The Stronach 5 continues to pay off for those who can solve the five-race, cross country wager. A winning $1 ticket last week returned $2,729 with a 6-1 and 7-2 winner and three others at 2-1 or less. Don’t miss out on action, which all takes place in 50 minutes. Here’s a look at this week’s slate, with an update to follow Friday after scratches:

LEG A: (Gulfstream Park, race 8, 4:51 EST) -- AMERICAN OF COURSE was ‘hustled’ along after a bumpy start, bid 5-wide at the top of the stretch and did well to finish a clear second to favored returnee Alecka Star. NO DECAF ‘sustained a rally’ on the turn while the race favorite was recovering from an early shuffle. She finished evenly behind winner Merseyside (4-20, $172k) but she has 7F experience and can move forward in her second start this year.

LEG B: (Santa Anita, race 3, 5:07 EST) -- PERFECTO AMOR stalked the dueling leaders and finished willingly for third on a day when speed dominated at Los Alamitos. He could sit a similar trip from the outside in a speed-laden field at a good price. The race winner, Code Duello, ran second in a $50,000 sprint at 6F last fall and was stakes-placed going a route of ground. PRINCE MAGICIAN, a 5-1/2F maiden breaker at Santa Anita through disqualification, is working forwardly for his return from an eight-month layoff and he, too, will be running late.

LEG C:  (Laurel Park, race 9, 5:12 EST) -- With four first-time starters arriving from training centers and three Maiden Special Weight class droppers in the field of 10, go deep in Leg C of the Stronach 5.

LEG D: (Golden Gate, race 3, 5:21 EST) -- THEULTIMATEPRIASE broke slowly in 5 of 8 starts thus far, but he plunges to the bottom level, gets plenty of pace to rally into and should cash in for a victory if he settles into striking range without too much trouble. He is today’s solo play.

LEG E: (Santa Anita, race 4, 5:37 EST) -- Wide rallying QUEEN OF THE TEMPLE, troubled SUNNY MORNING and favored CARROLL GIRL were separated by � of a length in a one-mile grass route last month, so use all three on the ticket. KHLASS arrived from Ireland and made a good first impression locally, recovering from a troubled start to finish third at 6-1/2F.

Suggested $1 Ticket
Leg A: 6, 8
Leg B: 3, 8
Leg C: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10
Leg D: 2
Leg E: 2, 4, 5, 6
COST: $144