Stakes Saturday on West Coast Turf

 Off we go in search of a great Turf race and find one in Southern California for our Stakes Saturday.

Santa Anita Park Race 7 {Buena Vista~G2~1 mile~TURF~4 year-old Up~Fillies/Mares~Graded Stakes}

A very talented field of ten will go to the green in this annual affair.

Past Performances used:  TimeFormUS.

A few forwardly placed types and four stretching out from a sprint in their last should keep this pace swift. Speed numbers are all very close making it competitive as well. Any of these gals could strike in the stretch to exact the victory. This should be one of the best races on the day.

#7 Going to Vegas (M. Gutierrez / Baltas) might have the edge with the fourth highest last out speed number at a much longer route and three dynamite workouts. She loves the Turf, distance and course notching over an 80% in the money performances at each. This daughter of Goldencents should track the pace closely and spring into the stretch.

$2 WIN  /  $3 PLACE  /  $5 SHOW.

#2 Mucho Unusual (Cedillo / Yakteen) should challenge with the third highest last out speed number and three durable workouts. She is another that will track the pace closely and find position to make her run in the stretch. This gal will be seeking her third win in a row. A daughter of Mucho Macho Man, she is 73% in the money from nineteen career starts.

$2 PLACE  /.  $3 SHOW.

#5 Red Lark [IRE] (Van Dyke / Gallagher) will contend with the second highest last out speed number at a longer route and three strong peaking workouts. She should get some pace to run into. This daughter of Epaulette [AUS], has improved in each of her last three races.

$2 SHOW.

#8 Chamaine's Mia (Prat / D'Amato) is the morning line favorite with the highest last out speed number and four exceptional workouts which include a couple of bullets. She should be tracking the pace ready to strike. This gal has improved stoutly in each of her last three races. A daughter of The Factor, she has a victory over this course in her last.

$1 Saturday Exacta Wheel ($3.00)

#7 Going to Vegas  //  #2 Mucho Unusual,  #5 Red Lark (IRE],  #8 Charmaine's Mia.

10 CENT Superfecta Box ($2.40)

#7 Going to Vegas  +  #2 Mucho Unusual  +  #5 Red Lark [IRE]  +  #8 Charmaine's Mia.

Last Stakes Saturday (2/23) Results

Fair Grounds R13.  Risen Star--G2.  Our first pick, Proxy, finished 2nd for place money of $5.20 and show money of $5.40.  Our second pick, Midnight Bourbon, finished 3rd for show money of $3.80.  Our third pick, Mandaloun, won (1st) for show money of $3.00.  Our fourth pick, Starrininmydreams, finished off the board.

We did not grab the Exacta. Superfecta went 11-2-6-7.

Bankroll remains unchanged at $97.63.

  

Stakes Saturday at the Fair Grounds

 A loaded stakes card takes shape down in NOLA as we focus on the lucky last which happens to be a Kentucky Derby prep race.

Fair Grounds Race 13 {Risen Star~G2~1 1/8 mile~3 year-old~Graded Stakes}

A reduced field of eleven will go to the gate in this annual contest.

Past Performances used:  Equibase.

All of these lads will be stretching out to this distance in search of Derby points. Four of them will be seeking their third win in a row. There is plenty of speed to fire up the pace. Speed numbers are fairly close for this well bred crew. The top four finishers in the Lecomte press on along the Derby trail. All but one are Triple Crown nominees. Stacked with talent, this race should be the best stakes race of the day.

#2 Proxy (J. Velazquez / Stidham) appears ready to take another step forward with the third highest (tie) last out speed number and two strong workouts. This guy will part of the forwardly placed bunch. He loves the Fair Grounds track. A son of Tapit, he is 100% in the money from four career starts.

$1 WIN  /  $2  PLACE  /  $3 SHOW.

#6 Midnight Bourbon (Talamo / Asmussen) will challenge with the highest last out speed number and three superb peaking workouts. He is another that will be part of the forwardly placed crew. He comes in as the winner of the Lecomte. A son of Tiznow, he is 100% in the money from five career starts.

$1 PLACE  /  $2 SHOW.

#11 Mandaloun (Geroux / B. Cox) should contend sharing the third highest last out speed number and posting two dynamite workouts. He has improved in every start. Look for him to track the pace closely.  A son of Into Mischief, he is 100% in the money from three career starts.

$2 SHOW.

#1 Starrininmydreams (B. Hernandez / D. Stewart) is sitting on a great race with the fourth highest last out speed number and putting in four spectacular workouts during a modest layoff. He is another that should be motoring on the front end. A son of Super Saver, he has been victorious in his two career starts.

$1 SHOW.

$1 Saturday Exacta Wheel ($3.00)

#2 Proxy  //  #6 Midnight Bourbon,  #11 Mandaloun,  #1 Starrininmydreams.

10 CENT Superfecta Box ($2.40)

#2 Proxy  +  #6 Midnight Bourbon  +  #11 Mandaloun  +  #1 Starrininmydreams.

