Get A Hunch, Bet A Bunch

The best horseflesh in the West and most of the best in Spokane are on today’s racing menu, and there’s a concert for dessert.

In the simulcast of the $1 million Pacific Classic, money machines Best Pal and Bertrando are sure to fatten their bankrolls, but Washington-owned Slew of Damascus, fresh from victory in the Hollywood Gold Cup, will never have a better chance to beat them.

The Turbulator Handicap, one of the top sprints locally, matches two of last season’s up-and-comers - Singh Bold King and Shady Move - against six rivals. Che Meza and Big Will James promise blistering fractions, giving Singh Bold King, who should be not far back, a tactical edge in his quest for a repeat victory. Shady Move could give a good Turbulator impersonation - last to first.

If the track remains kind to stretch-runners, the inconsistent Skiing Lu and the powerful finisher Babyeyes, look good in the eighth and ninth races.

Here are today’s selections:

$2 daily doubles combining SKY LEGEND in the first with VON HUMBOLDT, PEACE FLAG, THE GREAT BADGER, CHALLENGER CRUZ and JUSTANOTHER BILL in the second plus ROSIE’S ONLY in the first with PEACE FLAG ($12).

THIRD: $5 to win on SLIP ‘N TURN.

FOURTH: $5 exactas keying SLEW OF DAMASCUS to BEST PAL and BERTRANDO ($10).

EIGHTH: $2 exacta wheel with SKIING LU on top ($14).

NINTH; $2 exacta wheel with BABYE on top ($12).

TENTH: $10 to win on SINGH BOLD KING.

ELEVENTH: $5 to win on NAIVE SESSION.< Original bankroll: $3,000.

Present bankroll: $2,378.50.