McLean’s Selections for Ellis Park on Friday, July 5

(Stats to be updated)

Here’s our looks at Ellis Park, which will now allow fans on the premises for the first time after a stutter-step due to both bad weather and water treatment issues on Opening Day this 4th of July.

Here’s hoping the fans enjoy what will soon be a much, much, much-improved and better Ellis Park in the near future.

And, here’s to having more fun on this glorious Holiday weekend:

1st: 4-2/3/1-5/6…Town Branch (4) gets the nod in the ole’ lid-lifter this Friday kick-start to another wonderful weekend in the Bluegrass. This 5YO gelding comes into this one off a couple of dismal efforts. But? They were against much tougher. Has never been offered up this “economical” price, yet. Gets a solid veteran rider, who is winning at a very respectable rate all year. Chance. Sitka (2) is in the barn of a HOF trainer and comes back just two starts removed from a  winning effort at Oaklawn Park. Good option. I bet the 2 — take note — across the board and then box the 4-2 in the exactas. I will key the 4-2 over/under the 3 in two smaller units. 

2nd: 3-11/5-6-10/4/1-2-9-8…Royal Salute (3) lines up for a highly underrated trainer in the game today. Was not a factor last time out, but comes right back and this opportunity looks promising. Rider has been chilly all year — winning just .05% of 141 saddle jobs so far. Still, this one comes from a Stakes-placed dam who has thrown 2 turf winners so far. Could be a third, here. Curlin Gunner (11) is parked way outside for a promising young trainer, who used to be an assistant to HOFer Shug McGaughey. This 3YO gelding tossed in a bummer last time out. But? Looks to be on the improve, and top rider up. I bet the 11 — take note — to win/place/show and then box the 3-11 in the exactas. I will key the top 2 numbers over/under the 5-6-10-4 in two smaller units. 

3rd: 5-1/2-7/3//4-8/6…She’s Magic (5) drops back to the claiming price where he was taken just two starts ago. Has not fired in either of the last two outings, but has talent. Won at Churchill Downs last November when he was in the barn of a HOFer. Barn wins with .18% of the last 77 when making the second start after the purchase and with .21% when dropping this much at one time, as well. Mo Sense (1) drops down two ranks, as well, and this barn wins with .29% of the last 38 to do that. Trainer is winning with .21% of 229 starts this year, too. New rider choice here is very interesting. Not seen much of this combo in the past. I like this one. A lot. I bet the 1 — take note — to win/place/show and then double down on the win wager. I will box the 5-1 in the exactas. I will also key the 1 over/under the 5-2-7-3 in two more units. 

4th: 8-6/3-11-9-10/4/2…Charlie Tolu (8) has been right there at the finish line in the last 3 outings. Would like to see this one finish off a race in style and close out his rivals. Experience may help this one accomplish that task here. Sharp work on June 29. Take note. First Resort (6) will make the debut here for trainer Eoin Harty. He wins with .10% of those that debut in the MSW ranks and this son of Uncle Mo is bred to be a real good thing. I bet the 8-6 across the board and then double down on the 6. I box those two in the exactas. I will key the 8-6 over/under the 3-11-9-10-4 in two smaller units. 

5th: 8-7-1/5/4-6-9-10-11…God of Wine (8) looks good in this spot. The 4YO gelded son of Kantharos comes in off a race where he was claimed by the new connections. Gets the blinkers for the first time here. That could help. Before the last outing, this one had hit the board in three straight. Back to that consistency, I think, today. Saint in the City (7) goes for a HOF trainer, and boasts some good credentials, as well. This won broke the maiden two starts ago. I think you can toss the last one with a return to sod here. Frank Jr  (1) goes for an under-rated trainer. This lady has won with .16% of 140 starts this year. This one sometimes flashes winning speed. May again. 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 5 in two smaller units. 

6th: 9-1-4/2-6/7/3-8….Dark Fury (9) drops down two rankings in class and this barn wins with .31% when doing that. Ran super nice in debut. Nearly won that one. New rider could boost the chances here. Has speed and needs a clean break from the outside to showcase it. I bet the 9 across the board and then box the top 3 numbers in the exactas. I will key the 9 over/under the 1-4-2-6-7 in the exactas, as well. 

7th: 9-3-2/6-11/5-7-10/12…Back outside to land on another #9 here, for me. Bedazzle ‘Em (9) has been out six times so far. Has 3 seconds and a third. Win is in this one’s future, very soon. Hot trainer, who has gone 3-2-0 in the last six starts. Has speed. Can travel. My choice. I bet the 9 across the board and double down on the win wager. I will box the 9-3-2 in the exactas. I will key the 9 over/under the 3-2-6-11-5-7-10 in two smaller units, as well.

8th: 11-9/8-4-3/1-10/5-7/2-6…Peignoir (11) picks up Lasix for the first time here and this barn wins with a whopping .23% when adding the anti-bleeder into the raceday routine. That is in the last 44 starts. Gets a top rider to take the reins, again, and has the speed to be very dangerous from get to go. Riperton (9) could spice this one up a bit. Is 6-1 in the ML odds. Trainer is super good and gets Lasix for the first time, too. Rider has won with .29% of the last 7 for this trainer. I bet the 11-9 across the board and then box these two solidly in the exactas. I will key the 11-9 over/under the 8-4-3-1-10 in two smaller units.

9th: 1-(16)/2-11/6-3-10-(15)/8/12-4-5…In the finale of the day, I will lock up and down with Rocky Joy (1). This one is condition by a super trainer and the son of Kitten’s Joy comes in with three straight runner-ups today. May find the key to the winner’s circle in this one. Barn wins with .31% when returning as a beaten favorite, as well. Lots to like, including the shorter distance. May be the difference. I bet the 1 across the board and then key the entire group here of numbers over/under the 1 in an “all button” special. Hunting a long price. Can we discover? 

Good Luck & All the Best / Gene