Competitive sequence starts with an $88,189 carryover

There will be a carryover of $88,189 on the Stronach 5 this Friday after three winners last week paid between $17.40 and $25.80, and there were no perfect tickets.

The total Stronach 5 pool could grow by about $220,000 and be in the neighborhood of $310,000. The Nov. 11 Stronach 5 had a carryover of $51,331 and closed with a total pool of $180,000, meaning fresh money wagered was about 2.5 times the carryover.

The Stronach 5 payouts have been generous. On Nov. 16, the $1 minimum wager was turned into a pick four when Golden Gate was forced to cancel due to poor air quality resulting from Northern California wildfires.

The winning prices were $8.40, $8.40, $16.20, and $5.60. There were only 20 winning tickets in the pool of $70,515, and each paid $3,138, or an amazing 7.8 times the $1 parlay price of the winners, which was $400.

On Oct. 19, one handicapper took down the entire pool for a payoff of $88,286.

Friday’s Stronach 5 comprises races 8, 9, and 10 from Laurel and races 2 and 3 from Golden Gate. It is a competitive sequence, with field size in all five legs ranging from eight to 10 horses.

If you play, be aware you have already handicapped the final three legs of the Laurel Park late pick five and with a little extra work you can jump into that pool. The same goes for the Golden Gate pick four that starts on race 2.

Since the Stronach 5 is hubbed through Laurel, it has a low 12 percent takeout, as do all Maryland Jockey Club pick fives.

Here’s a look at the sequence and a $228 play: Laurel race 8, 3:21 p.m.

Eastern: The second-level optional-claiming sprint goes directly through Shane’s Jewel (No. 3), who last out went head to head on the lead with the sharp Oldies But Goodies before tiring to seventh in the $100,000 City of Laurel Stakes. Jamie Ness, who claimed the 3-year-old Shane’s Jewel for $40,000 in May and has since won two races and $66,900 with him, drops him in for the optional $35,000 tag.

If you’re brave, Shane’s Jewel could be a single. I am going to also use last-out allowance winner Home Run Maker (5) on my main ticket and Eastern Bay (7), who blew the start in his Nov. 4 comeback race and drops in class, as a “B” runner on a backup ticket.

For cost considerations, I dropped Gold Man (1) as a “B” horse. Laurel race 9, 3:51 p.m.: Trainer Ray Handal doesn’t race often in Maryland, but Proportionality (1) is a statebred and this restricted firstlevel allowance is a good spot for him. Expect him to blast out of the gate from post 1 and make the field catch him.

I’m also going to use comebacking Elevated Vision (3), who showed ability for trainer Phil Schoenthal in the spring, and 2-for-16 Ghoul’s Night Out (5), who keeps coming close at this level and has the tactical speed to stay within hailing distance of Proportionality.

Three Hawk (2), who will be making his first start since April, is a backup play.

Golden Gate race 2, 4:15

p.m.: Jerry Hollendorfer makes good use of the “nonwinners since Oct. 1” condition in this $6,250 claiming sprint with Hank the Tank (5), who has not raced since September. Ari Herbertson drops Krsto Skye (6) – who beat Hank the Tank in September – from $12,500, and he should hit hard.

As a backup, I will use Nightime Olympics (3), who hasn’t been his old self in three starts following a year layoff. Jonathan Wong drops him from $16,000 claiming.

Laurel race 10, 4:21 p.m.: Tri Poker (3) ran well in her last race when dropped from $40,000 maiden claiming to this $16,000 level. The winning 2-year-old filly that afternoon, Caterina One, was in a different league and won by 5 3/4 lengths. Tri Poker finished with interest to miss second by a half-length.

While Tri Poker could be a single if needed, I am also using Variance (9) on my main ticket and Broadway Trouper (8) as a backup. They are dropping from the same $25,000 maiden claimer.

Golden Gate race 3, 4:45 p.m.: There is too much speed in this 5 1/2-furlong, restricted $8,000 claimer, but the frontrunners are the best horses.

On the main ticket, I will use River House (6), whom Hollendorfer drops from $12,500; Knust (3), who steps up off a $5,000 win for Wong; and, just in case the race falls apart, the longshot Walk On Water (5), who drops a notch and will come from off the pace for trainer Rhoda March.

Atticism (2), whom Victor Trujillo reclaimed for $5,000 last time out, goes on a backup ticket. If money is an issue, he would be the first “B” horse I would drop. That would save $24.

Bet the Stronach 5 with DRF Bets: drfbets.com