Monday's Best Bet: Flashing Diamond signals readiness at Parx
Monday’s ninth race at Parx Racing is an optional claiming event for fillies and mares dashing 6 1/2 furlongs on the main track. The scheduled post time is 4:20 p.m. EDT.
Click here for Parx Racing entries and results.
No. 3 Flashing Diamond (7-2) is a veteran mare with a good overall record at this course and distance. Her trainer is strong with this type of short layoff runner, and I like her early-pressing versatility.
No. 1 Castilleja (9-2) moved to the Mike Pino barn and cruised to a big local win at this distance Feb. 27. She worked out a nice, inner tactical trip last time, and she might be able to do the same thing in this spot. Her winning pilot Mychel Sanchez stays put, and he has strong stats when he rides for this barn.
No. 2 Early Edition (4-1) went last to first in a state-bred, optional-claiming, sprint score at Aqueduct last time. She owns a pair of local wins and will try to get involved late.
No. 6 Peyton Elizabeth (3-1) scored by a neck as the favorite in a local claiming race March 8. Jamie Ness had her on a few occasions, and she performed well for him. She struggled a bit when claimed by different trainers, and that might be the case again in her first start for a new outfit.
Wagers
No. 3 to win
Exacta box 1-3
Trifecta 1-3/1-2-3-6/1-2-3-6
Recent Best Bet winners
March 8 – James Aloysius ($4.80), trifecta ($88)
March 12 – Ballet Dancing ($11.40)
March 13 – Baton ($3.80)
March 17 – Alice Marble ($2.80)
March 18 – Princess Bettina/Comanche Country exacta ($18.80), trifecta ($81.40)
March 20 – Candy for Carmel/Good Culture exacta ($72), trifecta ($143.60)
March 25 – West Will Power ($7.20), exacta ($15.60)
Last Monday – Tiergarten/Precocious Times/Cheekiest trifecta ($89.80)