Stakes Saturday in Iowa

 Into the evening we go to look in on a competitive dirt sprint stakes race for Iowa breds.

Prairie Meadows Race 9 {John Wayne Stakes~6 Furlongs~3 year-old Up~Colts and Geldings~IA bred~Stakes}

A very closely matched field of ten will go to the gate.

Past Performances used:  Equibase.

There is speed of plenty in this field. Expect a very fast race. Speed figs are very close making it super competitive with any of these lads capable of winning. All have raced over the Prairie Meadows oval. It should be a great evening of racing.

#3 Mollies Rocket (Corbett / Wellington) should be part of the speed contingent on the front end. This guy comes in with the highest (3-way tie) last out speed number and two speedy peaking workouts. He loves this track and distance. A son of Rock the Rock [IRE], he is 85% in the money from seven career starts.

$2 WIN  /  $3 PLACE  /  $5 SHOW.

#2 Basic Chance (W. Garcia / Martin) holds the fourth highest last out speed number and the highest speed number at the distance. He should be part of the speed crew. This gelding leads this field with sixteen career wins. A son of Yes Its True, he is 64% in the money from forty-five career starts.

$2 PLACE  /  $3 SHOW.

#1 Smart N. Intuitive (Cancheri / Arnett) has the tactical speed to tackle any pace that develops. He shares the highest last out speed number with one decent workout. This guy also holds the fourth highest speed number at the distance. A son of Notional, he is 47% in the money from nineteen career starts.

$2 SHOW.

Other Wagering Interests

#9 Ship Boss (Pusac / Anderson) also holds the highest last out speed number with two quality workouts. This guy should be forwardly placed battling for position. He is good at the distance and over the dirt. A son of Midshipman, he is another with a 47% in the money record from twenty-one career starts.

#5 Secret Blarney (Jordan / Young) comes in off three wins in a row. He holds the second highest last out speed number. This lad should display strong tactical speed. He has improved his speed figs in each of those last three races. A son of Secret Circle, he is 72% in the money from twenty-two career starts.

$1 Saturday Exacta Wheel ($4.00)

#3 Mollies Rocket  //  #2 Basic Chance,  #1 Smart N. Intuitive,  #9 Ship Boss,  #5 Secret Blarney.

10 CENT Superfecta Box ($2.40)

#3 Mollies Rocket  +  #2 Basic Chance  +  #1 Smart N. Intuitive +  #9 Ship Boss.

10 CENT Superfecta Straight ($2.10)

#3 Mollies Rocket  /  #2 Basic Chance  /  #1 Smart N Intuitive,  #9 Ship Boss,  #5 Secret Blarney  /  ALL.

Best of luck to all who play the evening racing.  Hope your horse(s) hit the wire first!!!

Stakes Saturday Turf Action in the Windy City

 Sweet Home, Chicago, as we take in some Turf action in the inner-ring suburbs of that Toddlin' Town.

Hawthorne Race Course Race 8 {Romacaca Stakes~1 1/16 mile~TURF~3 year-old Up~Fillies/Mares~Stakes}

A reduced field of eight will hit the grass in this quality stakes race.

Past Performances used:  Equibase.

There is enough speed to push forward a hearty pace among this herd of eight. Only one has raced over the Hawthorne Turf course, the rest ship in from all points south of Illinois. Speed figs are fairly close giving the race a competitive feel. All these gals have worked diligently in preparation for this Turf stakes race. It should be a fine race.

#8 Curly Ruth (Cannon / Kenneally) comes up from Churchill out of a grade three race with the second highest last out speed number at a slightly longer route and three solid workouts. She should track the pace closely ready to pounce. A daughter of Curlin, she is 53% in the money from seventeen career starts.

$2 WIN  /  $3 PLACE  /  $5 SHOW.

#2 Let's Cruise (Loveberry / H. Robertson) will be making the switch from dirt to Turf after hitting the board in three consecutive races. She holds the third highest last out speed number and three stout workouts. Look for her to set the pace. A daughter of Not This Time, she is 77% in the money from nine career starts.

$2 PLACE  /  $3 SHOW.

#1 Bellagamba [ARG] (Cheminaud / Correas) should pose a significant challenge after a modest layoff. She last raced at the Fair Grounds producing the highest last out speed number and has put in four superb workouts in preparation. This gal should track the pace and strike in the stretch. A daughter of Grand Reward, she is 70% in the money from ten career starts.

$2 SHOW.

#9 Russian Mafia (J. Felix / E. Rodriguez) has already chalked up two wins over the Hawthorne Turf in two starts. She should track and close powerfully into a swift pace. This gal loves the surface, distance and course. A daughter of Skipshot, she is 50% in the money at this very distance from twelve attempts.

$1 Saturday Exacta Wheel ($3.00)

#8 Curly Ruth  //  #2 Let's Cruise,  #1 Bellagamba [ARG],  #9 Russian Mafia.

20 CENT Superfecta Box ($4.80)

#8 Curly Ruth  +  #2 Let's Cruise  +  #1 Bellagamba [ARG],  #9 Russian Mafia.

Best of luck to you in all your Stakes Saturday wagers!!!

 

Belmont stakes Day, 2022

On to Big, Beautiful Belmont Park for the last leg of the Triple Crown.

