Late Pick 4 (R6-R9) - Prairie Meadows - Iowa Festival - June 28, 2013

It's time for the Iowa Festival of Racing! And that means a few good horses running in shorts fields for great money. R6 - Saylorville Stakes (Race restricted to Fillies and Mares) - Purse $100k This is a contentious field, with every horse having a chance. Most of the mares know only one way to go - to the lead! As such, I will go with classy midpack-running animal #5 BEAT THE BLUES as my top pick, as she can close off fast fractions. She likes to win too - 10 wins in 24 starts while racing in top company. #4 LIVI MAKENZIE and #3 LULU WONG would both appreciate it if the other horse wasn't in the race - they are both one-dimensional speed balls. But both are capable of winning. #1 SECOND STREET CITY intrigues me because she'll be a relatively high price and she's in great form. I will throw her in my pick 4. R7 - Iowa Distaff Stakes (Race restricted to Fillies and Mares) - Purse $100k I am lukewarm on #2 FLASHY AMERICAN. Her last race was dynamite, but it took her 18 starts to get through her "two other than" allowance condition. I am going to use her but I would not be surprised to see her defeated. #4 CRUZETTE is the speed of the race and will have to be caught. Her speed figures are good enough to contend and the trainer and jock hit at a 30% rate together. #7 QUEEN LILY KAY's speed and pace figures also put her in the mix if Flashy American falters. R8 - Iowa Sprint Handicap - Purse $125k In possibly one the the most significant owner/trainer switches since Seabiscuit (okay, may not that many years), #3 DELAUNAY has turned into a win machine, winning seven stakes in his last eight starts, running huge figures. #2 GENTLEMAN'S BET is nearly as good, showing four wins and a third in five starts. Should be a great race for all the fans who come watch Friday night. R9 1(1a is OK but I much prefer the #1)-8-5 PICK 4 Ticket ($36 for a 50 cent base wager) 1,3,4,5/2,4,7/2,3/1,5,8