Maiden King

Maiden claiming $75,000, 6-1/2 furlongs, 3 year olds

Possible overlays                          Morning line

#2 Delahoosee                                     5/2
#3 Gretsky                                         8/1
#4 Dapper Gene                                   7/2
#7 Cat’s Causeway                               8/1

Hall of Famers Wayne Gretzky and Eddie Delahoussaye have horses named for them in this race — although both are spelled differently from their surnames.  

Former jockey Eddie D. is the breeder of #2 Delahoosee who attracts Garrett Gomez after leaving the gate slowly on Dec. 6 then making a nice mid-race move. Breaking next door is first-time starter Gretsky out of the sire Toccet, who is named for Rick Toccet a good friend of Gretzky’s from their playing days with the Los Angeles Kings. Gretsky is scheduled to be ridden by Joel Rosario, who must get on a lot of horses in the morning because he regularly lands on live debuters during the afternoon. 

Danny Velasquez trains #4 Dapper Gene, who is the only experienced horse in this race that didn’t get off slowly last time. This gelding fits the winning profile for this race and he wouldn’t have to improve much from his 72 Beyer Speed Figure to beat this group. Finally, the connections of #7 Cat’s Causeway routinely pop with good-priced first time starters.

I will bet $300 on #7 Cat’s Causeway at 8/1 to 19/1; $100 on #3 Gretsky at 7/2 to 19/1; and $300 on #2 Delahoosee at 2/1 and higher. 

If Delahoosee goes off at 9/5 or below then I will get off him and put $200 on #4 Dapper Gene at 3/1 or better.