Friday's Stronach 5 will feature three turf races, two races from both Santa Anita Park and Laurel Park, and a low 12-percent takeout.
The popular wager continues to offer a strong return on investment. Despite not having a winner paying more than $9.60 last week, there were 40 winning tickets each worth $1,525.70.
Laurel's eighth race, an allowance optional claimer at 5 ½ furlongs on the turf for fillies and mares, is a wide-open event with a tepid choice in Roselba, who ships in from Monmouth Park after winning the restricted Pinot Grigio Handicap last out. Flyingontheground finished sixth last time out over a 'good' turf course at Delaware but was second July 4 at Pimlico over firm turf in the Sensible Lady Turf Dash for trainer Elizabeth Merryman. Trainer Michael Trombetta sends out Ellanation, winner over the summer of the Jameela at Pimlico.
Gulfstream's eighth race, the second leg of the sequence, is $25,000 allowance optional claimer at 6 ½ furlongs for 3-year-olds and up. The 5-2 favorite is Reservenotattained, claimed last time out by trainer Juan Avila in the geldings first start since March. The son of Shanghai Bobby finished second against similar competition off the layoff. Front Loaded leaves from the rail with jockey Chantal Sutherland after finishing by a neck last out for $35,000. Mister Luigi looks for his second consecutive victory for trainer Antonio Sano after shipping back from Saratoga.
It's back to Laurel for the third leg, a maiden special weight event at 1 1/16 miles on the turf for 2-year-olds. The Man to See stretches out and gets blinkers for Lacey Gaudet after finishing second over the turf in his debut at five furlongs, while Consultant goes out second time for Trombetta after a second-place finish on the turf at a mile. Trainer Shug McGaughey ships in Candy Cool, a son of Candy Ride after two unspectacular races on the dirt. Shake Em Loose, a son of Shakin It Up, makes his turf debut after a third-place finish last out at a mile.
The Stronach 5 heads to Santa Anita for the final two legs of the Stronach 5. First, it's Santa Anita's third race, a mile turf event for 3-year-olds and up. Liar Liar takes a drop in company and draws the rail for trainer Peter Miller and jockey Flavien Prat. The 4-year-old has finished first, second or third in nine of 14 turf trips. Best Chance goes out second time off a layoff for John Sadler and jockey Joe Bravo. Bee Catcher makes his Santa Anita debut after being claimed last out by Dan Blacker from a Gulfstream Park claiming event. Trainer Carlos David claimed the son of English Channel from his previous start from Graham Motion. Active Account also goes out for a new barn after a $16,000 claim by trainer Doug O'Neill.
Santa Anita's fourth race, a mile claiming event on the main track for fillies and mares, concludes the Stronach 5. The 10-horse field has a tepid 7-2 choice Chollima, who has finished first or second in nine of her 12 career starts. Bold Article takes a dip in claiming price while Lady O'Prado goes for her second consecutive win after a 9 ¾ length victory at Del Mar Sept. 2. They all may well be chasing Destiny's Journey, who has shown a fondness to be on or close to the pace in many of her recent starts.
Friday's races and sequence
Leg One –Laurel Race 8: (10 entries, 5 ½ furlongs turf) 4 :18 ET, 1:18 PT
Leg Two –Gulfstream Race 8: (7 entries, 6 ½ furlongs) 4:40 ET, 1:40 PT
Leg Three –Laurel Race 9: (14 entries,1 1/16-mile turf) 4:53 ET, 1:53PT
Leg Four –Santa Anita Race 3: (9 entries, 1 mile turf) 5:05 ET, 2:05 PT
Leg Five –Santa Anita Race 4: (10 entries, 1 mile) 5:35 ET, 5:35 PT
Fans can watch and wager on the action at 1/ST.COM/BET as well as stream all the action in English and Spanish at LaurelPark.com, SantaAnita.com, GulfstreamPark.com, and GoldenGateFields.com.
The minimum wager on the multi-race, multi-track Stronach 5 is $1. If there are no tickets with five winners, the entire pool will be carried over to the next Friday.
If a change in racing surface is made after the wagering closes, each selection on any ticket will be considered a winning selection. If a betting interest is scratched, that selection will be substituted with the favorite in the win pool when wagering closes.
The Maryland Jockey Club serves as host of the Stronach 5.
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