Monday Racing Picks: Parx Racing
The first full week of February brings us to Parx Racing in Bensalem, Pennsylvania for a $35,000 allowance optional claiming race (purse: $47,000) for 4-year-olds and up fillies and mares over one mile and 70 yards on the dirt.
The field of 7 will go to gate for race 9 on the 10-race card with an approximate post time of 4:31 p.m. ET.
#6, It’s a Journey, Mychel Sanchez, 3-1
The veteran will be making her 42nd career start (11-5-9) and has finished in-the-money in her last six starts (3-0-3). She is coming off a two-length win in an allowance optional claiming race at Laurel Park on Jan. 19 and returns back to the track 15 days later. This will be her 10th start at Parx, where she is still looking for her second triumph here; having won an allowance race on Oct. 22. Mychel Sanchez has the call for trainer Jamie Ness. The pick.
#7, I’m Not Joking, Kendrik Carmouche, 4-1
Another veteran is in the mix today as she is making her 43rd career start (10-13-5). She has finished in-the-money in 11 of her last 12 starts and is coming off a 1 ½ length victory as the favorite in a claiming race here on Jan. 7. In 17 starts at Parx, she is 6-8-0 so you know she loves the place. Kendrick Carmouche is aboard for trainer John Servis. Runner-up.
#2, Shemakesmehappy, Frankie Pennington, 5-2
She has made her backers happy, as she makes her 17th career start (6-3-2) and is today’s morning-line favorite. She has finished in-the-money in four straight races (2-1-1) and is coming off a runner-up finish in an allowance optional claiming race at Penn National on Dec. 12. A start prior to that, she won an allowance optional claiming race here on Nov. 16. She has won two of her last three races here. Frankie Pennington is in the irons for trainer John Servis. Contender.
#5, Avalina, Manuel Franco, 5-1
In six career starts, she is 3-1-0 and returns to the place of her last win in the Parx Spring Oaks on May 20. This will be her second career start here. In her last two starts she has posted back-to-back fifth-place finishes including the Grade 3 Delaware Oaks at Delaware Park on July 6. Manuel Franco comes down from New York to ride for trainer Danny Gargan. A lot to like here at a good price. In the mix.
PICKS: 6-7-2-5
By Lou Monaco