Fairmount Park presents an eight-race card today featuring a mix of maiden special weights, claiming races, starter allowances, and allowance conditions. The highlight of the evening card is Race 7, an allowance race worth $40,000, while the opening event is a maiden special weight with a $25,000 purse.
The racing surface is dirt throughout the card, with distances ranging from five furlongs to one mile and 110 yards. Purse values span from $8,000 for the lower-level claiming events to $40,000 for the featured allowance race.
Weather Forecast and Track Conditions
Today’s weather in Collinsville, Illinois calls for sunny skies with a high near 95 degrees and heat index values reaching as high as 109. South winds are expected at 2 to 7 mph throughout the day. Tonight brings partly cloudy conditions with a low around 74 degrees and heat index values as high as 103. There is a slight 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 5 AM tomorrow.
Current track conditions are listed as fast on the dirt surface. The hot and dry conditions should maintain a fast racing surface throughout the evening program.
Race-by-Race Analysis and Picks
Race 1 – Maiden Special Weight (1:30 PM CT)
This one-mile maiden special weight features six runners competing for a $25,000 purse. I Did The Math draws attention despite finishing eighth of nine at Hawthorne in his last start, beaten 22¼ lengths. The horse showed some early speed before being jostled at the start.
Ima Midnight Lady appears to be the most logical choice based on her recent third-place finish at Fairmount Park, where she bid strongly in the stretch and was beaten just ¾ length. Her familiarity with the track surface gives her an edge.
Pick: Ima Midnight Lady
Race 2 – Claiming Race (1:55 PM CT)
The second race is a six-furlong claiming event for $9,000 horses. Last Gasp stands out as the morning line favorite after finishing a strong second at Fairmount Park, beaten just one length in a five-furlong race. The step up to six furlongs should suit this runner’s style.
Till showed promise as the 7-10 favorite in his last start but could only manage third. The form suggests he needs improvement to contend here.
Pick: Last Gasp
Race 4 – Claiming $9,000 (2:45 PM)
This six-furlong claiming race for $9,000 horses features a compact field of six runners competing for a total purse of $9,000, with $5,670 going to the winner. The sprint distance on Fairmount Park’s dirt track should favor horses with tactical early speed who can sustain their efforts through the stretch.
Individual Horse Analysis
Smooth N Silky (3/1 Morning Line)
The most impressive recent performer in this field, this Candy Ride colt was a dominant 1-10 favorite in his last start at Fairmount Park, winning by four lengths over this exact course and distance. He rated in fourth position early, drifted out slightly in the stretch but won clearly, demonstrating both tactical speed and a strong finishing kick. Trainer H.E. Lynch has jockey A. Santos aboard, and the horse’s familiarity with the track surface is a significant advantage.
Double Burn (2/1 Morning Line Favorite)
This Wilburn colt enters as the morning line choice despite a disappointing last effort where he vied for the early lead on the inside before weakening badly to finish last of five, beaten 13 lengths at Fairmount Park over six furlongs. The 18-5 odds in that July race suggest he was competitive early but failed to sustain his effort. Trainer Bernard McDonnell has Emmanuel Giles in the saddle, and the horse will need significant improvement to justify favoritism.
Sarah’s Boy Blue (5/1)
This Newport colt showed heart in his last start, finishing second of seven at Fairmount Park, beaten 6¼ lengths after vying inside and digging in for place money. Despite going off at 80-1 odds, he demonstrated competitiveness at this level. The form suggests he belongs in this company, and trainer Pat Clay has Harold Ortega riding. His recent runner-up effort gives him live chances in this spot.
Perfumer (4/1)
This Declaration of War colt faced a significant challenge in his last start, stumbling at the start before finishing last of eight at Hawthorne over one mile, beaten 13¾ lengths. The stumble likely compromised his chances, and the return to six furlongs from a mile should be more suitable for his style. Trainer connections have Reynier Arrieta aboard, and the class drop back to claiming company represents a more realistic level.
Pontus (6/1)
This Gio Ponti colt struggled in his most recent effort, breaking slowly and showing no threat while finishing seventh of nine at Fairmount Park, beaten 13¾ lengths. The 45-1 odds reflected his poor chances, and he appears outclassed in this company. Trainer Everett Taylor will need a significant turnaround to make this horse competitive.
Kanithappen (10/1)
The longest shot on the board showed little in his last start, giving way early between horses and finishing last of nine at Fairmount Park, beaten a massive 30¼ lengths. The 25-1 odds were generous considering his poor showing, and trainer Bernard McDonnell faces a significant challenge to get this horse competitive.
Wagering Analysis and Pick
Despite being the morning line second choice, Smooth N Silky appears to offer the best value in this race. His dominant course-and-distance victory last time out, combined with tactical speed and proven ability on this surface, makes him the logical choice. The 3/1 morning line odds provide reasonable value for a horse who should be favored.
Sarah’s Boy Blue offers an interesting alternative as a potential upset candidate. His recent second-place finish at this track shows he can compete at this level, and the significant odds drop from 80-1 to 5/1 suggests connections believe he can improve.
Double Burn’s favoritism appears questionable given his poor last performance, though his early speed could be dangerous if he bounces back to form.
