by Al Cimaglia
December 30, 2019
This evening there will be a mandatory payout at The Meadows in their 20-cent Jackpot Super Hi-5, which is slated for Race 13 at approximately 5:05PM ET. There is a $105,000.96 carryover and the track estimates the pool should grow to $250,000.
Comments are based on a fast track.
Race 13-Super Hi-5
1-Justcallme Bets (4-1) - 3-year-old has paid her keep racing on 1/2-mile ovals on the Maine circuit. Palone takes a seat and this is her 1st start since 10/12 but had a good qualifier here on 12/19. Likes to race near the top of the stack and looks like a use. Best to respect connections and is a threat for top honors.
2-Marvalous Song (20-1) - Camera shy mare could be part of the ticket from the inside draw. Doesn't pass foes down the lane but can stay in the hunt and maintain position at a price. Not a threat to take a picture but will use underneath.
3-Cookies Empire (5-1) - Only 5-1 in the program and wouldn't be my morning line 3rd choice. Doesn't like an off-track but if the last 3 starts were tossed, would still look like a candidate for a small check.
4-Heston Ross (7/2) - Comes off a win and loses Merriman but Hall isn't chopped liver. Makes 4th start here and is a bit camera shy. Should be part of the Hi-5 and a case could be made to use at the top of the ticket.
5-TSM Deja Vu (8-1) - Beat $10K claimers in last but doesn't strike me as anything more than a bottom of the ticket possibility.
6-Southwind Thundra (7-1) - Merriman tried to use her aggressively and that didn't work, faded to 10th as the 9/5 choice. Tonight, Jimmy Pants is between the pipes and he could work a trip. Interesting option that looks like a part of the ticket. Has been off since 12/11 but if dialed on high could win at a nice price with a good steer.
7-Lyons Javelin (6-1) - Similar to #6 but last raced on 12/18. Wilder is a fine pilot but wouldn't use in the top spot from this post. Has taken a liking to the Meadows and could stay in the hunt with a favorable journey.
8-Amazing Ponderosa (20-1) - There are many contenders for the bottom slots in the Hi-5 but this one won't make the cut for my ticket.
9-Oka (20-1) - Burke trainee loses Palone and is in a very tough spot to get involved from this post. Looks like a toss.
10-Dark Rhapsody (20-1) - Starts behind #1 which wouldn't be so bad if recent form was better and didn't start sluggishly. This filly joins #8 and #9 and will have better days another time.
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