by Scott Ehrlich, Cal Expo announcer
Scott Ehrlich offers his picks for the $40,000 Early Pick-4 at Cal Expo on Dec. 9, part of the USTA Strategic Wagering Program. Cal Expo Early Pick-4, Races 2-5, Friday, Dec. 9, 2011 $1 play: 345/146/4/123567 = $54 Analysis: Race 2: (4) Myra’s Hiho came on in the last 16th of a mile into a fast final quarter after being first-over from past the five-eighths until the three-quarters while racing against an inside/up close bias. His numbers from that race are solid and with him being inside my next choice, he can get back on the winning track. (5) Haggin Oaks was strong through the lane with pace to spare, but a slow first half and a favoring bias didn’t hurt. Drawing the outside makes it tougher, but she can repeat. (3) Ivegotwhatuneed sat in the pocket to the 5 until the three-quarters and tried his best while outclosed by the 4. He may not be at the top of his game, but has a wicked brush and if not used until the lane, he can upset.
Race 3: (6) Thatssomebracciola had horrible cover, was three-wide around it past the middle of the final turn and closed well and did well while getting a big excuse. Back in the Sires Stakes where there was no catching her in her previous, giant chance here and I almost singled her. (1) Flea Flicker tried her best versus the above. Her post advantage gives her a chance. (4) Claim Jumper was overpowered by the 6 and outclosed by the 1. In a new stable and gets Wiseman for the first time, give thought.
Race 4: (4) Red Star Popeye got a live second-over trip, flipped three-wide at the head of the lane while loaded, and closed strongly in a start off 13 days. With or without cover (which he loves), he looks too tough in here. If you’re looking to beat the 4, maybe try (5) Amigo De Garcia, who tracked the above in the lane and rallied fine, but while no match, but he had been off 15 days. This is a second start trainer change and he’ll follow the top pick.
Race 5: (3) Dine N Wine was first-over, but got pushed three-wide late in the final turn and that cost her a good deal of momentum into a fast final quarter. Drops to the Sires Stakes with Wiseman back and her last two wins were in this class with him, edge. (5) Poor House was well meant considering how sharply she pulled very late in the final turn on a 1-5 winner and tried her best in the lane while in full gear, consider. (2) Vantage was four-wide to the first turn, got in before the three-sixteenths, then eventually was free of traffic at the seven-eighths and flew, but into a slow final quarter in a very slow race in an easy spot. Faces tougher, but was a good second to my top pick in her previous in this class, give a second look. (1) Racetrack Diva tried hard while out-kicked on a closer’s bias, and she may have gone too slow. Gets Plano and a positive racebike change, give thought. (6) Math Wiz saved ground, was brushing nicely into the stretch and closed nicely. Why not? (7) Whip And A Prayer was better than even or more in the lane in her qualifier. Followed the 2 in her previous and had a nice rally. Is a Sires Stakes winner, but appears to need pace from this post for her best chance.