Mark Milligan was back among the winners on Thursday night and looks ahead to tonight's US action with three tips.
#1 One Eyed Jack, 2pts at 7/4 (minimum 6/4) – Gulfstream R4, 19:05
One Eyed Jack looks to own quite a significant class edge over these $12k claiming foes and it will be a big disappointment if he can’t get the job done today. A dirt maiden winner at Laurel last February, Todd Pletcher’s charge has been lightly raced since but signalled a return to form when fifth on turf last time. That came in a better class of race than today’s and he should be simply too quick for this level of opposition back on the main track.
Irad Ortiz once again does the steering and I’d expect him to have One Eyed Jack on the steel throughout from what could well be an ideal draw in stall 1. The two inside stalls going one turn at Gulfstream have got a high-percentage win record at the meet so far, and Todd Pletcher’s gelding can further enhance that record.
#6 Don’t Rub It, 1pt at 10/3 (minimum 11/4) – Golden Gate Fields R2, 21:17
This is a maiden claimer that lacks depth, and it should lie between Don’t Rub It and Winning Appeal, with preference for the former. Making her debut for the Vann Belvoir barn over 5.5f on turf at Santa Anita in October, Don’t Rub It never really got into contention but did stick to her task well enough to plug on into fifth place. Her next start over a mile was a bit of a write-off, as she suffered interference and never really looked comfortable with the step up in trip.
Today’s 6f distance, while taking a marked drop in class, should see the selection much more competitive. A positive trainer change from the Belvoir barn to that of Blaine Wright is another boost for those looking to support this filly. A couple of recent solid workouts over the track suggests that the switch to synthetic is unlikely to be an issue either.
#4 Rousing Slammer, 1pt at 4/1 (minimum 3/1) – Golden Gate Fields R4, 22:19
Raging Waters is sure to be popular in this starter allowance contest having posted a convincing maiden claiming win over today’s C&D when last seen in November. However, that start came for the high-percentage barn of Jonathon Wong, and now he goes for the much less prolific Jedd Josephson outfit, having been claimed out of that event.
Consequently, there has to be some doubt as to whether he can reproduce that figure, with Rousing Slammer fancied as the one to profit if the likely favourite doesn’t hit that sort of level again. A winner of a $25k maiden claimer here last time, the selection is actually worth upgrading for that effort given he pressed a strong gallop. He looks the fastest of these early doors and should take plenty of pegging back for a barn that perennially boasts a strong record at this track.
Published at 1325 GMT on 15/01/21
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