Tonight, Grand Circuit racing for this season is ending and there are 8 big money stakes on the 14-race card at M1. The 0.50 Early Pick 4 starts in Race 6. The sequence has a $50,000 guaranteed pool with a 15% takeout, and it will be my focus.

Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.

Race 6 (8:25 PM EDT)

5-Atlantic Summer (8-1)-Comes off a 2nd place finish in the Matron as an odds-on choice, before that had a 4th place finish in the BC Final and was parked a long way. Looks like a player at a solid price and Ronnie Wrenn could leave and race near the top of the stack throughout.
9-Nezuko Kamado S (3-1)-Beaten post time chalk in the BC Final got a bumpy ride. Has won 6 of 10 this year and does good work on larger ovals. Makes its M1 debut and will look for Scott Zeron to leave with a purpose and land in a good early seat. Did win 4 straight before the Final and with a smooth journey tonight another winning streak could start.

Race 7 (8:50 PM EDT)

1-Ervin Hanover (3-1)-Winner of 5 in row including the last start in the BC Final is the one to beat. But in 7 races at the Big M has only hit the board once, finishing 3rd. Hasn't been at M1 for a while, will respect chances of another picture, but will use some with more value.
2-Oakwood Ardan IR (12-1)-Has only 2 wins this year and recent form has been dull but some excuses could be found. Did race against tough company, and lately has been starting outside. Will look for an upset and did win early in the year here setting a 147.3 mark. Should be a large price and has posted 13 wins in 17 races at the Big M.
4-Maximus Miki (9/2)-Raced big at RcR to win the Potomac and left from post 8. Has done well at M1 (17-7-4-2) and has a 148.0 mark there. Scott Zeron should be aggressive when the wings fold. Could offer a square price and it's best to not overlook.

Race 8 (9:15 PM EDT)

4-Seaside Shuffle (5-1)-Took the long way around in the BC Final but kept coming down the lane and finished a beaten 3rd. Does have 4 wins in 11 starts and has been resting since 10-24. Needs a trip and Yannick Gingras could work his magic to post a win at a nice price.
10-Loua Dipa (9/5)-If you are looking to fade the best 2-year-old pacing filly there are a couple of reasons to consider. This gal has never started further out than post 6 and this will be her M1 debut. Otherwise, there isn't a reason to think she will lose unless the trip is very bumpy. Her last start was on 10/24 in the BC Final and this late in the season being off 3 weeks could help.

Race 9 (9:40 PM EDT)

4-Fragment (5/2)-Winner of 9 races in 15 starts seemed to get better on the larger ovals later in the season but has not raced at M1. Jason Bartlett will likely look to take control early on but can win coming off cover as well. The Per Engblom pupil has banked over $580,000 and with a clean trip should cash the top check again.

$2 Early Pick 4

5,9/1,2,4/4,10/4
Total Bet=$24

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