by Al Cimaglia
May 12, 2024
Northfield Park begins the week with a 15-race card. The $1.00 Late Pick 4 starts in Race 11. The sequence has a $10,000 guaranteed pool with a 14% takeout, and it will be my focus.
Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.
Race 11 (9:40 PM EST)
1-Lake Charles (5/2)-Charles gobbled this kind up last week drawing off by >5 lengths. Starts from the 1-hole again, Aaron Merriman takes the lines this week and is not the morning line chalk. Not going to single, seems to have trouble stacking wins but is a must use.
5-Coop A Loop (2-1)-Came off cover to win at this level last time. Has enough gate speed to land on the point. If not should be in a close-up seat and if anyone is going to down #1 this is a logical choice.
Race 12 (10:02 PM EST)
1-Cyclone Banner N (7/5)-The 9-year-old hasn't fired hot off the bench but seems to be coming around. Merriman won't play games, the pedal will be down from the start. Will look to make every call a winning one and will be a tiny price. Could own this crew with a top effort.
4-Tornbush Hanover (7/2)-This veteran didn't bank over $100k like the one above did last year but tries hard and is in good form. Has big gate speed and so should be racing at the top of the stack. Could trip out off a pocket ride if the chalk is a pretender.
Race 13 (10:24 PM EST)
1-Killowatt Kid N (3/2)-Looked rough last week, broke stride early on and then called it a night. Seemed to get caught in
an awkward position but regardless didn't look great. Drops to a soft spot, will look for a gate to wire attempt and should be a player if close to 100%.
6-Rose Run Xiled (25-1)-Hasn't made great strides facing $30k and $40k claimers. Tonight, gets a new set of hands in Billy Davis Jr and lands in a soft spot. Needs a trip, and an honest pace would help. Should be a price and can't fully trust the chalk.
Race 14 (10:46 PM EST)
2-Bettor In Cash (3-1)-Chris Lems could work a cozy trip with this post draw and has beaten this kind on 2-21. Should relish the company and be in the mix at the wire.
6-J Chip (7/2)-Not loving the morning line price but does appear to drop into a winnable situation. Makes the 3rd start since shipping in from HoP and will look for an aggressive steer.
9-Dreamfair Charro (12-1)-The last time Davis Jr steered was 2 back against this kind. Stayed inside and rallied down the lane to finish 2nd at 22-1. The same type of trip could happen here following one of the two inside horses off the gate. The price will be right, and this veteran could get sucked around.
$1.00 Late Pick 4
1,5/1,4/1,6/2,6,9
Total Bet=$24
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