Monday's Best Bet: Real Talk gets serious in Steel Valley Sprint

Monday’s 8th race from Mahoning Valley is the $250,000 Steel Valley Sprint for three-year-olds dashing six furlongs on the main track (Post Time 4:07 p.m. EST).

No. 7 REAL TALK (4-1) dueled with Jackie’s Warrior in the Gallant Bob (G2) Sept. 25, but he could not keep pace with that classy foe and was best of the rest in 3rd. He is tough when he makes the early lead, and he is dangerous win contender if able to shake loose early under strong sprint rider Paco Lopez. 

No. 2 Beren (6-1) captured half of his fourteen starts and is 4-for-5 at six panels. He could end up working out a decent inner tactical trip in a race with several early-pressing types. 

No. 3 Jaxon Traveler (7-2) is back on dirt and he has never finished out of the exacta at this distance. He will probably end up stalking the pace. 

No. 4 Baby Yoda (3-1) had his two-race win streak snapped in the Vosburgh (G2) Oct. 9, and winner Following Sea came back to finish an okay 3rd in the BC Sprint (G1). Jose Ortiz is 2-for-2 with him. 

No. 5 Newbomb (5-1) won his last three starts at this distance and he gamely defeated a next-out winner Oct. 1. I am concerned that he won’t fire if he fails to secure the early lead. 

No. 6 Mister Luigi (4-1) exits back-to-back dirt sprint wins vs. lesser foes at Gulfstream Park. He drew well and figures to work out a decent stalking trip. 

Wagers: 

No. 7 to Win

Exacta Box 2-7

Trifecta 2-7/2-3-4-7/2-3-4-5-6-7

Recent Best Bet Winners

Nov. 1 - KEEPIN' IT CLASSY ($4.00)
Nov. 2 - LADY MCKENZIE ($7.00)
Nov. 3 - NEXT REVOLT ($4.40), Quinella ($7.80)
Nov. 5 - ECHO ZULU ($3.60) 
Nov. 6 - CE CE ($14.40)
Nov. 9 - WELLINGTON WONDER ($6.40), Exacta ($26.60)
Nov. 10 - LASTCHANCEATGLORY ($6.80), Exacta ($15.60)
Nov. 11 - SPA CITY ($3.40)
Nov. 12 - Rowdy Rascal/Cuatro Madres Exacta ($12.80)
Nov. 16 - Johan Zoffany/Venture Forth Exacta ($56.00)
Nov. 20 - SERVE THE KING ($6.10)