Saturday's Best Bet: Pickin' Time stays inside in De Francis Dash

Saturday’s tenth race from Laurel Park is the $150,000 Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash for 3-year-olds and up sprinting six furlongs on the main track (Post Time - 5:45 p.m. EDT). 

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No. 2 Pickin’ Time (8-1) should offer value in his second start of the year. The multiple stakes winner stalked, led, and held the show in his needed state bred stakes return at Monmouth Park May 15. He likes six panels and captured the local City of Laurel last fall. He can stalk or close and might get the right setup from an inner post. 

No. 6 Special Reserve (8-5) has not started since a solid 4th place finish in the BC Sprint (G1). He runs well fresh and captured three stakes races for Michael Maker last year including the Phoenix (G2). The early-pressing type will probably be in chase mode in this spot. 

No. 7 Beren (9-2) does some of his best work at this distance and should be in the thick of things throughout. The consistent six panel specialist has a shot if he clears off early. 

No. 8 Wondrwherecraigis (2-1) was first across the line in this race last year but was disqualified and placed in the runner-up spot. He is fast early, likes this oval, and owns multiple stakes victories at this trip. This is his first outing since finishing up the track in the Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1) March 26.  

No. 5 Threes Over Deuces (10-1) enjoys this course and distance and should get pace to chase. The local stakes winner can get a piece of this on his best day. 

Wagers: 

No. 2 to win

Trifecta Key 2/5-6-7-8

Trifecta 6-7-8/2/5-6-7-8

Trifecta 6-7-8/2-5-6-7-8/2-5

Recent best-bet winners

July 1 - Net a Bear ($6.20), trifecta ($87.80)
July 2 - Crystal Cliffs ($4.20) - dead heat
July 3 - Chasing Artie/The Virginian exacta ($29.00)
July 6 - First I've Seen/Hannah's Haven exacta ($17.40)
July 9 - Butterbean/Falconet exacta ($22.00), trifecta ($74.20)
Monday - Mo Clare's ($6.80)