Tuesday's Racing Picks 10/15: Parx Racing
I apologize for the two-day break, but we are back at it for a big week of racing as we approach Breeders’ Cup weekend at Santa Anita on Nov. 1-2.
Coming off a 5-for-7 win streak, today we hit Parx Racing in Bensalem, Pa., for the feature, a $92,000 allowance race for 3-year-olds and up over 1 mile and 70 yards. The field of 12 (plus 3 also eligibles) is slated as race 8 of a 10-race card and has an approximate post time of 4:04 p.m. ET.
#9, Flight Risk, Paco Lopez, 9-2
Flight Risk will be making his 10th career start, finishing in the money seven times (3-2-2). In his last four starts at Parx (1-2-0), highlighted by a 3 ¼-length first-place finish in a starter allowance in his last on Sept. 23, his first win since April 28. Paco Lopez is back for his third straight mount aboard and that should do wonders as Flight Risk is on the improve for trainer Juan Carlos Guerrero. Good ML odds as well at 9-2. The pick.
#11, Rucksack, Angel Arroyo, 6-1
In 18 career starts (2-6-4), Rucksack is coming off a neck win over Super Silver in a $60,000 starter allowance at Saratoga on Sept. 2 for his second win of the year. His first, right here at Parx in a $45,000 maiden special weight race on April 23, where he won by six lengths as the second choice. In the start prior to that, Rucksack finished second, losing by a nose to Dance for Oro, as the fifth choice amongst the betting public. Seems to like it here and gets Angel Arroyo back in the saddle since that first win in April. Runner-up.
#10, Optic Way, Kendrick Carmouche, 5-2
In 11 starts this year (3-5-1), he has had a solid showing, but has not won since a 3-length triumph in optional claiming race at Monmouth Park on June 28. Returns to Parx, where he is an impressive 3-2-2 in eight starts, including first-place finishes in his last two races here: a 3 ¾ length win in a starter allowance on March 11 and a 7 ½ length romp in a starter allowance on April 7. The likely winner, especially with Kendrick Carmouche aboard, but looking toward others. Contender.
#1, Spring Emperor, Jomar Garcia, 5-1
Spring Emperor will be making an impressive 39th career start today (7-6-7) and is 1-5-4 in 14 starts this year. He is 1-1-2 in his last four starts, including a ¾-length triumph two starts back in a starter allowance race at Delaware Park on Sept. 16. This will be his 23rd career start at Parx, where he has won four times, including his last in a claiming race back on Oct. 29 by 2 ½ lengths. Experience here will make him a threat with Jomar Garcia aboard. In the mix.
PICKS: 9-11-10-1
By Lou Monaco