PARX PICKS AND HORSES TO WATCH: JAN. 19

Street Band
Street Band upset the 2019 Grade 1 Cotillion Stakes at Parx Racing . Photo by Allison Janezic.

Parx Racing has a 10-race card on tap for this afternoon. Post time for the opener is 12:25 p.m., and we’ve got Parx picks.

How’d we do last time at Parx?

RACE NUMBERCONTENDERSCOMMENTS
Race 85-3-2-6Let’s draw a line through that last one for #5 Hibachi (6-1), who backed out readily at long odds against better; he’s never run well on off tracks (never in the money in four starts). His prior efforts, including a decisive win in a PA-bred allowance two back, are plenty good enough for this group. He figures to be sitting just a bit off the main speed in here… Conversely, the formful #3 Magic Michael (5-2) has done his best work on off tracks, including wins in his last two on the slop… #2 Irish Meadow (5-1) closed nicely to be third last time out, beaten less than a length; he may find a lively pace to run at here… #6 Runningforhome (3-1) finished just ahead of Irish Meadow last out with a similar if perhaps slightly better trip…
Race 96-7-4-1AIf there’s a criticism of #6 Bird King (5-2), it’s that he’s got a touch of seconditis: he’s been the runner-up in five of nine starts with just two wins; he’s just missed against similar in his last two and might knock off this condition here… The only knock on #7 Optic Way (4-1) is that he’s been away since late October — just shy of three months; he just missed at this level two straight and most recently was third in a Jersey-bred stake that featured graded winner Golden Brown. If he can return to his form before the break, this one may control it up front and can be tough in here… Veteran #4 Ruby Bleu (8-1) has his moments and won this race nicely in late September; he’ll need a big one here… #1A Flat Out Beautiful (3-1, part of entry) figures to be running on late if the pace heats up…

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