Early speed off turf is key to Monmouth late Pick 5
Monmouth Park is off the turf Friday, and although that leaves shorter fields than originally planned, there is opportunity thanks to a pair of likely runners looking like lone speed in races 6 and 8, which are legs 3 and 5 of the late Pick 5 that begins at 3:29 p.m. EDT with race 4.
Race 6 was a five-furlong turf sprint for $16,000 claimers, but now at 5 1/2 furlongs on the main track, No. 4 Love Hate looks capable of leading this group from go to whoa.
Race 8 also is for $16,000 claimers on turf, but this one is for the more distance-minded types. Orginally scheduled for 1 1/16 miles on turf, it is now two turns on the main track. No. 9 Omey Island should be in complete control.
We will spread in the other races and play a $2 base "caveman" ticket. In race 5, a maiden affair, we will use No. 3 Modern Miss given her four-star First-Time Power Rating but toss No. 5 Sweet Ruby at a similar price but lacking star power.
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