Pick for Thursday July 4, 2024

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY EVERYONE!



LET'S KICK OFF THE FOURTH OF JULY HOLIDAY WITH A BANG!


A BANG! -- OH BOY! -- ARE WE EVER?


Dade Park Dash Stakes
5 1/2 Furlongs | Open | 3 Year Olds | G STAKES | PURSE: $125,000

Track: Ellis Park

Surface: Turf

Race: 5


Horse: Barksdale (ML 7-2)


Field (in post position order):

1. Bear River (ML 3-1)
2. Vote No (ML 12-1)
3. How's Ur Attitude (ML 15-1)
4. Joe Shiesty (ML 2-1)
5. Alwaysintomischief (ML 10-1)
6. Committee of One (ML 5-1)
7. Chryso Alogo (ML 20-1)
8. Barksdale (ML 7-2)



The last time we saw Barksdale in action was in the seven-furlong Woody Stephens (G1) at Saratoga on Belmont day undercard (June 8, 2024) when he set some blistering fractions of 21.37 and 43.08 seconds while running against a very tough group of 3yos.

That early fractions didn't do Barksdale any favors when he faded to finish 10th by 20 1/2 lengths as stretch runners dominated.

He previously had wired back-to-back allowance sprints at Aqueduct by daylight margins.

If Barksdale is able to escape with easier fractions when switching to turf in Today's fifth race at Ellis Park, the 5 1/2-furlong Dade Park Dash, post time 2:53 p.m. EDT, he can bounce back with a big run.

He's never run on turf before, but his sire Street Sense is responsible for several high-profile grass winners in Australia, so the surface switch may not bother Barksdale.

So bet Barksdale (ML 7-2) to win and place.

Yes, that is right: WIN/PLACE using double down betting strategy and you should be going home as a winner.

Put some considerable amount of money on Barksdale to win and place to make it worthwhile and justified going to the racetrack.

Barksdale' final odd will most likely be right around 5/2 as a second choice in the betting.

Take this easy money 7/2 (or at whatever the price is -- 5/2 is my guess) and leave the racetrack as a winner.


There you have it: Easy money!