Friday Racing Picks: Penn National

John DaSilva previews Friday's racing as we end the week off at Penn National.

Race 3 – Pick #5 Totalitario (4-1 ML) - Click here to bet with TVG

One of the best trainers in the mid-Atlantic circuit is Kieron Magee. Perennially one of the leading trainers in Maryland, Magee has often made a successful foray to Penn National. The past year he has won at 27% on dirt shipping to Penn National and in the past four years he wins at 29%. Totalitario makes his local debut after having the lead and finishing third versus optional claimers in an off the turf race at Delaware Park on August 1st. In his previous start he finished second at a mile when racing for a tag. He was a vet scratch on August 22nd and now makes his first start since then, so he could be looking to get the horse claimed. But the horse does have ability and if healthy will be tough to beat here.

Race 6 – Pick #3 Tapete Claire (8-1 ML) - Click here to bet with TVG

Jamie Ness has been on an incredible run in the last three months. Ness is 101 for 371 (27%) while 229 for 371 ITM (62%) racing at all the tracks on the tough Mid Atlantic region. For the year at Penn National he is 13 for 44 (30%) and 28 for 44 (64%) ITM. Tapete Claire steps up to allowance company after finishing second versus claimers at Parx while going longer. Because of New York shipper Jump for Joy from the Mertkan Kantarmaci barn, Tapete Claire should go off and nice overlay versus these.

Race 11 – Pick #2 Cruise Control (7/2 ML) - Click here to bet with TVG

Pay attention to the late changes here as we expect morning line favorite Due Gemelli to scratch because he finished first in a maiden race last Friday. He would not be eligible to race here unless there was some type of disqualification after the race. Cruise Control comes off a second-place finish in an off the turf race going shorter over this course. He drops in class off that effort and races for the lowest claiming level of his career. The field is not strong, especially at the favorite this scratched.

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Want more expert Horse Racing analysis? Our sister site RacingPicks.com has insight from the likes of Matt Bernier and Peter Fornatale throughout the week.