Canterbury Park Horse Racing Picks for Thursday 8/27/20
It's a great time to dive into horse racing, and TVG gives you the chance to do just that.
Starting at 5:40 p.m. EST, we have nine races at Canterbury Park. Using numberFire’s projections as a guide, here are some of the best bets.
As always, check the program for scratches and changes.
(I will reference Equibase's Speed Figure in selected races, which tells you how fast a horse has been running in each of its races -- adjusted for track, distances, and conditions.)
Omen of Change, Race 1
TVG Racing Odds: 9/2
Race 1 is an Optional Claiming race with six runners going 1-mile. Guaranteed Tip Sheet projects Omen of Change (9/2) ahead of Tapsolute (4/1) and Professional (5/2). Tapsolute is a deep closer who has finished out of the money in three straight races.
Omen of Change is in good form with a win and runner-up finish the last two months since shipping to Canterbury. His 95 speed figure (ESF) late last month was his best in 18 starts, and he had the lead in the stretch before losing by a nose at this same distance and level. He can get out front again and settle to reserve energy coming to the finish.
The favorite Zoe’s Delight (2/1) won his last race here 2 ½ weeks ago against just three rivals with a 92 ESF. He closed from off the pace to win easy as the heavy favorite, but the final time and closing fractions were not as fast as Omen of Change. That was the third straight solid in-the-money finish against Allowance company for Zoe’s Delight,
Stitzy, Race 7
TVG Racing Odds: 7/2
Race 7 is an Allowance Optional Claiming race for state-breds going 1-mile on the Turf. Ten runners are in this race, and Minnesota Lucky (5/2) is the favorite on the far outside post. He won three straight races, including last month at this distance going wire-to-wire. But his last race the end of July found him empty and finishing last.
Stitzy (7/2) won here twice last summer and is improving third race off a layoff for the meet's leading trainer Joel Berndt. His close runner-up finish last month produced a career-best 90 speed figure. He split a pair of talented state-bred runners who have both come back to win. Jockey change and Canterbury’s leading rider Ry Eikleberry takes over. He has 52 wins and is tied with Francisco Arrieta, who rides Gopher Gold (5/1). He won for the first time in a year last month but with slower speed figures, fractions and final time.
Midnight Emma and Delia O’Hara, Race 8
TVG Racing Odds: 10/1 and 5/2
Race 8 is an Allowance Optional Claimer for fillies and mares sprinting 5 1/2 furlongs. The favorite is Delia O’Hara (5/2) breaking from the outside. She produced her best speed figure (86) when winning here in June by more than 5 lengths. She tried the turf since without success. A nicely-bred filly can continue to improve.
Trainer Joel Berndt runs Smart N Wicked (9/2) with a jockey change to Ry Eikleberry. She missed the money last month finishing fourth but won here two months ago with her best speed figure (82) running on the lead with fast fractions and final time.
Midnight Emma (10/1) has value and should be included, having won a pair of minor stakes the end of last year and beat Delia O’Hara by a neck last November at shorter odds. She stumbled from the gate in her 2020 debut earlier this month and never recovered but is live to outrun her odds here with leading rider Francisco Arrieta in the saddle.
College Queen (4/1) is in very good form with two wins and a runner-up finish since June. Her wire-to-wire win last race produced a career-best 85 speed figure.
