San Francisco Mile on Stakes Saturday

 Off we go to the city by the bay to look in on a terrific Turf mile.

Golden Gate Fields Race 11 {San Francisco Mile~G3~1 mile~TURF~3 year-old Up~Stakes}

A solid field of nine will hit the green in this annual contest. 

Past Performances used:  TimeFormUS.

This race has a good amount of speed to produce a hot pace. Speed figs are very close making it quite competitive. Only three have raced over the Golden Gate course. The balance are coming up from Southern California. All have competed over the Turf at various tracks. It should be the best Stakes race on a Saturday with a dearth of Stakes races.

#2 Balnikhov [IRE] (Rispoli / D'Amato) comes up from Santa Anita having finished seventh in a grade one last out. He loves the surface and the distance. Look for him to close magnificently into a dazzling pace. A son of Adaay [IRE], he is 68% in the money from sixteen career starts.

$2 WIN  /  $3 PLACE  /  $5 SHOW.

#9 Dicey Mo Chara [GB] (Van Dyke / Powell) should be the favorite with the highest last out speed number and two stout workouts. He should be forwardly placed. This guy also comes up from Santa Anita as well. Another son of Adaay [IRE], he is 63% in the money from nineteen career starts.

$2 PLACE  /  $3 SHOW.

#8 Flavius (E. Roman / Papaprodromou) comes into this race after over a year layoff. His workout tab of four super powerful works indicates he is ready for launch. He holds the highest speed number at the distance. A son of War Front, he is 63% in the money from nineteen career starts.

$2 SHOW.

Other Wagering Interests

#4 Bob and Jackie (Valdivia / Papaprodromou) is another that loves the surface and distance. He holds the fourth highest (tie) last out speed number and two sound workouts. Another invader from Santa Anita. Look for him to make good use of his tactical speed. A son of Twirling Candy, he is 61% in the money from twenty-one career starts.

#3 Rio King (S. Rivera / Calvario) seeks his fourth win in a row from a tracking position. He enjoys the surface, distance, and course. This colt holds the second highest last out speed number at a longer route and two good workouts. A son of Bal A Bali [BRZ], he is 50% in the money from twelve career starts.

#6 Lamplighter Jack (Cedillo / Barocio) will show speed on a surface and distance he relishes. This gelding holds the third highest last out speed number and two hearty workouts. A son of Fed Biz, he is 62% in the money from twenty-four career starts.

$1 Saturday Exacta Wheel ($5.00)

#2 Balnikhov [IRE]  //  #9 Dicey Mo Chara [GB],  #8 Flavius,  #4 Bob and Jackie,  #3 Rio King,  #6 Lamplighter Jack.

Reverse the Wheel ($5.00)

#9 Dicey Mo Chara [GB],  #8 Flavius,  #4 Bob and Jackie,  #3 Rio King,  #6 Lamplighter Jack  //  #2 Balnikhov [IRE].

Best of Luck to all your Stakes Saturday wagers!!!

Going Long on Keeneland Turf

 On this beautiful Stakes Saturday we take in a long route on the Turf in Lexington, Kentucky.

Keeneland Race 8 {Elkhorn Stakes~G2~1 1/2 mile~TURF~4 year-old Up~Graded Stakes}

A reduced field of nine will hit the grass in this annual event. 

Past Performances used:  Equibase.

This is a great field of hard charging that love going long. Only four will be stretching out to this distance. There is some speed to maintain an honest pace. Speed numbers are very close making it anyone of these a potential winner. Could be the best on today's Keeneland card.

#8 Highest Honors (I. Ortiz / C. Brown) comes in with the fourth highest speed number at this distance. He has put in four superb workouts in preparation. Look for him to track the pace closely. This guy loves the surface, distance, and course. A son of Tapit, he is 64% in the money from seventeen career starts.

$1 WIN  /  $2 PLACE  /  $3 SHOW.

