Get A Hunch, Bet A Bunch

Now that the filly Red Silver Hope has fallen by the wayside, Toughy’s Gold has a clear field toward the Playfair Challenge Series bonus of $100,000. Trainer Dick Wright may be the greatest obstacle in his path. The former riding champion, who has developed the knack of picking off Spokane stakes races, will send out the improving Chirrup in the Juvenile His Stakes today.

Toughy’s Gold will want the racetrack, but Wildside Willy may argue the point. That would benefit Chirrup and Invest In Festin. Neither will be far away.

Wright’s Honorable Moon, winner of the Juvenile Hers, rescued us on Saturday. After 12 losing bets on nine horses over two days had put a $223 dent in the bankroll, she touched off a $161 win for a $10 quinella.

Here are today’s picks:

FIRST: $10 daily double pairing FINNISH ROYALTY and MANHATTEN’S PRINCE. $2 doubles pairing FINNISH ROYALTY with PERFECT MESSENGER and PRESIDENTIAL FLITE and BOLSURE and NILES CREEK with MANHATTEN’S PRINCE ($8).

THIRD: $5 quinella box of SENIOR HOUSE, BIG REC and DESERT TEMPO ($15).

FOURTH: $20 to win on TRIBUTE TO SWING.

SEVENTH: $10 to win on LA BONTA. $2 twin trifectas to every combo of TOUCHA FLIER, WATER BOOTY and BILLY TIKE twice ($24). Swap for BENTON CITY BARON to IN A MINUTE and SPY SESSION boths ways.

EIGHTH: $5 quinellas of BENTON CITY BARON with IN A MINUTE, SPY SESSION and SUPER JAKE ($15).

TENTH: $10 to win on COUNTERCURRENT and $1 trifectas to every combination of SPOKANE CHARLIE, RUNNIN WRITER, BACK ALY KID and AIR BOSS ($12).

Original bankroll: $2,000.

Friday’s result: Lost $128.

Saturday’s result: Won 46.

Present bankroll: $1,958.70.