Turf Paradise Friday: Cactus Wre, Cactus Flower Stakes Analysis

Turf Paradise to host 2 stakes on Saturday

A pair of 6 1/2 furlong stakes races highlight the Friday card at Turf Paradise. The Cactus Wren and Cactus Flower will kickoff the thoroughbred portion of the card.

Friday Stakes Analysis

Turf Paradise Race 2- Cactus Wren Stakes

Post: 1:20 PM MT; Purse: $30,000 Cactus Wren S., 6 1/2 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 6

Ramblin’ Man favored at Turf Paradise in the Cactus Wren
  • #4 RAMBLIN' MAN (6-5) has a great shot in the race given the recent races run by this one.
  • #6 HEY PILGRIM (2-1) has the top speed figures among the group and is definitely worth a look.
  • #1 MYSTIC REALITY (6-1) has kept solid company given in recent races that figures to give him at least a puncher’s chance here.
  • #5 MOONLITE GRAHAM (9-2) could get a nice set up in the race. If that happens this one has a shot to get there.

Selections: 4-6-1-5

Turf Paradise Race 3- Cactus Flower Stakes

Post: 1:50 PM MT; Purse: $30,000 Cactus Flower S., 6 1/2 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 7

  • #5 ARIZONA SUN (9-5) looks tough to beat here given the edge in a number of key categories including speed & class.
  • #2 FOUNDATION (2-1) is worth a look here. This one is likely to be on the engine early and may be tough to reel in late.
  • #3 LAST PUNCH (8-1) could get a perfect pace scenario today.
  • #4 WHO B DAT (5-1) has to be respected based on the connections.

Selections: 5-2-3-4

Friday Undercard Analysis

Turf Paradise Race 1- Quarter Horses

Post: 12:55 PM MT; Purse: $25,500 Allowance, 300 Yards on Dirt; Entries: 8

  • #4 VALENTIN JQM (7-2) merits consideration in this spot given edges in speed & form.
  • #8 TURBULENT KISSES (4-1) is proven as a good bet to at least hit the board under today's distance and surface conditions.
  • #2 FIRST LADY PERRY (5-2) looks competitive in this spot but there are others that I prefer.
  • #7 MRS ANGEL JESS (5-1) is largely a connection play.

Selections: 4-8-2-7

Turf Paradise Race 2

Post: 1:20 PM MT; Purse: $30,000 Cactus Wren S., 6 1/2 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 6

  • Cactus Wren Stakes analysis provided above.

Selections: 4-6-1-5

Turf Paradise Race 3

Post: 1:50 PM MT; Purse: $30,000 Cactus Flower S., 6 1/2 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 7

  • Cactus Flower Stakes analysis provided above.

Selections: 5-2-3-4

Turf Paradise Race 4

Post: 2:26 PM MT; Purse: $11,200 Maiden Claiming, 4 1/2 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 10

  • #9 SNOOZY SUZY (7-2) looks like a big player edging the field in a number of key categories including speed & power rating. I like this one more if it isn’t the favorite in this maiden claimer race.
  • #3 DATQUICKCAT (6-1) should be in the right spot early to give this horse a chance to get the job done.
  • #10 LOTSA LENA (5-2) has speed figures to be successful here, but its hard to trust them earned at short distances against this level of competition.
  • #5 CRITICAL CONDITION (12-1) is a solid price in a fairly weak field. Maybe taking a price like this is well worth it in this spot.

Selections: 9-3-10-5

Turf Paradise Race 5

Post: 2:57 PM MT; Purse: $23,800 Maiden Optional Claiming, About 7 1/2 Furlongs on Turf; Entries: 8

  • #2 PLUMA (4-1) should be competitive based on the overall power rating which has it tops in the group.
  • #6 SLEW SOUTH (8-1) has a great shot in the race given the recent speed figures.
  • #7 SEVEN POINTS (3-1) comes from solid connections and will be on the front end in the early stages.
  • #3 LEMON DROP LADY (9-2) is another horse who is in with a shot. In these types of races there are very few outcomes that surprise me.

Selections: 2-6-7-3

Turf Paradise Race 6

Post: 3:32 PM MT; Purse: $18,900 Starter Optional Claiming, 1 Mile on Dirt; Entries: 10

  • #8 PASSED BY PAUL (12-1) probably needs to get measured early fractions, but there is a scenario where that could happen here. This one does have the top in the money percentage at the distance, so I’ll play the upset.
  • #1 MISSED THE BOAT (3-1) is another more accomplished runner who is also somewhat of a mile specialist.
  • #7 MAGIC MOSCO (8-1) is a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including speed figures
  • #10 SURPRSINGLYPERFECT (9-2) looks competitive on paper but the wider post isn’t totally ideal in this spot.

Selections: 8-1-7-10

Turf Paradise Race 7

Post: 4:03 PM MT; Purse: $27,300 Allowance Optional Claiming, 6 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 9

  • #2 ONEFINEDAY (15-1) is an intriguing player. I tend to put a lot of weight in speed figures and this one has the top ones in the group. The price is right so I’ll take a swing.
  • #8 FIRST PROMISE (6-1) wouldn't be a huge surprise in the winner's circle. The numbers stack up well enough for this runner.
  • #4 I AM YOURS (4-1) has the top overall power rating in the group and makes sense here
  • #7 WORKIN NINETOFIVE (6-1) seems to do his best running at this distance so maybe this one can get the job done in a race that looks wide open on paper.

Selections: 2-8-4-7

Turf Paradise Race 8

Post: 4:37 PM MT; Purse: $14,140 Claiming, About 7 1/2 Furlongs on Turf; Entries: 10

  • #9 THETRAILERGUY (3-1) should be competitive based on the overall power rating which has it tops in the group.
  • #1 THIRTY SECONDS OUT (5-1) will likely be involved early in the race and could get a good trip.
  • #2 BOB'S ALL IN (10-1) looks to have to have been running against the toughest fields to this point. I wish the speed numbers were a bit better, but maybe this field wakes him up a bit.
  • #4 MONUMENTAL SEVEN (12-1) has speed figures to be successful, but I’m a little more skeptical of speed figures on turf than I would be if the race were being run on the dirt.

Selections: 9-1-2-4

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By Chris Adams

Chris first got introduced to horse racing in 2009 at Canterbury Park (Shakopee, MN). Along with handicapping and betting, Chris has worked as a teller at his local track and participated in ownership partnerships. He now enjoys sharing his passion with his wife and two young daughters who love going out to the track each and every summer.