By Jarrod Horak
The 7th race from Calder on September 26th is the $75k Needles Stakes for three-year-olds traveling a mile and a sixteenth on the turf. In a 34-race sample, only 6% wire jobs at this distance as winning profile favors stalkers from middle posts. The advanced weather forecast calls for partly cloudy skies with a high around 90.
#6 Regis (6-1) is worth a look at a price. He exits a pair of local claiming turf wins for 31% Arango/White team, and jockey is a profitable 30% on the turf. Improving sort faces tougher and should sit a decent stalk and pounce trip.
#9 Grand Cash (2-1) is a head away from four straight local turf tallies. He has won a pair of turf stakes races here and will be finishing fast.
#7 Livingston Street (3-1) sports a local bullet for a profitable layoff barn and has won a trio of local turf races. Obvious late running threat.
#4 Cinnamon Road (4-1) earned triple digit speed rating in prominent throughout triumph in the slop on Sept 5th. Has won on the turf before and looms a major pace factor under Saez.
#1 Quiet Emarati (12-1) has won a pair of off the turf flat mile affairs in his last three starts, so he would appreciate this race being moved to the main. Hit the board in 2 of 5 turf starts versus lesser.
#3 Powerchord (12-1) rallied to finish a non-threatening 3rd on main last time, and he's better on that surface. Part of trifecta in 2 of 5 turf starts and his late rally can land a minor award.
#8 Sweetlandofliberty (10-1) has failed to crack the top three in his last six turf tries. Late run will probably end in a midpack finish.
#5 Temo's Dream (10-1) has not had any luck in a pair of turf starts. He will likely flash early foot but looms a pace casualty as others own a better finishing kick. He's a threat if this race is transferred to the main track.
#2 Don Telladaga (30-1) set pace and held show in local turf route off a layoff last time, and winner came back to score again. Meets other quality speed and will likely weaken when challenged.
The Plays: #6 to win, Exacta 6/4-7-9, Exacta 4-7-9/6
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Jarrod Horak - www.horseracingnation.com
