Parx picks and horses to watch: April 5

Playlist of our “In 60 seconds” recaps

Parx Racing has an 11-race card on tap for this afternoon. Post time for the opener is 12:55 p.m, and we’ve got Parx picks.

Carryovers: Jackpot Pick 5, $161,133

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE NUMBERCONTENDERSCOMMENTS
Race 82-4-8-6Top choice #2 Jamie Dreams (8-1) was ambitiously spotted last time out. The maiden was given a shot in the Rittenhouse Square Stakes, and while that didn’t go so well — he finished fifth after a troubled trip at odds of 52-1 — that was a major vote of confidence in the horse. Another vote of confidence: leading rider Ruben Silvera has the return mount. This guy showed good speed on debut and might be ready to graduate today… First-timer #4 Strawberry Cone (5-1) has been training well for conditioner Kate Demasi. This one’s a son of Malibu Moon, Demasi has a respectable record with first-timers, and she’ll leg up one of her go-to pilots in Silvestre Gonzalez… #8 Flaco Explosivo (5-2) couldn’t go with Three Comma Glenn last out, but no shame there: that one looked like a potential star. More troubling is that this one’s still a maiden after five tries. This might be the spot for him, but the odds feel too short to us… #6 Verbier (9-2) gives Demasi a shot at playing a major role in the vertical wagering. He’ll get Lasix on for the first time after getting throttled twice in Kentucky…
Race 101-8-7-6The improving #1 Starship Laoban (5-2) was a tough-luck second in the Society Hill Stakes, outdueling favored Disco Ebo before getting run down by Kisses for Emily. The additional furlong may not do this one any favors, but on the other hand, she won’t have to tangle with Disco Ebo again, either… #8 Abidale (4-1) scored last out at second asking and figures to benefit if the early pace gets heated… One of those who figures to be pushing the early action is #7 Skerrett (6-1). The Butch Reid trainee stopped in the two-turn Main Line Stakes but gets Lasix on for her return to sprinting… True, #6 My Dixie Lass (7-2) has been running at Penn National, which is typically a notch below Parx. But the quality of her runner-up effort in a Penn allowance in last was validated when winner Bazinga C went to Laurel and repeated against allowance foes…

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