Daily Racing Form National Digital Edition
How to play the Pick 4
With the Grade 3 San Francisco Mile a part of the late Pick 4 at Golden Gate on Saturday, here’s a look at that sequence and a recommended ticket, beginning with the trickiest race to handicap, the sixth race.
Race 6, maiden claimer
Spreading is the strategy for playing the opening leg of the Pick 4. This maiden claimer is wide open with more than half the field having a shot. I will use five of the seven entries, all of whom have about the same chance of victory. In order of preference, they are Tuscan Warrior (2), Proudtobesicilian (7), Pepper and Salt (3), Ron Again (4), and Get Like Me (5). The latter two runners are first timers with connections that can strike with such types, with the others being established runners with so-so maiden form.
Race 7, San Francisco Mile
Millionaire Alert Bay (6) is running at his house, Golden Gate, over which he has a three-for-five record over the local grass course. That mark, plus a recent victory in a prep, makes him the most likely winner. If he is beaten, it will likely be Patentar (3) that pulls it off. He makes his third start of his current form cycle, and was a brave winner last out at Santa Anita in defeating graded winner Frank Conservation in a classy allowance.
Race 8, Claiming
Mended (2), a winner of three straight, might be a single for some players, but being a one-dimensional speedball, I’m inclined to also use Aly’s Last Magic (1) – just in case someone runs with Mended early and softens that one up. Aly’s Last Magic won first off the claim for his current connections Mar. 26 and has the back class to suggest she could be dangerous on the rise from $12,500 to $20,000 claiming.
Race 9, Optional Claiming
An Unusual Group (7), 6 for 11 since being claimed by trainer Jerry Hollendorfer in late 2015, is easily the most accomplished turf runner in the final leg of the sequence. Seven of her nine victories have come on grass, with four of those wins coming on this course. Proven fresh and dropping in class, she is a single in the final leg.