The horse racing card is small on Monday, with just three race tracks available for wagering. There are still enough races on the schedule, though.
Turf Paradise has eight races, Parx ten races, and then the most notable track racing is Fair Grounds with nine events. We have picks at Fair Grounds on Monday if you are interested in more horse racing picks.
Along with Fair Grounds, we’re checking out what’s going on at Turf Paradise in the desert. Turf Paradise has eight races worth $169,120 for eight races this afternoon. Head below for our free Turf Paradise picks on January 3, 2022.
Race 1
Post Time: 12:40 p.m. MST
Distance: 1 Mile
Purse:$13,300
The first event at Turf Paradise covers a mile for a $13,300 purse. Steinway and Sugar On Top should have a strong chance at going to the top of the hill.
Steinway is winless in ten attempts, but should have a big chance of going in with this race. She has finished 5th, 2nd, 4th in her last three outing and should find this one manageable.
Two races back on November 18, Steinway placed 2nd behind Winter Star by a neck in a $9,800 race. That was a close run from Steinway, but her team was looking for more.
In her next and most recent race, Steinway finished 4th in a $12,350 event on December 7. Up to the $13,300 level, it might be tough with Sugar on Top involved.
Sugar On Top is winless in seven attempts, finishing 2nd, 4th, 3rd in her last three races. She placed 2nd behind Sailor’s Treasure by 1 ½ lengths in a $12,600 race.
That was a good effort, but hasn’t gotten any closer. She showed 3rd most recently in a $12,350 assignment. Against this weak field, Sugar On Top should be the toughest runner.
Race 3
Post Time: 1:44 p.m. MST
Distance:7 ½ Furlongs
Purse:$23,800
Race 3 at Turf Paradise covers 7 ½ furlongs for a $23,800 purse. Consideration for Tizona and Noble Pursuit should be in the mix at the wire.
Tizona is 7 for 37 and should compete for the top prize in this one. He has finished 2nd, 1st, 2nd, 5th in his previous four outings.
Tizona most recently had a win on September 12 for an $18,000 purse. That was an impressive effort to defeat Mahi Mahi by 2 lengths.
In his most recent start, Tizona looked fine to finish 5th for $33,150. After not going so well up in class, Tizona is back down to $23,800.
Noble Pursuit is 7 for 16 and is a pretty good success rate. He’s finished 1st, 3rd, 1st in his previous three outings.
In Noble Pursuit’s last outing, he beat Tizona by 1 ¼ lengths in a $20,600 assignment. That worked out well for Noble Pursuit after showing 3rd on September 9 for $33,000.
Staying down in class in a rematch against Tizona, Noble Pursuit should have enough for another winning run.
Race 8
Post Time: 4:20 p.m. MST
Distance: 7 ½ Furlongs
Purse:$23,800
The final race at Turf Paradise is a 7 ½ furlong assignment with $23,800 available in prize money. I’d give a look at Outlaw Daisy and Opal Creek to win.
Outlaw Daisy has finished 9th, 7th, 2nd, 2nd, 2nd in five career races. She is coming along after placing 2nd in three straight events.
In her most recent assignment, Outlaw Daisy placed 2nd behind Runningonthetafuel by a half-length for a $14,300 prize. This was after placing 2nd behind Ghosted Girl by 9 lengths in a $20,600 race.
Opal Creek should be tough to beat in this one. The No. 4 has finished 6th, 4th, 4th in three assignments. In her most recent appearance, she went 4th in a $48,300 event.
Before that attempt, Opal Creek finished 4th for $64,300 on November 20. In easier races at Turf Paradise after a transfer from Woodbine, expect Opal Creek to look like a winner.
