After a stop in West Virginia on Tuesday night for an evening at Mountaineer Park, our “Cornucopia of Cash” promotion heads north for a Thursday afternoon at Horseshoe Indianapolis. Remember, this month-long promo is simple. Just register on the landing page if you have yet to do so, bet $100+ on that Tuesday or Thursday select card., and earn a $10 bonus. Here are a few horses I like on the Thursday slate in Shelbyville, Indiana.


Race 3:
My first play of the day comes in this optional claimer at 1 1/16-miles over the grass where I landed on #8 Debt Paid. The son of Collected moves up in class for veteran conditioner Michelle Lovell after rattling off a pair of victories, including one over this course on October 15. The 5YO gelding will need to avoid getting caught up in an early battle since there does appear to be a solid amount of early speed signed on, but it is encouraging that jockey Marcelino Pedroza Jr. opts to ride Debt Paid instead of rival #1 Shure. Hopefully, Pedroza can find a way to break well, angle over like this gelding did last out, and find a favorable stalking position a length or two off the early pace. If so, I like his chances to out finish this bunch and get to the wire first for the sixth time in his career.

Play: #8 Debt Paid (4-1 ML)
Picks: 8-1-9


Race 4:
My next play comes in this state-bred MSW event at six-furlongs over the main track where 3-1-ML favorite #1 San Valentina looks vulnerable. The daughter of Santiva debuted a little over a week ago in a race where she showed solid tactical speed and ran a decent second, but was easily turned away by a runner that came into the race 0 for 14. The move to an inside draw against the boys could work out for the Silva Racing runner if she breaks well, but it adds an additional variable into the mix that I am not in love with.

I will try to beat the chalk with #3 Z Set the Mark. The Tim Eggleston trainee debuted in a common race last month at 5.5-furlongs and things did not go well in the early stages for the son of Elite Squadron, but overall showed more promise than the final running line looks. He was off awkwardly, moved up on the backstretch, made a solid middle move against the flow of the race, and tired badly late. It was encouraging that Z Set the Mark took some public support in his first start and showed some ability in the middle stages. He should take a big step forward after gaining the invaluable experience in October. At his 12-1-ML price, he appears well worth the gamble.

Play: #3 Z Set the Mark (12-1 ML)
Picks: 3-2-1


Race 7:
My final play on the “Cornucopia of Cash” Thursday card comes in this state-bred second-level allowance event where I like #5 Smokinghot Justice. The 3YO filly takes on older runners for just the second time in her career after a pair of disappointing runs against stakes foes over the main track this fall. The Aaron West trainee only competed over the grass once so far and it led to a career best run in the Ellen’s Lucky Star in late August where she finished second beaten just a head at odds of 7-1. The pace should be honest at the very least in this 8.5-furlong affair over the grass, which should make the daughter of Harry’s Holiday tough to hold off in the final sixteenth of a mile.

Play: #5 Smokinghot Justice (7-2 ML)
Picks: 5-2-8