Sun Stakes Card Analysis

A pair of carryovers will be available to handicappers on the Saturday (June 30) Sun Stakes card from The Downs at Pocono along with four rich stakes worth a combined $1.8 million. A $6,298 pick 4 carryover kicks off in race 6 and for those looking for a bigger payday, a $137,930 carryover in the Jackpot Rainbow Pick 5 is up for grabs in race 10 if you are the only one to correctly select the last five races on the program. This pick 4 is far from an easy sequence and the $1 minimum means youʼll have to dig deeper into your pockets if you want to spread in multiple legs. Iʼve landed on one single. Letʼs dig in.

Race 6 - A bunch of horses in this race have either won or raced very well recently in this class and others are getting interesting driver changes or dropping in class. I had a tough time narrowing it down to even the six on my ticket - (1) CAULFIELD, (2) WORTH THE MONEY AS, (3) DI OGGI, (5) BOFFIN, (6) MY CHERRY PIE and (8) FASHION CREDITOR.

Race 7 - (5) FIFTYDALLARBILL is the single in my Pick 4 play in this $75,000 consolation for the Earl Beal. He overcame some trouble to rally for fourth in his elimination and seems to have a bit more depth to his game than the competition.

Race 8 - (1) RUFO and (5) IAMMRBRIGHTSIDE N are the early speed of the race and both have raced well at this level. (2) OHIO LARRY went down the road in his last try for this NW9000 condition. (6) GOOD DAY MATE arrived here last week and closed from a tough spot to be fourth with a catch-driver taking over.

Race 9 - The $300,000 final of the James Lynch seems like a crapshoot on paper. Iʼm going to take a stand and toss out likely favorite (2) YOUAREMYCANDYGIRL because she just hasnʼt been overly impressive this year. (1) SIDEWALK DANCER is my top choice off a huge mile from post 8 in her elimination. (3) SERENE STRIDE and (9) KISSIN IN THE SAND also make my ticket. $1 Pick 4: 1,2,3,5,6,8 / 5 / 1,2,5,6 / 1,3,9 = $72

Bonus Selections

Race 10 - $500,000 Max Hempt – (7) LATHER UP is perfect in seven starts and should prove difficult to beat. Iʼll be using him in the exotics with (1) NUTCRACKER SWEET and (3) SPRINGSTEEN.

Race 11 - $500,000 Ben Franklin – While (2) MCWICKED will be the favorite, I see multiple viable options and want more value. My top selection is (7) SINTRA. He is a sharp horse with a hot driver in Jody Jamieson. At a big price, (6) ROCKIN RON has tons of early speed and could prove a factor.

Race 12 - $500,000 Earl Beal – The 15-for-15 filly (6) MANCHEGO is the horse to beat but I see plenty of early speed to her outside that could cause her some trouble. Iʼm looking at a mid-pack closer here in a horse like (4) CRYSTAL FASHION, who finished a nose behind the favorite last time.