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Horseshoe Indianapolis presents an eight-race card on Monday afternoon featuring a strong mix of claiming races, maiden events, and allowance conditions. The track will conduct racing rain or shine, with first post scheduled for 2:10 PM ET under pleasant racing conditions.
Weather Forecast and Track Conditions
Monday’s racing will take place under mostly sunny and warm conditions with temperatures reaching 76°F and clear to partly cloudy skies expected throughout the afternoon. The track is expected to maintain fast dirt conditions with the turf course available, as rail positions are set at 24 feet for turf races. These ideal racing conditions should favor speed and front-running tactics on both surfaces.
Race-by-Race Analysis
Race 1 – Claiming ($8,000) – 5 1/2 Furlongs Dirt – 2:10 PM
Key Contenders:
July Four enters as the morning line favorite at 9/5 odds, representing the Cunningham barn with Samuel Bermudez aboard. This three-year-old filly shows consistent form and draws favorably in post four for the sprint distance.
Secondary Choices:
Charming Talisman (7/2) brings class to this field under Andres Ulloa, while Daddys Dreamin (9/2) offers value for trainer Tim Eggleston. Gospel Music represents the dangerous Klopp stable and warrants respect at 8/1 odds.
Longshots to Consider:
Calcolery draws attention from Racing Dudes handicappers at 6/1 odds with Alex Achard in the irons. Mi Caprichuda rounds out the value plays at 10/1 morning line odds.
Pace Analysis:
The relatively short field should set up a moderate pace scenario, with July Four and Charming Talisman likely to engage early, potentially setting up a late runner.
Selections: July Four (win), Charming Talisman (place), Calcolery (show)
Race 2 – Maiden Claiming ($5,000) – 5 1/2 Furlongs Dirt – 2:41 PM
Key Contenders:
Madame Markievicz draws significant attention from expert handicappers at 5/1 odds for the Keith Desormeaux barn. Final Note represents value for trainer Amara Kranz with Joseph Romero riding.
Secondary Choices:
Better Have Cash debuts for trainer James Alessi with Abel Cedillo, while Summer Adi brings Sophie Doyle’s aggressive riding style to this maiden field.
Longshots to Consider:
Global Tour offers potential value under Santo Sanjur for the Cunningham stable, particularly if the pace sets up favorably.
Key Angles:
The Equibase smart pick suggests a $2 place wager on horse #4 (Carmalieta), indicating computer models favor this runner.
Selections: Madame Markievicz (win), Final Note (place), Better Have Cash (show)
Race 3 – Maiden Special Weight (Indiana Bred) – 1 1/16 Miles Turf – 3:12 PM
Key Contenders:
Governor Ron draws expert attention despite the crowded 11-horse field, offering solid value for trainer Genevieve Londono. Orland represents value at 7/2 odds with trainer Kevin Conto.
Secondary Choices:
Sir Xander brings class for trainer Jose Cazares with Marcelino Pedroza Jr. aboard. Deepness shows promise for the productive Randy Klopp barn under Luis Contreras.
Longshots to Consider:
Carthage Cruiser offers potential value at longer odds, particularly if the turf conditions favor closers.
Pace Analysis:
The large field suggests a moderate to fast pace early, which could favor late runners on the turf course.
Selections: Governor Ron (win), Orland (place), Sir Xander (show)
Race 4 – Maiden Special Weight – 6 Furlongs Dirt – 3:43 PM
Key Contenders:
Contorted draws significant support as the 9/5 favorite for trainer Thomas Amoss with Marcelino Pedroza Jr.. Clay Basket represents value despite recent scratches, offering potential for the Hernandez barn.
Secondary Choices:
Lainey brings consistent form for trainer Ian Wilkes, while Adalene offers experience advantage in this maiden field.
Longshots to Consider:
School Spirit draws as a potential overlay with Emmanuel Esquivel for trainer Cipriano Contreras.
Key Angles:
The six-furlong dirt sprint should favor early speed and tactical pace positioning.
Selections: Contorted (win), Clay Basket (place), Lainey (show)
Race 5 – Maiden Claiming ($25,000) – 1 Mile Turf – 4:14 PM
Key Contenders:
Great Sword draws expert support at 2/1 odds for trainer Brendan Walsh with Evin Roman aboard. Turnbuckle offers value for trainer Dana Hancock under Mitchell Murrill.
Secondary Choices:
Max the Butler brings experience to this field, while Snowdrift represents the Walsh barn’s two-pronged attack.
Longshots to Consider:
Then What and Discerning Spirit offer potential value plays in this competitive maiden claiming event.
