McLean’s Selections for Ellis Park on Friday, June 23

(Stats to be updated after Wednesday and Thursday’s action)

Here’s our looks at the ole’ “Pea Patch” on this kick-start to the weekend:

1st: 3-6-4/5/1/2…Judy’s Way (3) gets the nod in the ole’ lid-lifter at the ole’ “Pea Patch” on this Friday kickstart to what promises to be a most wonderful weekend. And, why not. My great friends Greg and Ronda Schell and Dave and Donna Baker have travelled to “The Pressbox’s” headquarters at Kentucky Lake. And, my great friend John Austin plays with the Waymore Blues at the best marina, bar, and casino in all the land — The Breakers — on Saturday night. We have plans. But back to our regular programing. This 6YO mare comes in off a nice win at the $10,000 level last time out, when she was claimed by a barn that wins with .14% of the last 125 to make the trainer debut. Has speed. Should be able to rate and go, and gets the same talented rider back up again. Threat. Sacred Beauty (6) ran well and was claimed last time out, as well, for $16,000. This barn is 0-for-12 on the first try, though. Ugh. Hashtag Winner (4) drops from the $40,000 level and this barn wins with .19% of the last 32 to get this kind of free-fall in the ranks. Solid training operation. Could pop back at this level. I bet the 3-4 across the board and then box the top 3 in the exactas. I will key the top 3 numbers over/under the 5-1 in two smaller units. 

2nd: 4-6-7/5/8-2-3/1…This is a 2YO filly race and I will go with the first-timer Mystical Chant (4). This daughter of Liam’s Map cost $345,000 at the OBS March Sale and the dam has a winner from the first 3 starters. Interesting rider choice for this barn. Hmmm. Bossy Bruin Gal (6) goes for West Coast-based trainer, but has been working well here. Dam has a winner from two starters. If this is named after the Twitter terrorist, who apologies for everything Baffert? Ugh, ugh, ugh. Candy Lover (7) is a first timer for a highly underrated barn operator. Working very well and a hot, hot, hot rider — who is winning with .35% of the first 23 mounts. Big shot here. I bet the 7 — take note — to win/place/show and then box the top 3 in the exactas. I will key the top 3 numbers over/under the 5 in two smaller units. I will also key the 7 over/under the 4-6-5-8-2-3 in two smaller units, too.

3rd: 2-6-3/1-4//5…Bali Dreamin (2) gets the nod here. This 4YO filly was claimed two races back and returned to win the last time out. Loses that condition and now must face tougher, but looks to have found a home here. Barn wins with .25% of the last 212 to make the 3rd start of the layoff. But? Trainer 0-for-11 hear this meet. Ugh. Musicmansandy (6) was claimed last time out for $20,000 and ran 5th. Moves up to face tougher. What gives? Well she was the favorite last time out and missed the break, losing all chance whatsoever. Toss race for me. Has run against much tougher in the past. Looks well-meant here. My choice. I bet the 6 — take note — to win/place/show and then box the top 3 in the exactas. I will key the top numbers over/under the 1-4 in two smaller units. 

4th: 1-6/8/3-7/2-5/(9)-(10)/(11)/4…The first grass race of the day is a 5.5-furlong sprint and I will ante up with the rail-bird — High Front (1). This 4YO gelding won the last time out and now has hit the board in 5 of 6 lifetime. Has gone 2-1-1 in 4 starts at this specialty distance. Looks to be sitting on go-go-go. I’m in. I bet the 1 across the board and double down on the win wager. Triple down, too. Why not. I will box the 1-6 sternly in the exactas. I will key the 1 over/under the 6-8-3-7-2-5 in two smaller units. 

5th: 5-4/9/2-8/1-7/3-6…Absolute Courage (5) is a 5YO son of Into Mischief and still has all the necessary parts to make a stallion — perhaps, some day and some where. Will be offered up for $30,000 here again. Ran very well at this level last time out. Still hunting the first win after 11 starts. But does have 3 runner-ups and 2 more thirds. May be worth the shot here. Two Rivers Over (4) is 0-for-8, but has 5 thirds. Wow. Underneath? I bet the 5 across the board and then double down on this win wager. I will box the 5-4 in the exactas. And, I will key the 5 over/under the 4-9-2-8-1-7 in two smaller units. 

6th: 2-6-7/4-1-5/3//8…Headland (2) gets my call here. This 7YO mare drops into the claiming ranks after a Stakes try at Lone Star Park last time out. Lost all chance at the start of that one. Get a world-class rider up here. That should be enough to propel this one into prominence. Maybe victory. Quick Munny (6) drops in class for this one, too, and has a 2nd in only previous try here. Goes back to the dirt, where she does best stuff. Huge threat. Love of My Heart (7) is an Upset Alert possibility here. This one is listed at 8-1 in the ML. I toss the last one. Too tough. Race two back — in June 2022 (a year ago) — was spot on. Back class is solid. I bet the 2-6 across the board and then box the top 3 numbers in the exactas. I will key the top 2 over/under the 7-4-1-3 in two smaller units.

7th: 2-6-8/(13)-5-10/1-(11)-(12)/9/3-7/4…This is another 5.5-furlong turf sprint and I will go with B D Valeski (2). This one nearly won last time out at Churchill Downs in the same conditions. In 8 starts at this distance now, has a 1-2-3 record. Has hit the board in the last 4. Consistent sort stands out in this crowd, with a good trip. Cadillac Candy (6) has not been out since last August. But returns for a solid barn operation and gets Lasix for the first time. Upset Alert. This one is dangerous at 8-1 odds. I use. Favorite Outlaw (8) merits mention, too. My favorite Outlaw is Erica — our GM at The Louisville Thoroughbred Society. But this 4YO colt can warrant some love, too. Has hit the board in 8 of 9 lifetime tries. Nice. I bet the 2-6 across the board and then box the top 3 numbers in the exactas. I will key the 2-6 over/under the 8-13-5-10-1-11-12 in two smaller units. 

8th: 8-6/7-2/1-4/3…Slam Dunk Sermon (8) has won the last two and three of the last four outings. On a roll right now. Hard not to use, and hard to see why this one can’t run another big outing. Must use for me. Lamutanaatty (6) is a hard name to type, but this one won the last time out here on June 10 and wheels right back. Looks tough, too. I bet the 8 — take note — to win/place/show and double down on the win wager. I will box the 6-8 sternly in the exactas. I will also key the 6-8 over./under the 7-2-1-4 in two smaller units. 

9th: (11)-10/3-5-9-(12)/8-2/7/1-4-6-(13)…The day’s finale is a 11/16-mile event over the sod and I will go to the Also-Eligible List for my top pick — Sahiabiya (11). This 4YO filly cost $1.6 million at the 2020 KEE September Yearling Sale. Has won less than $100,000 to date. Has a lot of making up to do. And, still looking for the first win. But this broodmare-to-be looks like she may have a huge chance here, if she draws in. Has hit the board in all 5 previous races and gets a talented rider back up. Frontal Attack (10) gets the top billing if our No. 1 doesn’t make the gate. This one goes for the barn of Chad Brown, best turf trainer in the land. Has only one previous try. Ran a closing third. Should improve. I bet the 11 or the 10 across the board. If both get in, I bet them both. I box them, if both in, in the exactas. I will key the 11–10 over/under the 3-5-9-12-8-2-7 in two smaller units.

Good Luck & All the Best / Gene