By The Hermit for HumboldtSports.com — First race is at 3:07 p.m. and the day features just a quick six-race card. Saturday will have some very good races!

Hunch: Jockey Hugo Herrera should have a very good day Friday.

Pick 4 Races 3-6: Leg one, No. 2; leg 2, No. 6 and No. 5; leg 3, all 6 horses; leg 4, No. 1

Friday’s Picks

Race 1 — Dashing Jack has had the upper hand on these Mules this summer. He will be a big favorite today. Pick a second horse and play an ice-cold strait exacta. I’ll play No. 2 Dashing Jack over No. 1 Dashn Bobi McGee for an exacta.

Race 2 — Only four entrants for the Arabian Race with a huge favorite. I personally won’t  bet the race but if you want to bet throw a dart or take the longest shot. They are Arabians and they are at Ferndale. Anything could happen.

Race 3 — The first of the four Thoroughbred races – all at 5 Furlongs. No. 2 Gigit Harbor should be long gone. Win money on No. 2 and single first leg of pick 4.

Race 4 — No. 6 Union Wine looks to be back in form and another favorite. Favorites will probably win all day and so should Hugo Herrera. No. 5 Ajak has been off a year but is working up a storm for his return.  No. 6 to win/Exacta box No. 6 and No. 5.

Race 5 — No. 4 Propreppy was recently claimed off a runner-up effort by a group of Humboldt Fair supporters who each own a small share.  He isn’t great but neither are the others in this wide-open affair. Quinn Howey just took over as trainer and Hugo Herrera jumps aboard. To his inside, No. 3 California Appeal is the morning line favorite but Propreppy has the intangibles. No. 4 Propreppy to win

Race 6 — There is no doubt that Bottle Rocket has the back class over this bunch but after a two-year layoff and a couple cheap preps, I don’t know. He should be the choice, but not for me. A $3200 Claiming race with a quarter million dollar winner? I’ll take the Howey/Herrera trainer/jockey combo from the rail with No. 1 Crazy Al to win and single in the pick 4.

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Ray Hamill writes at humboldtsports.com, where you can read lots more about sports in Humboldt County.