No Better Time than Belmont Time

 With the Kentucky Derby one week away, on this Stakes Saturday we look to New York to get a fix of Turf before the big weekend.

Belmont Park Race 9 {Elusive Quality Stakes~7 Furlongs~TURF~4 year-old Up~Stakes}

A great field of ten will roll to the gate in this featured Turf sprint stakes. 

Past Performances used:  Equibase.

There is enough speed to get a good launch from the gate. Speed numbers are fairly close. Only one millionaire, Snapper Sinclair, is in the field. Most have already traveled over the Belmont course. It should be a fantastic race as the Belmont Park meet gears up.

#6 Value Proposition [GB] (M. Franco / C. Brown) appears to be the one to beat with the fourth highest last out speed number and two sound workouts. This lad will track the pace closely and spring into the stretch. He loves the surface, distance and course. A son of Dansili [GB], he is 80% in the money from fifteen starts.

$1 WIN  /  $2 PLACE  /  $3 SHOW.

#10 American Monarch (J. Lezcano / Mott) should challenge with the second highest last out speed number and two solid workouts. This guy will also track the pace closely and make his move in the stretch run. This will be his first run over the Belmont course. A son of American Pharoah, he is 75% in the money from eight career starts.

$1 PLACE  /  $2 SHOW.

#11 Therapist (Rosario / Clement) has already achieved three victories at this distance. He comes in with a very strong last out speed number at a mile distance and two hearty peaking workouts. Look for him to track and close gallantly. A son of Freud, he is 62% in the money from twenty-nine career starts.

$2 SHOW.

#9 Milton the Monster (Pennington / Jo. Servis) will make his first run over the turf with the highest last out speed number and two stellar workouts. He too will make his first run over the Belmont course. Look for him to be among the pack tracking the pace closely. A son of Jack Milton, he is 78% in the money from fourteen career starts.

$1 SHOW.

$1 Saturday Exacta Wheel ($3.00)

#6 Value Proposition [GB]  //  #10 American Monarch,  #11 Therapist,  #9 Milton the Monster.

10 CENT Superfecta Box ($2.40)

#6 Value Proposition [GB]  +  #10 American Monarch  +  #11 Therapist  +  #9 Milton the Monster.

10 CENT Superfecta Straight ($1.40)

#6 Value Proposition [GB]  /  #10 American Monarch  /  #11 Therapist,  #9 Milton the Monster  /  ALL.

Best of luck to all on this Stakes Saturday!!!

It's a Keeneland Spring

 On this Stakes Saturday we look in on the last of the Kentucky Derby prep races.

Keeneland Race 9 {Lexington~G3~1 1/16 mile~3 year-old~Graded Stakes}

A rambunctious field of eleven will go to the gate searching for KD 148 points. 

Past Performances used:  Equibase.

Derby points are on the line in the amount of 20-8-4-2 for first through fourth respectively. Six of the lads in the race can add to their Derby points with a finish in the top four. Others may be prepping for the Preakness. All are Triple Crown nominees. There is enough speed to push the pace. Speed numbers are very close making this one extremely competitive. It should be the most exciting race on a fully stacked Keeneland card.

#7 Major General (I. Ortiz / Pletcher) looks to improve from a big stumble in his last start. He has fired three solid peaking workouts in preparation. He has a win at this distance from two tries. This guy has the tactical speed to enjoin the pace. He has ten KD 148 points. A son of Constitution, he holds a 66% win rate from three career starts.

$2 WIN  /  $3 PLACE  /  $5 SHOW.

#9 Tawny Port (Geroux / B. Cox) comes back after racing two weeks ago. He holds the highest last out speed number at a longer route and three strong peaking workouts. Certainly the deserved favorite. With forty KD 148 points he is on the cusp of a gate spot in the Derby. A finish in the top four would cement his run in the Derby. A son of Pioneer of the Nile, he is 75% in the money from four career starts.

$2 PLACE  /  $3 SHOW.