Win Pick: Smooth N Silky
Value Play: Sarah’s Boy Blue
Exacta Box: Smooth N Silky/Sarah’s Boy Blue
Trifecta: Smooth N Silky and Sarah’s Boy Blue over Double Burn, Perfumer
The combination of recent course-and-distance success, tactical speed, and reasonable odds makes Smooth N Silky the standout choice in this competitive claiming event.
Race 6 – Starter Allowance (3:35 PM CT)
This starter allowance race features six runners competing at one mile and 110 yards for $14,000. Mister Sharpie enters as the even-money favorite after a solid second-place finish at Fairmount Park, losing by just a neck. The horse showed good determination in the stretch and should appreciate the slight distance increase.
Lucky Boss finished second in his last start, beaten 3¼ lengths, and showed a strong late kick. Major Contender held his position well for second place, finishing 4¾ lengths behind the winner.
Pick: Mister Sharpie
Race 7 – Allowance (4:00 PM)
The featured allowance race of the evening presents a competitive seven-horse field competing for a $40,000 purse, with $25,200 going to the winner. This one mile and 110-yard test on the dirt track should favor horses with tactical speed and the ability to sustain their efforts over the extended distance.
Individual Horse Analysis
Smoken Boy (8/5 Morning Line Favorite)
The even-money choice enters off a disappointing fifth-place finish at Canterbury Park, where he was beaten 11¾ lengths after driving into the turn but failing to gain ground. However, this Catholic Boy colt was a stakes winner back in May and returns to a level where he has shown previous success. Trainer C. Winebaugh has jockey O. Hernandez aboard, and the class drop from his recent stakes company suggests improvement is likely.
Farley Hall (4/1)
This runner appears to be the most logical threat to the favorite based on recent form. He finished a strong second at Horseshoe Indianapolis, beaten just 4½ lengths after stalking in third and gaining ground late. The Mo Town colt showed determination in the stretch and the step up in distance should suit his running style. His recent form line suggests he is peaking at the right time.
Govenor Hank (3/1)
The second choice on the morning line finished third at Fairmount Park in July, beaten 5½ lengths after stalking the pace three to four wide but flattening out. His familiarity with the track surface is a positive, though his last performance suggests he may need significant improvement to contend with this group.
Stashu (6/1)
This runner faces a significant class test after finishing last of eight at Churchill Downs in June, beaten 17 lengths. The 55-1 odds in that race indicate he was completely overmatched, and the step back to allowance company represents a more realistic level.
Xavi (10/1)
Coming off a third-place finish at Fairmount Park in July where he was beaten 5 lengths, this Great Notion colt shows some familiarity with the surface. The addition of blinkers for the first time could provide the focus needed for improvement.
Adios Kid (12/1)
This longshot finished fourth of seven at Fairmount Park in August, beaten 10¼ lengths with no bid in the stretch. His recent form suggests he is outclassed in this group.
Spellmaker (15/1)
A Gun Runner colt making his debut at this level, he represents the longest shot on the board and appears to be in for experience more than victory.
Wagering Analysis and Pick
Smoken Boy’s morning line favoritism appears justified given his stakes-winning ability earlier in the year. Despite his poor showing last time, the return to a more suitable level and his proven class edge make him the logical choice.
Farley Hall offers the best value as an alternative, showing consistent improvement and tactical speed that should work well at this distance. His recent runner-up performance demonstrates he belongs at this level.
The exotic wagering opportunities look promising with Govenor Hank as a potential third option given his track familiarity, though his last performance raises questions about his current form.
Win Pick: Smoken Boy
Value Play: Farley Hall
Exacta Box: Smoken Boy/Farley Hall
Trifecta: Smoken Boy and Farley Hall over Govenor Hank, Xavi
The combination of class, recent form, and distance suitability favors the top two choices, with Smoken Boy’s proven stakes ability giving him the edge despite his last disappointing effort.
Jockey and Trainer Notes
Several key rider changes and patterns emerge from today’s entries. Santiago Gonzalez appears multiple times on the card and has shown consistency at the Fairmount Park meet. His mount in Race 2 warrants attention based on recent riding form.
H.J. Ortega has the call on I Did The Math in the opener, while A. Bendezu rides Last Gasp in Race 2. Both jockeys have shown competence during the current meet.
Trainer Insights
Fernando Alonso saddles a runner in Race 2, and his recent form suggests horses are coming to the races fit and ready. The allowance and starter allowance trainers tend to target specific conditions where their horses have the best chance to earn while protecting rating and claiming exposure.
Wagering Strategies and Value Plays
Given the competitive nature of most races on the card, exacta and trifecta wagering present the best value opportunities. The maiden special weight opener offers the potential for longer prices, particularly if the favorite fails to fire.
Consider small-field trifecta boxes in races with six or seven runners, as payouts can be substantial even with short-priced winners. The starter allowance race appears particularly suited for exotic wagering given the competitive nature of the field.
Daily double opportunities exist between races with logical favorites, allowing for more aggressive play on longer shots in the connecting races. The pick-3 and pick-4 sequences offer tournament-style wagering for those seeking larger scores.
