Thursday Racing Picks: Arlington

John DaSilva previews the card at Arlington on Thursday. 

Race 1 – Pick #5 Vice Grip (9/2 ML) - Click here to bet with TVG

Anthony Granitz is a name that isn’t known nationally. But he has been one of the better trainers in the Midwest that should be followed. He ships in Vice Grip from Indiana Grand to make her career debut. She has been working well there and she is by Field Commission, who is 4 for 20 (20%) with firsters the past year. Granitz is 1 for 2 with first time starters on dirt in maiden claiming races, with the other horse finishing second. Apprentice Charles Roberts, who is in a three-way tie for fourth in the jockey standings, picks up the mount.

Race 3 – Pick #3 Diamonds Are A (7/2 ML) - Click here to bet with TVG

After being overmatched in the Honey Ryder Stakes in her seasonal debut. Diamonds Are A gets class relief as she drops to allowance company for her local debut. She won by a neck at 43-1 at Churchill Downs last September in her only start in allowance company and when making first start since breaking maiden. That race was at a mile, which is the distance of this race. She should get a solid pace to close into and get first run over morning line favorite Room to Finish, which should be enough to get her to the winners circle.

Race 7 – Pick #8 Slick as a Pin (6-1 ML) - Click here to bet with TVG

On paper it looks like Contraction is the lone speed of the race. Most cases we would think he wires the field for the victory. But with a turf record of 15-1-5-0, it is hard to fathom he will hold on for the victory. So with the potential for chaos, why not take a shot with Slick as a Pin. After showing some closing ability at Ellis Park, he returns to turf for his local debut. His only career start on grass was his career debut at Indiana Grand in October. He wasn’t ready and was eased. With apprentice Charles Roberts aboard and the likelihood of being an overlay at post time, he is worth taking a shot with.

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