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Al Cimaglia: Cal Expo Pick 4 Analysis | Sunday, March 31, 2024

by Al Cimaglia

March 31, 2024

Cal Expo wraps up the weekend with an 11-race card. The 0.20 Pick 4, with a $25,000 guaranteed pool starts in Race 8. The sequence has a 16% takeout, and it will be my focus.

Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.

Race 8 (7:55 PM PST)

1-Dougsmonkeybusiness (5-1)-Jacob Cutting sticks here over the 5/7 and the 4-year-old does take on older. That shouldn't matter, can get an efficient trip and has done good work at CalX (18-8-5-1).
2-Officer Jim (3-1)-This veteran has been in too deep versus Open company but still can get the job done from time to time. Tonight, could be the "time" to come with a big try and can compete for a picture at this level.
3-Handsome Harvey (5/2)-Has battled hard against better and drops to a spot to shine. This is Luke Plano's choice over #8 and should be forwardly placed versus this company. May offer the best price compared to others and can close in a hurry.

Race 9 (8:15 PM PST)

2-Powderhouse (2-1)-Comes off a win, draws inside and is made the morning line chalk. Wouldn't want to leave off the ticket but hasn't solved this TM level yet. Not loving the short price and will use but will also lean on one other.
7-Helen's Girl (3-1)-Has won at this level but not for a while but should be a player. Does come off a good effort and loses Nick Roland who steers his own (1). Cutting gets the call and he has taken pictures with the mare before.

Race 10 (8:35 PM PST)

3-Snap Krackle Ntrot (9/5)-This trotter has hit the board in all 4 CalX starts and has recorded 2 wins. Usually stays on stride and should be there at the wire in a trotter/pacer mix master event.
7-DT Pet Attack (6-1)-Posted 6 wins last year, which is its lifetime total. Now, as a 5-year-old is 0-10 which is cause for pause but this was Plano's choice over #1. He was the regular pilot on the rail horse and now gets his 2nd straight steer on the Cisco trainee. Willing to stick with the driver's pick and could offer a solid price in what might be a chalky sequence.

Race 11 (8:55 PM PST)

6-Moonlit Night (3-1)-The entire field steps up for this affair which is always interesting. Has not seen battle since 12-15 but has done well at CalX (4-2-0-1), and its qualifier was okay on 3-24. Should be in the mix if 100% ready for this start.
7-Check Mark (5/2)-Mark hasn't shown up in the last 2 starts but did win a couple in a row before that and maybe this is wake up time. Could have his way with this field if comes up with the same effort as a victory 3 back.

0.20 Pick 4

1,2,3/2,7/3,7/6,7
Total Bet =$4.80

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