Belmont Park Race 11 {Belmont Stakes~G1~1 1/2 mile~3 year-old~Graded Stakes}

A medium field of eight will go to the gate in the "Test of a Champion".

Past Performances used:  DRF Classic.

The 2022 Kentucky Derby winner, Rich Strike, reappears in the third leg of the Triple Crown races. This race comes up very light on speed making it intriguing. Speed numbers are fairly close with only three hitting a triple-digit Beyer. It is anyone's race. This promises to be a very superb running of the Belmont.

#4 Rich Strike (Leon / E. Reed) should be able to eek out a victory. He holds the second highest last out speed number and has put in two excellent workouts. This guy appears to be well rested and ready to run. Expect his closing style to be in full power. A son of Keen Ice, distance will not be a problem. This millionaire has a 62% in the money record.

$1 WIN  /  $2 PLACE  /  $3 SHOW.

#6 Mo Donegal (I. Ortiz / Pletcher) will pose a mighty challenge with his tracking/closing style as he gets first jump on the pace setters. He holds the fourth highest last out speed number and three strong peaking workouts. A son of Uncle Mo, he is 83% in the money from six career starts.

$1 PLACE  /  $2 SHOW.

#1 We the People (Prat / Brisset) should be the leader of this eight-pack. He holds the the highest last out speed number and two solid workouts. His last was a win over this track. A son of Constitution, he has a 75% win record from four career starts.

$2 SHOW.

#5 Creative Minister (B. Hernandez / McPeek) will be part of the crew of trackers in this classic race. He holds the third highest last out Beyer and two sound workouts. He comes in from a third place performance in the Preakness and is on the improve. A son of Creative Cause, he is 100% in the money from four career starts.

$1 SHOW.

#3 Nest (J. Ortiz / Pletcher) is the lone filly in the race with an outstanding chance to pull of the win. She comes in from the Kentucky Oaks with a second place performance. She should be forwardly placed. A daughter of Curlin, she is 100% in the money from six career starts.

$1 Saturday Exacta Wheel ($4.00)

#4 Rich Strike  //  #6 Mo Donegal,  #1 We The People,  #5 Creative Minister,  #3 Nest.

10 CENT Superfecta Box ($2.40)

#4 Rich Strike  +  #6 Mo Donegal  +  #1 We the People  +  #5 Creative Minister.

10 CENT Superfecta Straight ($2.00)

#4 Rich Strike  /  #6 Mo Donegal  /  #1 We the People,  #5 Creative Minister,  #3 Nest and including #7 Golden Glider (D. Davis / M. Casse)  /  ALL.

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

Stakes Saturday, long, on the Turf

 Three year-olds go on the Turf under the Twin Spires in the lucky last.

Churchill Downs Race 11 {Audobon Stakes~1 1/8 mile~TURF~3 year-old Stakes}

An excellent field of eleven will hit the carpet in this Turf Stakes. Interestingly there are five Triple Crown nominees in this contest. Connections must feel that their charges could be more successful on the green. There is enough speed to maintain an honest pace. Speed figs are fairly close making it a competitive contest. All have put forward strong workouts. It should be one of the best races on this Stakes Saturday.

#9 James Jones (Santana / C. Brown) will making his third career start having already gone this distance twice. He holds the third highest last out speed number and four solid works. This guy will track and go coming into the stretch. A son of More Than Ready, he is 100% in the money from two career starts.

$2 WIN  /  $3 PLACE  /  $5 SHOW.

#10 Speaking Scout (L. Saez / Motion) will be dropping in distance from his last. He holds three good last out speed numbers and four strong workouts. This lad will track the pace closely according to the flow of the race. A son of Mr. Speaker, he is 72% in the money from seven career starts.

$2 PLACE  /  $3 SHOW.

#2 Grand Sonata (Gaffalione / Pletcher) will stretch out to this distance with the fourth highest last out speed number and four sound workouts. He is another tracker. A son of Medaglia d'Oro, he is 83% in the money from six career starts.

$2 SHOW.

#6 Red Run (Leparoux / Asmussen) will close significantly as they turn for home. He holds the second highest last out speed number and four peaking workouts. This guy is one of four in the field that has gone this distance. A son of Gun Runner, he has hit the board three times in eight career starts.

 Notes on Other Wagering Interests 

#3 Tallahatchiebridge (Geroux / S. Joseph) has a win at this distance in onlty attempt. Superb peaking workouts. Son of Will Take Charge.

#7 Smokin' T (J. Velazquez / McGaughey) will stretch out with the highest last out speed number and a good work tab. A son of War Front.

$1 Saturday Exacta Wheel ($5)

#9 James Jones  //  #10 Speaking Scout,  #2 Grand Sonata,  #6 Red Run,  #3 Tallahatchiebridge,  #7 Smokin' T.

10 CENT Superfecta Box ($2.40)

#9 James Jones  +  #10 Speaking Scout  +  #2 Grand Sonata  +  #6 Red Run.

10 CENT Superfecta Straight ($6.40)

#9 James Jones  /  #10 Speaking Scout,  #2 Grand Sonata  /  #10,  #2,  #6 Red Run,  #3 Tallahatchie Bridge,  #7 Smokin' T  /  ALL.

Best of luck on all your Stakes Saturday tickets!!!