Jose times it right, they should be right there. (4) ARTOS is an interesting price that has picked it up in her last two. Rusty is usually bringing them in with a purpose.
$ 7.00 WPS 6 Cost $ 21.00
$ 3.00 Ex 6, 8 w/ 4, 6, 7, 8 Cost $ 18.00
Race 9:
I can’t look too far past (3) MIRA MISSION in this G3 “Apple”. She exits back to back close finishes in G1 races. Leparoux seems to ride her well and the slight cut back to this 1M hits her right between her eyes. The other G1 contender, (1) SET PEICE will make her earn it. Geroux ships in confident they can make some noise late. Her 10 wins out of 20 tries is impressive and I expect one of these geldings to get there picture taken. As a Savor, I can’t let Brown and (7) PUBLIC SECTOR, go off at 6:1ML. He’s two for two at the Spa and appears to be getting better. This will be his coming out party if he can get past the two favorites today
$ 7.00 WPS 3 Cost $ 21.00
$ 3.00 Ex 1, 3 w/ 1, 3, 7, 9 Cost $ 18.00
Race 10:
We close the card with some professional NY Breds sprinting. (3) KHALI MAGIC has been knocking on the door in her last three which is a little bit worrisome. She fits against this group but I want to take a stab with (9) SHESAWILDJOKER. She came back from a long rest and was awful. She now returns with L1 and Jose. She faced better sprinter last year and held her (1) PRETTY CLEVER likes to hit the board but rarely wins. Last time was as close as you can get and a Re-Pete performance might be enough. (2) ROSSA VELOCE has changed barns and gets Prat today. She too hits the board (50%) and has back to back bullets leading into this.
Big Pete hot!