How to play the Pick 4

AQU Race 8

PICCO UNO ran one of the best races of her life on this track when a big winner last spring. She’s been freshened and has responded well to such a move before. QUEZON couldn’t get to ABSATOOTLY when second to that gal in a stakes at Belmont Oct. 21 but she’s been freshened and has the versatility to get a good trip. ABSATOOTLY rallied from well back to beat the top two in the Iroquois at Belmont Oct. 21. (3)

AQU Race 9

MISSIMPAZI is an AE but would appear to have the edge should she go, coming off sharp second at this level at this trip on this track Nov. 24. VELVET TRINNI takes the most important drop in the game after dueling and fading in her last few. The class relief may be key. (2)

LRC Race 3

Bob Baffert has won this nine times and holds the aces again here with heavy favorites SOLOMINI and MCKINZIE. SOLOMINI is the proven commodity, having run 2nd in the G1 FrontRunner and G1 BC Juvenile, both routes, and he's shown ample tactical speed and the ability to finish. MCKINZIE dazzled in his debut at SA Oct. 28, bounding away to win easily and posting a big Beyer (99, the field's best). He is giving away overall experience and route experience to his stablemate and that could make the difference, though he's bred for this being by G1 Ky. Derby winner Street Sense. (2)

LRC Race 4

WAR HEROINE looked super blasting maidens in her debut at DMR Nov. 12. Sure, it's her first time vs. winners and first time routing here, but the absence of the big girls means this isn't the strongest renewal. DREAM TREE is the one to beat as the $750K daughter of Uncle Mo won her first two starts, both dirt sprints and both, incidentally, by a nose over the same rival (Midnight Bisou). It is interesting, though, that after her Desi Arnaz win Baffert said he'd likely keep her sprinting. Obviously we're routing today. PIEDI BIANCHI is twice G1 placed routing so she's a proven commodity. (3)