Last Superfecta Sunday (2/7) Results

Oaklawn Park R8.  Optional Claiming.  We were off by one in our 10 CENT Superfecta box play unable to cash the ticket. Superfecta went 1-7-2-3.

Our Bronze Horseshoe selection, Combatant, finished 5th.

Bankroll falls below the Franklin line to $97.63.

A Hot Springs Superfecta Sunday

 On this Superfecta Sunday we take in the featured race down in Arkansas.

Oaklawn Park Race 8 {1 mile~4 year-old Up~Optional Claiming}

An small field of talented horses will go to the gate in this race.

Past Performances used:  DRF Formulator.

The field is filled with speedy and forwardly placed types that should produce a very hot pace. Most come into the race fresh off brief layoffs. Speed numbers are fairly close making it a competitive race. Our task is to cobble together a winning 10 CENT Superfecta box ticket. It should be a fine race.

#5 Combatant (Talamo / Sadler) should be able to grab the victory with the highest (tie) last out speed number at a longer route and three strong workouts. This ridgling has hit the board in all four of his runs at this distance. A millionaire son of Scat Daddy, he is 51% in the money from twenty-nine career starts. Expect him to track down the pack running on the front end. He is our Bronze Horseshoe selection.

$4 SHOW.

#3 MG Warrior (M. Garcia / B. Cox) should be sitting on a big race with the third highest last out speed number at a longer route. He loves the surface and distance. Look for him to track the pace closely. A son of Majestic Warrior, he is 55%in the money from eighteen career starts.

#7 Hop Kat (Geroux / Amoss) might go off as the favorite sharing the highest last out speed number and putting in two solid workouts. He will be attempting to score a fourth win in a row with his tactical speed. A son of Stay Thirsty, is 60% in the money from ten career starts.

#2 Treasure Trove (Arieta / Maker) comes off a marathon run over the Turf at the two mile distance and has put in three hearty workouts. This gelding has hit the board at all three of his races at this distance. A son of Tapizar, he should part of the front pack seeking to gain position.

10 CENT Superfecta Box ($2.40)

#5 Combatant  +  #3 MG Warrior  +  #7 Hop Kat  +  #2 Treasure Trove.

Stakes Saturday Results

Tampa Bay Downs R11.  Sam F. Davis--G3.  Our first pick, Known Agenda, finished 5th.  Our second pick, Nova Rags, finished 2nd for place money of $3.80 and show money of $5.20.  Our third pick, Hidden Stash, finished 3rd for show money of $4.60.  Our fourth pick, Smiley Sobotka, finished 9th.

We flubbed our Exacta Wheel play. Superfecta went 9-8-1-7.

Bankroll gets a shave and dips to $104.03.

  

Derby Prep Stakes Saturday

 The Kentucky Derby trail becomes fast and furious as we move into February. Today we take in a great race in Tampa Bay.

Tampa Bay Downs Race 11 {Sam F. Davis~G3~1 1/16 mile~3 year-old~Graded Stakes}

A fine field of twelve will go to the gate in this annual Derby prep race. 

Past Performances used:  DRF Formulator.

There is enough speed to carry a solid pace as these guys begin full pursuit of Kentucky Derby points looking for entry to the gate on that first Saturday in May. Speed numbers are very close as all of these lads are still finding their groove on the track. Only four have raced over the Tampa track and only five have gone this distance. It should be a highly competitive event.

#3 Known Agenda (J. Velazquez / Pletcher) is the one to beat. He drops in from a longer route and has put in four high level peaking workouts. A son of Curlin, he is 100% in the money from three career starts.

$1 WIN  /  $2 PLACE  /  $3 SHOW.

#8 Nova Rags (Camacho / Mott) will give chase having already won over the Tampa oval. Should like the stretch-out. A son of Union Rags, he holds a 66% win rate from three career races.

$1 PLACE  /  $2 SHOW.

#1 Hidden Stash (Diaz / Oliver) comes in off two wins in a row both of which have come at this distance. A son of Constitution, he is 75% in the money from four career starts.

$2 SHOW.

#5 Smiley Sobotka (Centeno / Romans) has hit the board in both of his efforts at this distance. Comes in with a strong workout tab of four peaking dashes. A son of Brody's Cause, he is 100% in the money from three career starts.

$1 SHOW.

$1 Saturday Exacta Wheel ($3.00)

#3 Known Agenda  //  #8 Nova Rags,  #1 Hidden Stash,  #5 Smiley Sobotka.

10 CENT Superfecta Box ($2.40)

#3 Known Agenda  +  #8 Nova Rags  +  #1 Hidden Stash  +  #5 Smiley Sobotka.

Last Stakes Saturday (1/30) Results

Gulfstream Park R11.  Holy Bull--G3.  Our first pick, Greatest Honour, won (1st) for win money of $3.80, place money of $4.40, and show money of $3.90.  Our second pick, Awesome Gerry, finished 7th.  Our third pick, Prime Factor, finished 3rd for show money of $2.40.  Our fourth pick, Amount, finished 9th (last).

We missed the Exacta only having the winner. Superfecta went 7-5-6-3.

Bankroll sheds seven dimes to settle at $108.83