After a win in yesterday’s race at Parx, we head west to Indiana for Horseshoe Indianapolis’ opening day today. Their featured race is Merrill C. Roberts Overnight Handicap. A field of 13 Indiana-bred fillies and mares are entered to sprint in today’s featured race.
Horseshoe Indianapolis Race 7 – Merrill C. Roberts Overnight Handicap
Favored in our featured race is the 3 The Kid Pataky (7/2 morning line). She, like most of the horses entered in this race, have not run since the end of the Horseshoe Indianapolis season. She went for the lead last time out in a handicap race and tired. This mare wants the lead. This mare might have company on the front end here this afternoon.
That filly who might be challenging the favorite down the backstretch draws the rail. She is the 1 Don’t Miss Out (4/1 ML) who won on the front end in an optional claiming race in November to close out her 2025 campaign. She has some strong workouts for her return, but she might be burning both herself and the favorite on the front end here.
The 6 Ekati Flatter (5/1 ML) could benefit from a speed duel down the backstretch and into the turn. But she has not run since last June when she finished dead last in the Checkered Flag Handicap here in Indy. She has shown the ability to close, especially in these handicap races and should get the pace scenario she would need.
The 12 Fat Chance (8/1 ML) draws the outside for her 2026 debut unless the 13 Total Luna Eclipse (30/1 ML) draws in if someone in the main body of the field scratches out. Fat Chance stalked on the rail and tired in the slop in November. She has some nice works leading to this year’s debut and could get a stalking trip on the outside here today.
Joe’s Pick
Since it’s opening day, we are not going to know much about the tendencies for the track. Ten of the 13 horses in the field had the winter off. Those three who raced during the winter are all longshots.
I think we could have horses that just do not fire, or in the case of Don’t Miss Out and The Kid Pataky, horses who may go out too fast, especially their season debut. Ekati Flatter will get the pace she will need to win here and will do so in the final strides over Fat Chance.
I’m calling this race 6-12-3-1 and my play is $20 to win on the 6. Best of luck and I’ll see you in the winner’s circle!
