Holiday Monday Turf Mile Action

 On this Memorial Day take some time and remember those brave souls who paid the ultimate price serving their country.

Today we take a look at a great Turf mile at perhaps the most beautiful track in the country.

San Anita Park Race 7 {Shoemaker Mile~1 mile~TURF~3 year-old Up~G1}

Hard to separate this talented group of eleven.

Past Performances used:  Equibase.

All of these lads have produced a triple digit speed fig at least once in their career, some with multiple trip-digits. The race comes up a little light on speed which should make for some interesting race strategies. Speed figs are very close making it super competitive. It should be one heck of race.

#1 Gold Phoenix [IRE] (Kimura / D'Amato) comes in undefeated at this distance with a strong effort at a longer route last out and four seriously good workouts. He should track and close nicely as long as there is speed on the front-end. This guy loves the surface, distance, and course. A son of Belardo [IRE], he is 83% in the money from twelve starts.

$2 WIN  /  $3 PLACE  /  $5 SHOW.

#7 Balnikov [IRE] (Rispoli / D'Amato). This son of Adaay [IRE] is a distance specailist and will close well when the quickening begins.

#11 Salesman [IRE] (Vazquez / Mandella). Son of Dubawi [IRE], will make his first North America start tracking the pace. Powerful workout tab demonstrates he is ready to roll.

#6 Exalted (JJ Hernandez / Eurton) looks for his fourth win in a row. Son of Twirling Candy is undefeated over the Santa Anita green. Should track the pace closely.

#3 Du Jour (L. Saez / Baffert). Son of Temple City is another lover of the surface, distance and course. Should track and close gallantly. 66% itm from twelve starts.

#2 Hong Kong Harry [IRE] (Prat / D'Amato) Son of Es Que Love [IRE] will scoot with strong strides when the hard racing begins. 86% itm from fifteen starts.

$1 Exacta Wheel ($5.00)

#1 Gold Phoenix [IRE]  //  #7 Balnikov [IRE],  #11 Salesman [IRE],  #6 Exalted,  #3 Du Jour,  #2 Hong Kong Harry [IRE].

Reverse the Exacta Wheel ($5.00)

#7,  #11,  #6,  #3,  #2  //  #1 Gold Phoenix [IRE].

10 CENT Superfecta Box ($2.40)

#1 Gold Phoenix [IRE]  +  #7 Balnikov [IRE]  +  #11 Salesman [IRE]  +  #6 Exalted.

May you have great racing luck in all your wagers today!!!

  

Happy PREAKNESS 148

 Oh Baltimore. We look at the 148th running of the Preakness Stakes.

Pimlico Race 13 {Preakness~G1~1 3/16 mile~3 year-old~Graded Stakes}

A modest field of seven will go to the gate in this year's second jewel of the Triple Crown. It could be an honest pace with three in here looking to be forwardly placed. Speed figs are fairly close as each of these lads continuing to improve in their three year-old season. Three sons of Good Magic make the race. It should be a decent running of the Preakness that follows a super good card.

Past Performances used: DRF Formulator.

#1 National Treasure (J. Velazquez / Baffert) should be part of the pace scenario with the hope of wiring the field. He holds the second highest last out speed number and four stellar peaking workouts. He comes out of the Santa Anita Derby with a fourth place finish. A son of Quality Road, he is 80% in the money from five starts.

$1 WIN  /  $2 PLACE  /  $3 SHOW.

#3 Mage (Castellano / Delgado) is the horse to beat. The Kentucky Derby winner is the only horse in the field sporting a triple digit "Beyer". Two stamina producing works add to his cause. He should track and close gallantly in this modest field. A son of Good Magic, he is 75% in the money from four starts.

$1 PLACE  /  $2 SHOW.

#7 Blazing Sevens (I. Ortiz / C. Brown) comes out of the Bluegrass Stakes at Keeneland with the fourth highest last out speed number and has put in four superb workouts in the last thirty days. He one of a number of trackers in the field. Another son of Good Magic, he is 66% in the money from six starts.

$1 SHOW.

Other Wagering Interests

#5 Red Route One (Rosario / Asmussen) will close into an honest pace with the third highest last out speed number and two sound peaking workouts. Son of Gun Runner, is 55% in the money from nine starts.

#2 Chase the Chaos (S. Russell / Moger) is another tracker who comes out ot the Cal Derby at Golden Gate Fields. Son of Astern [AUS], is 75% in the money. Should show improvement.

#6 Perform (Lynch / McGaughey) continues to show improvement coming out of the Federico Tescio at Laurel where he won. Three strong peaking workouts indicate he will run well. Another son of Good Magic, he is 57% in the money from seven starts.