#4 Ethereal Road (V. Espinoza / Lukas) comes in after racing last Saturday in the Bluegrass. He holds the fourth highest (tie) last out speed number and two bullet workouts in the last thirty days. This colt has twenty KD 148 points. He should track the pace and strike in the stretch. This guy excels at this distance. A son of Quality Road, he is 50% in the money from six career starts.

$2 SHOW.

Other Wagering Interests with brief annotations.

#11 Call Me Midnight (Graham / Desormeaux). Son of Midnight Lute. Highest speed number at this distance. Comes out of a longer route. Ten KD 148 points.

#2 In Due Time (P. Lopez / Breen) Son of Not This Time. Second highest dirt speed fig. 100% in the money from four races. Twenty KD 148 points.

#8 Strava (Gaffalione / D. Stewart) Son of Into Mischief. Has already won at Keeneland. Three power workouts. 100% in the money from three career starts.

#10 Dash Attack (Prat / McPeek) Son of Munnings. Four superb workouts. 50% win rate from four career starts. Ten KD 148 points. 

$1 Exacta Wheel ($6.00)

#7 Major General  //  #9 Tawny Port,  #4 Ethereal Road,  #11 Call Me Midnight,  #2 In Due Time,  #8 Strava,  #10 Dash Attack.

10 CENT Superfecta Box ($2.40)

#7 Major General  +  #9 Tawny Port  +  #4 Ehtereal Road  +  #11 Call Me Midnight.

10 CENT Superfecta Straight ($4.00)

#7 Major General  /  #9 Tawny Port  /  #4 Ethereal Road,  #11 Call Me Midnight,  #2 In Due Time,  #8 Strava,  #10 Dash Attack  /  ALL.

Best of luck to you all on every wager you make this Stakes Saturday!!!

All Eyes on the Bluegrass of Kentucky

 Essentially, the last weekend of Kentucky Derby prep races. We turn to the key one of the weekend in the Bluegrass state.

Keeneland Race 9 {Toyota Bluegrass~G1~1 1/8 mile~3 year-old~Graded Stakes}

An excellent field of eleven will seek Derby points in this the best of the prep races on this Stakes Saturday.

Past Performances utilized:  DRF Classic.

There is enough pace to maintain a steady pace. Beyer speed numbers are fairly close as all of these lads look to take another step forward. All are Triple Crown nominees, but only three have gone this distance. Though one has gone longer. Exceptional workouts are the norm among this group as they all look for a starting gate position in the greatest two minutes in sports. It should be a spectacular race.

#4 Zandon (Prat / C. Brown) has already hit the board at this distance in both of his starts at same. He comes in with second highest last out speed number and four consistent half mile workouts. This guy should track the pace and launch into the stretch. A son of Upstart, he is 100% in the money from three career starts.

$1 WIN  /  $2 PLACE  /  $3 SHOW.

#10 Smile Happy (Lanerie / McPeek) is another that hit the board at this distance. He holds the highest last out speed number and three superb workouts. He will also track the pace and strike in the stretch. This lad has a win over the Keeneland track. A son of Runhappy, he is also 100% in the money from three career starts.

$1 PLACE  /  $2 SHOW.

#11 Blackadder (Geroux / Brisset) is the third horse in the field that has hit the board at this distance. He has won his last two and has put in a solid stamina producing workout tab of four works. This colt is yet another that will track the pace. A son of Quality Road, he is 75% in the money from four career starts.

$2 SHOW.

#8 Ethereal Road (L. Contreras / Lukas) will stretch out with two good last out speed numbers and three sensational workouts. He should track and close into the pace. This son of Quality Road, continues to improve with every race. He should be ready to pop a good one here.

$1 SHOW.

Other Wagering Interests

Look for #6 Emmanuel (L. Saez / Pletcher) and #9 Rattle N Roll (B. Hernandez / McPeek) to have and impact, possibly hitting the board. Both stretch out to this distance and have worked diligently in preparation.

