By Joe Quillen
Parx Philly Big 5 (Pick 5) Mandatory Distribution Races (Races 6 to 10)
I did this once before, and I thought it would be fun again in a crazy week like this week that I handicap the pick 5 at Parx called the Philly Big 5. Most days, it is a jackpot wager which means that you have to hold the only winning ticket in the sequence to win the entire pot. Today however, with a mandatory distribution, you just need to pick all five winners to hit what should be a larger than normal pool adding to the carryover of over $176,000. Since I had a good weekend, I thought I would take a shot at this and have some fun with my readers.
The weather will be summerlike at Parx today, with highs getting close to 90 degrees. Where did spring go? Anyways, I wish I was on track today, but at least I can dabble from home trying to solve this puzzle.
The sequence begins with the Daily Racing Form’s favorite race at Parx, the sixth. We have a $7500 claiming race for non-winners of two races lifetime going seven furlongs. This race will kick off the Philly Big 5 around 3 pm Eastern time with 10 fillies heading to the gate.
The 6 Sweet Mischief is the lukewarm 7/2 morning line favorite here and she takes a massage drop from the $25,000 claimer that she ran at Penn National back in January. She is running at seven furlongs for the first time after trips at five and a half and six furlongs in her five previous races. She will be second time Lasix today, an angle I like to play, and will have the blinkers taken off. She has tired in the past, but will she tire against weaker here?
The 7 Incontrovertible (4/1 ML) looks like she will be going to challenge the favorite on the lead here. She shortens up to 7 furlongs after going a mile the last few races. But those are longer races, so will she rate instead in this race?
The 4 Angelic Storm (9/2 ML) is second race off of the layoff here. Her lone win was at this distance last year at Gulfstream Park, and she should be more fit for this race. Toss that last race and let’s give her a shot here.
The 2 La Colorada (8/1 ML) shortens back up to one turn here after running in an optional claimer. She should be at a level more fit for her.
The 10 Lil’ Late Luck (5/1 ML) was second to a 15-length winner last time out. I like to throw these horses in from time to time, especially in a race without a Captain Obvious choice here.
I’m calling this race 4-10-7-2.
Race 7 is a $40,000 optional claimer going seven furlongs once again. We have eight horses entered, and the favorite is the 6 Masakado at 3/1 morning line odds.
The 6 comes up from Laurel for today’s race and he’s dropping in class here. His lone win was from off the pace, and a return to sprinting here might be what this gelding needs.
The 7 Warrior Ted (5/1 ML) could be loose on the lead in this race after going gate to wire last time out three weeks ago at Parx. He could repeat today.
The 5 Drunken Sailor (5/1 ML) should be stalking the 7 on the lead. He broke his maiden at first asking at Turfway Park and has been training under who connections who won about 25% of the time first time after the claim.
The 2 Trumpet Call (5/1 ML) wore down the leader in his maiden victory last month and could do it again today.
I’m calling this race 5-2-7-6.
Race 8 has nine horses going six and a half furlongs. This is a $16,000 optional claimer for this group. The 5 Chasing Stardom is the 5/2 favorite here and just missed winning on a sloppy track 27 days ago at this same level. She appears to be lone speed in this race.
The 1 Respirator (9/2 ML) returns to sprinting after a failed attempt going two turns. He should be loving only having to go around one turn.
The 8 Afraidofthebunny (7/2) returns after an almost one year absence, and you cannot ignore the Mychal Sanchez/Jamie Ness combination whether this horse was running 12 days or 12 months after the last race.
The 9 Fenwick Jack (6/1 ML) had to steady on the far turn and still broke his maiden last time out. He might be a closer of the horses go crazy on the front end for this level of competition.
I am going to go with the gate to wire horse here. 5-8-9-1 is my selection.
Race 9 is the featured race on the card, and this is a Pennsylvania-bred race for fillies and mares going five and a half furlongs. Favored is the 2 Gray Lightning (6/5 ML) and came back to the races and destroyed an optional claiming field last time out. She might have matured big time from Christmas to March when she was away.
The 8 You’re the One (3/1 ML) returns after winning last summer at Colonial Downs and this filly comes in for her first race in 8 months looking for her fifth win in a row. She could try to go for the lead, or she may even try to rate behind the leader.
The 1 Dontpasstheprinces (5/1 ML) draws the rail and may be challenging the favorite to her inside here.
The 7 Twist Her (10/1 ML) may be the candidate to win here if things go crazy up front here. But I still think the 2 is going to be a big favorite that wins here. 2-8-1-7 here.
Race 10 is the finale and we have $5000 claimers, which I believe is the lowest claiming level at Parx, going six furlongs. Hopefully I am at the point where I am four for four in the pick 5 here. But this could be very challenging as we have a full field of 12 horses here.
The 2 Liam’s Blue Moon is the 3/1 morning line favorite in the finale he dueled and drew off in his last race three weeks ago. But he is going to have a ton of speed potentially challenging him. The 4 Lord Uhtred (15/1 ML), who was my first ever QPW selection to win, the 6 Lazaretto (6/1 ML) and the 10 Tycoon (6/1 ML) all look like they are going to go out and duel up front which could set things up for closers.
The 12 Hibachi (10/1 ML) will enjoy the duel while stalking behind the leaders despite the wide post. Ignore that last race as he lost all chance before the race started by acting up at the gate.
The 5 Mischievous Jones (10/1 ML) rallied to finish second last time out and could have a similar trip here today.
The 1 Mischievous Juan (10/1 ML) might need to have some room as they turn for home or might have the rail open up like the Red Sea if all the horses I expect to duel do so. I’m just glad I’m not the race announcer, because I would be confusing the 1 and the 5 here…guaranteed!
I think there will be a meltdown up front in this race, and let’s call this 12-5-1-2.
My Monday Wagers
All these wagers are $10 to win. If a horse is scratched, I will not have a backup selection. But I will give an update on the pick-5 for the Parx Big 5 mandatory distribution.
Race 6: 4 (Angelic Storm)
Race 7: 5 (Drunken Sailor)
Race 8: 5 (Chasing Stardom)
Race 9: 2 (Gray Lightning)
Race 10: 12 (Hibachi)
Pick 5 ($24 ticket)
Race 6: 4,7,10
Race 7: 2,5
Race 8: 5,8
Race 9: 2
Race 10: 1,2,5,12
Best of luck everyone!
Reminder that this Saturday’s “Also Eligible” will be live from 8 to 10 am on The Sports Radio 102.9 The Game app, The Bleacher Brothers YouTube, X and Twitch accounts as well as on BroadStSouth.com and BleacherBrothers.com. It will be Kentucky Derby Day and we will look at the Run for the Roses as well as some additional races on the Churchill card.