Fair Grounds Picks: Opening Day Card Analysis (11/20/2025)

Published: Thu Nov 20, 2025, 7:00 am ET

Read Time: 7 minutes

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The racing action from Fair Grounds on Thursday features the Joseph R. Peluso Memorial Stakes. @HandicappingT3 has all the Fair Grounds picks for the entire card!

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Fair Grounds Full Card Analysis

Fair Grounds Picks: Opening Day Card Analysis (11/20/2025)

Fair Grounds Picks – Race 1

Post Time: 12:45 PM CT; Claiming $22k; 5 F Turf; Field of 8 runners.

Best Bet of the Card

#3 HOFF (8-5): Best bet of the card. Comes in with solid form. Solid closing kick. Bet today's best bet with industry-leading rebates on BetOnline.
#5 PRINCE LANCELOT (5-1): Contender. Expected to maintain its energy reserves into the final stretch. Like this one if a stretch duel ensues.
#4 SAWYER FOX (7-2): Fringe Contender. Could wear these ones down late. This one's a fighter in the late stages.
#1 FIT TO FLY (9-2): Fringe Contender. Trainer's horses have been running. Potential to get the pace of the race flow.

Selections: 3 – 5 – 4 – 1

The Plays

Win: #3 at 1-1

Exacta: 3/5,4

Pick 3 (race 1-3): #3 with #8,10 with #9,11

Fair Grounds Picks – Race 2

Post Time: 1:15 PM CT; Claiming $14k; 1 M 70 Y Dirt; Field of 10 runners.

#8 CHARBON (5-1): Top pick. Looks good based on the 81 speed rating which is among the top in the group. Strong early pace figs.
#10 DAN D'ORO (7-2): Major Player. Seems to be up against the right competition.
#2 STEEL VENOM (3-1): Fringe Contender. Potentially ready to hit a top number. Previous success in similar race types.
#5 CATHY'S BOY (12-1): Fringe Contender. Trainer's horses have been running.

Selections: 8 – 10 – 2 – 5

The Plays

Win: #8 at 5-1

Exacta: 8/10,2

Fair Grounds Picks – Race 3

Post Time: 1:45 PM CT; Claiming $15k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 13 runners.

#9 FLIPPING FISH (10-1): Top pick. Barn has been solid. Stamina to outlast the competition.
#11 SUPREMELY (3-1): Major Player. Should still be running strong in the closing stages. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
#1 BACKFIRE (8-1): Contender. Potential to have this pace fall just right. Barn has been sending out runners.
#7 LETSHAVEONEMORE (8-1): Fringe Contender. Race conditions fit this one well. Concepcion puts this one in with a chance.

Selections: 9 – 11 – 1 – 7

The Plays

Win: #9 at 5-1

Exacta: 9/11,1

Fair Grounds Picks – Race 4

Post Time: 2:15 PM CT; Starter Optional Claiming $19k; 1 M Turf; Field of 16 runners.

Longshot Play of the Day

#13 BOITANO (5-1): Longshot play of the day. Proven competitor at this configuration. Barn has been solid. Bet today's live longshot on MyBookie.
#10 RED ROAD (9-2): Major Player. Looks to get a bit easier group here. Stamina to be in the mix late.
#14 Z Z'S PRINCE (10-1): Major Player. Not likely to be short in the stretch. The 88 speed rating is among the best in the field.
#5 BIG SCULLY (8-5): Contender. Expect this one to be able to carry the distance. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 13 – 10 – 14 – 5

The Plays

Win: #13 at 5-1

Trifecta: 13/10,14/5,10,14

Fair Grounds Picks – Race 5

Post Time: 2:45 PM CT; John Valene Memorial Stakes $100k; 1 M 70 Y Dirt; Field of 6 runners.

#3 RISING INFLATION (7-5): Top pick. Top connections on the circuit with Castillo and Wong. Proven competitor at this configuration.
#5 NORAH G (9-5): Major Player. Like this one if a stretch duel ensues.
#6 HIGHLY WICKED (4-1): Contender. Likely in the mix early. Has experience at this level.
#4 CLEARLY A TEST (6-1): Contender. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 3 – 5 – 6 – 4

The Plays

Win: #3 at 7-5

Exacta: 3/5,6

Fair Grounds Picks – Race 6

Post Time: 3:15 PM CT; Joseph R. Peluso Memorial Stakes $100k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 8 runners.

#6 TWO GOOD OLD GUYS (7-2): Top pick. Barn has been solid. Looks good based on the 93 speed rating which is among the top in the group.
#4 MOR FORCE (6-1): Major Player. Looks to get a bit easier group here. Trainer is having a great meet.
#7 DYNAMITE TONIGHT (5-2): Contender. Could wear these ones down late.
#5 OUR MONEYMAN (3-1): Fringe Contender. Shouldn't be disadvantaged by the flow of the race. Likely to win the battle if challenged in the stretch.

Selections: 6 – 4 – 7 – 5

The Plays

Win: #6 at 7-2

Exacta: 6/4,7

Fair Grounds Picks – Race 7

Post Time: 3:45 PM CT; Maiden Special Weight $54k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 8 runners.

#7 SISSY SOX (6-1): Top pick. Comes in with solid form. Looks good based on the 73 speed rating which is among the top in the group.
#5 QUICK KISS (3-1): Major Player. Trainer is having a great meet. Top connections on the circuit with Loveberry and Rivelli.
#4 COPPER WIND (7-2): Major Player. Pedigree fits in this spot. Should find today's group a bit softer than the last race.
#8 OUTRO (7-2): Major Player. Trainer's horses have been running. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 7 – 5 – 4 – 8

The Plays

Win: #7 at 6-1

Trifecta: 7/5,4/4,5,8

Fair Grounds Picks – Race 8

Post Time: 4:15 PM CT; Allowance $55k; 1 1/16 M Turf; Field of 15 runners.

#7 BRIT'S WIT (4-1): Top pick. Love the heart this one shows in a fight. Decent form of late.
#8 AMBITION (9-2): Major Player. May be able to take advantage of the pace. Should still be running strong in the closing stages.
#10 JURIS DOCTOR (5-1): Contender. May be able find the right setup. Barn has been sending out runners.
#2 FUNNYFLAME (6-1): Contender. Trainer's horses have been running. Could be griding down the competition late.

Selections: 7 – 8 – 10 – 2

The Plays

Win: #7 at 4-1

Exacta: 7/8,10

Fair Grounds Picks – Race 9

Post Time: 4:45 PM CT; Maiden Special Weight $54k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 15 runners.

#4 CHARIOT (10-1): Top pick. Strong early pace figs. Race sets up perfectly.
#3 GO GET TRAE (20-1): Major Player. Trainer is having a great meet. Good race flow for this runner.
#2 VON ERICH (10-1): Major Player. Hard to argue with the recent races. Previous success in similar race types.
#9 DR HINCKLEY (10-1): Major Player. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 4 – 3 – 2 – 9

The Plays

Win: #4 at 5-1

Trifecta: 4/3,2/2,3,9

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Chris Adams

Chris first got introduced to horse racing in 2009 at Canterbury Park (Shakopee, MN). Along with handicapping and betting, Chris has worked as a teller at his local track and participated in ownership partnerships. He now enjoys sharing his passion with his wife and two young daughters who love going out to the track each and every summer.

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