We continue with part three of the races at Parx. We will look at the next three races on the card which will lead us to the biggest races on the card, which will be the final article of this set.
Race 7
Favored on the outside for this optional claimer for fillies and mares is the 11 Striker Has Dial (2/1 morning line). She will gun for the lead and try to play catch me if you can. She tried that in her last three races at Saratoga and was caught in the stretch.
The 2 Brzina (7/2 ML) was scratched at Laurel Park yesterday to run here today. She won on the lead at Laurel Park in July and then ended up on the bench. She is more of a stalking type which may help her with the tendencies the favorite has.
Winning her debut was the 4 Sky Baby (12/1 ML). She was on the lead last month and could be keeping the favorite company here. She will have to improve to win this race, but it’s not impossible.
The 10 Big Dreamer has been on the lead as well, but she might not be as fast at the 11. She has won four in a row after finally breaking her maiden on her eighth try.
The favorite Striker Has Dial has a class advantage here and I will make her my pick here. Let’s call this 11-4-10-2 and my play is $20 to win on the 11.
Race 8 – Greenwood Cup (Grade 3)
Next is the Greenwood Cup, the first graded stakes race on the card. It’s fitting that I say “next” because Next returns to Parx to defend his title here.
Next (1/5 ML) is the equivalent of Ivan Drago. Remember that line from Rocky IV when the trainer says “what he sees, he destroys?” In the case of the heavy favorite here, that is a great analogy.
In last year’s Greenwood Cup when Tropical Storm Ophelia was coming up the coast, Next destroyed that field by 25 lengths. These margins are common place as he won going a mile and three-quarters at Saratoga in the Birdstone by 22 lengths. He has won six in a row and most of them have been by large margins.
The 1 Magic Michael won a mile and a quarter test last month here at Parx from not far off the pace. The 3 Ridin With Biden might have seen better days, but he weakened last time out while finishing second in that same race.
This race is all about Next today, and the only value I see is by looking at the show pools, and possibly the place pools for some bridge jumping. I’m not going to have a wager on this race but keep an eye if you have a gut feeling that the favorite does not run his typical race today.
Race 9 – Parx Dirt Mile
The final race in this set of races is the Parx Dirt Mile. Unlike yesterday’s Presque Isle Mile, this race will go one mile on the main track.
Favored is the 7 Coastal Mission (5/2 ML) who comes in after finishing fourth in the Charles Town Classic. He will only have to negotiate two turns today and will be stalking the pace today.
The 8 Film Star (5/1 ML) comes into this race taking advantage of an off-the-turf field to win the Lure at Saratoga. We do have a jockey/trainer combination of Irad Ortiz and Linda Rice who has won at 28% over the last two years. He will be near the pace, but will he be on the lead?
The Mayor’s Mile winner Adero (#5, 7/2) is five for 10 at Parx and looks to make it three in a row here today. It is very possible that he could be on the lead here today.
Injunction (#3, 6/1 ML) has the chance to be on the lead as well here. He comes in from Ellis Park for this race and may even be off the pace here. This versatile horse has a chance to pull off an upset here in the Dirt Mile.
Some of the races for Injuction look very nice and I am going to take a chance with him in the Parx Dirt Mile. I’ll call this 3-8-7-5 with a $20 play on the 3.
That’s it for this portion of the Parx card. The final part will include the biggest of races, which will also have the mandatory distribution of the Philly Big 5. Good luck everyone!
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