$1 Saturday Exacta Wheel ($5)

#4 Zandon  //  #10 Smile Happy,  #11 Blackadder,  #8 Ethereal Road,  #6 Emmanuel,  #9 Rattle N Roll.

10 CENT Superfecta Box ($2.40)

#4 Zandon  +  #10 Smile Happy  +  #11 Blackadder  +  #8 Ethereal Road.

10 CENT Superfecta Straight ($3.20)

#4 Zandon  /  #10 Smile Happy  /  #11 Blackadder,  #8 Ethereal Road,  #6 Emmanuel,  #9 Rattle N Roll  /  ALL.

Best of luck to all in your wagers on this fine Stakes Saturday!!!

Kentucky Derby Prep Saturday

 Three great Kentucky Derby preps are on the docket for today. We will look at the one down in Kentucky.

Turfway Park Race 12 {Jeff Ruby Steaks Stakes~G3~1 1/8 mile~3 year-old~Graded Stakes}

A field of twelve will go to the gate in search of Kentucky Derby points.

Past Performances used:  Equibase.

There is enough speed and forwardly placed types to maintain a strong pace. All but three will stretch out to this distance. Seven will race over the Tapeta surface for the first time. Speed numbers are fairly close making it a competitive event. With derby points on the line, the top two finishers should get a spot in gate on the first Saturday in May. It should be an excellent race.

#7 Tiz the Bomb (B. Hernandez / McPeek) will stretch out with the second highest (tie) last out speed number and two sensational works. This guy should track and close swiftly coming into the stretch. He holds the highest number of wins among this field, with four. A son of Hit It a Bomb, he is 72% in the money from seven career starts.

$2 WIN  /  $3 PLACE  /  $5 SHOW.

#2 Stolen Base (Corrales / Maker) is another that will stretch out sharing the second highest last out speed number and three hearty workouts. This lad will also track and close coming into the stretch. A son of Bodemeister, he is 72% in the money from seven career starts.

$2 PLACE  /  $3 SHOW.

#11 Constitution Lawyer (Samuel / Handal) will race over the Tapeta for the first time with the highest speed number at the distance and three rugged workouts. He should be part of the pace scenario. A son of Constitution, he is 50% in the money from four career starts.

$2 SHOW.

Other Wagering Interests

#8 Red Run (Talamo / Asmussen) is another that will try the Tapeta for the first time. He comes in from a Houston Race Park turf race where he earned the highest last out speed number. Four strong peaking workouts adds some luster. Look for him to take up a tracking position ready to strike. A son of famed Gun Runner, he is 50% in the money from six career starts.

#5 Tawny Port (M. Franco / B. Cox) has already competed at this distance. He comes into this race with three last out good speed figs and four powerful workouts. Yet another tracker/closer in this field. A son of Pioneer of the Nile, he holds a 66% win record from three career starts.

#9 Dowagiac Chief (Graham / Amoss) comes up from the Fair Grounds with the third highest last out speed number and two sound workouts. This guy will also be part of the pace scenario. A son of Cairo Prince, he is 37% in the money from eight career starts.

$1 Saturday Exacta Wheel ($5.00)

#7 Tiz the Bomb  //  #2 Stolen Base,  #11 Constitutional Lawyer,  #8 Red Run,  #5 Tawny Port,  #9 Dowagiac Chief.

10 CENT Superfecta Box ($2.40)

#7 Tiz the Bomb  +  #2 Stolen Base  +  #11 Constitutional Lawyer  +  #8 Red Run.

10 CENT Superfecta Straight ($3.60)

#7 Tiz the Bomb  /  #2 Stolen Base  /  #11 Constitutional Lawyer,  #8 Red Run,  #5 Tawny Port,  #9 Dowagiac Chief  /  ALL.

Best of luck with all your Turfway Park wagers and any other track wagers you make on this fantastic Stakes Saturday!!!