Pace Analysis:
The mile distance on turf should favor tactical speed and strong finishers.
Selections: Great Sword (win), Turnbuckle (place), Max the Butler (show)
Race 6 – Claiming ($5,000) – 6 Furlongs Dirt – 4:45 PM
Key Contenders:
Manuelito draws significant expert attention despite carrying only 112 pounds, representing value at 7/2 odds. More Than Five offers early speed for trainer Genaro Garcia.
Secondary Choices:
Prints Money brings consistency for trainer Kelli Martinez, while Sir Pistolero offers experience in this claiming event.
Longshots to Consider:
Beck’s Spirit represents potential value for trainer Christopher Davis with Mitchell Murrill aboard.
Key Angles:
The light weight on Manuelito suggests confidence from connections despite the veteran gelding’s age.
Selections: Manuelito (win), More Than Five (place), Prints Money (show)
Race 7 – Maiden Special Weight – 5 Furlongs Turf – 5:16 PM
Key Contenders:
Lindy Can draws attention despite recent illness scratches, offering 8/1 value for trainer Gregory Foley. Bois Blanc represents strong value for trainer Justin Wojczynski.
Secondary Choices:
Sunny Ray (IRE) brings international breeding to this field, while No Self Control offers tactical speed under Luis Contreras.
Longshots to Consider:
High Breeze (FR) represents Rodolphe Brisset’s European training methods in this competitive maiden field.
Pace Analysis:
The five-furlong turf sprint should favor early speed and tactical positioning.
Selections: Bois Blanc (win), Lindy Can (place), Sunny Ray (IRE) (show)
Race 8 – Starter Optional Claiming ($8,000) – 1 1/16 Miles Turf – 5:47 PM
Key Contenders:
Boitano draws strong support at 4/1 odds for trainer Jose Camejo with Mitchell Murrill riding. Kygo (GER) offers international appeal with recent form for trainer John Hancock.
Secondary Choices:
Company You Keep brings consistency for trainer Raymond Paquette III, while Now and Later offers value under Abel Cedillo.
Longshots to Consider:
The Equibase smart pick suggests a $2 place wager on horse #13 (Nip N Tuck), indicating algorithmic support.
Key Angles:
The distance and surface combination favors horses with proven stamina and turf form.
Selections: Boitano (win), Kygo (GER) (place), Nip N Tuck (show)
Jockey Notes and Insights
Mitchell Murrill emerges as a key rider with multiple expert-backed mounts including Madame Markievicz (Race 2), Turnbuckle (Race 5), Lindy Can (Race 7), and Boitano (Race 8). His tactical riding style suits the varied distances on today’s card.
Marcelino Pedroza Jr. brings consistent form with mounts on Contorted (Race 4) and Sir Xander (Race 3), both receiving expert support. His experience with claiming and allowance horses provides an edge.
Luis Contreras handles turf specialist Deepness (Race 3) and tactical runner No Self Control (Race 7), showcasing his versatility across surfaces.
Trainer Notes and Insights
Randy Klopp fields multiple runners including Keen Annie (Race 1), Deepness (Race 3), and Gospel Music (Race 1), suggesting confidence in his string’s current form. The Klopp barn historically performs well at Horseshoe Indianapolis.
Brendan Walsh employs a two-pronged attack in Race 5 with both Snowdrift and Great Sword, indicating strong confidence in this maiden claiming event.
Thomas Amoss sends out morning line favorite Contorted in Race 4, backed by expert handicappers and representing solid value in the maiden special weight.
Best Wagering Strategies and Value Plays
Win Bet Values:
- Race 1: Calcolery (6/1) offers the best value play of the day
- Race 3: Governor Ron provides solid value in the turf route
- Race 6: Manuelito despite light weight carries strong expert support
- Race 8: Boitano represents the strongest play on the closing turf route
Exacta Opportunities:
- Race 4: Contorted over Clay Basket provides solid value
- Race 5: Great Sword over Turnbuckle backed by expert consensus
- Race 8: Boitano over Kygo (GER) for international flair
Pick 3 Strategy (Races 6-7-8):
Key Manuelito in Race 6, use Bois Blanc and Lindy Can in Race 7, and key Boitano in Race 8 for a cost-effective sequence.
Daily Double Plays:
- Races 1-2: July Four with Madame Markievicz
- Races 7-8: Bois Blanc with Boitano for closing value
The consistent expert consensus across multiple handicappers suggests strong confidence in these selections, particularly in the later races where turf specialists and experienced claiming horses dominate the cards.
