PARX RACING · RACE 9
UPCOMINGClaiming $7,500
Claiming $7,500, for 3-year-olds and up, that have not won four races lifetime.
Claiming race — every starter can be bought for the claiming price out of the race, so owners risk losing a horse that's clearly best. That keeps the field evenly matched on ability.
● Track record at 6 1/2 Furlongs: 74.39
The shape is the story here: there's little established early speed, so a tactical horse can control soft fractions up front and prove hard to run down.
Our number tops on #2 Huggy (a presser/stalker, M/L 6-1). Recent figures: 72 · 74 · 76. Backup is #9 Starlord at 6-1. Use #1 Fine Diamond in exotic structures.
What would change our mind: a key scratch that reshapes the early pace, a sharp turf-to-dirt or surface switch off the rail, or live money showing up on a horse the board had dismissed. Watch the tote late.
The field, ranked
Our order, top to bottom.
Last out was 4th, 7½ lengths behind the winner, in a 7-horse $7,500 claiming race at PRX. Carries 122 pounds, 10 more than last time.
Changes barns, from Ruperto A Perez to Kathlee Crook-Demasi. The Jun 25 work, 3F in :36.00, was the best time at that distance that morning.
Was running in allowance; today's $7,500 claiming is an easier level on paper. Owns the highest recent figure here at 86.
Raises its level, $5,000 claiming last time and $7,500 claiming now. Was 7th of 7 at the first call last time.
Figures are climbing: 65, 68, 71 over its last three. Won last out in a 6-horse $7,500 claiming race at PRX.
Winner of a 6-horse $7,500 claiming race at PRX last time. Needs to move up: the best of its last five is 73 against a 82 par.
Best recent figure is 63, well under the 82 par for this level. Winless in 8 starts at this distance.
Melecio Saldana Guerrero takes over the training from Scott A Lake. Figures are climbing: 65, 74, 76 over its last three.
Cuts back from 1 1/16 miles to 6½ furlongs. 0 for 8 at today's distance.
New trainer: Bruce M Kravets had it last time, Daniel Velazquez now. Has moved up each time out, 69 to 77 to 78.
At a glance
- Market favourite #1 FINE DIAMOND (5-2) — our number has it ranked #3.
- #1 FINE DIAMOND — our #3 number, about right at the windows (20.8% to their 20.0%).
- #8 KUZ IT'S CHILLY — our #5 number, about right at the windows (13.4% to their 14.0%).
- #4 WEEK'S STRONG — our #6 number, about right at the windows (11.9% to their 12.7%).
Value read
- No price-band edge — the market looks efficient here.
Pace
Pressed Pace. Speed under pressure from multiple pressers. Likely honest pace, slight closer benefit.
Likely leader: #8 Kuz It's Chilly; pressure from #3 Bobo Liver, #4 Week's Strong; the shape helps #1 Fine Diamond, #2 Huggy, #3 Bobo Liver; and works against #8 Kuz It's Chilly.
Number = last-race early-pace figure. Green border = the shape helps; red = it works against.
Early speed and closing figures, horse by horse
Early Pace · E1 figure · front runners
Closing Kick · late-pace figure
How to play it
How we'd structure it from our ranking + pace read — an honest, pressed pace rewards the best horse — key tickets fit. Structures and logic only; the stake is yours.
Win / Place
#2 Huggy (place saver: #9 Starlord)
#2 Huggy rates the best; #9 Starlord the logical insurance if you want to be covered.
Exacta — BOX
#2 Huggy · #9 Starlord
Two standouts with little between them — box #2 Huggy and #9 Starlord both ways.
Trifecta — BOX
#2 Huggy · #9 Starlord · #1 Fine Diamond
Box the top three for any 1-2-3 order; add a 4th only if the field is wide open.
Superfecta — KEY
#2 Huggy / #9 Starlord · #1 Fine Diamond · #10 Southern Dream · #8 Kuz It's Chilly / #9 Starlord · #1 Fine Diamond · #10 Southern Dream · #8 Kuz It's Chilly / ALL or #9 Starlord · #1 Fine Diamond · #10 Southern Dream · #8 Kuz It's Chilly
Deep enough field to spread a super — key the top, spread the next few, fill 4th wide.
Bet types offered at this track →
EXACTA / 50 CENT TRIFECTA / 10 CENT SUPERFECTA