$10,000 Guaranteed Pick 5 on Wednesday January 7th
The 1st Annual Golden Gate vs. Portland Meadows Jockey Challenge brought you by XpressBet is not the only highlight of the Wednesday January 7th program at Portland Meadows. The day will also see a $10,000 guaranteed Pick 5 which will cover all four of the jockey challenge races as well as the Willamette Stakes. The bet will cover races 4 through 8 and starts at approximately 2:15pm pst.
The sequence features some very competitive races and there is no obvious single during the Pick 5. Race 4 is the first XpressBet Jockey Challenge event and features older colts and geldings at a flat mile. Benson Road is the high weight and has been installed as the 3 to 1 morning line favorite. He drew to the far outside and handicappers will have to expect Kyle Kaenel to drop back and get towards the rail to save ground before making a big run down the stretch. The unknown factor is Shakalaka for trainer Nick Lowe. Shakalaka has had great success going to the lead when routing and looks to be the primary speed horse here. However the 4 year old son of Avanzado has never tried a non synthetic surface. Hail Mister True and Works Lika Bullet come off stakes placed efforts, but that race was won by a horse who was struggling in claiming events before that day.
Race 5 see’s Maxie’s Night Cap installed as the 5/2 morning line favorite and a horse that could be a single on some people’s tickets. Maxie has been nothing short of fantastic this season with four wins at the meet including her last win which came against several of today’s rivals. Rich Debut, Tequila Tipsy, Shady Unlimited and Mystacallie all very well could be included on bigger tickets.
Race 6 features Star of Madraar who could be very tough in here. The horse is 7 for 19 in his career and his last time on a traditional surface was an impressive closing win. It doesn’t hurt that North America’s all time win leader Russell Baze gets the mount. Shining Day is another one I would include as a possible loose on the lead candidate. I would also throw in Dennybuck and Rock the Stone if your looking to spread in this race.
Timely Brush looks to be improving so much that he could be very dangerous in the 7th race. He was beaten by three of today’s rivals three starts back, but he had a troubled start that day and was gaining late to only get beat a length and half. He has since put in two fantastic wins since then. Cotati is another who could be very dangerous. He was buried on the rail last time and fought on valiantly after being in a tough spot for much of the trip. Slew Can Dance, R Lumber, and Jimmie the Grouch all could battle for the early lead, which could set up for the off the pace runners.
The Willamette Stakes completes the sequence is another wide open affair. Ex Tremely Cool has been installed as the 5/2 favorite, but is very vulnerable. He’s shown he likes to go fast early, but has faded in his last 5 starts. There looks to be some other pace in here from One True Knight and Polish Game to keep Ex Tremely Cool honest in the opening furlongs. Delta Diablo was super impressive in that career debut and is yet another with a shot in here.
Portland Meadows $10,000 guaranteed Pick 5 on Wednesday January 7th begins at 2:15pm pst and covers races 4 through 8. The wager offers a 100% net carryover into the next race day if no tickets can select all five winners. Portland Meadows live racing schedule for January and February is Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesdays, first post at 12:45pm.