$1 Exacta Wheel ($5.00)

#1 National Treasure  //  #3 Mage,  #7 Blazing Sevens,  #5 Red Route One,  #2 Chase the Chaos,  #6 Perform.

Reverse the Wheel ($5.00)

#3,  #7,  #5,  #2,  #6  //  #1 National Treasure.

Best of luck to you in all Pimlico wagers!!!

A Superfecta Sunday Sprint

 Congratulations to the Connections of Mage, on winning the 149th Kentucky Derby. It was gratifying to see Javier Castellano win his first Kentucky Derby.

On this Superfecta Sunday we take in a great dirt sprint near the Windy City.

Hawthorne Racecourse Race 8 {6 Furlongs~3 year-old Up~Fillies/Mares~Allowance}

A nice field of eight will go to the gate.

Past Performances used:  Equibase.

There is plenty of speed to keep the pace hot. All but one have sprinted over the Hawthorne track. Speed numbers are very close making it quite competitive event.  It should be a good race to wager and watch.

#6 Rainy Mountain (Santiago / Kirby) should benefit from a hot pace with the third highest last out speed number and one solid workout. This gal loves the surface, distance, and course. A daughter of a King's Empire, is 83% in the money from six career starts.

$2 WIN  /  $3 PLACE  /  $5 SHOW.

#5 Dream Streak (O. Mojica / Rosin) comes in from Oaklawn with the second highest last out speed number and one good workout. She should be forwardly placed ready to romp. This filly excels at the distance. A daughter of Shackleford, she is 61% in the money from eighteen career starts. 

#1 Stormy Empire (Emigh / Kirby) should track the pace closely and strike in the stretch. She holds a decent last out speed number and two hearty workouts. This mare holds the highest speed number at the distance. Another daughter of King's Empire, she is 43% in the money from fifty-one starts.

#7 Ronan (Bendeza / Quinonez) is another that should benefit from a wicked pace. She holds the highest last out speed number. This mare loves the surface, distance, and track. A daughter of Successful Appeal, she is 58% in the money from fifty-five career starts.

20 CENT Superfecta  Box ($4.80)

#6 Rainy Mountain  +  #5 Dream Streak  +  #1 Stormy Empire  +  #7 Ronan.

20 CENT Superfecta Straight ($2.00)

#6 Riany Mountain  /  #5 Dream Streak  /  #1 Stormy Empire,  #7 Ronan  /  ALL.

May the odds be with you on all your wagers!!!

Kentucky Derby 149

 Happy Derby Day!

This is one of the most intriguing Kentucky Derby's in recent memory. As of this writing there have been five scratches, including morning line favorite, Forte.

There will be eighteen heading to the starting gate for the 3:57 pacific time start.

Past Performances used:  DRF Classic.

Wagering Strategy

On a modest budget, stick to the $1 Exacta and 50 cent Trifectas. If your handicapping is really good take a stab at the Superfecta and Super Hi-five (pentafecta). Keep in mind that the superfecta is a one dollar ($1) base wager. Play a full spectrum but, keep your wagering tight for this one. Expect the unexpected.

Churchill Downs Race 12 {The 149th KENTUCKY DERBY~G1~1 1/4 mile~3 year-old~Graded Stakes}

None of these 3 year-old boys have gone this distance. Speed figs are very close making it a extremely competitive race. Expect the pace to be quick, but not the firey pace they went last year. All have been well prepped for the race. It should be a supremely exciting race.

#14 Angel of Empire (Prat / B. Cox) will track the pace in good position and kick it home for the win. He comes in with three stamina producing workouts. Son of Classic Empire has a 83% in the money record.

$2 WIN  /  $3 PLACE  /  $5 SHOW.

#17 Derma Sotogake (C. Lemaire / Hidetaka) should be forwardly placed close to the pace ready to rock. Well acclimated to the Churchill grounds with three strong peaking workouts. Son of Mind Your Biscuits, he is 75% in the money from eight starts.

$2 PLACE  /  $3 SHOW.

#3 Two Phils (Loveberry / Rivelli) should track close to the pace and strike in the stretch. Three powerful workouts add to his luster. Son of Hard Spun is also 75% in the money from eight starts.

$2 SHOW.

Other Wagering Interests

#22 Mandarin Hero (Kimura / Terunobu) comes in from an exhilarating second place finish in the Santa Anita Derby earing a 100 Beyer speed fig. Should track and explode into the stretch. Son of Shanghai Bobby, is 100% in the money from six starts.

