Longshot of the Day: Race 7 at Horseshoe Indy
Track: Horseshoe Indianapolis
Race 7: $43K MSW going 6 furlongs on dirt for 3YO fillies
Post Time: 5:15 PM ET
Horse: #9 Palm Desert (6/1 morning line) use as a win bet at 9/2 or higher.
Wednesday’s maiden special weight race at Horseshoe Indianapolis features 10 starters and I believe offers a little bit of value as there are reasons to play against the top three choices. Morning line favorite #5 Spinning Glory (3/1) is coming off her first dirt effort where she got passed going five furlongs and is now stretching out, though trainer Larry Rivelli is always dangerous in these spots. Meanwhile, trainer Brendan Walsh is sending #8 Don’t Call Me Babe (4/1) to the dirt for the first time following a brief layoff and while the filly should like the dirt from a pedigree standpoint, she also lacks a consistent running style and is 0-5 at this point and running out of chances. Finally, #4 M’Lady Sansa (9/2) finished second last time out at this level, but never seriously threatened for win honors in any of her six starts.
Therefore, I’m looking toward co-fourth choice Palm Desert for trainer Riley Mott making her second career starting after being runner-up in debut at Gulfstream Park going seven furlongs. The daughter of Candy Ride is out of a Distorted Humor mare who has already foaled two full siblings, one of which (Desert Ride) was a two-time stakes winner at Woodbine. The pedigree points toward this one potentially doing best on the grass, but she handled the dirt well in debut while earning a 63 Beyer Speed Figure. There are plenty of positives to take from that debut effort though as she attended the early pace and had the lead at the top of the stretch before getting passed by eventual winner Cat Chat. The other horses, who were part of the early pace scenario, faded toward the back of the field and Palm Desert was the only one who was able to be a part of the finish. Now she is cutting back a furlong and coming off a particularly strong workout at Churchill Downs where she covered four furlongs in 46.4 seconds. Additionally, there has already been a new out winner coming out of that debut race. I like the outside post, and the filly showed good speed in debut to give confidence she will be able to sit a useful tracking trip and should appreciate cutting back. I also wanted to give a brief mention to #2 Clay Basket (8/1) who might always be a horse that leaves you thinking the next time is the time, but she has every right to move forward after a solid fourth last time out while coming off the bench following an eight-month absence. Her biggest issue is that she comes from the back of the field and often gives herself too much to do at the top of the stretch, but the second time off the bench might be a good angle to play here, even if it is simply underneath in your vertical wagers.