Thursday Picks

In the 4th, Megalith (5-1) returns to a dirt track for trainer Merrill Scherer.  If you look at only his sprint efforts on a fast surface (which will hopefully be the case today), his form is pretty good against a better brand of horse than he will face in this restricted claiming event, and with Beyers surely fast enough to take this.  Forget the last on the synth at Presque Isle; prior was a third at 6 1/2 at Calder in which he tangled early with eventual winner Abdel's Ghost, who earned a 94 fig that would blow this field to smithereens; and the place horse won his next effort with a 93.  Prior fast-track sprint was a close second to Close it Out, who came back to show in the G2 Smile.  This barn has been very sharp of late both out of town and here, where it earned its first winner yesterday in Do I Do, in addition to a close second and two thirds from six starters.  Flying Pegasus (3-1) takes a drop in class; his effort two back should put him close.  Silken Bid (8-1) has speed and drops for the dangerous Jamie Ness, looking to weave his 36% magic here at the Spa.

In the 10th, assuming it's still on the turf with the chance of storms in the forecast (though I don't see much activity on the radar at this writing), Ambit (5-1) seems to have figured out the game for trainer Gary Contessa since concentrating on turf routes.  Graduated two back against cheap maiden claimers, edging out professional maiden Griffin Rock, who ran a close second yesterday and will figure out how to win one of these days.  Shipped to Monmouth and acquitted himself quite well in his first try against winners with a rousing rally from dead last, just missing to class dropping Knack.  Reunited here with Irad Ortiz Jr., who guided the 3yo son of Belong to Me to his maiden win, and gets the rail.  Hoping that a couple on the outside can provide a little pace.  Rover (7-2) looks dangerous off the class drop.  Best of luck and have a great day.