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Ellis Park – Fourth Race – Post 1:21 CT
Prime Play: 1-Big Salt Lick

Forecast: In his debut at Churchill Downs last month Big Salt Lick didn’t get away cleanly and lost early position, commenced his rally into the lane and finished with interest to be a better-than-looked third in a fast, highly rated affair. The D. O’Neill-trained sophomore seems sure to improve with that experience behind him, so if he can leave with his field today the son of Ghostzapper projects be on or near the lead throughout. Today’s extra half furlong shouldn’t hurt him in the least, so at 4-1 on the morning line he qualifies as a value wager both in the win pool and in rolling exotic play.


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Ellis Park – Fifth Race – Post 1:53 CT
Prime Play: 5-Homer’s Odyssey (5-1)

Forecast: In a wide open middle distance turf affair for older maidens, the known element doesn’t inspire, so let’s go with a fresh face. Homer’s Odyssey brought $200,000 as a yearling and is a son of the highly successful sire Not This Time. The work tab, though relatively light, should have him fit enough and includes recent drills that are solid, steady, and healthy for a barn that boasts respectable stats with debut runners. “Go to” jockey C. A. Torres takes the call, so with enough circumstantial evidence to indicate he’s extremely live and well meant, let’s go with the Steve Asmussen-trained colt with a good degree of enthusiasm at 5-1 on the morning line.


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Pleasanton – Sixth Race – Post: 4:18 PT
Prime Play: 5-R Heisman (5/2)

Forecast: After finishing a distant second in his debut but displaying plenty of ability in defeat, R Heisman joined the Peter Miller barn via private purchase and promptly earned his diploma in his next outing in late May with a dominating performance at Santa Anita that produced a strong speed figure. He gets an extra furlong and one half to work with today and both of his races provided evidence that he’ll improve as the distances increase. J. Hernandez, who was aboard in his maiden win, ventures north to retain the mount and should have this son of Far From Over along in plenty of time in this year’s edition of the Everett Nevin Stakes. The two year old colt certainly would be a good thing at his morning line of 5/2, but you most likely will have to accept a considerably lower number.


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Pleasanton – Eighth Race – Post: 5:18 PT
Prime Play: 5-Piroli (10-1)

Forecast: On his best day, Piroli is very fast on figures and good enough to spring a surprise at 10-1 on the morning line in this year’s lucrative Pleasanton Mile. A strong second in the 20203 Hollywood Gold Cup-G1 behind Defunded, the son of Battle of Midway returned off a long layoff to finish a close fourth (beaten a length) in his comeback in early June when facing a salty allowance field in an outing he had a right to need. The M. McCarthy-trained gelding should produce a significant forward move with that tightener behind him, and with the tactical speed to settle within range in the second flight he should have dead aim and every chance from the quarter pole home. At 10-1 on the morning line he offers strong value in the win pool and in the various rolling exotics.


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