#2 Verifying (Gaffalione / B. Cox) should be right off of the leaders enabling him to get first strike in the stretch. Two stout workouts show he is ready to battle. A son of Triple Crown winner, Justify, he is 66% in the money from six starts.

#11 Disarm (Rosario / Asmussen) should track the pace in good positon to strike going into the stretch. He holds three solid peaking workouts coming into the race. Son of Gun Runner, is 100% in the money from five starts.

#4 Confidence Game (Graham / Desormeaux) loves Churchill and is pining to race over the dirt surface. He holds three endurance producing, peaking workouts. This guy has the tactical speed to work out a trip no matter the pace. Son of Candy Ride [ARG] is 85% in the money from seven starts.

$1 Exacta Wheel ($12.00)

#14 Angel of Empire,  #17 Derma Sotogake  //  #14,  #17,  #3 Two Phil's,  #22 Mandarin Hero,  #2 Verifying,  #11 Disarm,  #4 Confidence Game.

Reverse the Wheel ($12.00)

#14,  #17,  #3,  #22,  #2,  #11,  #4  //  #14 Angel of Empire,  #17 Derma Sotogake.

50 CENT Trifecta Box ($6.00)

#14  +  #17  +  #3  +  #22.

50 CENT Trifecta straight ($2.50)

#14  /  #17  /  #3,  #22,  #2,  #11,  #4.

$1 Superfecta Straight ($4.00)

#14  /  #17  /  #3  /  #22,  #2,  #11,  #4.

$1 Pentafecta [super hi-five] ($3.00)

#14  /  #17  /  #3  /  #22  /  #2,  #11,  #4.

Best of Luck to you in all your Kentucky Derby wagers!!! May the odds be with you!

   

Notable Nine for Kentucky Derby 149

 Happy Derby week!

Today we take our annual look at the notable nine Kentucky Derby 149 contenders. Not necessarily in our selection order, they are the top horses with the ability to at least hit the board and a strong possibility to hit the board.

#15 Forte (I. Ortiz / Pletcher) holds a triple digit Beyer number of 100. He won the Florida Derby making his fifth win in a row. Millionaire tracker/closer. Son of Violence. 85% win record from seven starts.

#10 Practical Move (R. Vazquez / Yakteen) also holds a triple digit Beyer, doubling 100 in his last two races. He won the Santa Anita Derby making his third win in a row. Son of Practical Joke shows improving speed figs with an 100% in the money record from seven starts.

#3 Two Phil's (Loveberry / Rivelli) holds the highest Beyer number of 101, albeit over a synthetic surface. This guy has a win over the Churchill track. He won the Jack Ruby Steaks at Turfway Park. A son of Hard Spun, he is 75% in the money from eight career starts.

#5 Tapit Trice (L. Saez / Pletcher) holds a high Beyer figure of 99. Coming into the race with four wins in a row. He is the Bluegrass winner at Keeneland. Son of Tapit, is 100% in the money from five starts.

#17 Derma Sotogake (Lemaire / Hidetaka) holds a TimeForm speed rating of 109. He is the winner of the UAE Derby at Meydan Racecourse. Shipped directly from Dubai to the US to acclimate well in advance of the Derby. Son of Mind Your Biscuits, is 75% in the money from eight starts.

#14 Angel of Empire (Prat / B. Cox) holds a high Beyer speed number of 94 as well as improving speed figures over his last three races. Winner of the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park. Millionaire son of Classic Empire, is 83% in the money from six starts.

#11 Disarm (Rosario / Asmussen) holds a high Beyer mark of 90 which he doubled up over his last two races. Has raced at Churchill. He was third last out in the Lexington at Keeneland to earn enough points to join the gate. A son of Gun Runner, he is 100% in the money from five career starts.

#9 Skinner (JJ Hernandez / Shirreffs) holds a high Beyer speed fig of 99 which he earned finishing 3rd in the Santa Anita Derby, last out. Old-school trainer, John Shirreffs has shown great patience in the development of his charge. Son of Curlin, is 66% in the money from six starts.

#4 Confidence Game (Graham / Desormeaux) holds a high Beyer figure of 94 earned winning the Rebel last out at Oaklawn Park. He is the most experienced Churchill Downs runner with a 75% itm from four starts over the track. A son of Candy Ride [ARG], he is 85% in the money from seven career starts.

It should be an excellent running of the 149th Kentucky Derby. We project the favortie to go off at approximately 4-1 which should make for some nice exotic payouts.

KD 149 is expected to go off at 3:57 pm Pacific Time.