#4 Another Mystery (Loveberry / Block) holds eight career victories. He comes in with three good last out speed number and two hearty workouts. He is another lover of the surface, distance and course. Look for him to track and close gallantly. A son of Temple City, he is 53% in the money from thirty-four career starts. 

$1 PLACE  /  $2 SHOW.

#2 Value Engineering (Gaffalione / Maker) comes in with the second highest last out speed number and four strong peaking workouts. He will be tracking the pace ready to strike. This lad relishes the surface and distance. A son of Lemon Drop Kid, he is 83% in the money from eighteen career starts.

$2 SHOW.

#7 Howe Street (Prat / Abreu) will stretch out to this distance with three decent last out speed numbers and three sound workouts. This will be his fourth career start. He should settle in to a nice tracking pace. A son of Honor Code, he is 100% in the money from three career starts.

$1 SHOW.

Other Wagering Interests

#5 Red Knight (Corrales / Maker) is a millionaire son of Pure Prize. He should track the pace showing the highest last out speed number and four solid workouts. Holds a 62% in the money record from thirty-two career starts. Could go off as the favorite.

#1 Channel Maker (J. Velazquez / Mott) millionaire son of English Channel, holds a 50% in the money record over the Keenland course. He should be part of the pace scenario. 

$1 Stakes Saturday Exacta Wheel ($5.00)

#8 Highest Honors  //  #4 Another Mystery,  #2 Value Engineering,  #7 Howe Street,  #5 Red Knight,  #1 Channel Maker.

Reverse the Wheel ($5.00)

#4,  #2,  #7,  #5,  #1  //  #8 Highest Honors.

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

The Last of the Derby Preps

 On this Stakes Saturday we look in on the last of the Kentucky Derby preps giving points for entry in to the starting gate.

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

A very good field of ten will enter the gate in this traditional last Derby prep on the long road to the Kentucky Derby. 

Past Performances used:  Equibase.

There is plenty of speed in the outside posts to keep this race humming. Speed figs are very close which should make it quite competitive. Only one horse, #6 Disarm, can make it into the KD 149 gate should he place first, second, or third. All others, nominated to the Triple Crown could conceivably go on to the Preakness. It should be a fantastic race on a Stakes rich card.

#5 First Mission (L. Saez / B. Cox) is the deserved favorite with the second highest (tie) last out speed number and two superb workouts. This guy could tuck in right behind the speed train and strike in the stretch. He has won at this distance. A son of Kentucky Derby winner, Street Sense, he is 100% in the money from two starts.

$1 WIN  /  $2 PLACE  /  $3 SHOW.

#6 Disarm (J. Ortiz / Asmussen) should be up to the task sharing the second highest last out speed number at a longer distance and showing three sound workouts. Look for him to track and go. One of three runner that have yet to travel this exact distance. A son of Gun Runner, he is 100% in the money from four career starts.

$1 PLACE  /  $2 SHOW.

#8 Empirestrikesfast (Dettori / Mott) will be making his second start after posting the highest speed figure of this crew. He has three solid workouts in the last thirty days. Look for him to be part of the speedsters on the front end. A son of Empire Maker, he scored a victory in his only race.

$2 SHOW.

#3 Demolition Duke (Prat / B. Cox) will be stretching out to this distance in his third start of the form cycle. He holds two hearty workouts. This guy is another tracker up from Fair Grounds. A son of Good Magic, he is 100% in the money from two starts.

$1 SHOW.

Other Wagering Interests

#11 Arabian Lion (I Ortiz / Baffert) will show speed from the gate release. Holds the highest overall speed number of this group. Son of Justify, he is 50% itm.

#7 Denington (B. Hernandez / McPeek) will track and close coming out of a longer route race. Another son of Gun Runner, he is 44% itm from nine strarts.

$1 Saturday Exacta Wheel ($5.00)

#5 First Mission  //  #6 Disarm,  #8 Empirestrikesfast,  #3 Demolition Duke,  #11 Arabian Lion,  #7 Denington.

