Thursday's Best Bet: Souper Catch must be caught

Thursday’s fifth race from Penn National is an optional claiming event for 3-year-olds and up traveling a 1 1/16 miles on the main track. (Post time 7:49 p.m. EDT).

Click here for Penn National Entries and results.

No. 5 Souper Catch (3-1) exits a clear runner-up finish at Delaware Park and might have a bit more to offer in his third start after a layoff. He does some of his best work at this course and distance, and he should be all over the pace under his winning rider Ricardo Chiappe. 

No. 1 Zertz (5-2) is a sharp early-pressing colt with a decent local record. This race is lacking early pace and he should make his presence felt throughout under Tyler Conner. 

No. 4 Trending Up (2-1) can stalk or close, and he is a gem of consistency. He was the post-time favorite in six of his last seven starts, and he is the morning line favorite in this spot. He is a logical contender, but my top two choices might have the run of the race. 

Wagers: 

No. 5 to Win

Exacta Box 1-5

Trifecta 1-5/1-4-5/1-4-5

Recent best-bet winners

June 1 - Nice Ace/Ribbons and Medals/Press Snooze trifecta ($23.80)
June 3 - Buy Land and See ($2.80)
June 9 - Two of a Kind ($6.50)
June 10 - Loft ($7.40)
June 13 - Easy Day/Appealing Future/Big City Bob trifecta ($93.80)
June 17 - Redline ($6.00)
June 18 - Private Mission ($4.80), trifecta ($46.80)
June 21 - Grounded/Nice Ace/Patriot Drive trifecta ($85.40)
June 22 - Mr Dumas ($6.80)
June 25 - Bout Time ($6.00), exacta ($14.40)
Tuesday - Derby House ($4.40)