McLean’s Selections for Horseshoe Indianapolis on Saturday, July 13

(Stats to be updated)

Here’s our looks at “The Shoe” on Saturday, for a fun-filled day sponsored by the Indiana chapter of the HBPA. Together with Eric Holstrom and the outstanding crew at “The Shoe,” new Executive Director Tim Glyshaw has put a spectacular day of racing, fun, children’s activities and other attractions for the weekend crowd.

Looks:

1st: 6/10-7/(11)/8/2-9…The first “Key Play of the Day” comes in the very first race on this rare Saturday program at “The Shoe,” and it comes with Double Barrel (6), who is a healthy 3-1 odds in the ML, presented by Brisnet.com. This 4YO gelded son of Gun Runner has run over this surface twice and has a win and a runner-up finish to show for the efforts. Trainer Brad Cox’s brigade has gone 6-9-6 in 31 starts so far this meet and picks up Marcelino Pedroza, Jr. for this journey. He rode this one to a neck finish in the last time. Barn wins with .30% when returning as a beaten favorite and there is a very sharp work here on July 6. I’m in. I bet the 6 across the board and then double/triple down on the win wager. I will key the 6 over/under the 10-7-11-8 in the exactas. More with the 10-7 than the rest. 

2nd: 1-9-4/2-10/3-8/7…All Jokes Aside (1) gets the nod in this turf event. This 4YO California-bred ran at Belterra last time out and came home 3rd, but was finishing well,. In 6 tries at this specialty distance of 5 furlongs, this one has gone 2-2-1. Looks to like the sod and the distance. Picks up the meet’s best rider. Take note. I bet the 1 across the board and then double/triple down on the win wager. I will box the 1-9-4 in the exactas. I will also key the top 3 over/under the 2-10 in two smaller units. 

3rd: 6-10/9/4/1-5/2-3-7…Little Jake (6) is a 3YO son of Preakness Stakes winner Cloud Computing and will make his 4th career start here. Has posted 2 runner-ups in the first three outings. Shifts back to dirt here and the barn wins with ,17% when making this surface switch. Rider has won with .23% of the last 22 mounts for this barn. Trying here. Chocolate Moose (10) is the ML favorite, and comes in off a 2nd place effort last time out. Trainer has won with .20% of all dirt starts, going back to the last 1,057. I bet the 6 across the board and then box the 6-10 in the exactas. I will key the 6-10 over/under the 9-4-1-5 in two smaller units.

4th: 5-1-6/8-9/10-2/11-12/3-4/7…Horseshoe Indianapolis Handicap…This Stakes event will be contested at the 1-mile distance and over the sod course. I go with Buttercream Babe (5). This one won last time out at Saratoga on June 8 — when the track was hosting the Belmont Stakes events. In 7 grass efforts now, this one has a resume of 2-1-1. Not bad. Rider is having a very solid meet. Storm Miami (1) will make her 3rd start in the States after being shipped her from Ireland. Has thrown up two very solid efforts so far. Could be ready for a huge one here. Blinkers come off and the barn wins with .21% of the last 42 to do that. Declan Cannon ships in to ride. I bet the 5-1 across the board and then box the top 3 numbers in the exactas. I will key the top 3 numbers over/under the 8-9 in two smaller units. 

5th: 5-4/2/3//7…Caesar’s Handicap…This its the male version of the same Stakes that was run before. I go with the ML favorite, Twirling Point (5), who could drift up the odds board by PT. Th8is one has won 2 of the last three for a top trainer who is winning at a .33% clip here this meet after 9 starts. In 4 turf starts, this 3YO gelding has 2 wins and a third. Won a Stakes last time out. Look out. I bet the 5-4 across the board and then  box these two sternly in the exactas. I will key the 5-4 over/under the 2-3 in two smaller units. 

6th: 6/2-8-9/1-4-5/3-7…The next “Key Play of the Day” comes here and it comes with another # 6 — Win Me Over (6). This 4HYO is a healthy 4-1 in the ML and could go off at higher odds than that, too. Gets a really good gate rider and will likely talk throughout this 6-furlong trip over the main track. In 5 races at this distance this one has 3 wins and a third. I’m in. I bet the 6 across the board and then double/triple down on the win wager. I will key the 6 over/under the 2-8-9-1-4-5 in the exactas. More with the first three numbers than the rest. 

7th: 9-3/7/8/10/1-2-11…Creek Valley (9) is a homebred, Indiana-bred for Larry Goodwin, and, although this one is still looking for the elusive first win, he does have 2 runner-ups and a third in the first 9 outs. Pedroza takes the reins, again and they are truly due. Charming Victory (3) is 0-0-2 for 15 and is my second choice. Matter of deducation? Not the toughest field ever. I bet the 9 across the board and double down on the win wager. I will box the 9-3 in the exactas, and I will key the 9 over/under the 3-7-8-10-1 in two smaller units. 

8th: 5-8-2/7/1-3/4-6…The finale on this Saturday card will be a 1-mile event over the main track that will be held just for the Indy-breds. I go with Corona Grande (5). This 4YO has raced here 15 times, so far. Has a 2-5-1 record. Ran 2nd by a neck last time out and lost by a skinny neck. Meet’s top rider is back up. Lots to like. Golddiggendevil (8) has 2 wins in 5 tries here and will attempt a new distance for the first time. Rider having a great meet. Barn wins with .50% when returning as a beaten favorite. Tour the Moon (2) has a shot. Ran 2nd last time out and has 2 wins in 8 starts at this distance. I bet the 5 across the board and then double down on the win wager. I will box the top 3 numbers in the exactas.  I will key the 5 over/under the 8-02-7-1-3-4-6 in two smaller units,

Good Luck & All the Best / Gene