Reverse the Wheel ($5.00)

#6 Disarm,  #8 Empirestrikesfast,  #3 Demolition Duke,  #11 Arabian Lion,  #7 Denington  //  #5 First Mission.

Best of luck with all your wagers as we march on to the Derby!!!

Happy Blue Grass Day!

 With three big KD 149 preps today, we look in on the Toyota Blue Grass in Lexington, Kentucky.

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

A great field of eleven will go to the gate in this annual Kentucky Derby prep. 

Past Performances used:  Drf Formulator.

This race has just enough speed to keep the pace rolling. Only one horse has gone this distance, the rest will be stretching out. Speed numbers are very close making for an extremely competitive race. All are Triple Crown nominees. It should be the best of the derby preps today.

#7 Sun Thunder (Geroux / McPeek) is the only horse in the field to have raced at this distance. He holds a decent last out speed fig at a slightly longer route and two workmanlike workouts. This guy should be closing swiftly into the stretch. A son of Into Mischief, he is 60% in the money from five career starts.

$1 WIN  /  $2 PLACE  /  $3 SHOW.

#1 Tapit Trice (L. Saez / Pletcher) will be the deserved favorite holding three wins in a row. This lad holds the second highest last out speed number and two sound workouts. He will be closing hard in the stretch. A son of Tapit, he is 100% in the money from four career starts.

$1 PLACE  /  $2 SHOW.

#8 Blazing Sevens (I. Ortiz / C. Brown) should come back after a dull effort in his last. He will stretch out to this distance with three hearty workouts. He is another that will track and close into the pace. A son of Good Magic, he is 60% in the money from five career starts.

$2 SHOW.

#11 Mendelssohns March (B. Hernandez / McPeek) will be making his third start in the form cycle. With ascending speed numbers and two good workouts he should run a strong race. He has tactical speed to stay the pace. A son of Mendelssohn, he is 100% in the money from his two starts.

$1 SHOW.

Other Wagering Interests

#3 Verifying (Gaffalione / B. Cox) should be in the thick of it with the third highest (3-way tie) last out speed number and four superb peaking workouts. Son of Justify, he is 60% in the money from five starts.

#10 Raise Cain (Rosario / Colebrook) is the only horse to have hit the board twice at Keeneland from two tries. Has produced two good workouts for the stretch-out. A son of Violence, he is 66% itm from six starts.

$1 Saturday Exacta Wheel ($5.00)

#7 Sun Thunder  //  #1 Tapit Trice,  #8 Blazing Sevens,  #11 Mendelssohns March,  #3 Verifying,  #10 Raise Cain.

Reverse the Wheel ($5.00)

#1 Tapit Trice,  #8 Blazing Sevens,  #11 Mendelssohns March,  #3 Verifying,  #10 Raise Cain  //  #7 Sun Thunder.

May you cash all your tickets on this smashing Bluegrass Day!!! 

Superfecta Sunday at Santa Anita

 We look in on the lucky last at that "Great Race Place" on this Superfecta Sunday.

Santa Anita Park Race 9 {1 mile~TURF~3,4,5 year-old~Fillies/Mares~Maiden Special Weight~67k}

A fabulous field of ten ladies will hit the green in this Maiden Special Weight.

Past Performances used:  Equibase.

This race has a few speedsters to keep the pace humming. A couple of first time starters will test their ability in the mile. Speed numbers are fairly close making it competitive. It should be a good race to cap off the horse racing weekend.

#5 Lucky for You (jj Hernandez / Baffert) will be making her third start while stretching out to the distance. She holds the second highest last out speed number and four superb workouts. This gal should position herself right behind the leaders ready to swing into the stretch. A daughter of Uncle Mo, she has hit the board in both of her starts.

$2 WIN  /  $3 PLACE  /  $5 SHOW.

#7 Sareeha [IRE] (Dettori / McCarthy) is the deserved favorite with the highest (tie) last out speed number and two favorable workouts. She can be expected to be battling on the front-end. Loves the surface, distance, and course. A daughter of Shamardal, she is 87% in the money from eight career starts.

