How to play the Pick 4

Race 9

Tough way to start the gimmick, with maiden claimers. ALLIED SUGAR RAY likely needed his Aug. 12 run after 14 months off. He then moved up in price, added blinkers here Sept. 1 and was a sharp second. He gets another encouraging price hike. BLUE WAVE stalked the pace, loomed a big threat turning for home in his June 21 debut here but then backed out of it. He hasn’t run since but has worked well and returns with a big drop. RED CHILL tried turf for the first time here Sept. 2 but had trouble and was no factor. He drops and moves back to the main track. CONQUEST SWAGMAN may appreciate today’s change in altitude class-wise after facing considerably tougher. (4)

Race 10

HAWKBILL towers over these class-wise after facing some of the game’s best in Europe. If he brings that form with him the others are running for second. JOHNNY BEAR comes off a super win over lesser. He has the home course advantage and may be ready for today’s class hike. (2)

Race 11

PUGSLEY appears on top of his game and after a smart win for $20K here Aug. 23 he’s given another encouraging price hike. MACHO BREW was claimed off a rallying fourth sprinting here Aug. 25. He’s given a nice price hike and moves to a longer trip which may play better for him. BEAR’SWAY nearly won a Grade 3 here 16 months ago. He hasn’t looked the same after then being gone 13 months but today’s huge class drop may help. MOONLIGHT MALICE gave PUGSLEY a scare here Aug. 23. He looks like a good claim for McClachrie. (4)

Race 12

DEAUVILLE is a Grade 1 winner and placed going 1 1/4 miles but he may actually be better at this shorter trip, evidenced by a super third in a brutally tough Group 1 mile in England a couple months ago. He can stalk and pounce. WORLD APPROVAL likewise seems to have found his calling since being shortened to this trip. He has the speed to be in it from the bell. (2)