BetOnline has a big card this Friday. You aren’t going to find much stakes racing, but plenty of options across 15 thoroughbred racecourses in the US.
You can find some of the big players like Santa Anita Park, Aqueduct Racetrack, and Oaklawn Park are offering cards this afternoon. Fair Grounds has racing in New Orleans today as well.
The biggest event is at Santa Anita with the running of the $200,000 Santa Ynez Stakes (Gr. 2). I’m passing on the Santa Anita card, and instead, playing two cards elsewhere.
We’re at Fair Grounds and Delta Downs on Friday afternoon. This is an all-Louisana day in New Orleans and Vinton. Delta Downs has a $247,000 card on offer today. Find our best Delta Downs picks for January 7, 2021 below.
Race 1
Post Time: 12:55 p.m. CST
Distance: 5 Furlongs
Purse:$38,000
The first outing at Delta Downs is a $38,000 event covering 5 furlongs on the dirt. Sadie’s Ransom and Sho Nuff should have a strong presence in this one.
Sadie’s Ransom is winless as a rookie on December 20. The filly finished 6th in a $45,000 assignment on December 20. More was expected from that debut, but a class drop should help.
Sho Nuff is winless in five races, going 5th, 6th, 2nd, 4th, 2nd in her previous five assignments. She is coming off a productive run on December 4, so that form could translate into a win on Friday.
Sho Nuff placed 2nd behind Bridled Up by a half-length for a $38,000 prize. That was a good effort for Sho Nuff. She looks comfortable in this class and should be the best if she runs a similar race.
Race 4
Post Time: 2:19 p.m. CST
Distance:5 Furlongs
Purse:$12,000
Race 4 is a $12,000 event covering 5 furlongs on the dirt. Frank the Mayor and Oneholylion should have a chance to go to the winner’s circle this afternoon.
Oneholylion has a low strike rate with 5 wins in 50 attempts. He has finished 3rd, 3rd, 6th in his previous three assignments and his team finally gave in and dropped classes.
In his latest attempt, Oneholylion finished 6th in a $40,000 race on December 10. That was an alright attempt given the level I suppose.
Before that race, he showed 3rd on October 21 for a $12,000 race. Back to that class, expect Oneholylion to be more competitive in this one.
Frank the Mayor is 3 for 19 in his career and should be competitive on Friday. He’s finished 4th, 4th, 6th in his last three events.
Frank the Mayor came in 6th in his most recent attempt on December 30. That was an alright performance given the difficulty level for a $16,000 purse.
Down in class and distance, Frank the Mayor should be a tough runner. A loss in this type of race would be a major disappointment. Expect Frank the Mayor to be the best if he’s interested.
Race 8 – Orleans Stakes
Post Time: 4:12 p.m. CST
Distance: 5 Furlongs
Purse:$75,000
The $75,000 Orleans Stakes is the only stakes race of the week in North America. Boyd owns Delta Downs, which owns the Orleans in Las Vegas, so I have to assume that’s where the name comes from. In this 5-furlong event, look at Kela’s Turn and Cilla to have a big chance.
Kela’s Turn is 7 for 12 in her career, and has finished in the top-3 in nine straight attempts. In her last three outings, Kela’s Turn has finished 1st, 1st, 3rd.
Two races back, Kela’s Turn struck in the $100,000 Treasure Chest Stakes with a 1 length win over Becca’s Rocket on November 12. This followed a 4 length win for a $42,000 prize.
The filly failed to make it a hat-trick on December 14 in the $75,000 Pan Zareta Stakes. She settled for 3rd and is looking for better in the Orleans. Cilla should be there to give her a fight.
Cilla is 5 for 12 and has experience in graded races. She has finished 1st, 1st, 1st, 3rd, 2nd in her last five and looks good to compete in a $75,000 ungraded stakes race.
Cilla was a half-length winner in the $250,000 Prioress Stakes (Gr. 2) on September 4 at Saratoga for her most recent winning run.
Following that attempt, she has finished 3rd in the $250,000 Lexus Raven Run Stakes (Gr. 2). Then in her most recent race, Cilla placed 2nd behind Ova Charged by ¾ lengths in the $100,000 Louisana Champions Day Ladies Sprint on December 11.
This looks like a good spot down in class for Cilla to regain her winning ways.