#8 Marinas Tina [IRE] (Rispoli / D'Amato) will take advantage of any speedy pace with the fourth highest last out speed number and four strong workouts. She is another that will be stretching out to the mile distance. Making her second North American start this daughter of Belardo [IRE], is 50% in the money from two starts.

#2 Soul of a Warrior (R. Gutierrez / Papaprodromou) will show speed from the get-go. This gal shares the highest last out speed number and has put in two good workouts. A daughter of Declaration of War, she is 20% in the money from five career starts.

Other Wagering Interests

#1 Cruising the Channel (Pereira / D'Amato) is a first time starter with a solid workout tab. Daughter of English Channel.

#3 Princess of Time (Kimura / McCarthy) is also a first time starter with a sound workout tab. Daughter of Not This Time will have an affinity for the TURF.

10 CENT Superfecta Box ($2.40)

#5 Lucky for You  +  #7 Sareeha [IRE]  +  #8 Marinas Tina  +  #2 Soul of a Warrior.

10 CENT Superfecta Straight ($5.60)

#5 Lucky for You  /  #7 Sareeha [IRE],  #8 Marinas Tina  /  #7, #8,  #2 Soul of a Warrior,  #1 Cruisingthechannel,  #3 Princess of Time  /  ALL.

Best to all in all your Superfecta Sunday plays!!!

Arkansas Derby Day

 We are getting closer to KD 149. On this fantastic Stakes Saturday we look in on the action down in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Oaklawn Park Race 12 {Arkansas Derby~G1~1 1/8 mile~3 year-old~Graded Stakes}

A highly talented field of eleven will go to the gate in this high-end derby points prep race.

Past Performances used:  TimeFormUS.

This promises to be a very competitive race as the TimeForm speed figs are fairly close. All but three have raced over the Oaklawn track. Only two have raced at this very distance. There is sufficient speed to maintain a fierce pace. It should be one of the best races on this Stakes Saturday.

#6 Angel of Empire (Prat / B. Cox) is one of two that has gone this distance earning the highest speed fig over it. He holds the third highest last out speed number and has put in four serious workouts. Expect him to track the pace and launch into the stretch. A son of Classic Empire, he is 80% in the money from five career starts.

$2 WIN  /  $3 PLACE  /  $5 SHOW.

#8 Reincarnate (j. Velazquez / Yakteen) should be the deserved favorite with the second highest (tie) last out speed number and three top-notch peaking workouts. He should be forwardly placed positioned for a significant effort. This colt enjoys the surface and the track. A son of Good Magic, he is 100% in the money from six career starts.

$2 PLACE  /  $3 SHOW.

#10 Red Route One (Gaffalione / Asmussen) will stretch out easily for this one. He shares the second highest last out speed number and four strong peaking workouts. This guy will be coming late into a frothy pace. He should relish this distance as much as he likes the surface and the track. A son of Gun Runner, he is 57% in the money from seven career starts.

$2 SHOW.

Other Wagering Interests

#7 Rocket Can (J. Alvarado / Mott) holds the highest last out speed number coupled with two sound workouts. Son of Into Mischief, is 66% itm from six starts.

#5 Airtime (C. Torres / Diodoro) holds two wins in a row over the Oaklawn track. Strong workout tab with three successive speed fig jumps shows he'll take another step forward. Son of American Freedon, is 80% itm from five starts.

#3 Harlocap (Santana / Asmussen) has gone this distance and should be part of the pace scenario. Son of Justify, is 75% itm from four starts.

$1 Saturday Exacta Wheel ($5.00)

#6 Angel of Empire  //  #8 Reincarnate,  #10 Red Route One,  #7 Rocket Can,  #5 Airtime,  #3 Harlocap.

Reverse the Wheel ($5.00)

#8 Reincarnate,  #10 Red Route One,  #7 Rocket Can,  #5 Airtime,  #3 Harlocap  //  #6 Angel of Empire.

Best of luck with  all your wagers on this wonderful Stakes Saturday!!!