Maiden King conquers So. Cal. maiden races
Maiden special weight, 5-1/2 furlongs, 2 year-olds
Possible overlays Morning line
#3 Paddy’s Prayer 5/1
#4 Zero Manners 20/1
#5 Seattle Ruler 12/1
#8 Ranger Heartley 6/1
#1 Amore Di Aleyna 6/1
#10 Deputy Max 20/1
#1A Summers at Delmar 6/1
My strategy is to play against #6 Alfarabi, #11 Zip Quick and most likely #3 Paddy’s Prayer. According to the morning line maker, these three colts all figure to be bet from 9/5 to 5/1 and my figures show that these types of horses are terrible wagers at low odds in this type of race.
Instead, I will spread and try to catch a price. None of the second-time starters except #11 Zip Quick ran too strong of a Beyer Speed Figure in their debuts. Mike Harrington trains #5 Seattle Ruler and that one has the quickest first quarter mile, however several of the others either hopped at the start or were off slowly in their first races.
Many times, horses who had trouble at the start in their debuts will comeback and run much better with a good break. First-time starters #3 Paddy’s Prayer, #4 Zero Manners and #10 Deputy Max look like decent wagers, but only if their odds are right.
I will bet $150 to win on both #5 Seattle Ruler and #8 Ranger Heartley at 4/1 or more, and any of these first-time starters but only at odds of 10/1 to 19/1: #3 Paddy’s Prayer, #4 Zero Manners, #10 Deputy Max and #12 Google Me.
Maiden King 