McLean Selections for Horseshoe Indianapolis on Thursday, June 29

(Stats to be updated after Horseshoe Indianapolis’ card on Wednesday, June 28)

Here’s our looks at “The Shoe” on this Thursday afternoon. One of the best places on Earth:

1st: 1-6-4/5/7/3-8/2…Hobnobin General (1) gets the nod in the ole’ lid-lifter at “The Shoe” on this Thursday afternoon, which we hope my stretch into the evening. This 4YO son of General A Rod (the best friend of my friend Cathy Shircliff) comes in off a better than looks 4th here on June 10. That was on the sod, and now moves back to the main track. Zero-for-10 on the dirt, but does have 3 seconds and a third on the resume. New rider has helped this one. Juancho (6) has run two good ones and moves up after breaking the MSW last time out. Third place horse in the last one came right back to win the next out, too. This barn wins with .14% of the last 43 to move up to face winners for the first time. Corona Grande (4) gets the meet’s top rider up again and he has won with .22% of the last 55 for this barn operation. Has a 1-1-0 record in 8 starts here. Tries. I bet the 6 across the board — take note — and then box the top 3 numbers in the exactas. I will key the top 3 numbers over/under the 5-7 in two smaller units. 

2nd: 3/1-6/4-5/2…The first Key Play of the Day comes here with Mrs. Nushi (3). This one is listed at 4-5 in the ML and may go down from there by PT. Won the last time out and has two wins in the last 3 outs. At this distance, this one has gone 2-1-0 in 3 starts. Top rider up. Strong barn. Lots to like. I bet the 3 across the board and then key the 3 over/under the 1-6-4-5-2 in the exactas. More with the 1-6 than the rest. More on top, too. 

3rd: 10-1/8/6/2-3/9/4-7-5…Argan (10) looks like she could break the MSW here with the move back to the sod. Ran a huge one last time out over the grass and this barn wins with .14% on the last 146 turf starts. Gets a solid rider up and has some speed to take charge early. Kamikaze Umagi (1) gets the services of the meet’s top rider, who could have ridden either one of our top two numbers. First timer for a barn that wins with .10% of the last 52 to make the debut on the sod. Look out here. Training lights out. I bet the 10-1 across the board. Can’t separate these two. I box these two sternly in the exactas. And, I will key the 10-1 over/under the 8-6 in two smaller units. 

4th: 5/1-3-2/7-4/6…The next Key Play of the Day comes here with our very own Diamond Solitaire (5). We bred and raised this gal and we love her much, and she may be coming in at her best. Will face open company here after winning her 5th race lifetime last time out here on May 30 to start the new year. Distance is not her best. Is 0-3-1 in 8 tries here. But we are hopeful. I bet the 5 to win/place/show and double down on the win wager. I will key the 5 over/under the 1-3-2-7-4-6 in the exactas. More with the 1-3-2 than the rest.

5th: 6-1/9-10/2-4/3-7/8//5…Agent (6) is the first Upset Alert on the day. This 3Yo Astern filly ran huge here on May 24 and just missed. Trainer is so much better than people give credit and has won with .22% of 18 starts here this meet. Returns as a beaten favorite and the barn wins with .39% of the last 49 to do that. Threat. Big time. Holy Foley (1) goes for a top barn operator, too. Ran well before tiring last time out against tougher. Could make a huge run in here. I bet the 6-1 across the board and then double down on the win wager of 6. I will box these two sternly in the exactas. I will key the 6-1 over/under the 9-10-2-4-3-7 in two smaller units. 

6th: 8-2-9/7-5/6/4/1-3…Out of Promises (8) did not run well over the sod and returns to the dirt where she was a first-out winner here on May 2. Gets back to a sprint distance, too. Both of those huge changes can make a huge different here. Rider is hot. Barn wins with .27% of the last 11 to go route to sprint. Heaven and Earth (2) has run two big ones and captured the MSW last time out. Barn has won with .20% of the last 423. Threat. Pantaloons Enfuego (9) ran well over the sod last time out and now gets back to the dirt. Barn wins with .21% of the last 47 to make this surface switch. Chance. I bet the 8 across the board and then box the top 3 numbers in the exactas. I will key the top 3 numbers over/under the 7-5 in two smaller units. 

7th: 5-10/12-6/4-8/7-9/3-11…Backyard Justice (5) gets the nod here. This 3YO gelding has hit the board in the last 3 outs and 4 of the last 5. Good right now and has hit the board in all 3 tries over this sod before. Likes it here. Lots to like. Humble Warrior (10) goes for a top barn operator and the rider nearly won over this sod with this one last time out in late May. Has gone 0-2-1 in 4 previous runs over this sod. Eligible to improve with 2nd start of the layup. I bet the 5 across the board and then box the 5-10 in the exactas. I will key the 5-10 over/under the 12-6-4-8 in two smaller units.

8th: 6-8-1/5-7/2-4//3…The last Thoroughbred race of the day and I saddle up with Dossier (6). This 4YO Indiana-bred comes in off a win and loses that condition. Will face tougher here and that’s a challenge. But this one looks good right now and stands out in this field. Venice Beach (8) gets the meet’s top rider back up and has been at this condition for awhile now. Has just 1 win in 20 starts over the main track. Ugh. Oh So Special (1) could surprise here. Has a 2-1-0 mark in 7 dirt tries and is coming in off a win, too. Loses that condition, as well. I bet the 6-1 across the board and then box the top 3 numbers in the exactas. I will key the top 3 numbers over/under the 5-7 in two smaller units. 

Good Luck & All the Best / Gene