Monmouth Park Picks & Analysis for June 12: Salvator Mile Day
Monmouth Park, under the watchful eye of Darby Development, is seen as a path-breaking racetrack. Our turf-man has you set to go on Salvator Mile Day, which offers a number of betting opportunities. At HorseRacing.net/us our experts have you covered from the dirt to the turf.
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LATE PICK 4…
LEG 1: (Race 10: Dirt, 1 Mile, Salvator Mile (G3). $150k, 3+)
The first stage of this P4 sequence is a humdinger of a start. The Salvator Mile S. (G3) is named after a powerful runner from over 100 years ago. Legends cast a long shadow … This year’s contest has a headliner for sure, and it is Saffie Joseph’s NY Traffic #7. In 2020, this colt out of Cross Traffic drew some headlines when he almost nosed out Authentic in the Haskell (G1). After misses in the Sept. KY Derby and the Preakness, he is back in action after a freshening in early May at Belmont. With Paco Lopez, he is a pretty sharp and classy runner, which is a potent combination. Is he a “Single?” Joseph is a conditioner with rising stock, and he should not be underestimated.
Just in case Lopez cannot get his mount home, I want to include a pair of other entrants which offer some nice value. Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer has 2 entered, but I like Green Light Go #4 quite a bit. On the up and up, this is a Hard Spun son, and that equates to versatility. The price should be right, and I am liking the addition of Dylan Davis. He may not be able to use a crop, but his ability up at NYRA is unheralded. The other one is out of the Todd Pletcher stable, and Basin #8 has a history of flashing some speed. Running against some accomplished types like Flagstaff and Whitmore in the CD (G1) last out sounds promising. These 2 should provide us with some padding. We might not need it …
Selections: 4/7/8 (3-Deep)
LEG 2: (Race 11: Turf, 1 1/16th, MSW45k, 3+)
A turf event at Monmouth is a thing of beauty, and they are going to have a passel of them over the course of the Meet. This MSW challenge is a tough proposition with a sprinkling of first-timers afoot. Tops on my list is the Todd Pletcher runner, Freer #1 because the colt has nice bloodlines on the dam-side. With a solid debut already under his belt at Gulfstream back in April, he should be able to improve off that effort. I am not crazy about his price, so one other router I like is Steve Asmussen’s Wohlgemuth #4 who should be an overlay at more than 10/1. Though Asmussen doesn’t specialize in grass mowers, he does have his moments. Gerardo Corrales is an excellent turf rider, and his experience over the past year continues to build. Bloodlines can out … so, don’t sleep on L and N Racing’s entry. This pair gives us some options.
Selections: 1/4 (2-Deep)
LEG 3: (Race 12: Dirt, 6F, Clm8k, F&M 3+)
Heading towards the 2nd half of this illustrious ticket, we have a bunch of cheap claimers going forward. It is hard to think that anyone in this race will best Jose Delgado’s Starship Reina #6. The mare is simply the most viable winner in this type of race. If she isn’t the favorite and the winner, then it will be a major upset. Her short price of 1/1 is deserved. Out of Cowtown she is 12/58, earning over $348k. That is pretty impressive considering this runner is now an 8-yr-old. A strong “Single” if ever I saw one.
Selection: 6 (Single)
LEG 4: (Race 13: Turf, 1 Mile, ALLW47.5k, F&M 3+)
Some Gulfstream Park invaders and a few ex-NYRA runners are flying in to Monmouth for this little salty contest on the turf. Tops on the tote will be this Todd Pletcher entry named Coworth Park #4. The filly is going up against some older company, but she might be able to hang, especially with a pair of “Non-G” events under her hood. Those were tough races, and her conditioner must have confidence that she can handle this spot. Getting Paco Lopez to ride sounds promising. His sod skills are smart and fancy at times. Let’s include her.
Along with this selection, I also want to tab a runner called Pugilist #3 who is breaking right next door for trainer Jose Delgado. Can he have this one ready after some promising attempts down at Tampa? I like that action down there, and Jose Ferrer has some solid stats in races like these. This mare might be more of a sprinter coming out of Get Stormy, but the price is going to be right as far as I am concerned.
One last one that I cannot exclude is the Mike Stidham entry, I Hear You #1. She is another young one, but has some real talent. Her experiences at Keeneland and the Fair Grounds will be valuable. Speaking of Tampa, her pilot was a jockey who acquitted himself well on the turf at that underrated Florida oval. A price of 6/1 or higher is going to provoke a side bet, as far as I am concerned. Don’t underestimate these neophytes who might make a big splash.
Selections: 1/3/4 (3-Deep)
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.50 LP4 TICKET COST: $9.00
Enjoy some action from the “longest stretch by the Shore!” It’s Monmouth!