By Joe Quillen
Parx Race 10 – Page McKenney Handicap
Happy Monday everyone, and for those who celebrate in Bleacher Brothers world, Happy Uncle Ernie Day! I know, what? Well, the adopted horse of Bleacher Brothers is running today in the Page McKenney Handicap, which is a race for Pennsylvania-bred three-year-olds and up going seven furlongs on the main track. Post time for this race is for approximately 4:57 pm Eastern time.
Uncle Ernie is the 3/1 morning line favorite, and the handicapping for this gelding is plain and simple. If he gets the lead, he’s going to win. He didn’t get the lead in February and faltered. Last month, he won easily on a track that was excruciatingly slow. That 1:12 and 1/5 that Ernie ran might have been even faster.
Ernie could have company on the front end. If he does, it looks like it could come from the 8 Natural Harbor (8/1 ML) who may be a six-furlong horse, but trainer Linda Rice may be very serious out winning this race because Jose Lezcano is coming down to Parx on his off day to ride. Also keep an eye on the outside with the 12 Movisitor (12/1 ML), but he appears to be a router (running a mile or longer) as opposed to a sprint race, which this is.
The 11 Dollarization (8/1 ML) may be a horse to look at if you think there is going to be a speed duel up front. He’s usually a couple of lengths behind the leaders and will make a move in the stretch. Also, an under the radar trainer to look at Tim Kreiser, who annually wins at least 20% of his races and right now is winning at a 32% clip in 2024 (22 for 69).
The 10 Eagles Cry is also a closer here and could get a piece here. He just missed last time out at 16/1, but he won’t be in a race today that finished in 1:13 like last time out.
The 5 Ninetyprcentmaddie (5/1 ML) appears to have finally learned how to race behind horses the last couple of times he ran last year, winning the Carle Place at Aqueduct and took a tough loss in her season finale at Laurel. If she can rate, she will have a shot here.
When looking at his last race, Uncle Ernie probably runs a 1:09 and change on a warmer day and track that was very slow last month. Uncle Ernie will win this race today. I’ll call this 4-5-11-8 and my play is $20 to win on the 4 Uncle Ernie. Good luck everyone and go Ernie!