The Stronach 5 on Friday, January 22 features races from Laurel Park, Santa Anita Park, Gulfstream Park and Golden Gate Fields. Since nobody went 5-for-5 on last Friday's Stronach 5, this week's pool features a $97,892 carryover. With just a 12% Takeout and a $1 minimum, the Stronach 5 is horse racing's most player-friendly wager.

LEG A: LAUREL PARK (RACE 8; 3:55PM ET) // MAIDEN CLAIMING // 7 FURLONGS (DIRT)

Trainer Claudio Gonzalez was 9/4-2-2 the last two racing days at Laurel Park, with three easy winners of at least 6-1 odds. He excels off the claim, so take a chance with WHAT THE FLASH (10-1) to start the Stronach 5 with a $97,891 carry-over pool. 

LEG B: LAUREL PARK (RACE 9; 4:25PM ET) // CLAIMING // 1 1/16 MILES (DIRT)

EGO TRIP appears the best of six class droppers. He is reunited with second-leading jockey Sheldon Russell, who coaxed a winning rally from the lightly-raced 6-year-old two starts ago. AUDACIOUS QUALITY was no match for Ego Trip in a $10,000/nw3 claimer at this distance, but he had two wins and a third at Laurel Park in November and projects a good stalking trip at a big price.

LEG C: SANTA ANITA PARK (RACE 3; 4:32PM ET) // CLAIMING // 7 FURLONGS (DIRT) 

JAN'S RESERVE finished in the money at 6F, 6-1/2F and 1M at this level before he was outrun last out. He's usable at 5-1 odds. TOBACCO ROAD raced over his head in his last three starts but is dangerous at this level. AWHITESPORTCOAT doesn't shy from the photo-finish camera and jockey Juan Hernandez has proven a strong finisher since his arrival in Southern California, a good sign in a longer sprint.

LEG D: GOLDEN GATE FIELDS (RACE 3; 4:49PM ET) // CLAIMING // 5 1/2 FURLONGS (ALL WEATHER)

EXTRACTOR lost by a nose as a 3-to-5 allowance favorite off a one-year layoff. He will be a solo play on alot of tickets. Use MONSTRODAMOUS, who broke his maiden at Golden Gate as a 2-year-old, was claimed on the drop to this level last June, now begins his 4yo season off another long layoff.

LEG E: GULFSTREAM PARK (RACE 10; 5:13PM ET) // MAIDEN CLAIMING // 5 FURLONGS (TURF) 

With 40 turf starts between these 12 maidens, only MIAHSOLOMIAH has finished second. Translation: Hope you're alive in the Stronach 5 and hit the "ALL" button.

MY TICKET

LEG A: 5
LEG B: 1, 8
LEG C: 5, 8, 9
LEG D: 1, 5
LEG E: ALL 

TICKET COST: $144