by Al Cimaglia
November 5, 2017
Tonight, Rosecroft Raceway's main event is the $100,000 Potomac Pace Invitational. All Bets Off won the Potomac last year by a nose with a 1:48.2 mile equaling the track record. Split The House, coming off a Breeders Crown win will be back looking to avenge the loss. There's a full field of nine going postward in Race 8 which includes Keystone Velocity, All Bets Off, Dealt A Winner, Mach It So and Bit Of A Legend N.
Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.
Race 8-Potomac Pace Invitational-Purse $100,000
1 - Keystone Velocity (8-1) - Was brutalized in the opening 1/4 at HoP so will toss, in a spot to threaten now.
2 - All Bets Off (4-1) - Similar to #1 in last, but had a better effort from 9 hole. Races well on a smaller oval, big shot.
3 - Dealt Winner (6-1) - Not on the top of my win list but can't overlook from hitting the ticket.
4 - Wakizashi Hanover (15-1) - Sparkled as a 2 & 3-year-old but at this point is a notch below these.
5 - Boston Red Sox (12-1) - 0 for 17 in 2017, but has been freshened up, could add some pop to the ticket.
6 - Mel Mara (8-1) - 8-year-old has looked a bit weary and doesn't appear to be a real threat tonight.
7 - Mach It So (3-1) - Post makes this a bigger challenge but can grind it and get top if pace is hot.
8 - Bit Of A Legend N (6-1) - Late bloomer, small track specialist, won >$1.2 million in '16-'17, should be a square price.
9 - Split The House (7/2) - Fresh horse coming off a huge BC win. Could win again if gets off gate in decent shape.
Interesting race with some horses that seem to have felt the effect of a long season. My key will be #2-All Bets Off and I will use him in up/down in trifectas with the 1-3-5-7-8-9. It wouldn't be a shock if a number of outside horses flew off the gate looking for position. All Bets Off could get on the engine or a 2-hole trip, but if not can still gain striking position to hit the board. I will use #2 in trifectas and play against the program favorites (#7-#9) both hitting the board.
0.50 Trifecta
2/1,3,5,7,8,9/1,3,5,7,8,9=$15
1,3,5,7,8,9/2/1,3,5,7,8,9=$15
1,3,5,7,8,9/1,3,5,7,8,9/2=$15
Total Bet=$45
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