Sunday night’s Prairie Meadows card features a mandatory payout in the late pick 5 with a massive $268,692 carryover. Races 7-11 comprise the sequence, beginning around 7:33 pm ET. Through the Betmix database, I was able to identify several hot jockey and trainer angles in recent weeks as the Prairie Meadows meet winds through a long, May-September summer stand.

Race 7: claiming
Good options abound in this 7-horse dash at 5-1/2 furlongs and it could be the most competitive race of the sequence – and I’ll go deep while looking to beat the 5-2 morning line favorite #6 Classic Cinema in his first local bid after racing on the bullring in Tulsa. #4 State School Smart is my top choice with speed to burn via Columbus and a local victory on his ledger the last time at Prairie Meadows. Red-hot jockey Walter De La Cruz taking the mount is notable. #5 True Prodigy is one of 3 entrants here for trainer Kelli Martinez, has won back-to-back, and rider Alberto Pusac’s presence indicates likely the barn’s best. #2 Hasty Flyer reunites with veteran rider Ken Tohill, who notably is a 20% winner with a positive ROI in these 5-1/2 furlong dashes at the meet. #3 Prints Money might be a cut below, but the late threat in a race loaded with speed – although closing at Prairie Meadows is not the preferred style.

Race 8: starter allowance
Strong lean here to #1 Time to Sing at 7-2 morning line, who dropped once to the max level to be eligible for this race and was a runaway winner over the track and distance. Trainer Tim Martin has been hot in recent weeks, but I’ll get some secondary coverage with the Tom Wellington-trained Strolltothemarket (3-1 morning line). That barn is 13: 4-3-2 locally since July 15 and Wellington takes over the training on this freshened gelding for the first time. Would be no surprise if there’s a big move forward off the bench. The morning line chalk #4 Rockin Boots has been more of a lifer around the $30,000 level and has no edge to accept a short price – try to beat him.

Race 9: allowance / optional claiming
The inside trio in this 2-turn affair look clearly best in a field of 7. #2 Happy Strike (4-1 ML) gets top billing for a smoking-hot Dewaine Loy barn that’s 10: 5-2-1 since July 15 at Prairie Meadows. This gelding drew clear late last out in a field that included a return allowance winner Tee Off Time who contested Saturday night’s Cyclones Stakes. #1 Winnemac Avenue makes his Prairie Meadows debut for veteran Jimmy DiVito and ships from his Chicago homebase. The gray has run well off layoffs on occasion and fits well with these as the likely favorite. Kevin Eikleberry’s barn has been strong all season, going very well in recent weeks, and drops multiple stakes winner #3 Time to Fly (3-1 ML) in class. Cannot discount his chances whatsoever.

Race 10: allowance
#1 Rome’s Conquest (7-2 morning line) could be potentially loose on the lead, and early speed is a premium over this track. If #4 Cash Fever fails to break off a 16-month layoff, a reasonable scenario exists that Rome’s Conquest outfoots this crew with most of the variables of racing luck removed. Plus, he’s a 4-year-old against several key contenders that are 3. #6 Brownstone did rally to pass Rome’s Conquest last out and would be no surprise to do it again for a Dan McFarlane barn that’s 6: 3-2-1 since July 15 locally. Not wild about a rider change and a closer over this track, but there is a solid case to be made for Brownstone in the matchup. #2 Mickswagger is the 2-1 morning line favorite off his win in the Prairie Mile and subsequent pace-pressing try in the Iowa Derby when fifth. Both wins have come around 2 turns and he’ll have to get in gear to sprint to victory vs. elders, but he’s a better class than many of these.

Race 11: claiming
Six of the 9 entered here exit the same July 19 race for this class and distance. That race was 30-1, 12-1, 16-1 across the board for a trifecta that paid more than 2,000-to-1 odds. That’s a vote of no confidence. The fresh face in this spot to watch is class-dropping #9 Gisele’s Map (8-1 morning line odds). I’m drooling to get near that price on a filly who has been facing tougher. Veteran horsemen Kelly Von Hemel hits 30% when he gets Walter De La Cruz to ride and it’s a notable rider change to a pilot winning 31% locally since July 15. Blinkers also come off, and her better races last year all were without them. Bold single regardless of price.

Suggested ticket:
4,5,2,3 with 1,3 with 2,1,3 with 1,6,2 with 9 = $36 for 50 cents