Parx picks and horses to watch: August 22

by J. J. Graci

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 $251,578

Main track good, off the turf

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE NUMBERCONTENDERSCOMMENTS
Race 79-4-1-8The Dr. Teresa Garafalo Memorial brings the return of #9 Chub Wagon (9-5), albeit with a new trainer in Regina Brennan, and the daughter of Hey Chub seems to be in the catbird seat: in a race seemingly full of speed, she’s drawn outside where rider Gonzalez can eyeball how things develop and take it from there. Her last, in the Alma North at Laurel, was strong, and she seems to be right back in form… Terrific effort in last by #4 Cinnabunny (3-1) to edge G2 winner Cilla in the Dashing Beauty. The projected pace scenario — heated up front early — doesn’t do this miss any favors, but if any of the early sorts stay on to the end, it’ll be this one… Nothing wrong with that last effort by #1 Oxana (9-2) when third in the Regret…
Race 116-7-3-2Top choice #6 Fortheluvofbourbon (3-1) has won three straight and four of five, and three back, in the Page McKenney, he bested morning line choice #7 Beren (5-2) by a neck. This guy won this event a year ago and should be able to get a good stalk-and-pounce trip here… Beren impressed in winning the De Francis last out, snapping a streak of really good-but-not-good-enough efforts. He’s drawn outside the other speed today, which aids the cause, and he loves this six-furlong trip (five wins from eight starts)… #3 Breezy Gust (6-1) seems to be moving back towards his better form of last year…
Race 1210-6-1-2#10 Far Mo Power (6-1) likes to win — he’s won five of eight career starts — and might be speed of the speed as he stretches out to two turns for the first time. Can he handle that, plus the rise in class? We’ll see, but the odds entice, and he looks like he fits. Dexter Haddock, who’s ridden him every start, will do so once again… Pletcher sends the B Team — or is it his C Team? — to Parx in the form of #6 Too Boss (3-1). He galloped in a local allowance last time after failing four times to beat two-other-than horses in New York. He’s obviously a major player with these… Speed from the rail is generally a handy thing, which describes #1 Ruby Bleu (5-1), who often has had things his own way in recent starts but may not get that today…

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