Friday May 24, 2013

by Art Parker

Please double check all program numbers prior to wagering 

PARX     Race 7,    6 1/2 Furlongs   Starter $25,000 (5:00 ET)

Best Value Play: # 6 Niam’s Strike (8/1)

Most Likely Winner: #1 Seeker (2/1)

Other Contenders: # 2 Major Highway (7/2), #4 Chicharito (6/1)

Analysis: Seeker sits on the recipe of success; a first time layoff for Steve Asmussen, the trainer that collects wins like they are toothpicks. Major Highway goes for Keith LeBarron, who is a master of making money first off the claim. Chicharito is very capable of winning with a top effort and last struck at this level, at this track with a big speed figure. Niam’s Strike is trained by one of the best in the business. He ships in, turns back and drops in class-sounds like a Michael Pino plan.

Arlington   Race 3,   6 Furlongs  Allowance 1X (5:00 ET)

Best Value Play: # 8 Radiant Day (5/1)

Most Likely Winner: # 6 Kipling’s King (4/1)

Other Contenders: # 3 Azeg (5/1), # 7 Emile (7/2)

Analysis: A very good and wide open race for Illinois bred runners. Kipling’s King will be better off using his speed in a sprint and has demonstrated he can handle this level with a score in an open company $25,000 starter race at Hawthorne. Azeg will face his elders for the first time but gets top rider E.T. Baird and has been working up a storm. Emile has been competitive in state restricted stakes and his handled by a real pro in Wayne Catalano. Radiant Day could be overlooked because of his finish position in his last, even though the winner set the timer ablaze. Trainer Chris Block has executed a good training regimen since that day and he gets a great post to stalk his foes.