July Fourth Fireworks and Stakes Races

On our Nation's birthday we look at a couple of traditional stakes races at two of our countries older and traditional race tracks, Belmont Park and Churchill Downs.

Belmont Park Race 9 {Prioress~G1~6 furlongs~3 year old~fillies~Stakes}
A small field of five respectable fillies will go to the gate.  Fanny Freud (Gomez / Terranova) has a slight edge with the third highest last out speed number coming off a route, 100% in the money at the distance, and four strong, peaking workouts.  Bonnie Blue Flag (M. Garcia / Baffert) is coming off a longer sprint with the highest last out speed number, a four race progression, and three superb workouts.  Champagne d'Oro (Mena / Guillot) will share speed duties with Stormandaprayer (Maragh / Toner).  Champagne d'Oro shows the second highest last out speed number, a two race progression, and two fluid, peaking workouts.  Let's play Belmont Park.

$2 SHOW:  #3 Fanny Freud
$2 SHOW:  #1 Bonnie Blue Flag
NO 10 CENT Superfecta offered due to small field.

Churchill Downs Race 10 {Firecracker~G2~1 mile~Turf~3 year old Up~Stakes}
This race has a full field of fourteen.  There is so much to like about each one of the entrants.  The Firecracker appears to be the most competitive of the summer.  Tizdejavu (Castanon / Fox) looks to be the speedster to beat with the second highest last out speed number, a four race progression, and a superlative bullet workout.  Tybalt (Nakatani / Stidham) looks very ready with the highest last out speed number, also a four race progression, and two athletic workouts.  Euroears (Theriot / Calhoun) could do well if he breaks well from an outside post.  He is coming off a longer route distance, has the highest speed number at the distance, albeit on dirt, and two sinewy workouts.  Mine That Bird (Borel / Lukas) has to be considered despite this being his first start on grass.  last year's ('09) Kentucky Derby winner has the highest overall speed number of the group and has worked feverishly in advance of his 2010 debut.  Mine That Bird has posted the best workout tab with three of four workouts being bullets.  He is ready and may surprise.  Another with a solid chance is Skipadate (Solis / Romans) with two decent last out speed numbers, a four race progression, and three robust, peaking workouts.  Let's have a blast with the Firecracker at Churchill Downs.

$2 WIN / SHOW:  #4 Tizdejavu
$2 SHOW:  #6 Tybalt
10 CENT Superfecta:  #4 Tizdejavu / #6 Tybalt / #11 Euroears / #2 Mine That Bird, #12 Skipadate.
















Saturday's Results
Monmouth R10.  Our first pick, Chinchon [IRE], won (1st) for show money of $3.40.  Our second pick, Winchester, finished 3rd for show money of $2.80.  Superfecta went 8-7-5-4.
Bankroll edges up to $15.50.